Better Call Saul S1.04 Hero review

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Four episodes into Better Call Saul, one of the most interesting things about the series is the nuanced approach to Jimmy ethics. “Hero” sees him edging into outright criminality, as he succumbs to the lure of a bribe from the embezzling Kettlemans. But he uses that money to try and build up his legitimate business. Okay, he then resorts to a scheme straight out of his younger self “Slippin’ Jimmy”’s playbook to publicise that business. But he’s still broadly on the side of the angels.

If the episode has a flaw, it’s arguably the opening flashback to Jimmy’s days in Cicero. Not that the flashback isn’t entertaining in itself. Jimmy’s drunk-in-an-alleyway sting is so complex that you don’t see the reveal coming. And it’s a delight to find out that the name Saul Goodman isn’t something he coined specifically for practising law, but is a play on words he’s been using for years.

Featured Music

Also featured in this episode: “Battle Hymn Of The Republic” by Herbie Mann (when Jimmy is hanging out in the nail bar) and “Unsquare Dance” by The Dave Brubeck Quartet (when he rings around uninterested journalists).

Unfortunately, having a sequence where we see Jimmy grifting rather undermines the episode’s big setpiece. It plants the seeds of suspicion in your mind, so that the moment that billboard worker tips off the platform, you’re likely to immediately wonder if it’s all a set-up. Once it’s revealed as just that, it doesn’t feel like the greatest of surprises. Interestingly, that flashback sequence wasn’t originally part of the plan, but was a last-minute addition because the episode was under-running,

Truth be told, Jimmy’s continuing war with Howard Hamlin isn’t all that engaging either. We signed up for this show to see Jimmy getting sucked into the criminal underworld, not dabbling in trademark infringement. Tossing in Tuco early on was a strong hook, but now the show is demanding a little patience from the viewer as it engages in rather more low key plotlines and quiet character building. It’s earned that patience… but it might get a little frustrating if the series don’t step up a gear within the next two or three episodes.

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The One WhereJimmy pretends to save a billboard worker from falling to his death to generate some publicity.
WriterGennifer Hutchison
DirectorColin Bucksey

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Available platformsTV
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Deputy Editor, SFX

Ian Berriman has been working for SFX – the world's leading sci-fi, fantasy and horror magazine – since March 2002. He also writes for Total Film, Electronic Sound and Retro Pop; other publications he's contributed to include Horrorville, When Saturday Comes and What DVD. A life-long Doctor Who fan, he's also a supporter of Hull City, and live-tweets along to BBC Four's Top Of The Pops repeats from his @TOTPFacts account.