Better Call Saul’s most anticipated episode reminds us why it’s the smartest show on TV

Back in the early days of “Better Call Saul,” it’s clear that even the creators mistakenly assumed that the transformation from Slippin’ Jimmy McGill to immoral monster Saul Goodman would happen as soon as the first season ended. This understandable example of putting the cart before the horse felt prevalent even among the larger “Breaking Bad” fanbase at the time, many of whom weren’t entirely convinced of the wisdom behind this spin-off series in the first place. Of course, maybe there was some drama coming out of the person who would eventually become the over-the-top criminal lawyer we all loved to hate … but the sooner we get to the fun Saul stuff the better – or so the conventional wisdom at the time would have us believe.

Fast forward several years later, and the protracted journey of Jimmy’s downfall has packed far more tragedy and pathos than any of us could have expected. Jimmy’s fractured relationship with disapproving brother Chuck (Michael McKean), his unexpectedly sweet and emotional romance with Kim Wexler (Rhea Seehorn), and the parallel journey of Jonathan Banks’ Mike Ehrmantraut all add up to a rich, compelling story of good intentions spiraling . into something much darker and much deeper than the “Breaking Bad” origin story that many of us assumed this would be.

By the time “Better Call Saul” finally brought Walt and Jesse into the fold, we should have known this would turn out to be far more interesting than just a Marvel-style nostalgia trip. The specific way this episode used such familiar faces only further highlights why this series ends on such a strong note.