Jimmy McGill’s Singular Appearance in Breaking Bad: The True Story

Throughout the majority of Breaking Bad, Walter White’s attorney operated under the guise of the crafty Saul Goodman, with the character ultimately revealing his true identity as Jimmy McGill in just one episode. Bob Odenkirk introduced Saul in season 2, episode 8, titled “Better Call Saul.” Following the arrest of Badger for distributing Walt and Jesse’s drugs, Jesse insisted that they required a *criminal* lawyer, prompting them to enlist Saul’s dubious assistance. From that point on, Saul became an integral part of Walt and Jesse’s ventures, doubling as their legal advisor and money-laundering consultant until the series concluded.

After the end of Breaking Bad, the character further evolved in the spinoff series, Better Call Saul. This show provided a clearer picture of Saul as a facade, revealing a more vulnerable persona named Jimmy. This transformation stems from Jimmy’s struggles, particularly being undervalued by his brother and rejected by his one true love. While Saul exudes flamboyance and confidence, he is ultimately a deeply flawed individual; in contrast, Jimmy is portrayed as a relatable and sympathetic character. It’s worth noting that Jimmy only peeked out from behind Saul’s mask once during Breaking Bad.

Bob Odenkirk’s Last Scene in Breaking Bad Displays Jimmy McGill

Jimmy Abandons the Saul Persona After Engaging the Disappearer

As Walt’s criminal operations began to unravel, Saul found himself swept along in the turmoil. In season 5, episode 15, “Granite State,” Saul frantically rushes to the vacuum store of Ed Galbraith, the “disappearer,” handing over a substantial sum to acquire a new identity and escape from the chaos. However, Saul’s hopes for a smooth transition are dashed when he realizes that he will have to share living quarters with none other than Walt while they lay low in Ed’s basement, leading Saul to finally shed his Saul Goodman persona.

The episode, “Granite State,” is crafted by Peter Gould, who would later take the helm for Better Call Saul.

This pivotal moment showcases the real Saul, a man who got caught up with the wrong crowd, aspired to lead a legitimate life, yet found himself continuously pushed back toward a life of crime. Walt pressures Jimmy to join him, yet Jimmy stands resolute against the once-feared Heisenberg. Rather than employing his typical, flowery language, Jimmy tells Walt directly that their criminal endeavors are finished, suggesting that their best hope is to embrace a mundane existence in hiding.

How Better Call Saul Recontextualizes Saul in Breaking Bad

Delving Deeper into the Man Behind the Facade in Better Call Saul

In Breaking Bad, Saul primarily served as a source of comic relief, with only occasional glimpses into his character’s background and motivations. Although his extensive network helped propel key plot developments, including Walt’s money-laundering scheme and Brock’s poisoning, Saul’s primary role was to entertain through clever quips and eccentricities. However, Better Call Saul provided a profound exploration of his character, transforming him into a complex and multi-dimensional figure that rivals Walt’s development in the original series.

By the conclusion of Better Call Saul, viewers gained insight into the depths of Saul’s character, leading to new interpretations during rewatching of Breaking Bad. Saul’s tacky television advertisements now carry a heavier emotional weight, serving as a haunting reminder of a past filled with excitement and vibrancy. Moreover, the poignancy of Saul’s jabs at his ex-wife becomes apparent after understanding the depth of his heartbreak over Kim Wexler. This heartbreak ultimately spurred him to embrace his Saul identity wholeheartedly, distancing himself from his emotions.

Saul’s Complexity Grows by Breaking Bad’s Conclusion

The Saul Goodman Persona as an Illusion

As depicted in season 5, episode 1, “Live Free or Die,” the layers of Saul’s persona started to unravel. When Walt confronted him ominously in his office, it was evident that Saul was not the unflappable lawyer he pretended to be. The fear etched across his face demonstrated that there was much more beneath the surface, indicating that Saul Goodman was merely a carefully constructed facade characterized by hidden complexities. Better Call Saul took this foundation and expanded it significantly.

The Finale of Better Call Saul: A Full-Circle Moment with a “Granite State”Flashback

Revisiting Saul’s Breaking Bad Closure in the Final Episode

Walter White sitting in the basement in Better Call Saul

The series finale of Better Call Saul, titled “Saul Gone,” beautifully encapsulated Saul’s evolution, not just as an ending for the spinoff, but as a conclusion to the entire Breaking Bad narrative. Spanning various timelines, it offered a definitive closure for Jimmy’s arc while integrating significant events from Breaking Bad. The finale revisited Saul’s hiding period with Walt in Ed’s basement during the events of “Granite State.”

As they pass time in the basement, Jimmy poses a curious question to Walt about time travel. Walt, initially dismissive, ultimately shares a regret about leaving Gray Matter Technologies. Jimmy, in a moment of vulnerability, confesses his sorrow over a childhood injury linked to a scam. Walt’s condescending remark, “So, you were always like this,” highlights a pivotal distinction between the two characters. While Walt devolved into a monstrous figure, Jimmy had always navigated life as a conman.

This poignant exchange bridges the entirety of the Breaking Bad saga, revisiting the final moments of Jimmy’s identity crisis from Breaking Bad—a stark reminder of the contrasts between the show’s two principal antiheroes. “Granite State” was significant as it marked the unmasking of the true Jimmy McGill, laying the groundwork for the finale’s profound exploration of his character.

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