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What I think makes the feud between Jimmy and Howard hit so hard is that Jimmy does this because he thinks Howard can’t change when in fact he can, while Howard believes Jimmy can change when in fact he can’t. Their whole conflict is based on the fact they’re unable to understand one another

Howard was the only one who went to a therapist. Nuff said.

Howards death was genuinely the most surprising death in the series to me, the moment felt so real, the acting was amazing in that scene

The most heartbreaking scene in this series isn't Howard's Death. It was when he put all the effort to make a coffee for his wife with care and affection, but all she did was to put all that in a tumbler. That scene broke my heart.

I gotta say. The most heart breaking scene for me wasn't when Howard was shot, but the episode that came after when you see Howard's shoes by the ocean, and it really sinks in. They destroyed this man's life, reputation, career, kill him, and framed it so that it looks like he committed suicide. In just a few seconds of intro, without a word or dialogue, we're told so much from that scene.

Easily the most tragic character, and BY FAR the most misunderstood. How anyone ever “hated” this guy after the first season is beyond me, especially after Chuck’s death. He tolerated so much cruelty and was practically saintly at turns in the later seasons. Howard haters make no sense.

An extra thing of tragedy was that in Howard's last sentence, he speaks as if he's about to plead to save Saul and Kim's life, thinking that Lalo is out to get them. Despite his conflict with them and everything they pulled on him, he still tried to defend them not knowing he was the one about to get shot.

Jimmy doesn’t hate Howard, he hates Chuck. Everything he thinks of Howard is actually how he thinks of his brother. Jimmy just can’t admit it. He still idolizes his brother. He can’t admit that his brother was terrible to him.

I rooted for Jimmy/Saul for most of the time. Until he and Kim destroyed Howard. That made them villains in my eyes.

I like how Howard does not freak out at all in the series, he seems to always think before he speaks.. So thoughtful and methodical

Something that always made the death tragic for me is how little it means to Lalo. Howard is just in the wrong place at the wrong time, Howard means nothing to Lalo, he isnt even in his way. Lalo is such a force it feels more akin to Howard being killed by a train or a bus, the way it's done is so good to me because such a quick action to one character has rippling after effects to others. The final kill count in Better Call Saul is so small in comparison to Breaking Bad, but every death is treated with an extra layer of thought and their consequences are always satisfying to witness. All of Howard's dreams and reputation he cared so hard to protect are ruined purely because he was just in the wrong place. (I know the death is the result of Jimmy and Kim's actions, but the actual killing is so sad because of how non chalant it seems for Lalo)

what really broke me was seeing the several images of a smiling Howard at his funeral, images of him at the beach just happy as can be. it was such an unbelievably needless death. i just finished the series with my boyfriend a few days ago, and this is the part that's still lingering with me the most. Howard was definitely the most tragic character. rest well, Howard, you didn't deserve any of it 💔

Nacho and Howard are the two most tragic stories in BCS/BB universe

I honestly felt so bad for Howard, if Chuck didn't meddle around and make Howard to do all his dirty work then I feel like Jimmy would have taken that job offer, whether that conversation would have even taken place considering Chuck's end was the result of Howard & Jimmy. I just wanted Jimmy to succeed so much, but his hatred towards Howard was really his own hatred towards Chuck that he just couldn't shake because it was always deeply rooted in Jimmy's mind that Howard is the evil one here.

You don't mention here that after his death they even change the name of his law firm, presumably because his name is now damaging to the firm. He is even erased from his life's work, and that of his father. It's hard to think of a more awful and undeserved death and legacy. I found his death and subsequent disgrace quite disturbing. It's like the writers really went out of their way with Howard to deliver the message that reality doesn't have any kind of moral arc, that bad things can happen to good people without there being any redemption, salvation or happy resolution, a message reinforced by what is effectively Howard's funeral--being dumped into a pit with the man who killed him by indifferent, heartless criminals. It seemed such a lonely end for a character who never had anyone there for him through all his many trials and tribulations. He was in many ways the loneliest character from the two series. Everyone he reached out to rebuffed him.

This, ladies and gentlemen, is a prime example of how important it is to review and reassess your friendships. If you surround yourself with self destructive people, there's no functional boundary that won't eventually lead to your downfall.

Howard is so poorly done-over by both the McGill brothers, and he really tried at various points to help them both. It's a heart-breaking arc that Patrick Fabian is never going to get the credit he deserves for.

This is morbid I know but I appreciated the symbolism of Howard’s jaw breaking after being shot. Everything about Howard is carefully crafted by him; his tone of voice, his vocal cadence, his hand movements, his suits, his hair, his tan, you even see that in the latte he makes his wife, he is incredibly meticulous about his image both physically and his reputation. By him hitting the table and breaking his jaw on the way down to the floor (after already being dead), Saul and Kim have destroyed the whole image of Howard

I was honestly so relieved when Kim came forward at the end of S6. Howard honestly deserved NONE of this, yet it all felt so real, like there are people who undeservingly have their lives ruined IRL, similar to him. And there 100% are. It felt so sad. So tragic. When Kim finally came forward and spoke the honest truths, it felt like a cold breeze after a terrible summer day.

Howard and Nacho are two most tragic characters on two different side of the law

Earlier, on the last day of Howard’s life, he witnesses a newly hired young man drop all the soda cans, then steps in to help out, even taking the time to teach Chuck’s trick of how to lower the pressure. Don’t come off as arrogant for even one second…

Howard is the brother Chuck wishes he had. And everyone on the show pay the price for it. Howard was the best of both McGills. We are lead to believe Howard was product of nepotism but he did succeed on his own merit. Howard had Chuck's professionalism but he also had Jimmy's charisma. He never does anything immoral or illegal but ends up sharing a grave with Lalo.

The difference between Jimmy and Howard was that Howard was able to move on from his guilt after Chuck’s death and learn to deal with it in a healthier way. Jimmy didn’t. He outwardly blamed Howard for Chuck’s suicide, but I think deep down he blamed himself. He just couldn’t admit that to himself and just externalized it by scapegoating Howard. It’s not until the final episode that Jimmy accepts his culpability in both Howard’s and Chuck’s deaths.

saddest part is that his last action was trying to bargain for saul and kim’s safety

I completely agree. At worst Howard was obnoxious but that should not be punished with death. It is understandable why Kim was so affected by his death. It really was their fault.

Chuck really screwed Howard in the end. He was willing to burn his bridge with his friend for the sake of pride and ego.

For me it went from a legitimate gripe about an annoying boss to over the top payback to bullying to downright torturing the poor man. And still so composed right at the end when he confronted them about it.

It was really depressing to see Howard’s ultimate downfall after you were made to think he was such a stuck up guy, but I honestly never felt bad for anything that happened to Chuck at all. He’s honestly one of the most unlikable characters in either show and he portrays a different type of evil from any other character.

9:15 I always thought that Jimmy actually, deep down, blamed *himself* for Chuck’s death, and his telling Howard it was his fault was simply Jimmy (quite cruelly) rubbing salt into Howard’s wounds. He didn’t actually blame Howard, he just projected his own guilt onto him out of hatred. That was the impression I got from the show anyway - whether that’s what we’re supposed to take away from it, I don’t know. Anyway, this is a really great video. I’d like to see more BCS analysis videos. Subscribed.

You can tell Howard liked Jimmy and always did. Early on he had to be the bad guy because that's the way Chuck wanted it and he didn't want to cross Chuck. He wasn't always perfect or a good guy but that doesn't mean that he deserved his fate. Definitely one of the most tragic characters in the BB universe.

Howard’s death is (in my opinion) the darkest moment of the show. It went from Saul and Kim having a laugh trying to ridicule him to suddenly having to cover up a murder and they realised they took it too far

The worst part about all of it for me is that I’m the end, despite all of the work he put into improving himself, Howard will be remembered for being a drug addict who killed himself. I never understood the plot line of Kim and Jimmy hating Howard so much that they scheme up such an elaborate and risky plan to ruin Howard’s life. In the end there was no reason to hate Howard to the degree that they hated him. After Jimmy found out that Howard didn’t give him a job at the firm because of Chuck there was no reason for Jimmy to hate him. And as Howard said in his final conversation, the only reason Kim had reason to hate Howard is because he put her in doc review. It was just hard for me personally to buy into the entire plot that they hate him to such a degree that they would put the time, money, and energy into destroying his life. Rip Howard

It was really sad to see him go out like that. Howard was trying his best with what he had. In the end through all what had happened he still had the heart to go see saul and kim and even leave a gift. I think at that moment it really hit how much saul has morally decayed.

I really like Howard. Everything he does well...90 percent of what he does is with the attempt at helping others grow. He sometimes makes mistakes. He is often walked all over even though he puts his best foot forward. It sucks that Jimmy is an actual villian towards Howard

When Howard died I screamed and couldn't stop crying. I wasn't a fan, but didn't hate him. He just seemed like a guy who should have just left well enough alone but couldn't because he was really trying to help. He didn't deserve that death.

Just came here to pay him my respect. We would never forget you Howie 😢

I’d go as far to say that Howard becomes a good person, even if he was only decent to start. But by the end of his story he’s taken it upon himself to try and better his own life, and to be kinder and more generous to others around him. The level of self responsibility and selflessness he shows in the later seasons is far better than most people are capable of, and to me, Howard is probably one of the most moral characters in the entire BB universe

What happened to Howard was handled so damn well. Very rarely have I seen a scene where an innocent caught in the crossfire get treated with such a grounded take. The attempt at talking it out, the action, the reactions of Jimmy and Kim and what comes after with his lifeless body is just so heavy. Kudos to the team for writing a character so complex. Much like how we sympathized with Walter in the beginning only to hate him by the end; Howard is the parallel opposite, you hate him in the beginning, only to really side with him in the later stages.

The way they ruined howard just felt like evil actions made for no reason, for fun. And I hated both jimmy and kim for that, because their plot was so perfect that howard could do nothing about it. And on the opposite i loved Lalo because by killing howard (is life wouldn't have been good anymore), he also punished jimmy and kim, that felt guilt for the first time for what they did

Watching this video helped me realize that the feeling of entitlement is the root cause of the moral decay of Jimmy, Kim and Walter. From the beginning I always had respect for Howard’s polite professionalism, his tight control over his emotions in confrontational events speaks of his discipline. When Jimmy didn’t get the job, I thought that was sad, but not unreasonable. Jimmy and Kim not getting what they wanted from Howard made them think he was unjust with them, but they are not entitled to the positions he had withheld from them. Walter sold his shares of Grey Matter, it was his decision, but he still held it against his former partners as though it was their fault.

Chuck is the villain of the entire Breaking Bad universe. If he had supported Jimmy, nearly all the tragedies in Better Call Saul wouldn’t have happened, and Jimmy wouldn’t have become Saul. And Walter White couldn’t have done it without Saul. It’s crazy how chuck’s actions of not supporting his brother inadvertently elevate the best drug chemist in the world to greater heights Edit: Not saying that Chuck is one dimensional or the exact cause of Walt’s growth; I’m saying that out of all the main characters and side characters we see who push Walt and Saul into become the bad people that they are. Its not like I’m saying Hank Schrader is also the villain because he emasculates Walt and is part of why Walt snapped and wanted free from his bland life; I don’t think Hank is a villain just for doing that. He was just messing around and didn’t realize the mental toll he was taking. Chuck actively took steps to hurt Jimmy’s career AND emotional state (I never actually cared about you!) that’s why I consider Chuck a villain, and not the many other side characters who indirectly cause things. I think chucks were the most unjustified for a man who thinks he’s so righteous. I know he has his reasons, but even after Jimmy was doing wonderfully in his recovery from the scammer lifestyle in the mailroom, Chuck made Howard reject his application for a job. Which is such an evil choice; Chuck’s entire mental state revolves around how successful Jimmy was, to the point where one of Jimmy’s big successes makes Chuck kill himself. it has its layers, but this is just my opinion ^ This is to the many replies stating things like, if Chuck is a villain, so is everyone who interacts with Walt and that Chuck’s actions aren’t entirely evil; I’m not saying they are, I’m saying I think they’re incredibly unjustifiable to the point where he is culpable for some the Saul persona coming to be.

Initially I would have disagreed but when you lay out all the cards and show his entire story for what it truly is I completely agree. He was just a normal guy caught up in a whole world of chaos out of his control. Even so, he still tries to be the bigger person and make amends but just gets shot down. Pun intended.

I agreed on the whole video except when you said "Howard was an Asshole sometimes". I think he was just professional, calm and collected most of the times. He had lower ego than he portrayed as we see when we see his relationship with his wife. Howard's death truly was tragic. It was about two people bullying someone to death. Howard wanted to fight Jimmy because he thought it would end things, he never wanted to hurt Jimmy. Howard was one of my favourite character in the series.

There’s so many connections that can be drawn between Howard and Lalo. They both lived similar lives on the opposite ends of the spectrum and both had the misfortune of meeting Jimmy and Kim. It was almost poetic that they were buried together and both died because of their enemies.

It’s all this, all of this, is why Jimmy deserves that jail sentence, and Kim deserves to lose everything

The one and only person who can rock the signature "Hamlindigo blue" suit

Anyone else think that Howard was one of the greatest written and acted characters of all time? I realized this in season 6. I spent 5 seasons hating him only to realize Patrick Fabian was a true tour de force in every season,especially 6.

I couldn't watch the next episode for 2 weeks after watching the one where Howard got shot. One of my favorite and most respected characters of the show, shot through the head for no reason after getting his reputation demolished in the most despicable way

In the final episode when Kim and Jimmy finally admitted admitted to what happened Howard even though I was a bit miffed about Kim possibly going to jail I felt glad that in some aspect or way Howard's reality was revealed to the world, he wasnt a coked up addict but an actually decent person who was subjected to something he didnt deserve. Even if only a couple people in the BCS world hear about the truth of Howard and what happened to him im glad that in the end he was finally respected, and some aspect of his legacy was restored to show who he really was.

My mind is blown that this show made me sympathize with and really care about a millionaire who inherited his wealth and prestige from his daddy. And I do really care about him - I’m broken-hearted that he’s dead and about how Kim and Jimmy set him up. Gotta give it to the writers!

I was honestly so freaking upset the way they killed Howard off. He deserved much more respect than to be dumped in a grave with the man who killed him.

He's just a fictional character, but man that didn't prevent me from crying for him.

Howard was to me like Hank - both come across as unlikeable at first but by the end you realise they were the good guy all along and not Walter or Saul.

I believe that Jimmy really blames himself for Chuck, and is just using Howard as a personal mental scapegoat. We can see that in the last episode, during his confession

It's weird how Howard is one of the best people (ethically) in the whole show, yet the audience dislikes him almost all of the time because of his corporate demeanor, meanwhile Jimmy does tons of truly awful and unforgiveable things and we love him. Jimmies older brother was unlikeable the entire time, even though his issues are not all his fault and he's really not that bad. A series that makes you root for the bad guys.

Never liked Saul. Hamlin seemed like a good dude from the very beginning. It’s a shame what happened to him. This is how life treats good men.

Glad Howard got some level of justice in the end rather than Mike's version for instance. He was a very decent man.

Howard was my favorite character. I would almost call him the moral protagonist while Saul and Kim were the primary antagonists. Even though he had his own flaws too (like being too much of Chuck's personal doormat and ruining Kim's career at HHM because she stumped for Jimmy to be hired by another accredited law firm) he was the excellent deconstruction of the stoic corporate archetype we've all assume we'd dislike.

I think the sad part about Howard's character was that we were all led to not like him but he was actually a fair honest good person who really wanted the best for everyone. I think Lalo walking behind Howard is just brilliant because it kind of represents how Howard kept getting blindsided by his good intentions.

Howard's a real one he is possibly one of my favriout characters in the show

I really like Howard's arc throughout the entire series, he starts off as a complete asshole in the eyes of the viewers but as the show progressed it showed more and more of who Howard is and the reasons for his behavior at times and he honestly went from being one of my most hated characters in the bcs universe to one of my most loved. He really was the star focus of this show in a way, seeming insignificant at first but being the one who changed everything in the end. Great character, one of the best acting performances I've ever witnessed as well. Bravo Patrick Fabian.

One obscure observation is how Kim was able to lie to Howard's wife and shift his death on her, it reminded me of how Jimmy shifted his brother's death onto Howard. Howard told her his marriage was falling apart, she knew she could do it. And we see his wife storming off crying after " You're his wife. Im sure you would've known".

Worst part from show for me was when Jimmy and Kim met Howard's wife after his death and they didn't have a slightest of regret about ruining Howard's life in fact in that very moment too that evil woman comes up with wild idea to prove Howard a drug addict to his wife with some imaginary story just so that no one can be suspicious about them. The sad part is this was the same character I admired a lot during S01-05 of show which was now the most hated one after this Howard's plot! And she got away in most easiest way in the end living her normal life after ruining many others and pretending to be the victim!

Very nice video, food for thought. Howard often fades into the background of the primary plot lines related to Saul, Kim and Mike, so his suffering through the whole series is easily overlooked on the spectator's side.

One tragic dimension of their relationship that I hadn’t considered until recently was how Chuck was like an older brother to Howard-making Howard and Jimmy’s relationship brother-like.

I guess you could say Howard's death was mindblowing

just finished the 6th season of better call saul and I could agree with you more. you have the same thoughts and points as me and my dad discussed after the show. great video 👏

Very well done, hit the nail on the head with every single point! And very eloquently done video might I add!! EXCELLENT job!!!

I for the longest time watching this show felt really bad for howard, it's not that I liked him but I just felt that he was underserving of all what befell him. when lalo shot howard it was so abrupt and so shocking to me it took me a solid minute to realise that thats it howards dead and I don't think I've ever felt so gutwrenched towards a characters death like that. I nearly cried it was that powerful. Both Howard and Nachos deaths really impacted me with how sudden and upsetting they were. It's weird to say but I don't think I've ever seen death so well represented in media before. It' shocking and sensless; almost impossible to comprehend at first. It's hard to believe they're gone.

BCS quickly became a comfort show for me after binging the first three seasons because of moments like Chuck's reaction to Jimmy passing the bar. S1's rewatchability for me came from moments like that. You could see Chuck's mind working as he told Jimmy he would "have to take it up with the other partners" to give himself an out, or how Jimmy had to ask if Chuck was proud of him before Chuck said it. This is a rare show where certain parts are often elevated with the benefit of hindsight

I appreciate the way you fleshed out what happened at the end. How it all culminated. Well done sir.

I will never get tired of Better Call Saul analysis videos.

RIP Howard 💔💐 That man deserved better.

Excellent analysis, editing, and argument. This show is so rich with things to dissect. Great job.

Its sheer brilliance of the creators of the show that they transformed characters so seamlessly. Plus, the actors cemented the characters’ with their 10 on 10 acting.

At least they told the truth about Howard’s death, unfortunately the years the lie was around totally destroyed HHM and it’s employees.

I remember there was this one scene… I think it was in Season 2. Where Howard goes to see Chuck and tells him about how they lost Mesa Verde. And he entered his house and told him in the dark. And he was almost cowering in fear of Chucks disappointment. And I swear it almost reminded me of Vader talking to The Emperor. Whether Howard knew it or not Chuck always had him in the palm of his hand. He gave him nothing but grief, made him have to be the bad guy in the eyes of both Kim and Jimmy. And even after his death he wouldn’t be remembered as the man he should be. He tried to please his Partner and (let’s face it) Boss. And in doing so lost a huge piece of his goodness. Chuck should have had the balls to go after Jimmy solo. But he made Howard his patsy. And that’s why he’s so tragic. Because he was a *genuinely* good person. And a terrific Lawyer.

Also, this was a fantastic analysis, man. A true labor of love.

Excellent analysis. I agree with you 100 %. Thank you for putting so much effort in your work.!

"Who is Howard Hamlin?" Me expecting a nice description of our upstanding, tragic character, but instead getting the gut punch again.

I still think the most tragic character was Nacho. Any doctor who checked his blood pressure throughout that series would have had a heart attack...

I never felt he acted above others. Great video!

Amazing video. Really great work.

Howard parallels Hank in a remarkably dual sense. Think about it, both were friends/family of the main villainous protagonist with a certain level of friendship or at the slightest respect for them. Over time though both Jimmy and Walter begin to grow ill feelings towards Howard and Hank respectively and seek to make them pay. Just as Jimmy painted Howard as a deviant and drug addict, Walter's tape slandered Hank as being Heisenberg (which if released would have destroyed Hank's reputation and given him some serious time). Finally, the cherry on top is how Jimmy witnessed Howard being executed by Lalo and Walter saw the same thing with Hank by Jack Welker (both mid-sentence while confronting their "fallen friend"). Ironically when Jimmy is charged in court he gets part of the blame for Hank's death, inadvertently giving Howard some justice. *The difference between the two's fate is that Hank is still considered a hero as everybody knows Walter is Heisenberg.

This is an incredible video and mirrors my thoughts entirely while we never were really meant to like Howard in that last season I think we all started to and when he died I just remember thinking he didn't deserve any of this

Thanks for the plot summary mate

Your analysis of Better Call Saul characters are always great!

Props to the amazing screenwriting, Howard and Lalo, opposite poles from not one but two different worlds are buried in the same grave after one tragic interaction amongst each other. I could've never seen it coming!

one of the saddest scenes were after the episode howard was killed. at the beginning of the next episode when we saw his shoes and his car at the beach, my heart SANK. and even after that, when mike and his team were taking his body out from the apartment, or when he was thrown into the ditch dug in the meth lab, and then later on when we saw his memorial at hhm; it TRULY broke my heart. howard didn’t deserve any of that.

I just realized the cup holder symbolized him not fitting in. Wow, embarrassing but thanks to the amazing editing that cut that scene in as he said the words doesn’t fit in

You should make more of these. Great content.

excellent work. The death of Howard at the end of his redemption arc was the most painful aspect of the final outcomes. just really good writing. Better Call Saul is definitely in my top 3 for all time TV shows.

There was one point which I think you overlooked when Howard was depressed in season 4, HHM isn't doing well. Jimmy comes to Howard's office to get the 5k which Chuck had left him from Howard. Jimmy basically tells Howard to get over himself and stop wallowing, he also says he's a shitty lawyer. Howard says "fuck you Jimmy." I feel this really lit a flame under Howard and was the turning point for him to get over his depression. I'm not sure why Jimmy did this tough love, but he knew it was exactly what Howard needed, perhaps it was because he knew Howard was unnecessarily blaming himself for Chuck's suicide and this was his way of saying "you don't need to." Obviously this was before Saul had taken over Jimmy, and is one of the final "good" interactions they shared. I also think there's something to say about how Kim was the big driver behind taking down Howard, and Jimmy's love for her meant he would dip into Saul a lot deeper. There are multiple times Jimmy wanted to back out, even on D-day but Kim kept pushing because of her own hatred for Howard, Jimmy will do anything for Kim so he went along with it knowing that the consequences were going to be bad. Of course the Lalo branch of the story is all Jimmy but the collision of Lalo and Howard definitely represents the two bad parts of Kim and Jimmy blowing up in their face. Kim ultimately had the courage to step away and Jimmy just went deeper.

Seeing howard be thrown into the pit with lalo makes me absolutely bawl my eyes out. It is the saddest thing i have ever seen on screen. It's even worse seeing mike be sad about it because he knew about howards demise, the two's scheme against him and the fact he wasn't even in the game. It is truley, extremely sad.

Great video and analysis. Keep them coming.

I am a Howard fan… he didn’t deserve what they did to him and obviously his fate

It's pretty easy to hate Howard but you realise that he never actually did anything wrong

It makes me rethink the fly scene from breaking bad. The fact Howard’s under that lab the whole time lives rent free in my head

exelent analysis