Better Call Saul made its return on Tuesday on Netflix. This new season promises to be much darker.Let's decipher the first episode together.
Jimmy's alter-ego has a heart attack
The first episode of season 4 opens with a confusing black and white scene, as is frequently found in series directed by Vince Gilligan. It seems that she represents an alter-ego of Jimmy. It's the same actor, slightly different though. In the first scene, this alter-ego does what appears to be a heart attack and therefore an infinite number of tests in the hospital. He seems worried as he leaves, as if he doesn't have proper papers. He gives a security number that seems bogus, before managing to leave the hospital without worries. One possible interpretation would be that this alter-ego is an image of what Jimmy's life would be like if he hadn't done law. These black and white scenes will certainly serve as a preface for each episode of this new season, which would bring an interesting new angle to Jimmy's story.
Kim, Jimmy's eternal pillar
Jimmy has been an incredible support for Kim since the car accident, and even forever. They set up their practice together, Jimmy has always believed in Kim. But in this new episode, it's Jim who needs Kim. And she is really there for him during this painful episode, where Jimmy faces the death of his brother. She supports him without needing words. They both find comfort in alcohol to face this difficulty together. What matters is that they are there for each other, and it warms the heart to see that their relationship is stable and capable of anything, even mourning.
Will Jimmy let go of the law?
At the beginning of the episode, Jimmy prepares to find a job far away from law. During season 3, Jimmy auditioned Chuck by making him look crazy. Since then, his conscience has been working on him and he does not seem ready to return to plead. Kim's accident allowed him to take a step back from the legal profession. However, although he seems to have decided to leave the realm of law since he acted against his brother, we know from the story of Breaking Bad that Jimmy McGill will become Saul Goodman, a lawyer for organized crime. We are also waiting impatiently for Gus to take more and more importance in the story.
Chuck's Burial
Visually and at the scenario level, the funeral was extremely disturbing. We witnessed the many condolences from Chuck's former colleagues, which seem to be a torment for Jimmy. This scene lasts a few minutes. However, the directors chose not to actually show the funeral, which is a rather singular choice. The scene abruptly cuts and resumes in the car after the funeral. Finally, the episode ends with Howard Hamelin's guilt. He confesses to Jimmy and Kim that he feels very responsible for Chuck's death, which is a suicide. Howard had pushed him out of Hamelin Hamelin and McGill because insurance was too expensive.At this moment, Jimmy has a reaction of total indifference, which closes the episode in a rather disconcerting fog. Jimmy seems disturbed, devastated without being aware of it. This heralds a darker, darker season.
See you next week for the second episode of season 4 of Better Call Saul on Netflix!
