***Official "Space Blanket" for Better Call Saul*** (3 Viewers)

[offdee]

Jimmy did the heroic thing to try to save his woman. He figured whomever stayed with Lalo was dying either way. And he didn’t know Kim was going to follow Lalo’s instructions. He was just trying to get her out of there, and then maybe she goes to the police or just escapes.

Yep, this.  In Jimmy's mind whoever was staying in the apartment was going to get tortured and dead.   Good chance the one who leaves is dead as well, but at least has a fighting chance (or as said above...decides to go to the police/escapes)

 

[offdee]

Gus should have brought Lyle into the empire. That dude has a serious work ethic, unending loyalty and devotion.  He progressed from being unable to clean the fryer to Gus's specifications to now opening and closing Los Pollos Hermanos for three days in a row. 

Dude was also up and chipper at what....4 am?   Impressive.

 

[offdee]

Great episode.   But I can't help but focus on how easy it was to kick that heavy duty extension cord apart.  How would that even work....foot on one side of the cord for resistance, but how exactly would his other foot have enough resistance to be able to unplug (he didn't reach down with his hand...or he'd have been dead).   And then when the cords do split apart a bunch of sparks??

And why did Lalo feel the need to extend Gus's life the full time before Mike and the boys showed up (by his assumed calculations)?    Chicken Man you have 13 mins before I kill you....and as I pull the trigger on you, your bald headed gringo is going to be behind me and light me up.    Dude, shoot the guy in the head for the camcorder and get your ### out of there!

That whole scene was a little amateur hour, especially since we knew exactly what was going to end up happening with the hidden gun and knowing Gus couldn't die.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

And why did Lalo feel the need to extend Gus's life the full time before Mike and the boys showed up (by his assumed calculations)?    Chicken Man you have 13 mins before I kill you....and as I pull the trigger on you, your bald headed gringo is going to be behind me and light me up.    Dude, shoot the guy in the head for the camcorder and get your ### out of there!

That whole scene was a little amateur hour, especially since we knew exactly what was going to end up happening with the hidden gun and knowing Gus couldn't die.

Maybe I misinterpreted the dialogue, but I thought Lalo said Mike would be there in 13 minutes then gave Gus 1 minute to say his piece, leaving a 12 minute cushion to get out of there.

 

[offdee]

Maybe I misinterpreted the dialogue, but I thought Lalo said Mike would be there in 13 minutes then gave Gus 1 minute to say his piece, leaving a 12 minute cushion to get out of there.

Didn't he say "13 minutes" up on the main floor as he was telling Gus to "give him the tour" ?    Then when Gus said "give me time to berate Hector", Lalo looked at his watch and said "we have 1 minute" ?

 

[Uruk-Hai]

THIS IS NOT A POKE THE EPISODE WITH HOLES FOR FUN AND/OR PROFIT POST.

I’m just trying to figure it out.

Gus knows once he hears Kim say Jimmy “talked him out of” having Jimmy go to kill him that that “hit” was not the target at all, since Lalo didn’t care who went.  So Gus knows Lalo is trying to get to him pull all the security at his house to go to Jimmy.

CHECK.

So why does Gus go out where he’s vulnerable instead of lying low?  A vest doesn’t do it.  Why wouldn’t he send his best men (hi, call Mike) there to take Lalo out instead?  I miss a lot of #### you guys see (though proud to report I knew this was a prequel) so am sincere in the questions.

It’s a chess game. Gus may have thought he was coming to the house and the lab would be the safe spot.

I'm always wrong deciphering anything that's not laid out neatly before me, but here's the way I took it as I watched:

Gus wanted to end Lalo and figured he'd be going to the lab. What threw me a little bit was the way Esposito played it. He looked absolutely terrified. Of course, he could be afraid and still want to go after Lalo but it just seemed a little off to me.  

After the episode was done was when I started 2nd-guessing my initial take and wondered some of the things you guys are.

They kind of hand-waved it during Gus' conversation with Mike near the end.

I'd like to hear some thoughts from the crew involved as to Gus' motivations there.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Didn't he say "13 minutes" up on the main floor as he was telling Gus to "give him the tour" ?    Then when Gus said "give me time to berate Hector", Lalo looked at his watch and said "we have 1 minute" ?

Maybe. As I said, I'm probably misremembering it.

 

[Skipdog77]

Gus should have brought Lyle into the empire. That dude has a serious work ethic, unending loyalty and devotion.  He progressed from being unable to clean the fryer to Gus's specifications to now opening and closing Los Pollos Hermanos for three days in a row. 

Sometimes heroes wear nametags. 

 

[kevzilla]

Gus is willing to go to extremes to kill the people he needs to kill.

 

[Capella]

THIS IS NOT A POKE THE EPISODE WITH HOLES FOR FUN AND/OR PROFIT POST.

I’m just trying to figure it out.

Gus knows once he hears Kim say Jimmy “talked him out of” having Jimmy go to kill him that that “hit” was not the target at all, since Lalo didn’t care who went.  So Gus knows Lalo is trying to get to him pull all the security at his house to go to Jimmy.

CHECK.

So why does Gus go out where he’s vulnerable instead of lying low?  A vest doesn’t do it.  Why wouldn’t he send his best men (hi, call Mike) there to take Lalo out instead?  I miss a lot of #### you guys see (though proud to report I knew this was a prequel) so am sincere in the questions.

Character flaw due to hatred of them imo. He confronted Hector as well when Mike was gone and that one ended up costing him. 
 

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Character flaw due to hatred of them imo. He confronted Hector as well when Mike was gone. 

That's a good observation. I don't think Gus was acting during his screed to Eladio through Lalo's camera. 

 

[Desert_Power]

I may be the only putz standing on this island, but I've said it in other threads (or maybe this one) and I'll say it again. Why do we need to evaluate each individual episode of a show like this?

This show tells a long story. Critiquing a single episode to me feels like reading a book and talking about how a certain paragraph was boring. They have to get from A to B in a way that feels authentic in order to keep the viewer immersed. If Mike saw the note on his windshield, looked to the sky and muttered "Fring...." and then drove Los Pollos Hermanos, would that be ideal for you? No explanation of how he knew, but hey - it moves the story along faster!

I can't figure out why someone who complains incessantly about the pacing is even watching this show. The beauty is in the details. The development that makes these characters memorable takes time. 

Before someone posts something like "Well, why not show Mike brushing his teeth for 2 full minutes, it would help develop the character?", there wasn't a wasted shot or overblown scene in that whole episode. They showed you exactly what you needed to see, nothing more, nothing less. If it thoroughly bored you, you really should be watching something else. 

Also, the faster we get to Jimmy becoming Saul, the sooner the show ends. Personally, I'm in no hurry to get to the finish line. 

In trying to get to the most recent page on my laggy work computer, I somehow ended up seeing this great post from 5 years ago.

 

[ZADO]

maybe not our loud but at the bar when she decided to run a scam with him was when i realized she was no longer a coworker and in love with him. 

Thats my point however,they have never said it out loud , like normal couples do ,especially married ones . Juts wonder if thats on purpose as this show is known for its details 

 

[Ghost Rider]

Dude was also up and chipper at what....4 am?   Impressive.

And was willing to drive Mr. Fring to the airport.  Brad Hamilton has nothing on that guy when it comes to being employee of the month. 

 

[krista4]

I'd like to hear some thoughts from the crew involved as to Gus' motivations there.

Yeah, that’s what I was asking for and finally got here…

Character flaw due to hatred of them imo. He confronted Hector as well when Mike was gone and that one ended up costing him. 
 

Makes sense.

 

[Punxsutawney Phil]

The Lalo Salamanca actor did a phenomenal job.  He was a great addition to the series.

 

[krista4]

Also loved when Lalo told Jimmy he didn’t want to send Kim because she’s clever.  Great subtle burn.    

 

[ignatiusjreilly]

Also loved when Lalo told Jimmy he didn’t want to send Kim because she’s clever.  Great subtle burn.    

Echoes Mike telling Kim she's "made of sterner stuff" than Jimmy a few episodes back. Almost makes me wonder if they're laying the groundwork for Jimmy having some level of resentment against Kim, or at least him needing to prove that he's capable of hanging with the big boys

 

[krista4]

Echoes Mike telling Kim she's "made of sterner stuff" than Jimmy a few episodes back. Almost makes me wonder if they're laying the groundwork for Jimmy having some level of resentment against Kim, or at least him needing to prove that he's capable of hanging with the big boys

Fabulous point.

 

[ignatiusjreilly]

By the way, we've all been saying that, with Nacho and Lalo now out of the way, the only mystery left is the fate of Kim (and of Gene). But I think we're forgetting one other major character: Jimmy McGill.

It seems pretty clear that, in the BB universe, we're only seeing Saul, and any vestiges of Jimmy are gone.  (Also worth pointing out that, in that one early-season episode where Gene gets locked in the stairwell, he scrawls "SG" on the wall, not "JM") But the character at this point in the BCS narrative does not seem capable of, for example, casually suggesting that Walt and Jesse murder Badger. Throughout the show, they keep nudging Jimmy down the road toward Saul, but then he pulls back. Even in this episode, his first thought when confronted with Lalo is to try to save Kim.

So what will ultimately "kill" Jimmy? Presumably, something involving Kim: her death, her leaving him, something like that. Whatever it is, I think the process for it happening will be fascinating to watch.

 

[ignatiusjreilly]

Character flaw due to hatred of them imo. He confronted Hector as well when Mike was gone and that one ended up costing him. 

The irony is that this time, he gave the speech at a moment of weakness and it saved his life. But perhaps it gave him a false confidence that led him to do the same thing to Hector a few years later from what he assumed was a position of strength, and it (literally) blew up in his face

 

[ignatiusjreilly]

he kicked the cord that lit the place up.

i mean if you are gonna nit pick that then why not wonder how lalo killed 8 bodyguards to get to Gus?

There's that famous quote from Gilligan about how BB (and presumably BCS as well) focused on the "spaces in between". Think of the scene with Mike taking apart his entire car to find the bug Gus had placed in the gas cap.

They spent so much time over the past couple seasons setting up this final confrontation; this episode felt like they just said, "#### it, let's speed things up and get to Gus and Lalo in the Superlab." It wasn't Poochie-level bad, but given the contrast to how they normally do things it was nearly as jarring

 

[Capella]

There's that famous quote from Gilligan about how BB (and presumably BCS as well) focused on the "spaces in between". Think of the scene with Mike taking apart his entire car to find the bug Gus had placed in the gas cap.

They spent so much time over the past couple seasons setting up this final confrontation; this episode felt like they just said, "#### it, let's speed things up and get to Gus and Lalo in the Superlab." It wasn't Poochie-level bad, but given the contrast to how they normally do things it was nearly as jarring

I thought it was great pacing, we’ve been waiting years for that. Holding it off for a few more episodes doesn’t do anything at all. It was episode 8 of the year, why would they have to wait longer? 
 

I’m excited they cleared the deck to get to the breaking bad and post-BB era. 

 

[BeTheMatch]

Damn it….Kim is still alive.

jimmy truly shows what a cowardly piece of #### he is, sending Kim. Deplorable.  I half expected her to lose her #### on jimmy when she got back. 
 

howard deserved better. 

Are you serious?? He sent Kim to protect her. He didn't think she'd kill Gus. He was sacrificing himself to save her.

 

[Ghost Rider]

By the way, we've all been saying that, with Nacho and Lalo now out of the way, the only mystery left is the fate of Kim (and of Gene). But I think we're forgetting one other major character: Jimmy McGill.

It seems pretty clear that, in the BB universe, we're only seeing Saul, and any vestiges of Jimmy are gone.  (Also worth pointing out that, in that one early-season episode where Gene gets locked in the stairwell, he scrawls "SG" on the wall, not "JM") But the character at this point in the BCS narrative does not seem capable of, for example, casually suggesting that Walt and Jesse murder Badger. Throughout the show, they keep nudging Jimmy down the road toward Saul, but then he pulls back. Even in this episode, his first thought when confronted with Lalo is to try to save Kim.

So what will ultimately "kill" Jimmy? Presumably, something involving Kim: her death, her leaving him, something like that. Whatever it is, I think the process for it happening will be fascinating to watch.

Agreed. Jimmy is not comfortable yet with murder. Saul was from the minute he showed up in BB. In addition to the Badger chow line line, he later implied to Walt that extreme measures might need to be taken with Jesse if he doesn’t come around (when he was in the hospital after Hank beat him to a pulp).

 

[Skipdog77]

Echoes Mike telling Kim she's "made of sterner stuff" than Jimmy a few episodes back. Almost makes me wonder if they're laying the groundwork for Jimmy having some level of resentment against Kim, or at least him needing to prove that he's capable of hanging with the big boys

I would imagine it will come out that Kim actually knew that Lalo was still alive and didn't tell Jimmy. Could see that driving a wedge between them further and building on that resentment, especially if she says she didn't tell him to "protect" him. 

 

[ignatiusjreilly]

I thought it was great pacing, we’ve been waiting years for that. Holding it off for a few more episodes doesn’t do anything at all. It was episode 8 of the year, why would they have to wait longer? 
 

I’m excited they cleared the deck to get to the breaking bad and post-BB era. 

Sorry, I didn't mean to suggest they should have dragged it out over additional episodes. They clearly have a lot of ground they need to cover over the last five.

I just meant that the way they got Gus and Lalo in the same room felt a little forced. I would have liked to have seen a better explanation, because the way it played out didn't totally make sense, and it was odd because that's usually the kind of thing Gilligan et al are really good at

 

[worrierking]

When Jimmy told Lalo to send Kim instead of him, worrierqueen said to me, "I can't believe he's sending her! Why would Saul do that?"  I told her I thought Jimmy's sacrificing himself for Kim.  Wife said "that's not how I would take it If I was Kim."

Kim didn't seem to be mad at Jimmy at the end of the episode when Mike was telling them to go about their day like normal, but I wonder if that's not a schism between the two going forward.  Kim is furious at Jimmy and it leads to their split.  That might be another step in the Jimmy-becomes-Saul progression. He feels like the only time in his life he did something truly noble it backfired, so screw it I'm just going to do what's in my own best interest.

 

[ignatiusjreilly]

One thing that just occurred to me: When Lalo was giving Jimmy/Kim instructions, he referred to Gus as a "house cat". Now obviously, at one level he was simply lying to them; he knew Gus' level of security, and couldn't have possibly thought Kim would be able to walk up to Gus' door and shoot him.

At the same time, I think the line is meant to convey his (ultimately fatal) underestimation of Gus, which is why he momentarily lets his guard down in the Superlab. His final line ("Strong words. Are you finished yet?) convey his annoyance at Gus -- it's the one moment in the scene when his smile disappears -- but also his belief that Gus is all talk.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

When Jimmy told Lalo to send Kim instead of him, worrierqueen said to me, "I can't believe he's sending her! Why would Saul do that?"  I told her I thought Jimmy's sacrificing himself for Kim.  Wife said "that's not how I would take it If I was Kim."

Kim didn't seem to be mad at Jimmy at the end of the episode when Mike was telling them to go about their day like normal, but I wonder if that's not a schism between the two going forward.  Kim is furious at Jimmy and it leads to their split.  That might be another step in the Jimmy-becomes-Saul progression. He feels like the only time in his life he did something truly noble it backfired, so screw it I'm just going to do what's in my own best interest.

Why would she be furious with him?

 

[ignatiusjreilly]

When Jimmy told Lalo to send Kim instead of him, worrierqueen said to me, "I can't believe he's sending her! Why would Saul do that?"  I told her I thought Jimmy's sacrificing himself for Kim.  Wife said "that's not how I would take it If I was Kim."

Kim didn't seem to be mad at Jimmy at the end of the episode when Mike was telling them to go about their day like normal, but I wonder if that's not a schism between the two going forward.  Kim is furious at Jimmy and it leads to their split.  That might be another step in the Jimmy-becomes-Saul progression. He feels like the only time in his life he did something truly noble it backfired, so screw it I'm just going to do what's in my own best interest.

That's interesting that your wife had that reaction. I didn't read Kim as being hostile toward Jimmy over sending her. When he first suggests it, she's completely freaked out and starts talking about how she doesn't even know how to fire a gun. But I didn't see any sense of "Why are you doing this to me?" I also thought his subtle little head-nod was meant to convey to her that he had a plan -- even if that plan was just to get her the hell away from Lalo

 

[Capella]

Kim told Mike’s gang that Jimmy sent her to save her. She’s fine with it. I think there will be something that splits them up but I think it’s the guilt over Howard and not that. 

 

[Capella]

Sorry, I didn't mean to suggest they should have dragged it out over additional episodes. They clearly have a lot of ground they need to cover over the last five.

I just meant that the way they got Gus and Lalo in the same room felt a little forced. I would have liked to have seen a better explanation, because the way it played out didn't totally make sense, and it was odd because that's usually the kind of thing Gilligan et al are really good at

Yea I don’t really know how else they would have got him down there I guess. Not like they could just give him a tour. I don’t know. 

 

[Ghost Rider]

Kim told Mike’s gang that Jimmy sent her to save her. She’s fine with it. I think there will be something that splits them up but I think it’s the guilt over Howard and not that. 

Well, this Howard thing ain’t going away. Cliff will find it suspicious that Howard disappeared right after what happened, and the last convo he had with Howard had the latter saying he was set up by Jimmy and Kim, the last two people who saw Howard alive. Plus, Cliff knows that Kim bailed on the meeting he set up for her with his associates. The fallout from this should be huge. 

 

[jamny]

Are you serious?? He sent Kim to protect her. He didn't think she'd kill Gus. He was sacrificing himself to save her.

and the look between them showed Jimmy basically saying goodbye.

I thought Jimmy would not let it get so far that his hands would be zip tied and would make a move before that. But I guess that was more of his "Nobody" movie character.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Another thing to consider: Kim is now a loose end for Gus. She knows where he lives, even if she only saw the guy who was playing his lookalike. A careful man like Gus cannot let that go. Mike seems to genuinely like Kim, and after his failure to save Nacho, maybe she disappears with Mike’s help. 

 

[Desert_Power]

Another thing to consider: Kim is now a loose end for Gus. She knows where he lives, even if she only saw the guy who was playing his lookalike. A careful man like Gus cannot let that go. Mike seems to genuinely like Kim, and after his failure to save Nacho, maybe she disappears with Mike’s help. 

Mike and the vacuum cleaner dude.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Kim told Mike’s gang that Jimmy sent her to save her. She’s fine with it. I think there will be something that splits them up but I think it’s the guilt over Howard and not that. 

Well, that and if Jimmy finds out Kim knew Lalo was still alive and didn't tell him.

 

[Capella]

Another thing to consider: Kim is now a loose end for Gus. She knows where he lives, even if she only saw the guy who was playing his lookalike. A careful man like Gus cannot let that go. Mike seems to genuinely like Kim, and after his failure to save Nacho, maybe she disappears with Mike’s help. 

I could see this. 

 

[Capella]

Well, this Howard thing ain’t going away. Cliff will find it suspicious that Howard disappeared right after what happened, and the last convo he had with Howard had the latter saying he was set up by Jimmy and Kim, the last two people who saw Howard alive. Plus, Cliff knows that Kim bailed on the meeting he set up for her with his associates. The fallout from this should be huge. 

Hmm, I doubt we see much more of Cliff. I’d be surprised if we see him again actually, but I’m like 0% accurate on any of this. I think we move into the breaking bad universe pretty quickly now. 
 

They will deal with Kim but this isn’t going to become Better Call Cliff. They wrapped Lalo up now so they can move the story ahead. 

 

[Yo Mama]

One thing that just occurred to me: When Lalo was giving Jimmy/Kim instructions, he referred to Gus as a "house cat". Now obviously, at one level he was simply lying to them; he knew Gus' level of security, and couldn't have possibly thought Kim would be able to walk up to Gus' door and shoot him.

Agreed - Lalo knew there would be extra security with Fring since he made the fake call to Hector telling him he was going to settle things that night (knowing the call was being listened to).  It was all a ploy to get most of the security out of there and Fring more exposed. 
 

The thing I wonder about is how did Lalo know Fring would go to the laundromat/lab instead of laying low at his house?  Maybe figured he’d force Fring out of the house and use the lab as a safe space?

 

[ignatiusjreilly]

The thing I wonder about is how did Lalo know Fring would go to the laundromat/lab instead of laying low at his house?  Maybe figured he’d force Fring out of the house and use the lab as a safe space?

Yeah, that still bothers me: There's no way either Gus OR Lalo could have known they'd encounter each other at the lab. In fact, they would have both been likely to assume they'd meet at Gus' safe house. Gus knew that the Kim maneuver was a feint to draw his security away, and Lalo would have assumed that the "house cat" was hiding in his undisclosed location

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Agreed - Lalo knew there would be extra security with Fring since he made the fake call to Hector telling him he was going to settle things that night (knowing the call was being listened to).  It was all a ploy to get most of the security out of there and Fring more exposed. 
 

The thing I wonder about is how did Lalo know Fring would go to the laundromat/lab instead of laying low at his house?  Maybe figured he’d force Fring out of the house and use the lab as a safe space?

Yeah, that still bothers me: There's no way either Gus OR Lalo could have known they'd encounter each other at the lab. In fact, they would have both been likely to assume they'd meet at Gus' safe house. Gus knew that the Kim maneuver was a feint to draw his security away, and Lalo would have assumed that the "house cat" was hiding in his undisclosed location

Lalo wanted to go to the lab to get evidence that Gus was building his own empire. His plan wasn't to draw Gus there.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

When Jimmy told Lalo to send Kim instead of him, worrierqueen said to me, "I can't believe he's sending her! Why would Saul do that?"  I told her I thought Jimmy's sacrificing himself for Kim.  Wife said "that's not how I would take it If I was Kim."

Kim didn't seem to be mad at Jimmy at the end of the episode when Mike was telling them to go about their day like normal, but I wonder if that's not a schism between the two going forward.  Kim is furious at Jimmy and it leads to their split.  That might be another step in the Jimmy-becomes-Saul progression. He feels like the only time in his life he did something truly noble it backfired, so screw it I'm just going to do what's in my own best interest.

Your lady and I seem to be the only ones feeling this way. 
 

I saw it only in a negative light for Saul.  I saw nothing heroic in his actions.   Pretty interesting that most see it the other way. 

 

[Capella]

Your lady and I seem to be the only ones feeling this way. 
 

I saw it only in a negative light for Saul.  I saw nothing heroic in his actions.   Pretty interesting that most see it the other way. 

Why would Saul leave her with Lalo? In his mind that’s almost certain death. 

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Why would Saul leave her with Lalo? In his mind that’s almost certain death. 

I get what y’all are saying.
 

In the moment, while watching it, I thought, “what a piece of ####!”  No where in my thinking did I think whoever went to murder fring, wouldn’t do what lalo said to the letter. So they either become a murderer, or die in the process.  I saw it as Saul weaseling out of the harder task and not having the stones to kill someone.    
 

eta:  they’re both dead at that point. Doesn’t matter who stays. 

 

[Capella]

I get what y’all are saying.
 

In the moment, while watching it, I thought, “what a piece of ####!”  No where in my thinking did I think whoever went to murder fring, wouldn’t do what lalo said to the letter. So they either become a murderer, or die in the process.  I saw it as Saul weaseling out of the harder task and not having the stones to kill someone.    
 

eta:  they’re both dead at that point. Doesn’t matter who stays. 

If I were Saul, I’d be sending her off hoping she went to the cops. Sure he eats the bullet but he saves his wife. Easy trade. 

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

Lalo wanted to go to the lab to get evidence that Gus was building his own empire. His plan wasn't to draw Gus there.

Exactly.  And Gus knew that Lalo was out to find the lab.  So he planted the gun assuming that one day he would probably find it.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Something tells me Gus is going to enjoy telling Hector that his nephew is dead for real this time and that he personally was responsible. 

 

[offdee]

If I were Saul, I’d be sending her off hoping she went to the cops. Sure he eats the bullet but he saves his wife. Easy trade. 

Yep. And they specifically showed her almost taking that option probably to give the audience that moment of “ah that’s why Saul told her to go”

The other side of this is that Saul has heard Lalo tell him multiple times that he outkicked his coverage with Kim (more or less saying Lalo’s attracted to her). Saul was also taking the possibility of Kim getting raped before dying out of the scenario.