Better Call Saul S06E13 - [Series Finale] "Saul Gone" - Post-Episode Discussion Thread

[u/skinkbaa]

"Saul Gone"

Thank you all for contributing to our subreddit for the past 7 years. It has been quite a ride.

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If you've seen episode S06E13, please rate it at this poll.

Results of the poll

Feel free to take our subreddit end-of-season survey!

Results will be posted in a couple of weeks.

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S06E13 - Live Episode Discussion

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Breaking Bad Universe Discord:

We will be doing a watch-through of Breaking Bad starting August 19th, so it will be super interesting to watch Breaking Bad with the entire context of Better Call Saul.**

Join the Discord here!

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AMA WITH THE COMPOSER OF BREAKING BAD AND BETTER CALL SAUL - AUGUST 17TH @ 3 pm EST.

We will be hosting an AMA with Dave Porter, the composer of both Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul

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Note: The subreddit will be locked from when the episode airs, till 12 hours after the episode airs. This allows more discussion to happen in the pinned posts and will prevent a lot of low-quality and repetitive posts.

[u/skinkbaa]

Messages from the Mods:

/u/mobyte: Thank you all for being a part of this community. It has been a lot of fun discussing the show with you and we are thankful for your contributions.

/u/LoretiTV: Thanks to everyone for all of the discussions, theories, and enthusiasm for the show. Hope everyone enjoyed the finale!

/u/RainbowDiamond: Thank you for 7 years of love for the greatest prequel we could ask for - it's been great to see such creative posts and to see the speculation over the future of our favourite protagonist Jimmy McGill and the other characters we've got to know these past 6 seasons. It's been a blast, don't forget to lawyer up!

/u/TheEnemyOfMyAnenome: Cucumber water for customers only.

and now mine: This is so surreal to see the Breaking Bad Universe come to an end. Thank you all for contributing here, and truly making the show a better experience for us all. The amount of thought, and discussion that went on here was just unreal, and it made the show so much better. These 7 years have been incredible, thank you all for being apart of them.

[u/skinkbaa]

BETTER. CALL. SAUL.

[u/skinkbaa]

A fantastic ending, to a fantastic show.

[u/noobnoobthedestroyer]

I love that by the end, Jimmy and Kim have essentially become characters from the old movies they used to love watching together.

[u/makidonalds → u/noobnoobthedestroyer]

I loved the ending. It was beautiful and heartbreaking.

The thought that Jimmy and Kim will never sit together in the sofa to watch a BW movie kills me.

The last time was the night Howie walked into their apartment.

This fucking show. I am hurt. Best TV experience of my life!

[u/Lucaslhm]

Wow, they really did kill off Saul Goodman in the finale…

Welcome back Jimmy

[u/Magooster14]

Dude literally saw the words "my lawyer will ream your ass" and thought of Bill "Switchin' Sides" Oakley. That's hilarious.

[u/provincetown1234 → u/Magooster14]

from twitter on the "lawyer will ream your ass" scene https://i.imgur.com/aK46HGW.jpg

[u/LthePerry02]

Who else remembered in the cold open of the S6 premiere where the cardboard cutout of Saul was put in the dumpster?

[u/mecon320]

Bill Oakley immediately trying to get removed from the case when Jimmy started his speech was the hardest I've laughed in a while.

[u/pinkmankid → u/mecon320]

I didn't expect to let out a laugh in the series finale, but the writers have always been so good at mixing in some comedy in the middle of drama. It worked.

[u/cmnthom]

Now what? Sell my tv?

[u/SgtHapyFace]

As an aside for anyone who happens to read this, I loved that Walter looks at the watch Jesse gave him when he’s thinking about regrets. Of course he doesn’t admit it, but it’s nice to see that he does harbor guilt about what happened to Jesse.

[u/willrobster16 → u/SgtHapyFace]

It also makes Walt saving Jesse in Felina more meaningful.

[u/BobThePineapple]

Oakley asking to withdraw from the case was the funniest shit

[u/Dr_StevenScuba → u/BobThePineapple]

Saul really fucked over every other lawyer in that room.

Of course Oakley. But the prosecutors also looked like fools in front of the judge. First they walk in with a shit deal and then the guy throws it back in their face anyway and confesses

[u/Vadermaulkylo → u/BobThePineapple]

"Can I withdraw?!"

"Not a chance."

Had me rolling.

[u/saadhrahman]

Saul’s Gone, Jimmy McGill is reborn

[u/Boltsforlife2022]

It pleases me to think about how furious Walt would have been with Saul taking all that credit in the end.

[u/thebenswain → u/Boltsforlife2022]

When they promised "you won't see Breaking Bad in the same way", it's very possible that they meant something about Lalo and Howard being buried underneath the lab ... two central BCS characters who don't really exist in Breaking Bad outside of one throwaway line.

For me, it was always the role that Saul played in pulling the strings on the entire meth business. All they asked him to do was to help Badger in any way other than rolling on Heisenberg. We got to see in BCS that Mike even advised Saul to let Walt go on his own because it wasn't worth what would happen if they did business together. But instead, Saul CHOSE to get involved and coach Walt through distribution, money laundering, and ultimately escape (which of course Walt ended up backing out on). If Saul never gets involved, the cousins kill Walt in his bedroom and it's over. Saul was 100% right by saying he was the reason things progressed the way they did. Not Walt.

[u/Walopoh]

Walt, the day after the events of Ozymandias, being asked by Saul if he has any regrets made me laugh hard

[u/[deleted] → u/Walopoh]

Omg lmao

"Your brother in law was killed, your family hates you, and you're on the run for the rest of your life. Any regrets?"

[u/myLeeeeg]

So that’s why the Time Machine was showed in the Season 6 intro

[u/OGNightman]

Jimmy whittled them down to 7 years just to prove that he fuckin could. The mouth on this guy.

[u/Eric_Partman → u/OGNightman]

I expected him to call them out… “I did all of that and 7 years? Get outta here”

[u/Jim__And__Tonic]

The suits at the end: Public Defender, Elder Law, Davis & Main, Saul, Cinnabon, Prison.

Those little end of episode snippets were so exciting every week. Such an empty feeling right now haha

[u/agluuo → u/Jim__And__Tonic]

https://streamable.com/5ypp0x

For Netflix folks that couldn’t see it.

[u/coupleofthreethings]

Bringing up the malpractice insurance was great. The one thing only Jimmy knew about and he laid it all on the table

[u/GuesterBravo]

Marie tried so hard not too steal some shit from that court room

[u/[deleted]]

Jimmy becoming the folk hero of the prison was perfect.

[u/I_WISH_I_COULD_ → u/[deleted]]

"You walk in with your head held high, be the John Dillinger of the Metropolitan Detention Centre. How bad is that?"

Breaking Bad. Jimmy to Walt on their final scene together in S5E15 Granite Slate.

[u/ms_sardonicus]

Remember the phone conversation where Kim told him to turn himself in? And he basically said you first? Well, she turned herself in and he followed once he found out. Kim always held him together and in the end this was their story.

[u/the_dharmainitiative]

Two years ago, a man came to my restaurant. Said my chicken was the best he'd ever had. He wanted to franchise. He offered me money. I declined. Any restaurateur would. The next day, he set a travel agency on fire with a man inside it. That was my introduction to Lalo Salamanca.

[u/coupleofthreethings]

The Chuck flashback seems to have taken place the day before the first episode of the show.

From Saul Gone:

Jimmy: "I'll see you tomorrow, Chuck. And I might have the Financial Times!"

From Uno:

Chuck: "Oh, Financial Times!"

Jimmy: "I know you missed it so I figured what the heck."

[u/thisguyuno → u/coupleofthreethings]

Technically we just watched a better call Saul prequel then.

[u/No-Air5890]

Anybody else dying over the fact that Kim scammed her way into the prison using her old bar card to visit Jimmy?

[u/KillBash20]

The fact that Saul was able to talk his sentence down to 7 years is truly a work of art.

He was a damn good lawyer, some would say the best.

[u/dpderay]

The whole series is essentially about Jimmy's search for that validation/respect from someone, starting with Chuck. But, Chuck looked down on Jimmy his whole life. Then, throughout the series, everyone sees Jimmy/Saul as a snake. For example, Mike and Walt looked down on Jimmy--a point driven home by Mike saying "it's all about money to you" (paraphrasing), and Walt going so far as to say he'd never hire Saul to help him with Gray Matter and that Saul was "always like this"--as well as his colleagues (e.g., everyone at the courthouse shunning him because of his complicity in helping Lalo skip bail thing, Francesca despising him, etc.).

The only person who ever saw the good in Jimmy was Kim. But, as Jimmy transformed into Saul, it became harder and harder for Kim to do so. Eventually, her respect for him comes to an end too, culminating with Jimmy going "full Saul" during the divorce paper signing, and Kim telling Jesse that she essentially doesn't even know him any more.

In the finale, Jimmy/Saul is given a choice between Jimmy and Saul. Choosing Saul would've meant taking a sweetheart plea deal. But, if he chose Saul, he'd always be Saul; Jimmy would be gone for good. Jimmy would never never have any chance of getting the validation/respect he always wanted from Kim or anyone else.

Choosing Jimmy, on the other hand, means that Jimmy's going to spend his life in prison. But, with "Saul gone" for good, Jimmy finally has the respect of at least one person. And that's really all he ever wanted.

[u/Kevsies]

I read so many of those shitposts about it ending in a musical number that I almost panicked during the bus scene

[u/lizardrocks → u/Kevsies]

It was getting a little too close for comfort there

[u/OneOfTheOnly]

bob odenkirk is gonna get better call saul chanted at him for the rest of his second life

[u/BozeRat]

I loved that "Thank you" at the end.

It was before the credits. It was important and I hope it remains in all future showings and on Netflix.

[u/dadeliciousdean]

Welcome back, Jimmy. We will miss you 😔

[u/get_outta_mah_swamp]

The look Kim exchanged with Jimmy after he admitted everything in the courtroom, particularly I think his admission of regret about Chuck, was as powerful as the reaction Skyler had when Walt acknowledged his actions were for all himself. The combination of pity, understanding, pain, and love all in a single look. Absolutely brilliant.

[u/kiddfrank → u/get_outta_mah_swamp]

They did great foreshadowing that confession throughout the whole episode.

Conversation with mike gets personal, Jimmy bails. Conversation with Walt gets personal, Jimmy bails.

I love that once he finds out Kim gave her confession, he has the realization that it’s the right thing to do. And not just that it’s right, but that it’s okay.

[u/zazzlad → u/get_outta_mah_swamp]

What a character. That confession reassured he was the Jimmy she once loved.

[u/carterish]

At the heart of it, Better Call Saul is a love story after all. Jimmy going from 7 years to 86 years and that last conversation with Kim... ah what a brilliant experience this show was.

[u/Pksoze]

Too bad we never got to find out what Lalo would have done with a Time Machine.

[u/TNCNguy → u/Pksoze]

Nothing. Lalo has lived his best life since day 1. Seriously I don’t think he has any regrets (except maybe being a hair faster in that last shootout)

[u/stegosaurustrain]

Saw this written elsewhere, but before Walt admits that his ordeal with Gray Matter was his biggest regret, he glances at the watch Jesse gave him, acknowledging how he wronged Jesse by leaving him with the Nazis.

[u/NotVaporwave]

Being in a dumpster started Jimmy’s career (Sandpiper evidence) and ended it when he was caught as Gene.

[u/[deleted]]

This episode reminded me of how much of an asshole Walt was to those around him lol

Jimmy: “So what would you do with a time machine?”

Walt: “STFU trash”

[u/[deleted]]

I thought it was so touching and tender the way jimmy holds Kim's hands during the smoke. My heart melted.

[u/TheDuskDragon]

Jimmy & Kim S1E1 vs S6E13

[u/zazzlad]

The names McGill... James McGill. It's almost as if he destroyed Saul Goodman through that confession and went back to who he was... And all for Kim? Heartbreak.

[u/crazysult]

Wow, so that's it. I'll miss it

[u/iceman121982]

When Walt said “you’re the last lawyer I’d call” in response to Saul wanting to go after Gretchen and Elliot, I actually laughed out loud. That was a perfect delivery.

[u/coupleofthreethings → u/iceman121982]

The kind of lawyer guilty people hire

[u/gingergringo_]

What a fucking show man.

[u/DudeItsDusty]

What if that last scene was just Saul getting buckets on the court.

[u/me_hill → u/DudeItsDusty]

Saul and Kim share a final look, and then Saul turns around and completely fucking posterizes someone

[u/Suspicious-Bench0_o]

Having the flashback of Walt and Jesse kidnapping Saul from his perspective tie into Saul’s story to cut down his prison sentence was unbelievably brilliant writing.

[u/ReadingRainbowRocket → u/Suspicious-Bench0_o]

Best lie is one with some truth in it. He coulda milked that truth to the tune of mint chocolate chip ice cream once a week and less than a decade at a white collar camp resort.

Instead he chose the darker ending, to make it a happy ending.

If it had suddenly burst into color at any point, it would have been a lie. We only got the glint of color coming back into his life as he shared a silent moment with Kim.

[u/valarpizzaeris]

They told me they found you in a garbage dumpster. That makes sense.

Marie is a member of this sub confirmed

[u/-Nanotyrannus → u/valarpizzaeris]

I am so glad they saved Betsy Brandt's cameo until now and didn't end up using her as Chuck's x-ray tech, way back when.

[u/[deleted]]

As I said in the live discussion:

He didn't want to get out of prison in 7 years just to be alone again. He would rather be in prison forever and be able to look Kim in the eye and know he had done the right thing.

[u/ThisGuy100000]

I think the thing everyone forgot along the way was that Saul has always cared about people. He got wrapped up in the money at times and could be a jerk, but that was always a mask to hide the pain.

Jimmy was always fighting to be a better person, tonight he finally became honorable.

[u/mfritsche81]

Can we talk about Bill Oakley for a moment? One of the most under appreciated bit characters of the series. I adored every moment he was on screen tonight.

[u/SuperCoenBros]

God what a gut-stab of a final scene. The show doesn't flinch and look for the bright side of the story. The world stays black-and-white. Jimmy and Kim both silently acknowledge that he'll die in prison. The final shot could be the last time Kim sees Jimmy.

But just for a little bit, the cigarette's ember glowed orange.

[u/[deleted] → u/SuperCoenBros]

Yeah I think that's the most impactful bit. They were each the love of the other's life, but life and poor decisions can prevent people from being with the ones they were potentially 'meant' to be with.

[u/SaltyRaspberry]

I love how in his final confession acting as Saul Goodman, he made a big emphasis to have it on record that Walter would have been nothing but a footnote if it weren't for him. Finally one-upping his client for all the times Walt domineered him.

[u/alexwhj]

The DA rattling off the charges to finally answer the “what did Saul even do/why is he on the run/did Saul even commit any crimes” threads.

[u/Mtlakesowen]

Panning to the exit sign during the mentioning of Chuck was brilliant. This episode was true chicanery.

[u/SHashbrowns1]

Jimmy confessing to the Chuck insurance scam in the courtroom and the shot of the exit sign in the corner brought tears to my eyes, what a fantastic shot

Also, the restaurant scene being Gus’s (presumably) last scene in the BB/BCS universe was a fantastic decision in my view. I’m glad that bookmarked his character arc. I also loved the opening scene with Mike so much. I’m gonna miss this show

[u/Cw2e]

I just wanted her to come here today. I wanted her to hear this.

What a beautiful, beautiful tragedy. Thank you for everything, Vince, Peter, and co. What a wonderful ride.

[u/TheSmokedSalmon420]

“You'd have been the last lawyer I'd have gone to”

God I forgot how funny Walter was lmao

[u/Newshoe]

This is the most logical conclusion for Jimmy possible… He literally gave his life for Kim. Also, we finally see his biggest regret is to get Kim involved, be responsible for Chuck’s and Howard’s death and had his own “time machine” to try to correct it. I’m totally fine with that. Awesome conclusion.

[u/oozekip]

Kim's bar card didn't have an expiration date printed on it, so she used it to pretend she was still a lawyer to get in and see Jimmy.

One last scam, and an indication that she's back to herself again.

[u/alexwhj]

Walt proving himself to be most pedantic SOB and probably the worst roommate ever.

[u/lahnnabell]

I am so confused by people are saying he should have taken the 7 years so he could be with Kim sooner. That was never an option. The 7 years was a scumbag Saul deal he wanted only up until he found out what Kim did.

The whole purpose of taking the 86 years was the gravity of what that decision meant. It was a sacrifice for all the shit he instigated over the years. The insurance fraud, the complete destruction of his brother's reputation and subsequent suicide, Howard's character assassination and resultant murder, all the deaths caused by aligning himself with Heisenberg.

Kim would never have regained any respect for him if he had gone through with that deal especially since it hinged on taking her down to get it.

[u/[deleted]]

Bill had a Grateful Dead sticker on his car.

[u/Squat__Cobbler__26]

That final shot of Jimmy and Kim on opposite sides of the fence....

[u/SadSceneryBoi]

They really gave us closure for Huell only to have Jeff permanently waiting at the police station in Omaha lmao, good job Gould

[u/ArchineerLoc]

There it is. The end. I liked the resolution to Jimmy and Kim's relationship. At the end of it all, the only person's he still cared about was her and by finally admitting to it all, he closes the book on all the shit that's happened over the years. She finally got to see him actually be remoseful about Chuck, years later. She can even just begin to move on. One last smoke with Jimmy. Not Saul, Jimmy.

I think the ending with the prisoners is perfect as well. If there is one thing Jimmy did, it was give the best representation he could give to every client he had.

Edit: as for the meaning of the final shot, I think it's kind of meta? BCS works as a great prequel to Breaking Bad, but it didn't have to also be an epilogue. Two episodes ago the show could have ended just fine, fulfilled it's purpose. Jimmy isn't satisfied with that though. He records over his old tapes. He gives us one last go around. One last scheme. Bob Odenkirk, and Jimmy's, final act. I think the finger guns are to the audience. It's Bob Odenkirk, Jimmy McGill, Saul Goodman, Gene, saying goodbye for one last time. To me its so heavy on my heart to see because of feels like a chapter in television history closing. These characters that have persisted for so many years, have finally finished their journey.

....That may just be sentimental. But, it works for me.

In a more textual sense, I think its showing that at the end of the day he is still Jimmy, and he will always be who he is, consequences be damned (if while still maybe learning a lesson in the end.) Kim not returning it, I think is intended to be ambiguous, but I interpret it as her taking it slow with him. She doesn't want to go back to the person she was with him, but she still cares about him.

[u/SlippinJimmy1216]

Coming in 2023: The Saulshank Redemption

[u/DudeToManz]

That last line from Chuck: "There's no shame in going back and changing your path" tied everything together beautifully. Obviously in the moment he's trying to manipulate Jimmy into giving up his career as a lawyer, but you look at how his and the other two conversations about the "time machine" blend together and it all comes together as to why he confessed.

Mike's is all about the residual, heavy regrets that you carry on. They linger with you like a weight, and as much as you try to "wake up one day and forget", there are simply some that you'll never forget about. Things that you'll always carry, like Howard's and Chuck's death (and in Mike's case, what I assume was his son's death and before that his first turn down the "bad choice road"). Walt literally brings up that yes, obviously you can't go back into a time machine to change your choices. Saul's knee spiel and the "So you've always been this way" from Walter is pretty funny but also reaffirms that even up until the very end as Saul, he still couldn't come to terms with his brother and what he'd said.

But when Jimmy confesses, he takes a little bit of what he heard from Mike, Walter, and Chuck, and chooses to "change the past" by completely altering the story he told the prosecution. He "comes out" fully about his part in Howard and Chuck, admits the rest of his crimes, and I think he ultimately accepts that if he's out in the real world, "he'll never change" as Chuck had said. Gene/Victor proved that the moment he went back to Jeff. This was the last chance he had to change his path and he took it, and was finally, truly "all rested" as he'd said to Mike at the beginning.

Loved it.

[u/ThisisthSaleh]

Ending it like episode one after the first incident with Howard over Chuck’s share of HHM! LOVE IT!

Fantastic finale to a fantastic series. There will truly never be another like the Breaking Bad Universe. I will miss the hell out of it. But what a great finish. It will be remembered forever as one of the best in TV history

[u/mchgndr]

Better 👏🏻

Call 👏🏻

Saul 👏🏻👏🏻

[u/The_Unknown98]

AMC milked as many commercials as they could because they are going to lose so many AMC+ subscribers.

[u/AmeriCossack]

Jimmy went from Breaking Bad to Baking Bread

[u/yeainyourbra]

Man I’m just so heartbroken, but in a good way. I sometimes feel people don’t like finales (myself included) just because they don’t want to see their favorite show end. But man if it had to end I’m glad it was like that.

I’m choosing to interpret the last scene together as the start of more regular visits. A lot of people seeing it as their last meeting and I get that, but I want there to be a little hope left as this show rides into the sunset. Like Kim said, that bar card doesn’t have an expiration date.

[u/expungant]

We didnt get an answer to what Chuck would have done with a time machine because we already know the answer. He defecated into a sunroof for god's sake! And he saved him when he shouldn't have.

In all seriousness though what a great show, and what a great story along with Breaking Bad. This story rocked.

[u/Cockbewbs54321 → u/expungant]

He couldn’t use a time machine because he’s allergic to electric

[u/bigtuna1993]

I love how, in the end, both central characters in both BB and BCS are free based on their own terms:

— Walt’s cancer doesn’t get him, neither do the authorities. He dies while in in his most ‘alive’ state and place (a meth lab).

— Jesse is no longer a slave of Jack and Todd’s. Nor Walt’s. He risks it all to try and start a completely new life, and is successful in the end.

— Kim is no longer weighed down by the grief of what they did to Howard (at least not as much), doing what she can to free herself by confessing. And, she allows herself to make amends with Jimmy in the end.

— Jimmy is finally able to free himself of Saul and Gene by confessing pretty much everything that he’s been holding back, from Chuck to Howard to Walt to Kim. His freedom is, ironically, behind bars.

Just a cool commonality that illustrates how freedom isn’t so black-and-white at the end of the day. It’s rather individualized and can span death, starting over, confession and self-imprisonment.

[u/[deleted]]

Saw a recent interview with Bob about the finale and he said that there wouldn’t be any guns, then said “well, maybe some guns” HE WAS TALKING ABOUT FINGER GUNS WHY AM I YELLING

[u/SnooCats9809]

Going to die happy one day knowing I watched both Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul finales live

[u/bericdondarrion35]

The surprise and excitement I felt over seeing Marie again. I can only imagine how it would have been if I hadn’t known about Walt and Jesse. But I really loved seeing Marie. Felt like she got to give have her moment that they didn’t have time for in BB.

[u/marithememe]

So In the end life alert took out Gene and Jimmy killed Saul. This was a fantastic send off to a 14(?) year journey. Seeing Jimmy confess everything in front of Kim was heartbreaking. I was honestly afraid that he wouldn’t redeem himself, but this ending was bittersweet. It’s only fitting that Jimmy ended up running that prison.

[u/galeforcewinds95]

I did not expect the series finale of Better Call Saul to begin with a scene involving Mike being very introspective as he identified the day he took his first bribe (March 17, 1984) as the day he'd go back to, presumably to not go on the take. And then to include another scene about regrets with Walt in which Mr. White derides time travel and tells Saul to stay in his lane. Both scenes were wonderful surprises and foreshadowed the biggest surprise to me of all, which was Jimmy admitting just about everything he did in open court at his own sentencing hearing.

[u/mwoody450]

I love the time machine question. He keeps pretending like he doesn't know the answer, but he's just not admitting that the answer is hidden in the question; that Walt is wrong, not just that Saul was always like this, but that the time machine itself is not important.

The time machine was everything, because his regret was that moment, with the book sitting on the counter. When his brother tried, maybe for the last time, to truly reach out to him and connect. When he showed a rare moment of lonely vulnerability and offered an olive branch in a chance to share what was a source of such conflict, but was ultimately their shared passion: the law.

If Jimmy had blown off his client and sat with his brother that night, would any of the rest of it happened? I think that Jimmy thinks it wouldn't. And it wasn't some grand decision or telegraphed fork in the road: it was a moment that came and went and was like so often happens, only important - vitally important - in hindsight.

Oh, to have a time machine.

[u/VictorBlimpmuscle]

”So, you were always like this.”

Walt summed up the entire series with one line of dialogue.

[u/BrgQun]

My read: by finally confessing his guilt about what he did to Chuck, Jimmy was finally able to get past how Chuck defined him, and stop cutting corners.

[u/journeytoad1]

So the time machine book at chucks house was supposed to be a reference that HE is the answer to Jimmy's time machine question right

[u/chzrm3]

It's funny, Kim said that she and Jimmy were terrible for each other (and she was right), but they also ended up redeeming each other in the end.

Jimmy angrily says to Kim during their phone call "If you feel that way, why don't you turn yourself in?!?" So she does.

And then, upon hearing that his soulmate and partner in crime confessed, something in him finally changes and instead of continuing to slip through justice's fingers and continue living his slimy life, he confesses properly and is given a proper sentence.

While it's a sad truth that the break up was the best thing for them, they also did still need each other and it wasn't until they influenced each other one last time that they did the right thing.

They really got me here. After everything we went through with Breaking Bad and watching Jimmy descend into this soulless, shallow life, I never imagined the final episode would be about him coming clean and finally admitting what he did.

Beautiful ending. I'm sad to see it go, their final look at each other broke my heart.

[u/NMehna999]

Having Walt back again was cool but I legit let out a fanboy cheer at Chuck’s appearance, just feels so right to have him back for the end.

Also I love the homages to so many scenes throughout the show’s run. Off the top of my head there’s the dumpster diving from season 1, the exit sign from Chicanery, the shared cigarette between Kim and Jimmy from multiple times in the series, and the finger guns from the Season 5 finale. Legit makes it feel like the perfect victory lap for this show

Also also I’ll defend the bus scene, it’s not particularly subtle but I think it’s kinda effective, somewhat cheesy acting from the inmates aside

Oh yea also the burner phones from Season 4 back again in Gene’s house along with the reference to the Financial Times and motel ice in the Chuck flashback

[u/FirstTimeCaller101]

Incredible. He “won” the case with the plea deal. Pulled one last rabbit out of his hat. Could have been out in 7 short years.

And then Slippin Jimmy finally did the right thing.

[u/TwoCats_OneMan]

Ah! What a cliffhanger!!! How is Jimmy going to get out of jail? I assume Kim will help him. Can't wait for season 7!

[u/RG4ORDR]

Guys wtf is gonna happen to Jeff????

[u/[deleted]]

Jimmy's going to be OK in prison. He is widely known from television, worked with the infamous Heisenberg, and makes some damn good bread in the kitchen.

And we all know he's helping prisoners with legal advice. It only makes sense. Being incarcerated isn't such a terrible fate as opposed to being a slave to Nazis or freezing to death in Vermont.

[u/OverusedRedditJoke]

Kim's approval was worth 79 years

[u/[deleted]]

The cigarette light being the only thing in colour absolutely destroyed me. It was so inconspicuous that I almost missed it on first viewing, I only saw it subconsciously. It’s been theorised or implied for years that what Jimmy and Kim lacked in terms of physical intimacy, rarely kissing or hugging, was made up for in their moments of silence, their ‘routine’ as they share a cigarette. Even when the world looks bleak, that light acts as a reminder that Jimmy’s love for Kim, and vice versa, is enough for the two to continue living. It’s a reminder that their flame is still alive, it always will be. I’m unsure what the final shot means. It could be a final goodbye from Kim, as Jimmy disappears behind the corner. But that light tells me that someday, somehow, they will end up together again.

It’s heartbreaking that Jimmy had to choose between his freedom, taking the seven year deal, or sacrificing it all to redeem himself with Kim. His love for her was so strong that he was willing to spend his life in prison to gain her forgiveness and reignite that flame. It’s beautiful that he truly believes it was all worth it. The greatest onscreen romance ever written.

EDIT - The look she gives him after scanning the door to see if anybody was watching them. She wants to kiss him so badly, you can see it in her hesitation and the eyes she gives him, but remembers that isn’t how they do things. So she opts for the cigarette instead, which lights up the whole room. Beautiful!

[u/[deleted]]

I loved this ending. In its own weird way, it was quite beautiful. The only way Jimmy felt he could ever see Kim again was to get her back in the courtroom. Otherwise, even after getting out after serving 7 years, there’s no saying she’d ever agree to see him again. It’s also nice that he finally took responsibility for all the horrible shit he’s done.

[u/there_is_always_more]

0v,NXqjvGK?7L=n8R3UJYeq%!BN[/{9?F,@{qf&8xt[BrW!5qfX7YcF;,i0H::zn{{vQ#26C*@.y0q%Vfrw)N!&NNiRB6Dmdu7Td5PGjxu$/5K2J835V

[u/pillowman17]

“Cause you’re my brother, you’d do it for me.” Except, he wouldn’t have done it for you

[u/theguyishere16]

Saul saying his name is James McGill sent a shiver down my spine. What a fantastic ending. Jimmy deserves what he gets for his crimes but his moment where he finally processed his grief over Chuck and Howard and killed Saul for good was masterfully done.

[u/TigerClaws13]

Glad to see Chuck in the finale

[u/coupleofthreethings]

I was hoping for a bigger return to color but Kim's cigarette was... acceptable.

[u/[deleted]]

First Marie scene without purple

[u/Boobooloo]

If a time machine existed, Jimmy’s would have taken him back to that day with Chuck, set a day before the show’s first episode, where he could have connected with Chuck over the law and taken a different road.

But he listened to Walt and understood a time machine is nonsense and this was about regret. And as Chuck said, there is no shame in changing the path his life is on. He had spent 7 years without Kim and that was worse than a 7 year prison sentence. 86 years to be able to save Kim and reunite with her was the way to use the time he actually had. Beautiful.

[u/khanarx]

Such a sad ending.

Anyone who has been in a relationship and it didn’t work out but you’re still secretly in love with that person deep down… damn

[u/lizardrocks]

Kim was the only one who ever knew who he was and what he was capable of. In the beginning, nobody else believed what an excellent lawyer he was but her. In the end, nobody believed he could be a good man again but her.

In return, Jimmy was the only one who ever loved her unconditionally. He would do anything for her; we’ve seen that before, and now, there’s no doubt.

They both gave the other what they needed. Their relationship wasn’t traditional, it wasn’t a typical romance, but man, it was deep. And it was real. And this was a good, good ending.

[u/OverusedRedditJoke]

Quite a fucking ride

Y'all have been a dope community

[u/charlesvvv]

Goodbye saul, it's been a ride.

[u/jrizzo92]

Loved Saul telling Walt he could’ve helped sue over Gray Matter lol. Man I am going to miss this show.

[u/zanesix]

The use of Shared Smoke as a bookend was amazing. Not heard since the first episode, used in the last. Props to Dave Porter for that one.

[u/RejectWriter]

I'm just glad Kimmy got her style back

[u/iRatedR-]

That’s Saul Folks

[u/s470dxqm]

The state gave Saul Goodman 7 years in prison for what he did with Walter White.

Jimmy McGill gave himself 79 years in prison for what he did to Chuck, Howard, and Kim.

[u/antisocialclimb]

He got caught wavin’ the weenie outside a hobby lobby.

[u/The_Unknown98]

I think we can all agree that the biggest disappointment of the finale was not knowing what happened with Lyle. Those consecutive open and close shifts must’ve changed him.

[u/PresidentBowser]

"I'm James McGill". From Jimmy to Saul, Gene, and back, what a ride and perfect end to the Breaking Bad universe

[u/coupleofthreethings]

I loved Jimmy's walk through the kitchen pointing at people, having people say "I got you, Saul!", he's the John Dillinger of his prison just like he said Walt would be.

[u/Coppatop]

People I didn't expect to see at all :

Chuck

Marie

Kim's feet

[u/Reardon_Steel]

I think that there's a parallel between Jimmy and Walt's ending here. Both came back to Albuquerque as their persona. When faced with the fallout of their actions, both came to terms with their true motivations. Both "died" a "hero" rescuing their accomplice. The difference being that Walt was a man of action and Jimmy was a man of words.

[u/The_Unknown98]

Slippin’ Jimmy took the fall for Kim and Saul.

[u/Random-Explosion-ect]

Interesting parallel to Walter’s ending, with him “living free” but dying, and with Saul trapped in jail (hopefully not for the rest of his life) but still living on for the person he cares about. I think that separates both Walter and Saul as characters, Walter gave it up because he had nothing left, Saul gave it up to save the last thing he had.

[u/JesusChristFarted]

“We’re both too smart to throw away our lives for no good reason.” — Saul, in Waterworks, talking to Kim.

Jimmy then throws away his life in the next episode to prove to himself and Kim that he’s not a lost soul.

[u/coupleofthreethings]

They were artfully maneuvering me into leaving my own creation!

Fuckin Walt never changes

[u/JJ3595]

Walter asks Saul: you were always like this weren’t you?

The Chuck flashback scene reminds us that Jimmy wasn’t always like Saul…and sets up the ending perfectly.

[u/Zog8]

The first (in-color) time we see Jimmy, that silent buildup in the S1E01 opening leading all the way up to that perfect monologue of Jimmy absolutely pulling a fucking muscle only to completely fail in defending those kids who were caught on camera fucking a head is a scene I’ve recounted in vivid detail again and again to people to describe the incredible writing and direction at work in this show, hoping to get them hooked. Tonight, Jimmy’s black-and-white “confessions”, both to Marie and to the judge, each felt like pitch-perfect black-and-white inverses of that exact moment, Jimmy (and hell Bob O in tandem) absolutely performing his ass off in the face of every what-the-fuck odd, all to different ends. What a way to close out the born-and-bred character of the Gilliganverse.

“TV’s Godfather II” is dead on the money.

[u/UsernamesAllGone1]

A 50 year old chemistry teacher walks into my office, guy can’t pay his mortgage. A year later the guy has a pile of cash the size of a Volkswagen. Now that’s crazy

So... you've always been like this?

Saul and Walt casually boiling eachother's shows down to a few sentences is a hilarious rivalry I didn't know I needed

[u/OGNightman]

You guys this Walt fella seems like kind of a dick

[u/RibbedMeat]

Went back and watched the 601 opening scene because we recognized “The Time Machine” book. Was pleasantly surprised to also catch the cardboard cutout of Saul get put into a dumpster!

[u/Krillin_irl]

Okay, the Bus scene might be my favorite moment in the entire show. The fact that the prisoners don’t recognize him for his name, just his brand. They didn’t whisper to each other “its Saul Goodman!” They said “its Better Call Saul!” That’s what Jimmy will forever be associated with. Saul may be dead, but his legacy lives on in the catchphrase.

And when he tries to look out the window and ignore it all, surrounded by the cacophony of his legacy, he can’t help but smile just a little bit. Its almost a metaphor for Saul Goodman as a whole. His presence excites the criminals and makes them more brazen and wild, but the guards can’t silence them because they’re technically not doing anything wrong. All they can do is make empty threats. Its just like how Saul operated for most of his career; infuriating the police by skirting on the edge of legality where they’re powerless.

[u/Sea_Cryptographer373]

It’s about Kim and always has been. He confessed because he won and got the sentencing down to 7 years but what’s it worth if Kim hates him. The only woman he ever loved and the only person who truly accepted him for him.

Ending was poetic and I’m not sure what everyone else was anticipating.

[u/Coach_Carter_on_DVD]

On one hand I hate that he got 87 years, on the other hand I’m happy Saul Goodman’s favorite ice cream is Mint Chocolate Chip

[u/greedo_didnt_shoot]

I LOVED the prisoner scene on the bus. If they hadn’t made Saul out to be a respected figure I’d have worried after the show ended that he’d be killed or shanked in prison, but that small scene showing his impact on criminals and their willingness to support him perfectly resolves any of that fear after the show’s ending.

[u/[deleted]]

Marie didn’t even mention Hank’s love of minerals. For shame.

[u/MartyMcSoFly]

I think a lot of people are getting the Kim thing wrong, at least in other threads.

Jimmy’s admissions were never meant to get Kim off the hook. She wouldn’t have wanted that - her moral code wouldn’t and didn’t allow her to live with getting away with it - so he in no way was trying to take that away from her. He was basically saying, “yea, we can be very bad for each other. But sometimes we can be good for each other, too”. That’s a hell of a way to say I love you, just as bonkers as conning your way into a max security prison to see your one time partner.

Those looks at the end weren’t “I’m still romantically in love with you looks”. They were “I love you” looks because they both finally got back to being the people they truly were. Those two people, real Kim and real Jimmy, hadn’t seen each other in a long time. And this was likely the last time.

[u/TheDarkKnight_13]

I’m depressed

[u/osizz]

This answer from Gould in his interview with Sepinwall is really interesting.

“The feeling I had about this episode was that it was a little bit like ‘A Christmas Carol’. Gene becomes Saul, and he's visited by three ghosts. And each time he's visited by one of these ghosts, you realize this guy is trapped in the cycle. It's not an exact analogy, but hopefully those flashbacks help to illuminate the change that he's making in this episode.”

I can see:

• Mike as the past (one-track mind, all about money as he nears/adopts/is the Saul persona)

• Walt as the reminder of the present issue (he’s always been this way)

• and Chuck as the hope for the future (can still change; don’t let this current moment be another one you want to use a time machine for).

Not quite the same device as “A Christmas Carol,” but interesting nonetheless.

Source: https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-features/better-call-saul-series-finale-explained-creator-interview-1394766/

EDIT: had Marie instead of Mike as the first one

[u/N3verGonnaG1veYouUp]

I was giddy when Chuck showed up. "You'd do the same for me brother" and then Chucks face, he knew he wouldn't

Also, loved the callback to Chicanery with the Exit sign.

Also, a bit on the nose, but when Walt was asked what his regret was. The shot of the watch. GAH! But at the same time, painting Gretchen and Big Ears as the villains of his story is so S5 Walt and pissed me a bit off.

"...A slip and fall?" Even Walter could feel the bullshit of that "regret"

I'm OK with that ending, except I was rooting for Judge Papadoumian to be the seating judge.

[u/royal8130]

Notice how Walt looked at his watch (Jesse's gift) when Saul asked what his biggest regret was. Though he didn't say it outright, now we know Walt felt guilty about leaving Jesse. Maybe it was obvious since he freed him in Felina, but considering this scene took place exactly after Ozymandias, it makes his regret much more profound. Walt tore his family apart, got Hank killed, and yet the first person he thought about was Jesse; not what he did to his son and wife…

Unbelievable how this scene managed to add new, nuanced depth to Walter White. This show was an absolute gift.

[u/TheSweaterThief]

When Jimmy and Kim shared a cigarette in the first episode of the first season, their faces were partly shadowed, with the slant of the darkness pointing downwards.

When they shared a cigarette this time, they were standing in a ray of light, which was slanting upwards.

This show is such a masterpiece.

[u/LordHyperBowser]

BETTER CALL SAUL IS A FUCKING ROMANCE SHOW AND DONT LET ANYONE TELL YOU OTHERWISE

[u/Probablysame]

I was 15 when I watched the premiere of Breaking Bad air live on AMC. I’m now almost 30. What a ride it’s been.

[u/SgtHapyFace]

Them smoking together one last time, with the slanted light, and the same song from the premiere. Doesn’t get better than that. Perfect.

[u/Johnsonisbored]

And now we can all universally cancel our AMC+ subscriptions! 🎉

[u/Slugggo]

"so ... you were always like this"

LOL

[u/DenPanserbjorn]

I can’t believe after 63 episodes of BCS, it was all to get revenge on Bill Oakley.

Bravo Vince 👏

[u/Bookofdrewsus]

The perp walk in the suit is the iconic shot.

[u/These_Cup2836]

He showed himself that he can manipulate anyone, even the opponent legal counsel who had a perfect record. He went out knowing he still had it when the stakes were highest.

He satisfied his Saul persona by manipulating the opponent into a lower sentence, and transitions to satisfying Jimmy by facing the truth and changing direction like his brother Chuck’s advice. Making Kim proud. Saul Gone. Beautifully done.

[u/FruitOfTheLoons]

Marie should've said "Hank was my rock".

[u/valarpizzaeris]

My lawyer will ream ur ass

[u/floopykid]

actual wholesome moment when saul's eyes lit up at the idea of teaming up with walt to sue grey matter lmao

[u/Alex_Swervitz]

He took 86 years over 7 so kim would know the truth about him.

[u/catsartcox]

Now to rewatch it all!

[u/spillson22]

Guys I’m starting to think Huell isn’t going to eat Kim

[u/Technical_Rate746]

When Walt said to Saul that he’d be the last lawyer he’d go to.. it made me realize how high of a horse Walt was on, thinking he’s so much better, morality wise.. to seek a lawyer better than Saul, when in reality he heavily relied on Saul in times of need. It’s a great reflection of society that thinks they won’t be in a situation until they actually are and realize they’re doing exactly what they thought despicable people did. I felt really sad for Jimmy in that scene. And I’m so glad he redeemed himself- something Walt could never do.

[u/[deleted]]

I am literally Kim Wexler riding an airport shuttle right now.

[u/NantesWunderkind]

“Another birthday at Red Lobster it is then.”

A more Florida line has never been spoken.

[u/GroverMcGillicutty]

Surely we can all agree the real victims in BCS are Lyle and Krista, having to cover for no-show managers.

[u/3lbmealdeal]

I’m choosing to believe Kim gets her license back and gets Jimmy out for good behavior in less than 7 years and they live happily ever after.

[u/doob26]

Jeff is the new Heull

[u/AmeriCossack]

I honestly love how the only colors in Jimmy’s post-BrBa life is his commercials and Kim’s cigarette.

[u/rp_361]

I think, presumably, this isn’t the last time Kim visits the prison. So the rest of their days are inter placed visits and cigarette burns, the Saul moniker gone forever, Kim and Jimmy burning their flame. I love it

[u/tramrz]

I always had a feeling Jimmy would be well liked in prison.

[u/toetun]

And somewhere in the distance, there are two middle aged, red headed brothers that had their legs broken and never did anything of note afterward.

[u/aroq13]

I don’t understand people ragging on the prison bus scene of all things. Saul isn’t a nobody. Nevermind the drug empire he helped build… he had already made his name as a criminal lawyer. He helped criminals get off with minimal repercussions. He was good at it, he was loud about it and he busted his ass. Its no surprise that a bus load of prisoners know exactly who he is.

[u/BofaDeezBofaDoze]

It’s absolutely crazy to me how much the Breaking Bad Universe has meant to me.

Show started and I was a nerdy, lonely kid in high school and first learned about it when my chemistry teacher made a joke about becoming Walter White.

The BrBa finale occurred my senior year of college, surrounded by RA friends like we had the entire season.

Flash forward to now: I’m 30 with a kid on the way. What a damn journey.

[u/Josh4R3d → u/[deleted]]

Some of you on here completely floor me with this stuff. Amazing find.

[u/YodaFan465 → u/[deleted]]

And the fact that he keeps tinkering with the water heater, making a mild nuisance into an unbearable racket. That’s Walt in a nutshell, and they captured it perfectly.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Stay in your lane

[u/Docthrowaway2020 → u/[deleted]]

To say nothing of what a giant middle finger his courtroom rant was to Walt. Claims the credit for Walts monstrous legacy, and he’s too dead to prove Saul wrong.

[u/lunch77 → u/[deleted]]

Fucking insane you get a critically acclaimed best of all time show, do a spin-off, it’s a critically acclaimed best of all time show and they didn’t shit their pants with either ending. We even have a spin-off movie where even if some people argue it was unnecessary, I’ve heard nobody claim it’s dreadfully bad.

This universe is something to behold.

[u/your_mind_aches → u/[deleted]]

I loved the contrast with the Walt scene.

Mike didn't take the question with malice. He's been put through the wringer, and he doesn't mind taking a moment for introspection.

Walt, on the other hand, rebels at the very idea.