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!