The following article contains spoilers forBetter Call Saulseason 6.
For a show that uses such slow exposition as its prime method of storytelling, it’s truly amazing howBetter Call Saulstill manages to shock viewers with a mid-season finale that’s exactly the culmination of everything one had could have foreseen, but just not the way even Kim and Jimmy had imagined. In fact, when all is set and done, only one person comes out as the victor in “Plan and Execution” and it’s the baddest of all bad guys.
For writer and director Thomas Schnauz this is not his firstBetter Call Saulfinale having been there when Jimmy coined the phrase “S’all good, man!” in season 4, however, his work here is much different as the entire episode revolves around transmitting Howard Hamlin’s sense of despair in a clearly corrupt world. The result is a proper sendoff forone ofBetter Call Saul’sbest original charactersthat also sets up the second half of this season as one more chance for Tony Dalton to keep shining.
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It’s precisely Lalo who opens up the episode, now back from his trip to Germany and playing covert ops in Albuquerque once again, although without the official blessing of his uncle Hector. Unlike on other occasions, Lalo’s murderous charm is not fully deployed throughout as his reclusive hideout marks a shift in the way the war between Gustavo Fring and the Salamancas is being waged.
As for Kim and Jimmy, the pair quickly make the last-minute adjustments that forced her to back out of a potential (and legal) life-changing opportunity because, as it becomes clear later on, the thrill of hustling others is even more satisfying than helping out those in need. The impromptu photo shoot goes as planned, yet the sight of Kim as the director of the whole thing might offer a hint atwhat her fate could be inBetter Call Saul.
Elsewhere in Albuquerque, Howard’s private eye is revealed to be working for Jimmy as the H in HHM walks into what is now a perfectly executed trap, though not before viewers get to see his more charming side with the lovable plaintiff and Jimmy’s former client, Irene. Mediator judge Casimiro arrives and Howard snaps almost instantly, according to his fake PI, this man was bribed by Jimmy, however, his accusations don’t really land the same when he’s sweaty, unhinged and -seemingly- intoxicatedthanks to Dr. Caldera playing his part perfectlyin the couple’s plan.
Even then, Howard’s breakdown doesn’t last too long, with Sandpiper’s negotiations taking a turn for the worse (except for Jimmy), he accepts what Clifford Main already knows, he’s been defeated. Every shot and scene here is put together to remind the audience Howard is a stand-up guy, he’s actually an honest man being ruined mostly out of spite by Kim and Jimmy, and Patrick Fabian’s performance sure drives that message home.
Meanwhile, Lalo records his own “manifesto” of sorts for Don Eladio, promising to bring down Gus for his betrayal while providing proof of it, a brash turn of events for sure but not one uncharacteristic for him. That is until he notices Hector’s phone being tapped and decides to turn the tables on Gus and Mike’s pristine preparation for any incoming attacks, thanks to a pocket ace he’s been holding since last season, his cockroach man, Saul Goodman.
Kim and Jimmy enjoy an evening watching old movies, like any criminal couple would, is perfect to illustrate their obliviousness to the consequences of their actions; whereas Howard barging in perhaps represents a voice of reason. Howard speaks the truth, still, that’s not enough for Kim and Jimmy to confess to their grand scheme, as he vows to bring them down with the same passion and effort they’ve put into his demise, but unfortunately -just likeBreaking Bad-,Better Call Saul’splot is not fit for heroes.
Howard and Lalo are men whose paths should have never crossed, nevertheless, fate plus the dangerous combination of Kim and Jimmy have put them together in the same room with the sad realization that Howard is not a cockroach, he is, after all, a straight up guy. It’s something one should see coming, even so Howard’s speech is so driven that it’s almost enough to eclipse Lalo’s impeding arrival which is perfectly captured in Kim and Jimmy’s horrified faces.
As oftentimes happens inBetter Call Saul, good guys don’t have a way out, and that is the sad fate that befalls Howard even when he realizes Lalo is no ordinary client right before getting his brains blown out. It’s a mystery where the show’s final season will pick up in seven weeks, but the bloodstains left by Howard’s corpse wouldn’t be a bad thing to focus on as symbolism for the kind ofchaos unleashed by Kim and Jimmy.
For any other show, this type of finale would be enough to close out a full season. Regardless of that,Better Call Saulis calling quits on a bigger 7-year journey. It’s a shame the Salamancas are aspecies known to be extinct inBreaking Badbecause otherwise, Lalo’s fate could be as intriguing as Howard’s, or even Kim’s for that matter — if any villain deserves to go down in style it’s definitely him.
