Better Call Saul S1.04 Hero review

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.

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,

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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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Smart Dressed Man

When Jimmy goes to the tailors you sort of expect the Breaking Bad-universe version of those scenes where a newly regenerated Doctor picks out their costume, so it’s a little disappointing to see him ordering a tasteful pinstripe instead of some flashy Saul Goodman duds. But the shot of him examining a bright orange shirt is a neat little hat tip to his future style choices.

It's Wossisname!

Award yourself a hundred geek points if you recognised Jimmy’s tailor as one of the Knights Of The Round Table. Actor Paul Geoffrey played Percival in John Boorman’s Excalibur.

Best Line

Jimmy: "I'm like a kiddy lemonade stand trying to compete with Walmart.”