We are three episodes in to this season of Better Call Saul has finally begun to gain some momentum. Ending on a bombshell, last weeks episode ended with Jimmy facing arrest, and Mike facing a potentially very pissed off Gus Fring. So what does this week’s episode Sunk Costs have in store for us lets find out.
Opening in classic fashion, we get a lingering shot of a pair of worn-out sneakers hanging on a power-line above a bullet-ridden stop sign. A staple of Breaking Bad, these openings, that eventually play a big role in the coming episode or season adds that initial drop of intrigue to get you excited.
The rest of the episode follows the standard Better Call Saul formula, jumping between its two concurrent storylines, Jimmy providing the drama, and Mike the action. Confronting Chuck over his recording, the battle between Chuck and Jimmy continues to heat up. Both exchanging harsh words, Chuck insincerely lays out his ‘it’s for his own good’ reasoning for Jimmy’s arrest. This proves to be the tipping point for Jimmy, who through gritted teeth reminds Chuck of everything he has done for him, before walking out of his life forever.
On the other side of things Mike comes face to face with Gus Fring. Once again used sparingly, we get to see the drug lord’s darker side this time round, as he cunningly allies himself with Mike thanks to their mutual enemy, Hector Salamanka. Initially standoffish Mike accepts Gus’s proposal and concocts an ingenious plan, to continue to be a thorn in Hector’s side.
Spending the night in jail Jimmy begins to plan his best defence against Chuck. Facing accusations of assault, breaking and entering Jimmy’s woes cause Kim to rushing to his aid, mending their
Sunk Costs is another marked ramping up of tensions, the battle lines have now been drawn, people are marching to war, and between now and the season finale I imagine there will be a lot of casualties in-between. With an impending count battle between Chuck and Jimmy looming on the horizon , the wheels are finally in motion, and I like the direction they are heading.
As has been the case for the last two seasons, season 3 of Better Call Saul is more than happy to take its time. Whilst this is not a massive detraction from the show, when you look back the lack of progression does stand out. However thanks to its finely detailed characters and brooding drama, I am more than happy for Better Call Saul to be a slow burner. Jimmy’s transformation from a friendly well-meaning, slightly unethical lawyer, into the slick Saul Goodman needs to be a natural progression, and in some instances that means being a little slow.