The Shocking Reason Behind Gus' Departure in Better Call Saul Season 6

Why does Gus Fring abruptly leave the wine bar in "Fun & Games," an episode of Better Call Saul Season 6? After defeating Lalo Salamanca, Gus solidifies his victory by attending a meeting with Don Eladio, Juan Bolsa, and Hector Salamanca, where it is announced that Peruvians were responsible for Lalo's death. This clears Gus of any suspicion. Feeling the need to celebrate, Gus visits a beloved wine bar he hasn't been to in a while and orders a glass of red from Brett, the bartender.

In a surprising twist, Better Call Saul reveals that the true reason Gus frequents this bar is because of David, an employee and wine enthusiast whom Gus has a soft spot for. As David talks passionately about cowboys, soil, and tractors, Gus appears genuinely content and at ease – a rare sight for viewers of the series. However, despite his enjoyment, Gus abruptly takes a sip of his La Landonne and leaves without saying goodbye to David. There is no urgent matter or immediate danger that demands Gus' attention elsewhere. So why does he choose not to stay and continue his flirtation with David?

Better Call Saul's Wine Bar Scene Supports A Breaking Bad Theory

The wine itself provides the answer - the Rene Rostaing La Landonne David pours exclusively for Gus. Describing its flavor profile, David comments, "Can you taste that robust, almost sanguinary essence? The soil composition consists predominantly of iron oxide and manganese." After David departs, Gus takes another sip, and a sense of unease washes over him. The wine's blood-like flavor triggers memories of his violent line of work. The iron-infused liquor functions as a sharp wake-up call for Gus, reminding him of the impossibility of pursuing a romantic relationship with someone like David for countless reasons. Even if a potential lover were to accept Gus Fring's perilous occupation (which is unlikely), and even if Gus were able to keep him concealed (which is even more improbable), the Chicken Man understands all too well the perilous vulnerability personal connections pose in his line of business. All these thoughts flood Gus' mind as he savors that daring glass of red, ultimately leading him to the decision to cease torturing himself by entertaining a future he cannot attain.

During a dinner at his home in Breaking Bad season 3, Gus Fring had children's toys in the background. Gus even complained about kids not enjoying his Chilean food, saying to Walt: "You know how that is..." Since Gus' children were never seen or mentioned in any other context, many Breaking Bad viewers believed Gus was exploiting Walter White's family-man nature by pretending to have a family. Better Call Saul further solidified this theory by confirming that Gus did not have children just 4 years before Breaking Bad begins.

Walking away from David in Better Call Saul season 6's wine bar scene and rejecting the possibility of forming a personal connection strongly indicates that Gus only created the "children" as a ploy to manipulate Walter White. The episode "Fun & Games" reveals that Gus recognizes that relationships are a vulnerability that aspiring drug lords cannot afford to have, which aligns better with his ruthless and calculated persona in Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad. Based on the events in Better Call Saul, it seems likely that Gus deceived Walt and lived a solitary life until the show's conclusion.

Don't miss the next episode of Better Call Saul, airing on Monday on AMC.