The following article contains spoilers forBetter Call Saulseason 6.
After last week’s grand sendoff for Nacho Varga,Better Call Saulnow finds an easier time focusing on its two bigger protagonists, Kim and Jimmy, who very much like the young man are finding some readjustments in their lives in the aftermath of the failed assassination attempt against Lalo Salamanca. What that means for the viewers is some of the very first glimpses of Saul becoming the man they got to know inBreaking Bad.
Naturally,Better Call Saulstill finds time for the rest of its stellar cast to make appearances, except for Tony Dalton, whose absence can only be an omen for the kind of impact he’ll have when he finally returns. Like most episodes, here the series takes its time, quite the contrary to what its “Hit and Run” title might suggest, nonetheless, Rhea Seehorn has definitely passed the mark on her directing debut to prove she’s learned the ropes from the best.
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The first scene simply shows an older couple riding their bikes through a seemingly quiet neighborhood. This is no ordinary pair, though, as the camera briefly cuts to show the careful watch of strategically placed surveillance equipment, but more on that later. For now, the main focus is Howard Hamlin, who is apparently going to therapy sessions to attend some marriage issues; Howard behaves the usual even in this vulnerable environment, while just outside a very different Hamlin is busy wrecking his life.
Kim and Jimmy’s plan to ruin Howard’s reputationhas not been that fun to watch, at least until now, because this part of the ruse involves having Jimmy dress up as Hamlin complete with one of his signature pinstripe suits, fake tan, and blonde hairdo. The entire thing is hilarious, especially because it brings back an old familiar face, Wendy the prostitute (Julia Minesci), to further tarnish his image in front of Clifford Main.
The funnier bits are seeing Jimmy struggling to keep the plan going at the very last minute in full Howard attire, however, Kim is the first one to get a reality check when she realizes she is being tailed, which is just a natural part of becoming friends of the cartel.
On Jimmy’s end, reality hits more bluntly, his charming presence is no longer welcome at the courthouse, he gets checked at the metal detector, he can’t call in a favor the same way he used to, and his colleagues see him differently, why? Because Jimmy crossed the line. Great characters and shows likeBetter Call Saulderive from make-or-break momentslike this one, and in Jimmy’s case, it’s having his reputation aligned to being the lawyer for the worst of them all, ensuring a safe path out for a known vicious killer like Lalo.
Luckily, that means a new influx of clientswants to be represented by Saul Goodman, which from a comedic standpoint sadly brings his days of practicing from the back of a nail salon to an end. In Kim’s case, it means having to get used to the idea that she’s being followed, though at least she gets the news delivered by the best possible messenger.
Mike onboards Kim at a diner, he quietly informs her what everyone seems to suspect, that Lalo is well and alive, and thus that makes Jimmy and her person of interest for his boss. Kim handles the situation rather well, which is no surprise considering Mike confirms what the audience should, she’s the more cold-minded individual of the two and Jimmy’s past does not inspire much confidence.
As part of the post-Nacho updates,Giancarlo Esposito’s Gus shows up, as it turns out his elaborate setup to stay low implies having an “El Chapo” style tunnel connect his home to that of the couple from the beginning of the episode, where his main HQ is located. He’s not wrong to be this cautious, Gus is the only one confident that Lalo is alive, as even Mike’s Spider-Sense is off.
Seehorn’s episode comes to a close witha lovelyBreaking Badeaster egg, the very strip mall where his shady practice will have this office, the same Duke City Sports Bar fromEl Camino. In this case, the office is a symbol of Jimmy further leaning into hisBetter Call Saulpersona, suggesting it won’t take long to see that big red sign go up on this very unimpressive piece of real estate.
“Hit and Run” is exactlythe kind of episodeBetter Call Saulneedsafterkilling off one of its most important characters, it brings Kim and Jimmy back in the driver’s seat as semi-master of their own fate. That is because the cartel, Gus, and Mike are now unavoidable parts of their lives, but from a different perspective, Saul’s practice is finally picking up the kind of clients he made his name on, and that includes Lalo who might just return for a second consultation.
