The Top Must-See Better Call Saul Moments That Redefine Perfect

WARNING: Spoilers for all of Better Call Saul

Summary

resulting in a powerful portrayal of his transformation and the consequences of his choices.

The parking deck scene where Jimmy and Kim share their first cigarette serves as an excellent introduction to their intricate and captivating relationship, setting the stage for their unfolding love story.

Initially, the announcement of a Breaking Bad spinoff centered around Saul Goodman seemed like a terrible idea. However, Better Call Saul has proven to be a worthy successor, featuring some exceptionally well-crafted scenes. In many aspects, Better Call Saul has even surpassed the quality of Breaking Bad. It achieved this by leveraging its existing fan base, allowing the story to unfold at a slower and more deliberate pace. Instead of simply replicating Breaking Bad's success, the showrunners utilized the established world and characters to explore deeper themes of identity and the pursuit of justice.

Instead of relying on flashy action or bursts of violence, Better Call Saul masterfully crafted its most memorable moments through subtle character gestures and profound realizations. While the show maintains various connections to the larger Breaking Bad timeline, it is the intimate dynamics and relationships among the characters that truly shine, resulting in an abundance of perfect scenes. This exceptional achievement is particularly noteworthy considering that Breaking Bad is widely regarded as one of the greatest shows ever produced, highlighting the remarkable quality of Better Call Saul.

10 Jimmy Becomes Saul

Throughout the first four seasons of Better Call Saul, the question of when kind-hearted lawyer Jimmy McGill would fully embrace his alter ego, Saul Goodman, remained unanswered. The show's writers strategically chose to reveal this pivotal moment at the most unexpected time. The season 4 finale of Better Call Saul witnessed Jimmy, having deceived everyone with an emotionally charged apology for his brother, secure his law license reinstatement and embark on a complete transformation of his name and persona. This shocking turn of events left both Kim Wexler and the audience in utter disbelief, as they had believed Jimmy was finally taking accountability for his actions. It was a powerful and heart-wrenching moment carefully crafted to leave the viewers shattered, despite receiving what they had long desired.

9 "So You Were Always Like This"

8 Jimmy And Kim's First Cigarette

Walter White's appearance in Better Call Saul had the potential to be a mere indulgence for fans, serving no real purpose in advancing the spin-off's narrative. However, the creators skillfully integrated the character, ensuring that his presence influenced Jimmy's journey rather than overpowering it. This is particularly evident during the finale, as Jimmy reflects on the time when he and Walter faced relocation, and Walter passes judgment on his deceitful actions. This moment holds significant weight for Jimmy, as he realizes that he has the ability to transform, but it resonates profoundly because it comes directly from Walter White.

Throughout the show, it becomes increasingly evident that the true heart of the narrative lies in the love story between Jimmy and Kim. Every other aspect of the show serves as a supporting element to their romance. Interestingly, upon revisiting the series, it becomes apparent that this may have been the intention from the start. Jimmy and Kim's initial encounter in the parking deck serves as a flawless introduction to their complex relationship. Despite exchanging only a few words, the scene manages to communicate years of emotion and longing through subtle gestures and masterful filmmaking. In the first few episodes, Kim's dialogue may be limited, but her presence resonates strongly, primarily because of this powerful scene.

7 The End Of Howard Hamlin

6 "I Broke My Boy"

Mike Ehrmantraut's character in Breaking Bad was somewhat basic but intriguing. However, it was in Better Call Saul that Mike truly flourished, becoming one of the standout characters in both shows. This transformation is exemplified in the season one episode "Five-O" where Mike, played brilliantly by Jonathan Banks, opens up about the aftermath of his son's decision to resist corruption as a cop. The emotional and gripping monologue delivered by Banks showcases new layers to an already complex character.

5 Chicanery Monologue

Chuck McGill was a character that people found easy to despise. Despite Jimmy's love for his brother and the empathetic aspects of his personality, Chuck's pettiness and spite towards Jimmy were so intense that it was difficult not to harbor hatred towards him. This made his downfall all the more satisfying to witness. After successfully proving that his illness was psychosomatic in front of a committee, Jimmy's achievements sparked intense anger in Chuck, leading him to passionately condemn Jimmy's "chicanery" and assert that the younger McGill was undeserving of being a lawyer. This explosive moment, executed flawlessly by Michael McKean, had been anticipated by the show's creators for several years. It serves as a flawless blend of character development and emotional payoff, making it a noteworthy scene.

4 "Together, We're Poison"

The central question dominating the latter part of the show revolved around Kim's fate. Given her absence from Breaking Bad, it was inevitable that something significant would occur to drive her away from Jimmy. While fan theories speculated about Kim's untimely demise or her need to go into hiding, the truth proved to be far more heart-wrenching. Following Howard's murder, Kim reaches the painful realization that her relationship with Jimmy only leads to destruction, bringing out the worst in both of them. As a result, she reluctantly ends their partnership. This poignant breakup scene showcases the remarkable acting prowess of Rhea Seehorn and Bob Odenkirk, capturing the profound emotional turmoil between the characters.

3 Nacho's Final Stand

Michael Mando's character Nacho Varga in the show left a lasting impression. Throughout the series, he consistently stood out as the most relatable and empathetic individual in any given situation. Despite his relentless efforts to free himself from the clutches of the cartel and Gus Fring, Nacho never succeeded. However, in the episode titled "Rock and Hard Place," his final moments were particularly notable. As a gesture of peace, Nacho is compelled to surrender himself to the cartel. Nevertheless, he defiantly chooses to assert his independence and delivers a passionate speech, expressing his anger towards Hector and all those who caused him suffering.

2 Something Stupid Montage

The montage in Better Call Saul, accompanied by Lola Marsh's rendition of "Something Stupid", captures the essence of a love story. The split-screen presentation portrays both Kim and Jimmy's separate days and shared nights, evoking a mix of romance, melancholy, and stunning beauty unique to the show. Through its wordless yet visually captivating scenes, this montage reveals profound insights into Jimmy and Kim as individuals, their interdependence, and the unfulfilled aspects of their relationship. It becomes a pivotal moment referenced multiple times in the series, representing the core romance in its entirety.

1 "The Name Is McGill. I'm James McGill"

In the last few episodes, Better Call Saul fast-forwarded to the period following Breaking Bad, revealing the future of Jimmy and Kim after their departure from New Mexico. Their stories were concluded, providing an emotional and unexpected finale. In this impactful episode, Jimmy publicly disavowed his alter ego, Saul Goodman, and made amends for his wrongdoings, embracing his true identity as Jimmy McGill. The show skillfully navigated this critical moment, avoiding any sense of insincerity and instead delivering a profound conclusion, illustrating a man who takes accountability for his actions not to evade punishment, but because it is the morally right course of action.