It's as one of the writers said: "Jimmy does the wrong thing for the right reasons. Chuck does the right thing for the wrong reasons."

The cinematography in Better Call Saul is better than Breaking Bad

The scene where Chuck tells Jimmy that he never cared about him has to be one of the most tragic scenes ever

What also made that episode very tragic for me was how the law had become Chuck's sanctuary. It was a field where he was truly distinguished and loved, where he could have a taste of what it's like being "special". Chicanery is painful because it's essentially Jimmy taking hold of that sanctuary too (like he has with family/friends), and turning it all against Chuck, who always counted on the law and the courts being on his side. Such a painful brother relationship, I love it so much. Great video man!

I *love* that the camera verrrry sloooowly zooms in on Chuck during his rant, symbolising his tunnel vision mental processes as he starts to rant about Jimmy... then afterwards... slowly zooms out... as reality reimposes itself and the context of his surrounds return. So good!

Peter Gould (co-writer along with Gilligan) said that Season 6 will change how we all think about Breaking Bad, I can't wait.

Gotta love the dramatic tone you use when saying "He did defecate through a sunroof" lmao

Chuck's major flaw was his pride: in thinking he could overcome his "sensitivity" disease without the aid of specialists. Because that would mean acknowledging that it was psychosomatic and not physical.

Jimmy really did Howard dirty when he blamed him for Chuck's death lmaooo

Exactly. While I disliked Chuck, I never hated him - I never thought of him as a villain. I felt pity and sympathy for him. He felt like a real human being who suffered real human emotions that led him down a very extreme yet entirely believable path. Such an incredibly written character. I fervently disagree with anyone who thinks of him as a villain - just exercise some empathy and understand that Chuck is not a monster, but a flawed human being... just like anyone else.

I am far far more attached to the characters in Better Call Saul than I was to anyone in Breaking Bad. Jimmy is more sympathetic and relatable than Walt. Can't wait for season 6.

Such a great show. The acting and character relationships are so well done, Bob and Rhea have insanely good chemistry

Best show on television right now, hands down. Can't wait for Season 6 after the COVID delay.

The cold open of the season 4 finale with the two of them singing The Winner Takes It All is such a beautifully heartbreaking and heartwarming (to a lesser extent but still) scene. It broke me when I watched it for the first time and really made me reflect on and realize how much I love Chuck. He's one of the best characters in the entire BB/BCS Universe imo.

Just saw a comment comparing Skylar and Chuck by saying both are hateable in the beginning but I don't understand that comparison at all. Chuck is revealed to have planned the ultimate betrayal against his brother. Skylar acts out because he husband is changing, clearly keeping secrets from her, likely doing illegal things and was diagnosed with cancer. I don't see that as a fair comparison, Chuck is way more hateable early on.

"Chicanery" is still my favorite episode of this series ("Bad Choice Road" from season 5 is a close second). To me, it is just as excellent as "Ozymandias" from Breaking Bad.

“I thought you were proud of me.”😢 words really does hurt.

Jimmy and Chuck are the best examples to descrive respectively "Chaotic good" and "Lawful evil"

Basically Chuck was objectively correct about Jimmy being crooked and bending the law, that he can't really stand on his own as a lawyer without resorting to these tricks and shady tactics. And while Chucks dismissive attitude might not have contributed to Jimmy overcoming his flaws, I don't think he can be blamed for causing them either. They are just embedded with Jimmys personality since his youth. From a purely legal perspective Chuck was completely in the right all of the time. But as a person and a brother he was still despicable, mainly for exploiting and manipulating his brother. No matter how low he thought of his brother he should have just been upfront about it, instead of letting his brother care for him all this time and simultaneously sabotaging him behind his back, taking the Sandpiper case away from him and letting Howard take the blame, all that made Chuck a true scumbag.

“Jimmy with a law degree is like a chimp with a machine gun” It’s funny how chuck comes off as the antagonist during this situation and most of the time he discredits jimmy, but ultimately he is right and is proven by Breaking Bad and it’s outcome. Although I do feel all of Breaking Bad and Chucks suicide would’ve been prevented if he instead tried to foster Jimmys young potential as a lawyer and teach him how to be one, not take him down a peg.

Chuck at the side of the hospital bed made my heart drop, I felt so awful for him

Chuck + Jimmy is probably the best depiction I've ever seen of a truly toxic relationship. Relationships cannot be truly toxic unless there is genuine affection in place.

Here's my interpretation of Chuck: Chuck views Jimmy as an addict that is just waiting to relapse, "you're like an alcoholic who refuses that he's got a problem", this is why he doesn't believe Jimmy can go straight (that and combined with his bitter resentment) Chuck has been with and knows Jimmy more than anyone else, Jimmy has told Chuck that he was gonna go straight several times in the past, but everytime, Jimmy can't help himself but get an itch to relapse everytime things don't go his way and would always revert back to Slippin Jimmy, It's a pattern/cycle that has most likely happened over and over throughout Chuck's life, a cycle in which Chuck refuses to participate in any longer, Chuck knows Jimmy has good intentions but as a lawyer, he thinks it is about time people start judging him based on his actions than his intentions, he is tired of people always giving him a free pass cus of his "good intentions", this is why Chuck is obsessed with punishing Jimmy, he believes Jimmy already got all the love and support he can get and yet still he doesn't change, he believes punishment is the only answer, Jimmy has lived his whole life without facing the consequences of his actions, Chuck Justifies his actions by believing that punishment is the only answer to change Saul but we know as a viewer that what Jimmy really needs the most to get better is to be accepted and approved by Chuck, it's the thing that motivated Saul to change in the first place, but Chuck doesn't see that, his personal resentment towards his brother clouds his judgement and instead is hellbent in punishing Saul which is what ultimately leads to his and Jimmy's downfall, Saul now believes he will never be accepted by people and society and it is all Chuck's fault, a self fulfilling prophecy. Chuck functions as the embodiment of the consequences of Saul's actions, this is taken literally when we learn later in the series that Chuck's mental illness was a direct result of Saul always getting away from the consequences of his actions over the years, each time he got away, it took a toll on his brother and by the time they are adults, Chuck has become hellbent in punishing Jimmy since noone else will do it but it is also his way of releasing his bitter resentment for Jimmy that has accumulating for several years, everyone roots for Jimmy but I can't help but see where Chuck is coming from tbh. Chuck and Jimmy also mirrors each other, someone once said that "Chuck does the right things for the wrong reasons while Jimmy does the wrong things for the right reasons" and I completely agree with that, Saul believes the ends justifies the means while Chuck believes your actions should always have consequences, no matter the reason, this is why Chuck is such a great foil/Antagonist for Saul.. His mental illness is clearly connected to Saul, but how? what kickstarted his condition? how is being allergic to light connected to his relationship with Saul? well in the episode lantern, we get a flashback to when Chuck and Jimmy were still kids and we see how close they were in the past, they would always tell stories near a lantern so the way I see it, Chuck is reminded of his relationship with Saul, Chuck now distrusts Saul and even resents him so whenever he sees the lantern again, he is reminded of those feelings and it just later evolved into being allergic to the lantern and evolved again to being allergic to light itself. If you go back in the series, whenever Chuck shows distrust for his brother, the more his condition gets worse and when Chuck destroyed his relationship with Jimmy, the more pain he derived from the light and his condition/mental state got worse. The lantern which symbolized his connection to Jimmy is what ultimately killed Chuck in the end, which I think is poetic.

This is a great analysis. I'd love to see you make one about Jimmy unhealthily dealing with his trauma over Chucks death in season 4 and 5. Lots of compartmentalization. Very fascinating

Their dynamic is the same problem the show has when being compared to breaking bad, everyone is waiting for Better Call Saul to slip and not be as good but the reality is they have far different identities

The greatest tragedy of the brother's relationship is that they could never move on. Jimmy held on to an idealized view of Chuck, caring for him when no one else would even after Chuck revealed his disdain for him. Jimmy's love allowed it to reach the impasse that could only be resolved by destroying everything Chuck built up. Meanwhile, Chuck could never believe in Jimmy's capacity to change. He had a deep fatalism mediated by his experiences with Jimmy that made him think the worst of his brother. I think this is best exemplified in the scene where Jimmy breaks into his house. Chuck is convinced that Jimmy wants to avoid getting caught, and is taken off-guard that Jimmy is simply enraged that Chuck would do something horrible to him. Despite this, he holds to his view that Jimmy is, in a sense, unredeemable. It's a small moment, but it proves that Chuck could never have appreciated Jimmy, even if he did care for him somewhat. It truly is one of the most realistic and heartbreaking portrayals of a toxic relationship. I'm glad that BCS is getting the respect it deserves.

Spot on. Jimmy took the thing Chuck revered, and that gave him the respect and adoration he craved for his life, and abused it using Perry Mason tactics to defeat him and worse: disgrace and discredit him. And without the law, Chuck had nothing. The woman he loved saw him as an object of pity. His peers would never see him as an legal titan again, just a tragic story over cocktails.

Awesome video, I've been schizophrenic and Chuck's character is scarily close to home an dit was captured very well here. I wish everyone took the time to understand him instead of just brushing him aside as an evil villain. He's an awful person but he has his own story too and he's deserving of sympathy.

Chuck's biggest flaw was that there was no such thing as win-win situation. It was not enough if Chuck won, someone had to lose. It made him an excellent trial attorney, but did not work in any other area of his life.

This will probably sound strange, but Chuck is actually a big comfort character for me. Not only can I relate to his struggles with mental illness, but his toxicity and jealousy as well. Watching Better Call Saul helped me start learning to improve myself and stop leaning into those maladaptive and hurtful coping mechanisms and I have Chuck to thank for that. He’s very sympathetic to me on a very personal level, and I just don’t have the heart to hate him.

It isn't a victory for Jimmy It's a victory for Saul

I love the "I must destroy you but I will take no pleasure from it" trope in fiction, and in real life for that matter.

This is one of the toughest Sibling relationships I have seen in a TV series . Chuck has a polite harshness to him when he deals with Jimmy. Its terribly true and tragic when Chuck says 'Slippin Jimmy with a law degree is like a chimpanzee with a machine gun." Sad sibling rivalry .

YES. Everything Gilligan touches is gold

This is such an unbelievable show. Gilligan is truly a master of creativity.

This whole show could be solved if we had more open emotional communication

Great commentary, the amount of understanding is very refreshing

Jimmy usually relishes in outsmarting the opposition and winning a case through showmanship. Here he clearly hates having to resort to it, there’s no joy in the win. It’s impressive to see a character completely unravel in such a short scene like Chuck does here

I think Season 6 Episode 7 could be considered an even bigger turning point now… God damn…

I enjoyed the first couple of seasons more than the rest of the series, the dynamic between the two brothers was just so human...

That was legit one of the best endings in the show ends with Chuck looking up at the exit sign after having a breakdown in the courtroom and all we hear is the sizzle coming off the light

Just having seen the opening to episode 10 of season 4 I cried seeing what a beautiful thing these two had and how it ended. The way their relationship plays out was reflected to me in the tones and pitch they sing at their respective parts in the song stuck out to me the most.

When I first heard the announcement that they were going to be making a prequel series to Breaking Bad, I honestly rolled my eyes. To me, it felt like yet another one of hundreds of reboots, rehashes, remakes. I am very happy to report that not only did this show far exceed any expectations I could ever have had, I can easily say I think it's better than Breaking Bad. This is the blue meth of TV shows

I think it is worth mentioning the ultimate fallout to this and the final dark turn: When Jimmy is so completely wrapped up in his hate of Chuck he gets his insurance premiums raised just as an afterthought specifically because of this event, and the consequences for that - and his reaction to those consequences.

Thanks! You gave Chuck the respect that he deserves. I get really tired of discussions that paint Chuck as a villain while being overly sympathetic towards Jimmy. They are both flawed human beings who are part of a toxic and destructive relationship. No one is necessarily better than the other. By painting one as better than the other, I think it diminishes the depth of the show. The complexity and depth of the characters are what make this show so incredible.

My theory is Chucks electromagnetic hypersensitivity is a manifestation of his internal pain. It started after his divorce and he obviously still loved his ex wife. Then when she returned he got better for a little bit. Finally, when his relationship with jimmy finally died, it returned in a much worse form. I think this symbolizes how sad chuck was about the end of his relationship with his brother.

I actually think that along with what was said, Chuck is THE PRIMARY REASON for how Jimmy turned into Saul. Not just a major contributor, but a BIGGER REASON than Jimmy himself.

I have never cried so hard in my life when I watch that last scene with Chuck. I was already going through a tough time in my life and battling my own ways of pushing the world away. That moment where Chuck breaks the meter and reverts back hard into his old ways broke me. My neighbors came to see if everything was alright. This broke me harder than any other moment in any other form of media I've experienced.

Honestly the ever present philosophical moral conflict in this show is utterly brilliant.

I need a Video about Howard Hamlin and his arc in the series.

Thank you for not putting any season 4-6 spoilers in this. I was able to show my friend who just saw the season 3 finale as I’m showing him this masterpiece of a show, and your videos on the ABQ-verse are the best and I couldn’t wait to show him one on BCS

“But what he doesn’t realize is that his condemnation of his brother and his inability to trust in him and truly believe that he could change is a big part of what may cause Jimmy to stay on this path: like a self-fulfilling prophecy. And Jimmy, the man who once upon a time was the only one who properly tended to, understood, and cared for his brother, ultimately ends up being the one to destroy him. It is *grimly* poetic writing and it is as indicative of the quality of this story as anything else.” I’m constantly blown away by the depth and understanding you demonstrate in your videos. But one thing I really appreciate, just as much, is your choice of words and cadence. Your videos are consistently eloquent without being preachy. You really have honed your craft to a wonderful degree, especially when it comes to your writing and delivery, which flow together really comfortably. What I mean is that some people may give the impression that they’re expanding their vocabulary for the sake of a video essay, but you deliver stuff so naturally that it feels almost conversational (I’m assuming you don’t use quite as wordy language in day to day conversation lol). Anyway, cheers mate always love your videos, and was really happy to see this one get made. I put money in your tip jar for this video, a Beastars video, and a Morel video and I’m eager to see the other two when/if they get made.

I think chuck's resentment over the mom's last words goes beyond her calling out for Jimmy. Chuck and Jimmy knew she was on her death bed and could die at any moment. Even knowing this, Jimmy wanted to go get lunch, which you can't blame him for, you gotta eat, but Chuck refused to in order to stay by his mom's side. For Chuck, it was just another instance of Jimmy getting away with things despite not putting any effort or care.

I knew it was heartbreaking more than others realized/spoke off, but sheesh you really shot onions repeatedly at my face. D: This breakdown was absolutely breathtaking, there are things I never would have thought of myself, chuck's and jimmy's relationship is unbelievably nuanced, and aye like you I didn't like chuck's behavior but I also understood it and respected it, it just would have been nice if he had backed off in a different manner before his brother essentially broke the illusion where chuck could not deny the truth anymore. There are so many characters in the breaking bad universe that are written/played with an immense amount of depth, there is a lot of nuanced situations throughout, even the "bad" guys in spite of all the evil they do, there is still good in them, (that heartwrenching scene with the baby/falling on the sword so too speak walter white did... and even when he called his son to try and make sure the family was set for life - sometimes there is a little bit of nobility in evil deeds, we are all selfish to some degree, and arguably there are times where we absolutely have to be selfish and think of ourselves/our loved ones. - Hell that line that WW spoke to skylar in the final scene they have together I do not know if I buy it entirely "I did it for me"... yes there was some truth to it, but there was also truth that he did it for them.) and vice versa, as good of a guy hank was, he too had his flaws, like him turning a blind eye towards his wife extra circular... illegal activities. - Obviously I am not saying we should 100% forgive or forget what someone has done, or who they have become, but there is a lot of nuance to our actions, and whether we like to admit it or not, this applies to everyone in life, even the truly bad people, but again that does not justify or excuse what they do.

god I love the way you break down shows i couldn’t wait for you to tackle better call saul, you’ve done some of my personal favorites like attack on titan, breaking bad, hunter x hunter, and death note. I hope you might cover the wire or SoA one day

Courtroom drama masterpiece.

I find it very hard to believe that nobody of consequence called out his mental illness. I believe most people would think his illness is mental. If I had the wealth to have someone like Chuck represent me,it give pause.

The painful truth and irony of the story is that Chuck was always right. I think it's really well pointed out when Jimmy finally gets the type of job he wants at Davis and Main, and screws it up. Although the light switch ultimatelty didn't do anything, it represnted Jimmy's impulsiveness, and childish behaivor, as if everything is just a game. No matter the situation Jimmy cant do it with out a little bit of corruption, and even though Chuck is a heavily flawed character, he was never wrong about Jimmy.

Better Call Saul is my favorite Anime in the Cory in the House Genre.

treat someone like an animal and they'll become one

Very profound episode it was, indeed. However I think something you said speaks to why we ultimately as an audience can't really help but side with Jimmy, and only ever really end up feeling either angry at, or sorry for Howard: the fact that Chuck to some fairly hefty extent helped shape the more corrupted parts of Jimmy's nature. Chuck helped shape his brother into what would ultimately become Saul Goodman: everything he himself feared his brother would be. And he has zero self awareness about it, as opposed to Jimmy, who can at least acknowledge to himself when he has hurt Chuck - or anyone else for that matter - which he most definitely and deliberately does in the end. It's a damn near Shakespearian tragedy, but Chuck is quite clearly the villain. Jimmy is a loveable antihero, not all that dissimilar to Jesse Pinkman (as opposed to Walter White with whom he is so often compared...)

I think season 3 and 4 are the best in the series. 5 is right up there too. Lalo doesn't fill the same role as Chuck but it's hard to say that he isn't a great villain

Another point I'd like to make. I've been watching Michael McKeon since the 70s when he was Lenny on 'Laverne & Shirley.' I've seen 'This is Spinal Tap' more than 100 times. I've enjoyed his work for almost 50 yrs and while always a fan, did not know he was capable of portraying such a deeply-flawed, tragic, dramatic character as he did in Better Call Saul.

In the very first season, Jimmy does point out that every time Chuck finds out about another slippery thing Jimmy did, he gets particularly bad about his electricity exposure symptoms. I'm pretty sure all the situations in which it happens it DID have Chuck exposes to a little more electricity than he's used to (Example 1, when he had to throw Jimmy's phone out, he found out about him paying for the skater dude's medical bill. Example 2, he went outside to get his neighbor's mail, then found out about the billboard stunt) , so the show purposely leaves it vague enough that you question; is it REALLY the electricity? or is it REALLY Jimmy's actions weighing on him. It's really goddamn brilliant in that way, especially rewatching it.

When one loses one's cool all reason goes away. Even when there is logic it gets swamped by emotion.

Your analysis to this episode just gave me a better view and appreciation towards the prequel. That editing in the last scene made me tear, i can't imagine how brilliant the writing of Better Call Saul.

This is by far my favorite video of your channel, it really gives me goosebumps towards the end. Bravo 👏

I think another thing to add for Chuck, is that with Chuck having this resentment towards Jimmy, he never gave him room to grow. Even when he got his law degree, he did not change his opinion on him. And he even stated it in his outburst of what he thought. That he thinks "he'll never change". Chuck always tells Jimmy that he isn't going to change. So it really just makes Jimmy accept this as his identity. Many people who are never given the chance to change or have new responsibility further go down a path that is going to be harsh. And I feel we see this with Chuck and Jim.

BRILLIANT work! Always knew BCS was a remarkable series, & this video helped me to appreciate it all the more! Keep it up! 👍🏽

Jimmy/Saul is right in the way he goes about things. Screw rules and social guidelines - do things however you want, even if it’s outside the lines.

I literally just caught up on the show a few days ago so the timing of this vid couldn’t have been better thanks man

Absolutely fantastic breakdown and insight of these characters great job dude u have serious talent

Didn't expect you to cover one of my favorite shows

One of my favorite channels uploading a video about one of my favorite shows awesome! And I normally follow you for anime!

Yet another amazing video, love that you chose to make a video about this dynamic.

Thats why I believe Chuck is the most perfect antagonist i have ever seen in a movie or series. He is nuanced, has a rich relationship with the portagonist and changes him in every way. Dont get me wrong the BCS is still so freaking good but Chucks was its climax for me.

Chuck is an arrogant, classist man. Despite him being "right" about Jimmy - he did everything in his power to make sure Jimmy would never become a better person. A job at HHM and some guidance and mentorship would have gone a long way but instead he pushes Jimmy away which forces him to resort to what he's best at; being Slipping Jimmy. I honestly don't feel much sympathy for a man like him, a man who respects the "law" as "sacred" especially laws that often favor the wealthy and disparage the poor. To enforce such a "justice" system and even revere it is a despicable thing and Jimmy's willingness to subvert the rules is admirable. He does so for the underclass and underrepresented people unlike Chuck who is a lacky for massive conglomerates.

“I am not crazy” = “You can’t handle the truth”

I think I mentioned this on another one of your videos, Alexzander, but I deeply appreciate the FF VII music in the background. I often have to rewind the video because I get lost listening to the tune.

This is one of the very rare occasions where I feel I prequel/sequel outdid it’s predecessor. This and Shrek 2

Jesus, I hate my brother, but I would never abandon or stand against him

Love the ending statement of BCS standing alongside BB as the zeniths of television. It’s something a lot of fans don’t understand.

Havent watched this show, but Im glad you can upload what you want to this channel. Can’t wait to see where this channel goes

I hear that Xenoblade music you used in the back of this video. Always great to hear some Xenoblade in a video on something completely unrelated but just as great

Chuck wanted love from his mother too, to me, the biggest reason their mom called for Jimmy was because he needed more love and attention where Chuck already had most of his life under control. Then Chuck had it worse, and it was Jimmy's time to act and care for his big bro, it's kinda sad if taken (edit= from*) that perspective, but that is just a theory... a weird theory!

a video on my favourite show, with background music from one of my favourite games ever? love it, xenoblade music suits videos like this more than i imagined. subscribed!

This is BEAUTIFULLY edited

God damn your videos are so good. I really hope you enjoy this type of work, cause i wanna see so much more of it

Really impressed with this one. You simply don’t miss brother.

Me after watching this episode: wow that was great, surely now chuck and start new with his brother and get the help he needs! Chuck: *kills himself* Me: oh

Just found your channel. WOW. I have only watched 4 of your videos, but will be watching the rest, i'm sure. Thank you!

This show left me with so much to think about but you put it all so well. Fantastic video

I am guessing you have never been deeply betrayed personally in a life-changing way. Having been so myself, I read that scene as the most emotionally satisfying pay-offs I have maybe ever seen. I relished Chuck's destruction and blame him entirely for what and who Jimmy was and became. It was clear to me that it was Chuck's toxicity that ruined Jimmy's life.

One of the most heart wrenching episodes of television out there. The writers on both series knock it out of the park at every turn.

Your videos are the best, you always shine new light providing a deeper understanding.

This is genuinely one of the best bcs videos on youtube

Honestly, setting aside all the legal and moral debate about Jimmy vs Chuck, there's one thing that I feel is worth mentioning, and that is that Chuck ultimately failed Jimmy as an older brother. Everyone knows the argument that "Chuck was the reason Jimmy kept getting slippy because he always prevented him from getting his life together." Which is true, but the angle that's not often talked about is how terrifyingly real it feels coming from an older sibling. Lemme explain: I have a younger brother, and if anyone hurt him, I would assuredly fuck that person up beyond repair. But while watching BCS, I saw how Chuck acted towards Jimmy, and the envy and inferiority Chuck felt when his Brother became more successful at law than Chuck ever was, was hauntingly familiar. I have had similar feelings about my little brother in more minor ways. Obviously noting as toxic as Chuck (at least I pray to God that I haven't been that bad) but those feelings are there, even if they're buried beneath love. Chuck is not just an example of lawful neutral taken to an evil extreem, he's also a perfect example of an older sibling taken to the worst extreem, it's brilliantly done and absolutely horrifying.

Knocked it out of the park, this was a great analysis. I was most annoyerd with Chuck when he never told Jimmy what their mothers' last words were, it was so subtly done but it told you so much about their relationship and Chucks resentment towards Jimmy. Easily one of the best shows ever made, the character development is fantastic - honestly can't wait for season 6, I feel real attachment to these characters and personally, I think it's better than Breaking Bad...and man did I love BB. This was a brilliant video.

There is so much to take away from this beautiful show. Whenever an analysis video for BCS comes out, I get a little happier.

Appreciate all these bb and bcs videos