Better Call Saul (TV Series) Pimento (2015) User Reviews

Marvelous writing and acting

[maligor5 · 10/10 · 31 March 2015]

Building off last episode, this episode dug pretty deep into the relationship between Jimmy and his brother Chuck. The writing and delivery of what they go through, trying to bring their lawsuit to fruition, is as good as anything you'll see on TV. Mike grabs some more air time as well, as we see him go into "bad ass" mode by using his brain more than brawn.

I don't know if I even want a Walter White or Gustavo cameo at this point. The show is its own animal and stands on its own two feet exceptionally well. If they do make an appearance, it should only be to serve the concurrent story line.

Wonderful

[Leofwine_draca · 10/10 · 9 June 2021]

An excellent episode, the best yet. Quiet but with intense character work throughout. The sub-plot with Mike is just pure entertainment in terms of writing and performance. The scene with Chuck and Jimmy at the climax is heartbreaking. So much depth here and it's wonderful.

What a script!

[marwan-taha93 · 10/10 · 30 March 2015]

The acting, the dialogue, the depth of the scenes this episode has is extraordinary, I recommend you watch this episode twice, just like mike's episode I guess. Breaking bad isn't gonna be the reason why this show is gonna succeed, Better Call Saul has it's own identity, it's own vision & atmosphere with the same touch of the beauty direction of Vince Gilligan. One other thing that really makes me love BCS & BB are the characters & their development, there's always something new to add, & they're always new actors or not really known, I think the directors pick them on purpose as no one is "mainstream" known. Now as walking dead season ends & better call Saul season is about to end. "I'M DONE"

Saul has arrived

[retroguy02 · 31 March 2015]

It's always incredible to see that first domino fall in a character's mind that sets them on their path. For Walt, I thought it was the moment in BB's first season when Walt furiously punches an air dryer in the washroom after learning of his cancer's remission, and for Mike it was the emotionally gripping final 5 minutes of "Five-O" four episodes back. In this episode, we see that turning moment for Jimmy McGill / Saul, and boy is it painful and exhilarating to watch.

The buildup to the explosive climax of this episode had been ongoing in some way or the other for at least the past eight episodes (and two episodes directly set up the stage for it), so you could see it looming in the distance, but it was nonetheless still very high-impact when it finally arrived.

If the last 5 minutes of "Five-O" were Jonathan Banks' Emmy moment, the last 5 minutes of this episodes are Bob Odenkirk's (and perhaps even Michael McKean's). Bob Odenkirk gives a blistering performance as Jimmy learns that the person whose approval he pined for the most had been the one holding him down and betraying him all along, and it was perfectly complemented by Michael McKean's reveal of Chuck's inherent hopelessness in Jimmy.

It's a major turning point for Chuck's character as well - so he's basically been the main villain all along, while the douche-y Hamlin had just been taking the 'bad guy' rep so Chuck could have his brother's support. This was also beautifully set up with the phone call Chuck makes at night and the tense interaction between Hamlin and Kim, and then particularly the scene between Kim and Jimmy in the nail salon (Kim couldn't bring herself to revealing the truth to Jimmy, it would break him).

The subplot with Mike's first 'protection mission' for a newbie suburban-dad drug dealer, who was somewhat reminiscent of an early Walter White, was also hugely entertaining (as any scene with Mike on a mission is) - with Mike revealing the legwork he puts into every mission beforehand, laying down his philosophy on the distinction between a criminal and a bad guy, as well as putting his stoic tough guy skills to use on a loudmouthed, gun-loving bigot (perfectly played by - surprise, surprise - TREVOR PHILLIPS from GTA V, who brought his A game to the table!) who was initially put on the protection job with him and soon rendered useless by Mike. Nacho, an early favorite of mine from this series, also makes a return as the purchaser of the drug deal.

This was in my opinion the best episode yet from this great series' first season, and if it's any indication, I'm assuming that from the second season onward we'll be introduced to Saul Goodman proper. In hindsight, I'm also glad that the writers played it smart by taking their sweet time to flesh out the characters and explore the show's comedy/drama dynamic in the first season instead of quickly sprinting to the enactment of Saul Goodman.

I'm also interested in seeing in how Jimmy's dynamic with Mike and especially Chuck will play out - now that he's declared that he's "done" with Chuck after his revelation. All in all, I'm very pleasantly surprised with the way the show has turned out - it's comfortably moved beyond the gigantic shadow of Breaking Bad and has managed to constantly retain interest in a storyline where the outcome is more or less already defined, and that's a mighty achievement.

The Heart-Wrenching Revelation!

[gab-14712 · 10/10 · 28 April 2020]

Better Call Saul's ninth episode, "Pimento" is an amazing episode. It is a transitional character for Jimmy McGill. A set of events have been set in notion leading up to the reveal of Saul Goodman. This episode is exciting as it is bleak. There is an ultimate betrayal for Jimmy that broke my darn heart for him. All he wanted to do was get into his brother's good graces using the law, but that ain't gonna happen. If you wanted a Jimmy/Chuck teamup, you can throw that thought out of the window. Both Jimmy and Mike have some very excellent storylines-which were expertly written and directed by Thomas Schaunz.

Jimmy and Chuck continue to work on the Sandpiper case, but the case is just too big for just the two of them. Their lawyers are pushing out hundreds of documents before Chuck can even review them, plus Chuck still has to deal with his illness (space blanket-lined suits, anyone?) Chuck suggests they push the case over to HMM because of the workload and Jimmy reluctantly agrees. Jimmy expects an office there, but Howard refuses. Meanwhile, Mike gets his granddaughter a puppy and starts work as a guard for a drug dealer named Brice (Mark Proksch). There, Mike shows how smart he is. The episode ends with Chuck breaking Jimmy's heart with his revelation.

What an episode! The theme of change is prevalent here. Chuck doesn't think Jimmy can change which is why he always kept him at the bottom of the totem pole where he can easily shrug him off. Mike thinks people can change. The past is the past, so it's all about what happens in the present and future. He had some very excellent lines of wisdom for Brice including my favorite, "You're a criminal. A good one or bad one is up to you." He also matched up very well with one of the goons played wonderfully by Steven Ogg. Anyhow, the episode is excellent, and it ends on such a heart-wrenching note.

My Grade: A+

This is the episode when you understand that this show stands by itself without Breaking Bad

[z-00867 · 10/10 · 11 April 2022]

Acting, writing, directing, this is it. This is one of the best show episodes i've watched in my life. I feel like i understand every damn character of this universe. I feel exactly the same feelings when i watched Breaking Bad. It's nothing less than Breaking Bad, and maybe even more. I love this!

Perfect episode leading up to the finale, just wow!

[llsabathia · 10/10 · 31 March 2015]

From the opening scene to the peel out at the end, this episode was a 10/10. I had no doubts that this episode would be absolutely perfect. To start, the camera angles and color/darkness contrast was stellar. It set the mood throughout the episode as, initially, bright and hopeful as Jimmy was fighting the restraining order in court. Then as the episode went along the color was more bleak and bland like the latter episodes of Breaking Bad. We see the classic "exchange in the desert" scene that we've seen many times in Breaking Bad as well. Mike shows his true skills and I have a feeling he will team up with Jimmy very soon. I particularly loved the scenes at HHM. I hate but understand the reasons that HHM prepares for Chuck so thoroughly and completely ignores Jimmy. The bleeped out f word was perfectly used and it would be even more controversial if it was actually allowed on the air. To be honest, I never saw Chuck coming. I knew he was up to something secret and devious but I didn't know he was utterly against Jimmy. I felt a major disappointment when Chuck went after Jimmy and criticizing him for taking shortcuts. Jimmy has worked so hard to get where he is now and Chuck should be commending him, especially for digging in the garbage for the shredded records and never giving up on the case. I find it insanely selfish and hypocritical for Chuck to try to force Jimmy off the case. He said, "Take the deal". He is a hypocrite in this sense because he says that he deserves it and Jimmy doesn't. If I remember, in the pilot, Chuck said, "the money is not the point". And Jimmy answered, "the money is the point", this is the driving theme of the show so far. Jimmy is in it for the money for most of the season but now he's in it for pride and fame. I have a strong hunch that Jimmy will break away, solve the case himself, whether dirty or clean, and use mike as his personal assistant or bodyguard. It's a long shot, but if you think about it, it's very possible.

Just wow.

[TheOneThatYouWanted · 10/10 · 17 February 2016]

What can I say? This episode was like a hard kick in the face. This season could have ended on this episode because it is just that good. The last 10 minutes of this episode are just heartbreaking. You get a ringside seat to a momentous event which lead to the metamorphosis of this character, Saul. In many ways this reminds me of Breaking Bad but with a dark twist of its own. You can tell the writers mapped out this season to the letter. And I hope they mapped out the whole series. And end it as perfectly as Breaking Bad. Anyway, I can't wait to see what happens next. Honestly, I do not want this series to go past 3 or 4 seasons. Just end it good.

What a great episode

[jdank37 · 10/10 · 12 February 2020]

I want to say hats off to Michael McKean and Bob Odenkirk. I just rewatched this episode and had to rewind the last 5 min to see that scene with them again. Brilliant!

Breaking the Ties

[Hitchcoc · 10/10 · 18 May 2018]

Jimmie wants to be welcomed to the firm that rejected him years before. He now has a class action case that will make that firm millions. But when he and Chuck go in, they want the case but not him. He has somehow been betrayed. This is a truly transitional episode and can be seen for the foundation for the future. We also get to see Mike as the hired hand for drug dealers. There is a terrific scene in an empty parking ramp. Mike waxes philosophical with a nerdy guy who is selling pills after he shows he is truly a threat. The final scene is wonderfully conceived.

One of the best and most important episodes yet!!

[PulpPhiction · 9/10 · 1 April 2015]

Another Monday, Better Call Saul delivers one hell of a show! All the things that made Breaking Bad an amazing show were in this episode. From the screenplay to the cinematography, it was just all so good.

I'm going to keep this short, because if I ramble on and on I will likely spoil something. Frankly this was just a great episode, carrying on from a great cliffhanger, and setting up another one at the end. There were outstanding subplots going on throughout the episode with some excellent new actors as well as Better Call Saul 'veterans,' if you can call them that already (Jimmy, Chuck, Howard, etc).

Anyway, watch this episode as soon as you can if you haven't already. Another stunning installment from Gilligan, Gould and company, and most definitely not the last.

"You was my brother Charley"

[mvhawkins · 9/10 · 1 April 2015]

3 points:

1) Hate to nitpick with such a brilliantly written and acted show, but it must be noted: HHM is not Jimmy's only option. If the case was as slam-dunk strong as it was portrayed in the HHM conference room, Jimmy could offer it up to any law firm that practices in a state where Sandpiper has a facility, then cut his best deal. I realize the show is about the Jimmy-to-Saul transformation, and that won't happen if Jimmy is offered a fast-track deal to partner with a legitimate, big-time law firm. But I found myself unable to silence an internal voice: "Dude! Just take the case elsewhere!"

2) The pivotal scene between Jimmy and Chuck is as good a bit of acting as you'll see on television. Odenkirk brilliantly and subtly portrays Jimmy's mix of hurt and anger at Chuck's betrayal. The viewer can see the very moment when McKean's Chuck realizes that Jimmy knows the truth. His ever-so-slight change of facial expression is perfect.

3) The parallels between the pivotal Jimmy-Chuck scene and the "Coulda been a contender" scene in On the Waterfront are so obvious that I'm sure Vince McGill and Peter Gould were paying homage.

The scene opens in the back of a cab with older brother Charley Malloy (Charley/Chuck Malloy/McGill) advising younger brother Terry to take a deal, just as Kim advised Jimmy a couple scenes earlier.

In Waterfront, when Charley attributes Terry's failed boxing career to "that skunk we got ya for a manager," Marlon Brando's Terry ain't having it. "It wasn't him. It was you, Charley." In BCS, Jimmy tells Chuck he knows who betrayed him: "You called him; you called Hamlin." "The only person who coulda made that call. . .is you, Chuck." "It was always you."

We later get Marlon Brando's Terry complaining "You was my brother Charley. You shoulda looked out for me a little bit." In BCS, when Chuck promises to lobby Howard on Jimmy's behalf, Jimmy, his sarcasm suffused with hurt, replies, "I'm so lucky to have you looking out for me."

In Waterfront, Terry portrays his regret at what could have been if big brother Charley had been truly looking out for him, noting "I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I coulda been somebody, instead a just a bum, which is what I am, let's face it." In BCS, it's Chuck who argues that the reason he didn't look out for Jimmy is because Jimmy doesn't have class, Jimmy is a bum, a shyster, Slippin' Jimmy. Chicken/egg or egg/chicken?

Holy shi*!

[FabledGentleman · 30 March 2015]

I never write reviews for single episodes of a TV series, i will however make an exception here. Because after seeing this episode i feel that the entire series now comes together with everything it has been throwing at us for 9 weeks.

There were many things that made Breaking Bad a good TV series. And i consider BB to the best TV series of all time, hands down. The casting, the directing, the acting, the set decorations, the filming locations, the story, the music etc. It is all top of the line, absolutely brilliant. And there is the writing, oh my god. The writing!

The scripts and screenplays of BB is one of all time greatest in the history of cinema and TV. And this is how i knew, that Better Call Saul would also become a good TV series. I just felt that these people, especially Vince Gilligan, had what it took, to bring the BB universe further, which i wanted so much. I was dying to see more of it, and here we are, and it delivers!. It Delivers on so many levels i feel a chilling sensation going down my spine.

If this series continues like this, we are looking at the new BB for sure. And that is unprecedented in movie history, that the creators of one masterpiece series or film goes on and makes another right after. With the competition that exists in this industry, it is almost impossible to do achieve this. But here we are, and this is starting to look very promising.

Now this is not a "predetermined" vote for the entire series by me, i don't vote a TV show based on one season, or one episode or the pilot like many people do, i think that is wrong. First when the series is completely done, i give my final verdict, so should others. But knowing the universe, and knowing the characters, and knowing the work of these people from BB, i feel i can see the future. These guys can not screw this up, i think we are in for another ride of our lives here.

And for the record. Seeing "Trevor" from GTA V in one of the roles in this episode was hilarious, so amazing to see him in his full glory and in the same clothes you would expect from Trevor too. Fantastic job everyone, simply fantastic.

10/10 - Masterpiece

Possibly the best episode this season!

[hiren8484 · 9/10 · 31 March 2015]

The story is so simple...Jimmy possibly has the case of a lifetime, a chance to make his name, an opportunity to make his brother proud...yet it ends in such a gut wrenching way, it makes you really feel for Jimmy.

The people behind the show deserve great credit for this and you can see how the small moments from previous episodes made the ending so powerful. I honestly did not think that Jimmy's own brother would be the one to betray him and boy you could see it in Jimmy's face. That last scene between the two brothers made you feel so much for Jimmy...all he wanted was to make his brother proud, but deep down Chuck never even believed in him. His rant started off as a reason of pride but then when the truth came out, it showed that Chuck never saw Jimmy as a success. Perhaps the mail room was enough to keep him at that level, but not as a lawyer, something Chuck spent his whole life to become, but this Chuck could not allow.

What we saw today possibly could have been THE defining moment of Jimmy eventually becoming the Saul Goodman as we remember him from Breaking Bad. What could have been the successful start for Jimmy McGill could be the root cause for Jimmy to turn to becoming a criminal lawyer. It's great performance all round but Bob Odenkirk deserves great praise for his acting here. It's not easy to be remembered as a comic relief in one of the best TV shows of all time and then to lead another show but also as a dramatic actor and it really works here.

On a side note, the scenes with Mike were brilliant! The whole reason we loved him from Breaking Bad was his understated performances and his scenes were no exception. Especially loved his explanation of the difference between a bad person and a good criminal. He clearly is a good man (for his family) but has to be a good criminal too (murdering his son's killers; taking this job) in order to do what's right and provide for his family. It's a great parallel to Breaking Bad and how he saw this problem with Walt and we all know how that ended...

Only one episode left and I can't wait for it! It's been a great season so far, let's hope it's finishes on a high!

Betrayal

[CineNerd70 · 10/10 · 31 July 2022]

To always be the person who never made it big, never was the favourite, never succeeded, be betrayed by his own brother while working with him and having just a little bit of what he never had. To be betrayed by his own brother, who he thought was finally proud of him after all these years.

One of the best episodes so far

[ipoweri · 9/10 · 31 March 2015]

This episode has a nice balance of the comedy and the drama. I am not going to give any spoiler but the relationship between Jimmy and Chuck are being revealed a lot in this episode. This episode probably included the most actual happenings of all episodes so far.

Mike is also starting to show his "cool and composed" bad-boy side that always does his homework in advance.

This episode really manages to answer a lot of question and sets up for an interesting continuation. What is extra nice is that many of the situations and developments are not really forcing the show closer to the Breaking Bad-universe, which I think is great and essential for Better Call Saul that it strives to avoid so early on.

The only reason I cannot give this episode a 10 is details that have been a problem in some of the previous episodes as well. There is way to many and long scenes with more or less whispering characters and often combined with a dark setting it actually makes it hard to be able to follow the conversation and easy to slip your attention away. There is no need to make the scenes like that out of an artistic viewpoint, it's plain unnecessary and adds nothing but an ineffective way of telling the story often forcing me to rewind to get hold of "what did they just say?" or "what just happened?".

But other than that, this episode is top notch!

"And that, in a nutshell, is why trickle-down economics is a load of crap!"

[TheCorniestLemur · 10/10 · 16 August 2022]

So...Trevor from GTA V is in this episode. Of course it's my favourite so far.

But being serious though, there is not a second of this episode that feels wasted, or boring, or underwhelming, it's easily the best so far in my opinion.

And that twist at the end was bloody heartbreaking, yet you understand everyone's perspective on it. Seriously brilliant stuff.

Wow! Just wow

[nored-14104 · 10/10 · 9 April 2023]

Honestly I do not know if I am just on a high right now, but this episode was just beautiful. The writing, the build up, & the acting. Just raw emotions this was absolutely the episode, you're rooting for Jimmy you can see he's turning it around. He's put in the darn work it's all there. You see his brother helping him and you just feel that bond, it's powerful & it's truly beautiful. His friend even defends him then all of a sudden you're just drawn in and you feel his pain at the very end of this episode. Just a masterpiece, well written characters and even better acting! This is better than breaking bad.

Pimento

[lassegalsgaard · 10/10 · 29 June 2023]

There are lots of reasons as to why this is the most important episode of the entire show. For Jimmy, this is the clear start of his spiral into becoming the character that we know him to be in "Breaking Bad." Up until this point, he has been a good person with morals who has done some things in a more shady manner that one would often consider legal, but he has done it with good intentions. The things he experiences in this episode will lead him on a path of which there is no return. As for Mike, this is the episode where he starts to dip his toe into the shady business that we will know him as having in the upcoming show, meeting certain people that will have a huge effect on his future in "Breaking Bad" and this show. With this, they certainly lay the seeds that we will see grow into what becomes the empire that is already soothing in Albuquerque by the time Walter White comes around. And that is all mixed in with the other greatness that this episode has to offer, but at its heart, it's the setting of the road ahead that's the most important part. This is not a show that features the most dynamic of scenes, but it's so fantastically directed and incredibly written that there's no way that anyone would be able to look away from what is happening, and with Thomas Schnauz at the helm of this, it easily becomes a classic.

Schnauz has been a frequent force in this universe and his writing skills are seriously unmatched. His dialogue is incredible, which really comes to show in the Mike storyline, where he takes a very subtle approach to a drug deal that could have easily gone wrong. And in a lesser piece of media, it would have. However, the creatives of this show are so connected to the characters that they know Mike would have the upper-hand through the entire thing, and when it proves that he does, it just puts a spotlight on how great the writing for this is.

It also goes into the main storyline with Jimmy, with the entire episode serving as a catalyst to his downfall. He is someone who wants to be like his brother and wants to sit among the big guys, and throughout the entire episode he is being hit down by the fact that he has to give up this case, and when his best friend says the same thing, it really feels like a lightning bolt hitting him. It's such great writing and you feel like as an audience member that you're in his mind as he's trying to grapple everything.

And it goes into the ending of the episode which is a heartbreaking revelation that has been nine episodes in the making. The confrontation between Chuck and Jimmy provides a stunning realization for Jimmy, which is that the guy who he wants to impress the most in the entire world doesn't think he should be able to do what he wants to do. It's heartbreaking and in that moment, everyone hates Chuck who is unfairly cruel to Jimmy, but comes from a place that everyone with siblings can somehow relate to. However, that still doesn't make it fair or cool.

The performances in this episode are on another level. Bob Odenkirk has consistently proven himself through this season to be a real threat to any of the great classic performers, because this is one of those performances that will go down in history. However, Michael McKean really comes to the table as well in this with a performance that really bursts at the end as he throws out years of things that has plagued him that he hasn't been able to say, and the two of them together provide a force that I'm glad we get to see more of.

"Pimento" is not only one of the best episodes of the show, but it's also the most important episode that sets the path going forward. It's a heartbreaking realization that Jimmy is destined to become Saul Goodman, and while it's hard to accept, it's opening up the road for a journey that will be awesome.

What a great episode. The best so far.

[drtengkuazran · 10/10 · 5 May 2023]

I don't watch Breaking bad. Not really my thing. I only watched like 2 or 3 episodes of breaking bad.

I like Better Call Saul (late to the show by the way).

So, my perspective might be different to those who watched Breaking Bad.

Man, what a revelation at the end.

I kinda get a feeling that it was Chuck who didn't want Jimmy to work with HHM since the beginning.

But man! This is a roller coster ride of emotion.

Could this be the turning point of Jimmy becoming Saul?

Like I said, I don't watch Breaking Bad, so I don't what this Saul character like. Interesting to find out down the line.

Great episode.

Vince Gilligan Delivers

[noah-sausville · 31 March 2015]

Vince Gilligan delivers in what so far has to be the best episode of Better Call Saul. With this episode focusing not only on Jimmy and Chuck's endeavors with Sandpiper Crossing and their lawsuit but also on Mike and his new job as a sort of bodyguard type figure, it provides the perfect blend of Jimmy and Mike that previous episodes lacked.

We see Jimmy and Chuck's quickly expanding case against Sandpiper Crossing come to a hiatus when Chuck tells me Jimmy they need to let HHM handle the case because they simply can't. Little do we know that Chuck''s motives are not what they seem as we watch the McGill Brother's relationship come crashing down when Jimmy realizes Chuck called Hamlin and told him not to hire Jimmy. We learn how Chuck actually feels about Jimmy and his law degree their last conversation which have lasting impacts for episodes to come.

Next is Mike. After we learn his chilling and brilliantly written past in Philadelphia as a cop, we are left wondering what is next and how will his future decisions lead him to The Chicken Man Gus Fring. We see Mike take his first employment opportunity as part of a 3 man (eventually 1) protection detail for a man selling prescription drugs to Nacho (who finally returns). Although nothing significant or impactful happens as relating to the plot, every second watching Mike on screen brings me back to the. Breaking Bad days and I love it.

Beautifully written and edited, this episode will not disappoint.