I don't want it to end. Just one more episode to go. Let me know what you think.

Bob Odenkirk shifting from a fake warm Gene to a psychopath and back to Jimmy in a span of 5 minutes deserved more praise. Emmy worthy performance.

kim settling for a guy that yells "yep" during sex was surely the most heartbreaking moment of the episode

Right after Kim finished the call with Jimmy, her co-worker comes to tell her it was "Time to sing!" Great double meaning. Amazing writing.

I laughed out loud when Jesse felt it was necessary to explain that Combo didn't steal a real baby Jesus.

I really thought Gene was going to kill Marion. It was legitimately chilling.

It was pretty great that Gene still doesn’t fully believe Lalo is dead.

I think Gene was reminded of his elder law days as Jimmy when Marion said ‘I trusted you’. Perhaps he thought of Irene from earlier in the series

Something I found really interesting also was the fact that Gene seems to drink Whiskey on the rocks (with ice) in this episode. This is something Mike did, and then something Walt adopted in his darkest moments after killing Mike. Now Gene seems to have adopted this as well as the moustache and glasses from Walt in his darkest moment of the series.

JESSE: "This guy ... any good?" KIM: "When I knew him, he was." Jesse's question is about Saul as a lawyer. Kim's answer is about Jimmy as a person.

Anybody who has cried that way unable to hold back the tears despite trying your best knows how well Rhea acted that scene. In one take too. Give her all the Emmys already.

The poetic justice of Marion potentially being the death nail for Saul after witnessing him con and sweet talk the elderly throughout the whole series is just incredible

In the scene where Marion learns the truth, I think Jimmy comes to terms with the fact he isn’t a ruthless person like Walter or Gus or any of the real killers of the BCS/BB universe. He wanted to channel the Heisenberg-like intimidation, but he just doesn’t have it in him like Walter or Gus or Lalo did. He can’t kill someone for the sole purpose of protecting himself.

Vince Gilligan’s direction in this episode was incredible. The way Gene threatening Marion with the phone cord mirrored the hand gestures Jimmy would use to convince people when talking to them is so insanely subtle but a terrifying painting of how far this man has fallen. Bob and Rhea better win all the awards.

I feel like Kim breaking down on the bus was the first time she’d let it all out, everything that happened with Howard and Jimmy/Saul and so on. Jimmy said that one day they’d wake up and realize they hadn’t thought about it, and he did. But I don’t think Kim ever forgot for a moment.

That scene with Kim on the bus was so heartbreaking. This episode was just incredible.

I love how Carol Burnett's role in the show isn't just window dressing. Her character turns out to be pivotal to Gene's outcome.

The look in Gene/Saul/Jimmy's eyes when he saw the commercial was unreal itself. Forget the colour in the reflection in his glasses, just his eyes... his entire world was crashing down.

I can’t believe Emilio managed to pull himself together after being turned into liquid slushy. Bravo Vince.

A few extra points that I noticed: 1) When Kim was having that party, they were playing that piña colada song, which Jimmy sings when he's outside of the school making his commercial. Also, the lyric is, "If you like piña coladas and getting caught in the rain." Kim is caught in the rain with Jesse. Lol, you could take this even further and say that Jesse was dressed in some sort of yellow camouflage hoodie/jacket, like a giant pineapple. 🤣 2) One of Kim's colleagues says, "Time to sing," before the birthday cake is brought out. I think this meant that she would "sing like a canary" (in mafia terminology) and go to the authorities. She kind of did when she visited Howard's wife shortly after. 3) The Alaska sign appears when Kim was waiting outside the airport. Someone else already pointed out that Jesse (Alaska) then makes an appearance in a similar fashion (from Kim's left), while she is waiting outside Saul's office. 4) Following up on the $737,000 listed on the bank statement. That was supposed to be enough for Walt, but he kept going, much like how Gene kept ransacking the guy's house for more stuff. 5) The Blondie song at the end says, "I'm not the kind of girl who gives up just like that." This could be a reference to Marion putting up a fight. Or maybe Kim will do something drastic in the final episode. We'll see. 6) Colour plays an important role in the Breaking Bad universe. Seeing the mostly orange computer screen on Gene's glasses (and then some blue) must mean something, but I don't know what. Just one last comment. This has been a really fun ride, getting involved in all these fan theories. Sadly, this will all be over next week. Thanks all. 🥲

Rhea Seehorn absolutely deserves an award for her performance, that crying scene on the bus made ME cry, love her man!

I found this episode heartbreaking in so many ways. Kim's guilt, grief. It being 'the end of the road', but perhaps most poignantly to me was Gene's descent to the low, low point of almost using violence against a cancer sufferer and an elderly lady. It seems not everything has a happy ending!

I picked up on how Kim is still protecting Jimmy, even when she brings a copy of the affidavit to Howard's widow, by casting doubt on whether or not Jimmy/Saul/Gene is still alive or not, even after she had just spoken with him on the phone.

Just wanted to say thanks for doing these catch-ups after every episode. I don’t know anyone watching the show so I appreciate being able to watch someone talk about the eps :)

I found it interesting that when Kim was talking to Cheryl and Jimmy's name came up she said "if he's still alive", still keeping quiet on what she knows about him even as she comes clean about everything else.

That “Have a nice life, Kim” was so awful it really felt like the final nail in the coffin to me.

Totally devastating, but perfectly delivered. Jimmy at the edge of murder is not what I expected, but they got him all the way there backwards through a whole prequel, the Saul era, and the post-Saul era. In terms of storytelling it is amazing. It's looking like jail or the grave for Jimmy Saul Gene Viktor.

"Is he any good." "He was when I knew him" was so powerful to me. Because you could read that on the first level as, "is he a competent lawyer?," which is Jesse's actual question. But the deeper question is the one that Kim actually responds to--which is "Is there any good in this lawyer?," which leads to her response..."He was (good) when I knew him." Because he has been completely consumed by "Saul" to cope for the evil that his actions have caused.

Kim's meltdown on the bus was one of the hardest things to watch I've ever seen on television

The scene where Kim was doing a blank puzzle hits hard as it illustrates how plain and empty her life have become. It’s sad to see how she deprived her self from making any difference in her entourage. Kind of remind me of howard’s last words to her : "One of the smartest and most promising human beings I've ever known, and this is the life you choose,". She definitely deserved a better ending.

Gene was gonna kill Marion, but Jimmy stopped him.

I don't want this amazing adventure to end. I hate this feeling. I hate what Saul has turned into. I'm in tears watching Kim walk away with Saul saying absolutely nothing but then smiling seconds later while watching Pinkman bumming her for a cigarette in the rain... Amazing....I love this show.

I was hurt when I saw Gene become violent and intimidating to Marion. The part where he realized what he just did was the exact moment Jimmy came back and took over. Jimmy never broke bad, we always knew he is a goodman

I like how the most mundane thing ends up being a setup for later. Like Gene teaches Marian to use a computer.

i really love that they made the toll booth where mike worked automated just to further show how much things have changed

The hint of tears in Saul's eyes before Kim walks in is perfect.

Seeing Kim in her extremely boring life hit hard (with a weird new boyfriend nonetheless). Her hair, clothes, job, the whole thing… clearly we can see how far she has fallen and how much everything has affected her. Her acting was fantastic, especially the crying scene on the bus. That was a punch in the gut. 😢 Im gonna miss your recaps Pete! 🙌🏻

I think Howard's wife is actually feeling guilt over how she treated Howard while he was still alive as opposed to being saddend by his passing.

Kim's breakdown is the culmination of lifelong time worth of choices and consequences that brough her to this point. From the flashbacks we know she really disliked the ways of her mother scheming and stealing and whatnot. So she pursues a career in the opposite direction - the law. In the first seasons she struggles but perseveres and eventually becomes a brilliant lawyer (according to both Chuck and Howard which says a lot). She is an upstanding person and gets upset when she learns Jimmy tricked the court with the squat cobbler scheme. She really is close to the life she wanted for herself. But she just can't resist her inner demons - does a small con with Jimmy, then another one. It's fun to do these! Eventually that road leads to the Howard disaster which wrecks everything she has achieved to that point. She is responsible for the death of an innocent man, walked away from her dream job and had to leave the man she loved. She had everything but pissed it away for fun. She set out to be a better person than her mother but ended up worse, much worse.

Such a thoroughly depressing episode but is only thus because of the expertly created characters. The line 'Have a nice life' is just heartbreaking on every level. Genius show and one that never misses a beat.

The automated parking machine plays a recording of Mike telling you to pay $3 or get an additional sticker.

Another thing worth remembering is that Kim not telling Jesse to avoid Saul was so crucial in the BB universe. She probably recognized him on the news (no way she doesn't remember that day vividly), which just makes the guilt so much worse for her. Her last big mistake

Kim's acting in this episode was outstanding

Honestly the scene where you saw the automated parking ticket kinda hit me, mike was such a damn good character and it just kinda showed how he’s completely gone now

Gene's biggest mistake is that he wasn't wearing his Matlock suit when he tried to persuade Marion.

Vince Gilligan has absolutely nailed this episode.

The scene with Kim crying on the bus was one of the finest displays of acting this show has produced, and that's really saying something!

"you won't be able to live with yourself, in the cold light of day" - Jimmy warned her she was too weak to deal with it........ in which she replied, "Won't I"? Well, I guess Jimmy was right again.

This episode was so intense with crazy extremes. Watching Kim’s release of emotion was so satisfying and it allows her space to move forward and getting out of the self imposed prison she has placed herself in. Watch Jimmy/Gene/Saul spiral has been fascinating. We all knew when he took his hand off the door things were going left. That cab and cop car scene was pure comedy. This episode is set a bar where acting, writing, directing, editing, and every moving part to create an episode are in sync. All I know there isn’t another show that has aired an episode that could top this one. Can’t wait to rewatch and then watch next week’s episode.

Loved it when Gene was singing Blondie's The tide is high. It kind of reminded me of Walter White singing a horse with no name. Also Jeff calling his "dad" was epic. Jeff seems like a nice guy that went out of his way to have Gene escape the crime scene. I can't say enough about Carol Burnett's acting. She is such a great addition to this wonderful show.

this episode wasn't a masterpiece, it was a complete work of art. unbelievable show. I don't want it to end

He still has some shred of humanity in him, and seeing him trying to convince Marion not to do it in a menacing way rather than the usual over the top, flamboyant and smart way Saul would is awesome. The fact that he just couldn't kill or even really cause physical harm really shows that out of all the characters on the shows, his path was always for self gain, but still had some limits. He is evil, but not a killer. I especially like how it was a battle of his personailties, Jimmy, Saul and Gene in that build up. He knows he's done, but doesn't want to take that final step. He's a horrible person, responsible for so many ruined lives and deaths, but ultimately, he can't cross the line of commiting the act of violence himself. I believe seeing her in physical pain dying before his eyes would be his final breaking point. The way he reacted when Lalo so callously shot Howard shows that he has always had an aversion to violence. As evil as he is, he's not a violent man. Opportunist, yes. Greedy, 100%. Hard and cold, absolutely. A killer? No

I thought I heard about baby Jesus and Combo before when I was watching the Kim-Jesse scene. I had to go watch BB and found it in a through away line said by Hank while talking to his DEA colleagues in Ep 213 ABQ. These writers are really good at handling BB references in BCS.

The episode is a great depiction of someone going through the hell of deep depression but keeping up an appearance of normality. Kim is trying the old ' fake it til you make it' treatment for her depression but in her case, making it means having to completely break down first.

I always come here every week immediately after watching the episodes to watch the incredible job you do in recapping them. I have no idea how you're able to recall so many things like the callbacks to Breaking Bad or even the ball bouncing from earlier Better Call Saul episodes. Great job as always and I really appreciate you, Pete.

When Gene tries to get into Marion's house after she won't answer, the part where he tries to peer through the window brought me back to the very first episode, where he has his first ever run-in with the cartel.

Absolutely incredible episode! Rhea Seehorn and Carol Burnett knocked it out of the park here.

The final moments definitely felt like a redux of Ozymandias when Jr. calls the cops on Walt. It's amazing how it's anybody's guess what's gonna happen in the finale. What an exceptional season this has been!

The lawyer in the courthouse putting a tie on her client is actually the little girl from when Jimmy told her to cut corners after she got rejected by HHM with the only person supporting her being Jimmy. (9:22)

Pete, thank you for all your reviews, predictions and deep contemplations on the most entertaining show ever. Even when I didn’t agree with your musings, I’ve always appreciated how you arrived at your conclusions. I hope another show rises to this level so that you can do it all again.

Kim was indecisive about inconsequential things, because she couldn't make up her mind about the big decision. To turn herself in or not. Because that would have hurt Jimmy as well... But after he called her as Saul, she knew that Jimmy was gone. It was his call that made her decide. She couldn't decide on anything anymore, but he told her to turn herself in.

Can we take a moment to appreciate the props department, the costume and set design for bringing this world to life? Especially all of the sprinkler warehouse and office scenes. No detail was spared!

Its amazing how well planned this series has been, in all the subtle details (from the rubber ball, to the color in b/w scenes)

MAAAN, honesty, only YOUR breakdowns are worth watching, as they add so much more richness to watching the show. I tried watching someone else because you didn't post yet, but was like: nope, waiting for Petey! :) Thank you for being awesome!

I read the puzzle differently than that. A solid color puzzle is extremely difficult, so I take it as a little bit of her true personality shining through.

Pete, yours in the one channel that I truly look forward to in dissecting these episodes. You do an amazing job of diving into the details, offering perspective, and raising questions or issues that some of us never thought of. Great work, and I'm looking forward to the finale!

Kim's written statement to Cheryl reminds us of Hector's written statement to Don Eladio. They're both completely true but unable to be proven.

One minor point that I haven't seen mentioned was the exchange about "Why Florida" during the divorce papers scene, with Saul cutting off Kim's reply with something like "It doesn't have to make sense." It felt like a call to the viewer to not expect intricate connections everywhere or overanalyze every detail, and instead just let the series tell its story. That said, please keep analyzing every detail.

Kim’s acting in this episode as she broke down on the bus was phenomenal. Great actors!

Gene had me genuinely worried there at the end. This was a gut wrenching episode.

Steve Varley's, Courtney's, and your BCS review/breakdown vids are the three that I check in with consistently. Excellent work and thanks for giving the BCS obsessed masses more stuff to waste our time on :)

Excellent breakdown as always. I wanted to mention that one of my only predictions that actually came true (some have been relatively close, some not at all) was in this episode when Kim broke down and cried hard on the bus. I mentioned that the term "water works" is sometimes used to refer to someone crying. Kim worked at a sprinkler company that sells water works, but she broke down in water works on the bus. The whole episode was completely outstanding! You did a fabulous job of addressing the main points and the subtle points that really made this episode so pivotal in the arc of the whole BCS universe as we know it.

Someone pointed it out elsewhere, but "waterworks" in Monopoly is two spaces before the "go to jail" space on the Monopoly board with only one property in between them..just like one episode left.

On S2E1 of Breaking Bad, we saw Walt saying that he only needed $737,000. On this episode we see that the amount that the man with cancer had on his investment report was $737,616.62 Like bruh, the level of detail of this show is beyond perfect. Two men with cancer with polar opposites moral compasses were the responsible for Jimmy’s exponential growth and subsequent downfall

Can we appreciate how the penultimate episode of BCS ends with Jimmy, slightly intoxicated (if the singing-while-driving is any sign), drinking whisky and fleeing from a phone call to the police, while the penultimate episode of BB ended with Walt in that New Hampshire bar, a little tipsy on whisky, having just called the cops on himself, driving off towards ABQ? Is it possible Jimmy's also got one last score to settle before he knows his time is up?

I feel when Saul told Kim that Lalo is dead “apparently” - the apparently was 1) based on what he hears from Jesse in the desert that he’s never heard of Lalo on the streets, and 2) mainly as a dig at Kim (since Lalo was supposed to be dead but came back alive in the BCS timeline on D-Day).

This episode is the kind of TV you go to film school for and hope that, if all the stars align, you can write and direct. It was art house cinema as the penultimate episode of one of the most popular shows in America (at least). Jimmy was pathetic, terrifying, cruel, and genuine all at once. Kim gave the most heartfelt performance I’ve ever seen on TV. Carol Burnett was fearless and unwavering in the face of everything. What a ride it’s been and this episode is a great place to exit the vehicle and stare at the destination we’ve arrived at before going home.

I was 100% sure I will never be as gutted by a TV show as in that scene of Lalo-Howard shared grave, but here comes Vince whispering "hold my beer". From Saul's atrocious behavior towards Kim, to this absolute boring yep man whose name we didn't even catch because he was so irrelevant, to all Kim's intellect that is now wasted, and finally to the bus waterworks. How is it even possible to be so heartbreaking

Perfect ending for this vid. When Marion says, "I trusted you," to Gene, it's like he's transported back in time staring at Irene. Great work, man ;)

I’m surprised I’ve not seen anyone mention this, but the entire discussion on food colouring, while the episode is in black and white then the puzzle appearing to be completely blank because it’s not in colour was fantastic. I kept thinking of it throughout the episode and it always gave me a chuckle.

This show leaves me speechless week after week.

Jimmy was correct back in the beginning of the season when he told Kim that she wouldn't be ok with destroying Howard. He even acted like he didnt want to do it at all, but she said " wouldn't I" and it felt like he was doing all that for Kim.

Surprises me how quick you’re able to write these video essays. Props to you Pete!

Next week's preview shows the Suzuki Esteem ditched in the desert by Saul & Mike (and visited by Lalo), with a voiceover of Gene reciting the line he was supposed to give the vacuum guy. Is Gene actually out in the desert (where he almost died once)? Does it simply signify there's nobody in the world to help him (he's truly alone)? Can't wait for the last episode, and concurrently I don't want the series to end.

“Yup…yup…yup…” - me when the Olive Garden waitress is looking at me to see if I want even more grated cheese

The styrofoam falling is a metaphor for how easily the tower falls … everything he built is subject to defunctness

I'm always amazed about how this show and BB always kept us on the edge of the couch. What an amazing group of talented people!

Hi Pete! I've been following your BCS videos for a while. I loved how you saw all the little details when Kim goes to court (I didn't realize the bittersweet moment with the table, fantastic) and how you make connections with Breaking Bad, a series that I watched a long time ago and don't remember all the small characters sometimes. I'm sad that there won't be much more BCS videos to watch just after the last episode, but I'm glad I found this channel! Love the Breaking Bad community. PS: This series should win all awards ever.

Instantly caught my eye was Kim's Blank jigsaw. I knew she was suffering then. Afraid of what she chooses might hurt others, even over the most trivial matters. Now that's PSTD and guilt.

So I didn’t interpret Jeff’s wreck as intentional to buy Gene time. I thought his paranoia got the best of him and he lost control. I guess it being intentional makes more sense, but I laughed out loud thinking it was an accident

What amazing job you do! Congrats on your observations! I look forward to watching the last episode as much as to watch your recap and review. Thank you!

this universe has been part of my life since i was 15…it’s such a surreal experience..i’m so happy i’ve been here for the journey at 28. even if i show this to my kids in the future they still won’t truly understand 🤣 thank you pete!

You quite literally have the best breakdowns in the game.

The opening scene is 4 years prior Breaking Bad timeline. You can see the date in the divorce paper.

Most shows would just start with the phone call. The pacing and detail leading up to the phone call were absolutely perfect. By the time she’s finished pulling the blinds and readying to take the call, I was on the edge of my seat willing it on….and I’m not kitten!

Pete, I truly appreciate your focus on this one show - the depth of knowledge and detail makes your analysis invaluable. I know that the realities of life create a strong incentive for youtubers to expand to other shows, but I wish every series had one Pete Peppers type focused youtuber. (I see those forallmankind videos, but have no idea what that is about). Thanks!

5:35 its not that she cant pick a picture, its that white puzzles with no details are the hardest puzzles u can work on so i saw that as her still retaining a lot of her power level

THIS EPISODE HAD ME SCREAMING AT THE TV. WIGGLING MY TOES. SHAKING WITH EXCITEMENT. SHIVERING WITH NERVES. I CANT BELIEVE THE BREAKING BAD UNIVERSE WILL END IN ONE WEEK OH MY GOD

Always love the recaps, anybody else instantly smiled when the camera panned on Jesse? Like I knew we’ll see him one more time but I feel like such a kid on my sofa when I see him 🤣

Some great analysis in the video and the comments. I think we can all agree that Better Telephone Saul is epic television. A masterpiece