Better Call Saul Season 1 Episode 9 Pimento

I can’t believe this is the penultimate episode of the season. In my opinion, things are just getting really interesting. This episode was powerful and Bob Odenkirk played the emotional journey of Jimmy perfectly.

The episode commences with Chuck and Jimmy sitting on a park bench in front of Chuck’s house.  Jimmy praises Chuck’s progress and encourages him to take off his shoes and feel the grass between his toes.  They discuss the nursing home case. Chuck warns Jimmy that he needs to get ready.  Jimmy is confident. Chuck observes, “Confidence is good, facts on your side is better.”

Mike visits Stacey and  brings a little dog as a gift for his granddaughter.  The girl plays happily with the dog in their sparse backyard.  Mike insists that it’s Stacey’s decision to keep the dog.  He offers to take care of it himself and Kaylee can play with him when she visits.  Stacey sees how happy her daughter is and agrees to adopt the dog. Mike receives a phone call which he tells Stacey is a “lead on a job.”

Jimmy and the Sandpiper attorney appear before the judge.  Jimmy is arguing that he needs access to his clients and the attorney is advocating for a restraining order against Jimmy.  The corporate lawyer argues that Jimmy’s presence at their facility is distracting and he’s too flamboyant.  Jimmy argues that even prisoners have a right to an attorney; surely his clients deserve the same access.  The judge ends the debate and tells them he has enough information to make a decision.

Jimmy returns to Chuck’s home.  Chuck shows him boxes of documents sent by the defense attorney.  Chuck explains to Jimmy that this is their m.o.; drown Jimmy in paperwork so the case drags out for years.  Chuck adds, “You’re not going to like what I have to say next. You need to refer this case to HHM.”  Chuck elaborates that there is no shame in needing help with a case of this scope.  The two of them don’t have the time and capital to work a case of this magnitude.

 Jimmy is exasperated, “Hail Satan, I submit!”  Jimmy promises to call Kim.  Jimmy fantasizes about have the office next to Chuck’s. “Finally, out of the mailroom!”

Chuck sneaks out of the house armed with an oven mitt and a wooden dowel.  He approaches his mailbox and fishes out Jimmy’s cell phone.   He makes a mysterious call.

Mike meets with a huge bald bearded man in a parking garage. (Could it be the same one seen in Breaking Bad.)? Another man approaches with greasy hair and camo cargo pants. The camo pants guy is talkative.  He wonders how Mike got this job for “civilian protection.” He asks Mike what he’s carrying. (Meaning weapon)  Mike says, “Pimento.” Camo guy thinks he’s joking.  Mike explains, “Pimento, caviar of the South.” A balding middle age man arrives to meet the three men in a minivan.  He explains that they have a long trip ahead and that they will each receive five hundred dollars.  Camo guy asks the nerdish man to leave Mike behind, since he isn’t carrying a weapon.  Mike says, “I didn’t think I needed one. I could always take one of his.” Camo guy is furious. Mike punches him in the neck, wrestles him to the ground and removes all four guns he’s carrying. Mike then deposits the cache in a nearby garbage bin.  The bald bearded man runs off.  Mike leaves the man on the ground assuring the nerdy man, “He’ll be ok. But I’m going to need one thousand five hundred dollars to do the job.”  The man agrees.

Chuck and Jimmy leave the house.  Jimmy had an idea to line Chuck’s suit with the space blanket to assist his visit to HHM.  At the law office, everyone has surrendered their cell phones; the electricity in the entire building is switched off.  As Chuck and Jimmy enter, the entire office has gathered and give the founding partner a rousing round of applause.  

A large team is gathered in the conference room.  Howard is animated and eager to begin working on this large case.  Jimmy asks if he can have the office next to Chuck’s. Howard abruptly dismisses the team to speak with Jimmy and Chuck alone.  Howard offers Jimmy twenty percent of the settlement and compensation for the hours he spent building the case but will not hire him to work at HHM.  Howard explains, “The case is all we want.”

Jimmy is furious, “I made the case happen! Tell me why?”  Chuck feigns shock and states, “I’m very disappointed.”

Jimmy loses his temper completely. “Go to hell! I’ll tell my clients what a pig you are. I’d rather burn this case then give it to you!”

Kim knocks on Howard’s door. She wants to talk about what transpired during the meeting with the McGill brothers.  She tells him she thinks that Jimmy deserves to participate in the case and that he is her friend.  Howard arrogantly replies, “The PARTNERS had made the decision.”  Kim presses on how it’s not fair.  Howard curtly says, “Thank you.” (Might as well said FU) I believe you’re out of your depth here.  I don’t care what you think.”  Kim turns to leave and Howard pauses and asks her to wait.  A discussion transpires behind closed doors.

Mike and the nerdy man arrive at rural factory.  They review the plan, give them the pills and get paid. “Easy peasy.”  Mike explains.   A van arrives three men exit, including Ignacio, one of Tuco’s crew.  The nerdy man takes an envelope of money and counts it and declaring it twenty dollars short.  Mike stands firm, “Agreed amount or no deal.” Ignacio sneers and throws a bill on the ground, which is chased by the nerdy man.  The man gives him the pills, “Eighty milligrams, factory sealed.” Satisfied, Ignacio and crew leave.

The nerdy man is impressed with Mike’s command of the situation.  Mike explains he knew Ignacio was making a deal outside of his gang and therefore wanted things to go smoothly.  The nerdy guy insists he’s not a criminal.  Mike declares that he is because he’s committed a crime.  Mike explains what the man has to decide if he’s going to be a good criminal.  A good criminal keeps his word.

Jimmy staggers back to the nail salon. Kim waits for him at the door. He offers her to come inside and drink as long as she agrees to listen to him rant about “What an unwashed asshole your boss is!” Kim tells him to take the deal Howard offered; it’s the “best thing for him.” Jimmy is distraught, “You want me to give up my case?” Kim replies, “I want you to be happy.” Jimmy scoffs, “Are you a damn pod person? What did Howard promise you?”

Alone, Jimmy takes out his cell phone to make a call then realizes the battery’s dead. He plugs it in and picks up the landline. He’s suspicious about why his cell phone is dead.

Chuck whistles as he lights his propane lamp.  He is surprised to see that Jimmy is in his living room.  Chuck is upbeat about his trip to the office. “Being back felt good, I want to get better.”  Jimmy reveals he’s done some soul searching and decided to take the deal.  Chuck offers to “work on Howard” and maybe he could change his mind about hiring Jimmy.

Jimmy asks Chuck to threaten to quit if they won’t let him work the case.  He assures Chuck just threatening to quit may change Howard's mind.

Jimmy’s mood darkens, “You called him. There was a call to Howard on my cell phone at two am! You called him before our meeting and told him not to hire me!”  Jimmy speculates how painful it would have been for Chuck to use the cell phone given his “condition.”  Jimmy concludes it was Chuck who made sure he wasn’t hired when he passed the bar many years before.

Chuck shows his true colors, “You’re not a real lawyer, University of American Samoa? Online courses? You’re a joke! And you think you can just slide in and be my peer.  I know what you are, you’re “Slipping Jimmy.”  And with a law degree you’re like a chimp with a machine gun!”

Utterly stunned, Jimmy tells Chuck he has brought about three more days of supplies and after that, he’s on his own. “I’m done.” Jimmy leaves and gets into his mangled car.

It was a heartbreaking scene.  I do think we will learn what Howard told Kim.  It must be some dastardly deed he committed in the past.  Chuck was more like a father to Jimmy, a deeply disappointed father.  Jimmy is right to sever the relationship. Can people really change? We all know Slippery Saul, but Jimmy’s story is still sad.  It’s understandable how these disappointments caused Jimmy to “break bad.”

Next week is the season finale!

The Americans, Season 3, Episode 9 Do Mail Robots Dream of Electric Sheep?

Elizabeth waits for Hans at the university campus. She tells him he “did good” but they must terminate their relationship, because Todd may have seen him. Hans is stunned, “I did everything you told me. I want to serve. Please.”  Elizabeth is adamant, “It’s not worth the risk.  You can serve in other ways.”

Phillip enters the travel agency where Elizabeth is working. He tells her that the bug has been found in Gaad’s office.  He further adds, that Martha “knows about me.” He explains that she met the man whom he claimed to be during the investigation of bug.  Elizabeth is surprised and upset.  Phillip assures her that Martha won’t tell anybody and that he trusts her.  Elizabeth probably trusts no one except Phillip. Phillip says he’ll return to her home for the night.

Martha is cooking a romantic dinner when Clark arrives.  The phone rings and its Children’s Services.  She tells them, “They have reconsidered, and it’s not right time.” Clark looks stunned by her revelation.  She tells him, “It would be unrealistic to foster a child at this time.” Martha assures him it’s fine, she’s fine.  They toast to “Turning the page.”  Martha begins discussing the latest news from the office.  She tells him about Agent Gaad’s “attack” on the mail robot.  It’s not clear who she thinks she’s married to, but seems to accept it because she loves and needs him.

Stan waits in an empty warehouse for Oleg.  Oleg thinks that there might be an element of truth to the suspicion that Zianda is a spy.  He has an idea to find out but it’s “risky.”  Stan seems to be open to any option that could help Nina.

Todd is working in a warehouse type setting.  Hans surprises him and shoots him in the right eye, but it doesn’t kill him. He attempts to shoot him a second time but his gun jams.  A close bloody fight ensues, ending with Hans strangling Todd.  He leaves him in the freight elevator.

Gabriel goes for a winter walk with Elizabeth and Phillip.  Elizabeth doubts that Martha won’t talk.  Phillip asserts he trusts her and Gabriel agrees.  The plan is to get another bug into the FBI, this time in the mail robot.  They still need Martha but it’s clear if she falls, she’ll fall alone. “Trust us.” Gabriel tells Elizabeth.

Hans tells Elizabeth he has murdered Todd.  She asks him how it went.  He concedes it was messy and didn’t go as planned.  Elizabeth says, it seldom does.  Hans is earnest in his desire to work, “I want to right the wrongs my people have inflicted. I want to make it right.”  Contextually, the Soviets didn’t really care about the freeing South Africa of apartheid but desired access to the wealth of the African nation.

Stan waits for Zianda to finish a meeting with military staff.  She exits and complains of being ravenous. Stan has a candy bar waiting for her. She appreciates how Stan takes care of her.

Dressed in “cat burglar” attire, Phillip and Elizabeth break into the work area where the FBI mail robot is being serviced.  Elizabeth tells Phillip, “I understand that you have feelings for Martha. I get it.”  Phillip sarcastically replies, “I’m glad I have your permission.”  Upstairs, a light comes on. Elizabeth leaves to investigate.

Elizabeth confronts an older woman in the office.  She tells her that they are there to “fix the mail robot.”  The woman makes a move towards the phone.  Elizabeth coldly tells her, “Don’t do that, or I’ll have to tie you up. Do you understand?”

The woman is surprisingly calm and chatty given the circumstances.  She says she enjoys coming in late to do the bookkeeping because it’s the best time to feel the “presence” of her late husband Gil.  She explains Gil was a veteran on WW II and liberated Jews from the concentration camps.  She shows Elizabeth a picture of a baby that is her son. “That’s Andy, he runs things now.”  She asks Elizabeth for a glass of water; Elizabeth leaves but removes the phone.

Elizabeth asks Phillip how much longer it will take to place the bug.  Phillip’s not sure.  Elizabeth tells him about the woman upstairs.  He nods and says she “picked a bad time.” It’s clear there can be no witnesses to tonight’s operation.

Stan checks the hotel room prior to Zianda’s entrance.  She thanks him and he leaves her inside alone.

The office woman asks for Elizabeth’s name, and she tells her the truth. The woman asks, “Are you a robber?” Elizabeth won’t answer that but the conversation turns to family.  Elizabeth reveals her mother is still alive and living in Russia. The woman seems to understand who Elizabeth might be. “Your English is very good.”  Elizabeth nods, “I was well trained.”  The woman realizes that she is not going to leave the office.  She says, “I’m not afraid.  Better this was then in the street or in front of a TV.”  She tells her that her husband died in the hospital.  She explains she has a heart condition and needs a heart transplant but doesn’t want one. Elizabeth pours out the woman’s pills.  She is offering her death by “overdose.” The woman begins to swallow the medicine.

Zianda is not alone. There in the dark is a man in sunglasses with a gun trained on her. He speaks to her in Russian and warns her that unless she recants her remarks about Afghanistan she will be killed.  If she does this, she will be “returned” to the Soviet Union and praised as a patriot who was seduced by the West and has come to her senses.  Stan enters the room; the man punches him in the head and runs away.

Paige is home alone with Henry. She scolds him for staying up too late. It’s amazing how little the parents try to maintain the façade of normalcy.

Phillip reports to Elizabeth that he is almost done.  Elizabeth stays with the woman as she becomes drowsy. “Did Gil send you?” Elizabeth says yes.  She asks, “Did he tell you that I’m afraid of pain? Promise me you won’t hurt my son.”  Elizabeth promises. She recounts how she married him twice but never talk about his second wife.

She asks Elizabeth if she is married and has children and she confirms that her and her husband work together.

“And this is what you do?”

“We are making the world a better place.” Elizabeth answers.

“By doing this to me?” Asks the dying woman.  Elizabeth replies, “I’m sorry, but yes.”

The woman is slurring her words now but says, “That’s what evil people tell themselves when they do evil.” She gasps then dies.

Elizabeth heads downstairs where Phillip has finished planting the bug.  He asks if she’s ok, she doesn’t make eye contact but says, “She was sick, they’ll find her in the morning. We have to go.”

Agents Gaad and Aderholt debrief with Stan about the “attack” on him in Zianda’s hotel room. They are puzzled but not sure what they could have done differently. Aderholt suggest the man could have been hiding in the closet or under the bed.  All they can do is “beef up” her security.

Stan and Oleg meet in his car.  Oleg apologizes for hitting Stan so hard.  They share some beers.  Oleg observes that Zianda didn’t break or confess when he confronted her in the hotel room.  It’s unclear how they will continue to try to get Zianda to reveal her true identity and motivation.

Gabriel and Phillip meet over a game of Scrabble. They discuss love and the work of marriage. Phillip reveals that when he met Elizabeth it was like a “bolt of lightening” that he hasn’t felt before or since. Gabriel reveals that Elizabeth “rejected” the first “husband” who was chosen for her.  Phillip doubts Elizabeth was as smitten with him.

Phillip is becoming agitated. “All this talk. I trusted you; my job is to look out for my family. No one else will!” It’s clear he’s sick of being manipulated by Gabriel and is frustrated with how Gabriel manipulates Elizabeth. This is especially evident in the way Gabriel is pushing her to recruit Paige.

This episode highlighted the beliefs of several key characters.  Stan and Oleg are willing to compromise their political beliefs to help Nina. Martha is willing to ignore Clark’s identity because she loves him. Elizabeth is willing to ignore any feeling that would come before her sense of patriotic duty. It’s also interesting to note the Soviets suffered great losses in WW ll and still call it the “Great Patriotic Fatherland War.”  It seems that Elizabeth hesitated a little bit when the office woman told her that her husband was a veteran. But in the end, she is a machine for the cause. Will that ever change, even if it’s her children’s lives at stake?

Justified Season 7, Episode 10 Trust

It’s almost the end of the exciting last season of Justified.  I’m expecting the some gunfire, a death or two, but not of any main characters until the finale.  Pour some bourbon and let’s check up on our favorite friends in Harlan.

Katherine and Wynn discuss recent events with Boyd via phone.  The two are made at Boyd’s “explosive” methods.  Katherine reminds him, “That they are supposed to be on the same side.” The burning question (puns, apologies) is when and where Avery will move his millions.

Wynn checks in with Raylan. He wants to sever his ties with the Marshalls. Raylan isn’t happy with Wynn’s “help” so far.  Raylan wonders if the failure of the explosion was intentional.

Boyd reluctantly meets with his old adversary Limehouse.  Boyd is vague about his problems but mentions he almost died in the mine. “I don’t like you, but I need you.” Limehouse reasons the Crowder’s are “fixin’ to leave.”  They haggle about the fee for Limehouse’s services. Boyd agrees to give him the “Walker money” (100K). Limehouse wants Boyd to promise that he’ll never return to Harlan.

Ava discovers Dewey’s necklace hung on a baby gator in the bar.  She pockets the blood stained evidence.

Nobody’s favorite new character Boon runs into Raylan and Boyd. Boon talks almost as much as Boyd, but makes half as much sense. Boon singles out that any man can wear a hat, and it’s his job to give them a reality check. (Not sure if I want to even know this jerk so late in the series.) Avery wonders if Raylan is going to arrest him. Raylan asks him to call Katherine and see how long it takes for her to mention the location of the money. Avery wants to prove Raylan wrong, calls Katherine.  She asks about the money nearly immediately. Avery tells her he’s planning to move it to North Carolina.

Wynn and Boyd, armed with new information from Katherine, discuss where to best hit the money transport. Boyd has years of experience transporting drugs, knows the best location to rob the vehicle. Wynn finishes the call and hops into the “douche mobile.” Mike is texting someone. Wynn asks Mike if he’s done lecturing him about becoming a snitch. Mike cryptically replies, “I’m done with the code.”

Tim and Raylan watch the action around the Pizza Portal after the fire. Raylan muses that Boyd’s too smart to trust the information regarding the money transport. “Last time we tried to catch him in the act, we ended up with a duffle bag of underwear.” (Dewey’s important mission earlier this season.)

Back at the bar, Ava asks Earl if he knows what happened to Zachariah. He obviously doesn’t care and tells her he thinks he’s dead or trapped.  Ava doesn’t seem ready to accept this given what an experienced miner her uncle was.  Boyd is excited about the upcoming showdown. He realizes that the Marshalls have set the money-moving plan in motion, but he has an alternative plan. Ava fingers Dewey’s necklace as Boyd departs. (Will she use it as leverage later?”)

Vasquez and Rachel speak to Raylan over the phone. Raylan explains that Boyd won’t hit the “bait truck” based on information he’s received from Ava. Vasquez is exasperated with Ava’s performance as a C.I. He threatens to send her back to prison unless they capture Boyd in the commission of a RICO crime.  Raylan says, “Do you really think this will end in a trial, not a blaze of gunfire like the outlaw he’s always been?”

Katherine meets Boyd who promptly pulls out a gun and kidnaps her.

Avery sits down to a meeting with Loretta’s aunt Lillian. They discuss Loretta’s past and her time in foster care. Lillian is bitter with the system that didn’t think they were good enough to have custody of her. Lillian sees Avery’s intention, he wants her to sell to him and if she doesn’t, he’ll kill her and get Lillian to sell.

Avery exits the house, telling Boon that Lillian is as tough as a “knotty pine.” Avery asks Boon if his conscience ever bothers him. Boon shrugs, he has no problem with conscience. He enters Lillian’s home and two gunshots are heard. (Assume that Loretta is the next target.)

Boyd has Katherine in his truck as he calls Avery. Boyd informs him that he knows the money is really not on the move to the location the Marshalls have set. His demand is simple, cash or Katherine dies.

Avery leaves Boon to meet Boyd. Boon offers to come along, but Avery wants to not take any chances on this mission and dismisses him.

Wynn and Mike are in the “douche mobile.” Mike asks, “You said ‘this time’ when you agreed to work with the Marshalls. You ratted on Grady.” Mike hits Wynn’s head against the table then handcuffs him. Wynn moans as Mike calls Katherine, “I think I may have something that might interest you.”

Katherine tells Boyd he’s “too cool.” Boyd calls Avery to set the time and location of their meeting.

Up the interstate, Earl is arrested alone. Rachel concedes, “Raylan was right. Ava did give us the correct information.” Ava meets with Raylan at her home. She shows him the passport provided by Limehouse. (Why?) Raylan informs her that Vasquez is “pulling the plug” on her deal and that she will likely go back to prison. Ava assures him that she’ll help bring in Boyd with the money. “Sorry.” Raylan says. Ava shows him Dewey’s necklace, highlighting the fact that there is blood on it. Raylan shakes his head, “It ain’t enough.” Ava persists, “What if I can get him to confess to killing him?”

Boon is at the diner where he taunts the “hipster” server over his hat.  He also bothers the single young woman the hipster is flirting with. He menacingly offers the man one hundred dollars for his hat. The server, wishing to avoid further trouble, gives Boon the hat.  After trying it on, he decides it doesn’t suit him and leaves. Not sure what the point of this scene is except to prove that Boon is an ass.

Raylan tells Ava he can’t see Boyd confessing to murdering Dewey.  Ava drawls, “You doubt I can’t use my feminine wiles to make him do whatever I want?”  She then muses what her life would have been like if she had left Harlan with Raylan when they were teens.  Regarding Boyd, Raylan says, “I want to trust you..”

Avery meets with Boyd and Katherine. “Ain’t this a conundrum, someone always has to go first.” Avery brings two large duffle bags filled with cash and places them in the back of Boyd’s pick up. Boyd lets Katherine go but proclaims, “Ripping you off, it was her idea to get back at you for murdering her husband!”

Avery asks, “You think I had Grady murdered?” She looks more frightened, “Are you going to kill me?”

Boyd calls Ava, whooping with the thrill of his success. Ava arrives at Boyd’s location and they embrace. Suddenly, a shot rings out. Ava has shot Boyd in the chest. Stunned, he crumples to the ground. Raylan emerges from the woods, asking Ava to put the gun down. Ava is defiant, “I gave you everything you wanted, Boyd bleeding at your feet! Now shoot me or let me go!” She gets in the truck and leaves!

There are two episodes left. It’s clear from the previews that Boyd does survive. (At least for a little bit longer.) But many questions remain. Katherine might be free, but now will Avery kill her? What will Mike do to Wynn? Will Ava find a place someone can understand her drawl and where she’ll be safe?

 It seems the final showdown will not be between Boyd and Raylan, but Boon and Raylan.  It would be sad for that punk to take down our favorite Marshall. But all cowboys die in the end…

Better Call Saul Episode 8 RICO

The episode commences with a flashback of Jimmy in his days as a mail clerk for HHM.  Jimmy is friendly in his short sleeves and tie as he delivers files around the office.  He pays a visit to Kim and asks her to open a letter for him.  She opens it and Jimmy gets a hug and a kiss.  He then goes to visit Chuck.  He tells him he’s passed the bar.  Chuck is incredulous; he didn’t even know that Jimmy had finished school.  Jimmy reveals it was a correspondence coarse through University of American Samoa, “Go land crabs!” (His diploma was seen on Breaking Bad, it’s a nice consistency.)  He also reveals to his brother that it took three times to pass the bar. “Little like losing your virginity!”  He asks Chuck to speak with Howard about a job in the firm.  Chuck reluctantly agrees.

There is a celebration in the mailroom for Jimmy complete with cake and balloons. Howard asks to speak to Jimmy in private.  The conversation isn’t audible over the sound of the printer, but it’s obviously a rejection.  As Howard leaves with his piece of cake, he says, “Let’s revisit this topic in six months,” It’s clear why Jimmy dislikes Howard so much. (I could relate to this story, when I was about to get my RN license I was fired from my clerk job at the hospital where I had hoped to start my career.)

The next scene shows Kim unpacking into her new office location. Howard walks in and asks for her to appear with him.  She stands by Howard in a news conference outlining the plea agreement brokered by her for Craig Kettleman.  Howard doesn’t mention her contributions and basks in the spotlight.

Jimmy makes a visit to a Mrs. Landry at the Sandpiper Crossing Assisted Living. He has completed a will for her and she owes him one hundred forty dollars. Embarrassed she’s short of cash, she asks him to wait a week until she gets her “allowance.” Jimmy questions her about the nursing home’s control of her funds and she explains that they control all the residents’ incomes, and then give them the remainder as an allowance. Jimmy smells something fishy is cooking here.

Jimmy returns to the facility and reviews the billing statements from some of the residents. The receptionist overhears this conversation and calls the company’s legal team.

Jimmy visits Chuck’s house. Chuck is looking over the files Jimmy left. He observes that Jimmy did this on purpose so that he could, “Play Tom Sawyer while I paint the fence.” Jimmy is overwhelmed by his workload, Chuck suggests hiring a paralegal. Jimmy asks Chuck to look closely at the statements, which reveal a pattern of over charging the residents for simple staple items. He believes there is fraud occurring and this could become a large, possibly class action lawsuit.

Jimmy returns to Sandpiper only to be blocked by the suspicious receptionist. He pleads to use the bathroom. Jimmy drafts a document accusing them of fraud. The security team attempts to escort him out, he hands the receptionist his statement written on toilet paper.  He yells at them to “Stop shredding!” as he is deposited on the curb.

Mike is working in the parking lot booth. Stacey calls and asks if he could possibly baby-sit his granddaughter. Mike is so over whelmed; he lets a car got through without stickers!  Mike gladly accepts the task and is happy to be able to help his daughter-in-law.

Jimmy waits in the parking lot of Sandpiper until the receptionist leaves. He proceeds to “dumpster dive.” Surrounded by filth, he rummages around for the shredded documents. Two employees arrive and add garbage on Jimmy. With his head literally dripping with filth, the Sandpiper attorney calls his cell phone. Curious to why he’s whispering, Jimmy lies, and “I’m at the opera!” Jimmy is adamant about the charges of elder abuse and fraud. The attorney says he only called to find out if he was related to Charles McGill.  Jimmy affirms his relationship to Chuck. The attorney becomes hostel, and accuses him of “a shakedown.” Angrily, Jimmy hangs up and exits the dumpster. Finally, he sees the paper recycling bins where the documents have been placed.

Jimmy works through the night at Chuck’s house trying to sort the shredded statements. Chuck awakens, surprised at Jimmy’s presence but kindly offers to make him some coffee. Jimmy is asleep before the coffee is done, Chuck kindly places a pillow under his head and begins to piece the documents together himself.

Jimmy wakes up that evening to see Chuck has made amazing progress with the documents.  He points out the “smoking gun” to Jimmy, it’s a statement for supplies from Nebraska.  Chuck begins to quote relevant cases that will assist in their research.  Jimmy is surprised, “You want to work together?”  The brothers embrace.

Jimmy calls Kim at HHM.  He wants her to print articles for him using the office’s database. (Consistent with pre-Internet research, mid-nineties?) She is reluctant to charge the printing expenses to the company.  Chuck lets them use his account number. Kim is surprised the brothers are working together and asks, “Can he handle it?”  Jimmy replies, “Yes, it’s good for him.”   She agrees to help.

Mike is busy with his granddaughter sculpting Playdoh. Stacey arrives home from work pleased to find them both content.  Stacey asks Mike if she can spend the ill-gotten money from Matty.  Mike replies, “If that money does a single good thing, then use it.”  It’s clear she needs more money to survive.

The Sandpiper attorney receives a copy of the shredded “smoking gun” statement. He calls Jimmy and agrees to meet with them at Chuck’s house.  When they arrive Jimmy asks them to leave their electronics outside due to Chuck’s medical condition. A few of the men snicker but agree. Inside, Chuck tells Jimmy, “I don’t know if I can do this.” Like a coach, Jimmy gives him a rousing speech for confidence.

The lead attorney begins by asking Chuck if he remembers meeting him.  He carelessly adds, “I thought you’d be arguing in front of the Supreme Court someday.” Chuck is silent for most of the proceedings. The Sandpiper group haggles and will agree to pay one hundred thousand dollars damages to the residents as an “accounting error.” Jimmy will not take this and draws their attention to the shredded document.  He argues that since the supplier was out of state, it meets the criteria to make this a RICO case.  The Sandpiper team is stunned but ask Chuck how much they are seeking.  Chuck finally speaks; “Twenty million dollars or we see you in court” The shocked Sandpiper lawyers depart.

Jimmy asks what his brother was thinking with that amount.  Chuck reasons, it’s a mulit-state facility involving many parties.  He insists twenty million is a conservative estimate.  Chuck’s brain is active; he needs Jimmy to get back inside the assisted living facility.

Mike visits the vet who stitched him up when he arrived. He assesses the health of a shelter dog Mike has adopted.  Mike asks if he still has a job for him. The vet is evasive, “I still keep in touch with people.” Mike responds, “Tell me what you’ve got and I’ll tell you what I’ll do.” It looks like Mike’s retirement didn’t last long.

Jimmy returns to Chuck’s house, exhausted from working.  He soon is asleep on the sofa. Chuck wants some files out of Jimmy’s car.  Without realizing it, he goes outside and retrieves the files himself. Realizing what he’s done once he’s on the curb, Chuck looks around in amazement.

Only two episodes left! What is going to happen to Chuck?  Will Mike start working with Jimmy again? When will Jimmy change his name to Saul and wear that orange shirt?