Unveiling the Startling Secret: The Untold First Scene of Jimmy and Kim in Better Call Saul

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In the first episode of Better Call Saul, there is an intriguing detail that doesn't quite match Jimmy McGill and Kim Wexler's later relationship. After Jimmy's angry outburst in the HHM Boardroom, he acknowledges everyone in the room except for Kim. Despite not being as close at this point, other scenes in the episode indicate that they are already friends, making it unusual for him to ignore her.

Since the show began exploring their relationship, this moment has puzzled fans as it doesn't align with their overall dynamic. As the series progresses, Jimmy and Kim go on to collaborate on numerous schemes, becoming vital characters in the narrative. Their romantic relationship also plays a significant role in later seasons. This awkward starting point in episode 1 raises questions about why Jimmy seemingly disregards his friend, and there are actually multiple potential explanations.

Jimmy Avoided Directing His Anger Toward Kim

In the scene, Jimmy is venting his frustration to Howard and his superiors regarding his unpaid representation of clients. Understandably, he is angry and wants to clearly express his dissatisfaction to Howard. However, he deliberately avoids acknowledging Kim in the room because he has no reason to be upset with her. Jimmy wants to prevent unintentionally directing his anger towards Kim and potentially damaging their friendship. Among the employees at HHM, Kim is one of the few who genuinely supports him and takes him seriously. Jimmy intends to maintain their positive dynamic, which is why he chooses not to involve her in his outburst.

Jimmy Doesn't Want To Hurt Kim's Career

Jimmy may have purposely ignored Kim as a strategic move to protect her from repercussions for his insubordination. If he had shown friendliness towards her during the boardroom situation, Howard might have held Kim accountable for Jimmy's actions, resulting in harm to her professional reputation. While Jimmy and Kim would later cause devastation due to their own selfishness and greed, at this stage in the series, Kim remained focused on her career and was determined not to let her friendship with Jimmy jeopardize it. They had to maintain a visible separation in the workplace because Jimmy's erratic and unstable behavior was something Kim did not want to be associated with.

Kim Wasn't Supposed To Be A Main Character In Better Call Saul

This theory is supported by the scene where Jimmy and Kim share a cigarette outside the offices. When Jimmy asks for her help with his situation, she quickly responds, "You know I can't." She is unwilling to compromise her career to assist Jimmy in receiving a higher payment, especially after making significant sacrifices to achieve success. Jimmy understands this and refrains from pushing her further, exhibiting the same restraint he demonstrated in the boardroom. Despite undergoing significant changes throughout Better Call Saul, Kim's drive and passion for her profession remain unwavering – she simply adapts her approach.

However, another potential reason for Jimmy's disregard toward Kim could simply be that the creators of Better Call Saul had not yet established her as a significant character. She has minimal presence in the show's pilot episode, aside from those two scenes, indicating that she was not initially meant to become the show's secondary protagonist. Vince Gilligan openly confessed that he did not grasp Kim's purpose until he witnessed Rhea Seahorn's portrayal, stating that he had always intended for the character to gradually lose significance as the story progressed.

This explains why Kim has a minimal role in the pilot episode of Better Call Saul, despite her later significance to the story. Jimmy's anger in the boardroom may have prevented him from acknowledging her. Subsequent episodes reveal Jimmy's difficulty in hiding his anger and managing his emotions, which ultimately leads to his transformation into Saul Goodman. It is possible that in this particular scene, he is consumed by anger and frustration, thus not caring or even noticing Kim's presence.