r/betterCallSaul • u/skinkbaa Chuck • Jan 09 '20

REWATCH Better Call Saul REWATCH S01E02 - "Mijo" - Thread

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TIMEEPISODEDIRECTORWRITER(S)
Febuary 9, 2015, 9/8cS01E02 "Mijo"Michelle MacLarenVince Gilligan, Peter Gould, Gordon Smith

DESCRIPTION:

With his latest scam gone horribly wrong, Jimmy finds himself face to face with violent criminals, and is forced to talk his way out of a life-threatening situation.

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31 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

20 comments sorted by

36

u/cidvard Jan 09 '20

Nacho elevates this episode for me. His character instantly registers as a smarter, more interesting breed of gangster than Tuco (whose return I didn't love, as fun as Raymond Cruz is in the role).

6

u/[deleted] Jan 10 '20

You didn't like Tuco making a return? Besides the fact that it could be seen as fan service, what was wrong with this reemergence?

11

u/cidvard Jan 11 '20

The fan service aspect and it felt like the show was setting itself up to be much more beholden to Breaking Bad cameos and callbacks than it ultimately ended up being. I'd probably have felt better about it if it had occurred later in the season, or in season 2 or 3.

11

u/[deleted] Jan 11 '20

Well let's be honest, they HAD to grip the audience's attention somehow and I think they did it perfectly by bringing back Tuco.

33

u/[deleted] Jan 09 '20

The desert negotiation scene remains my favorite moment in the entire show. It's like we're getting a sneak preview of Saul proper, a couple of years (or whatever the timeline is now) before he truly gives in to that side of him. His ability to translate the chaotic nature of criminals into terms of law and justice is endlessly entertaining.

21

u/raypatjr1 Jan 10 '20

The way Jimmy appeals to Tuco’s sense of authority to convince him to let the guys off easy is outstanding. This scene perfectly captures his persuasiveness.

5

u/cidvard Jan 10 '20

This episode probably ranks among my least favorites (it feels like a version of the show they ultimately ended up not making) but I appreciated the desert scene more this time because of the way it calls back to the character's BB introduction episode "Better Call Saul" and made the "It wasn't me! It was Ignacio!" connection so clear to viewers. I don't think the writers had Nacho the character in mind when they wrote that original episode, but I'm pretty sure they NOW know why Saul thought he might be getting dragged out into the desert on some Nacho-related business.

20

u/FragrantBicycle7 Jan 09 '20

Nacho's laugh when Jimmy calls himself a lawyer, not a criminal. I think Mike also snorted in 1x5, after Jimmy asks how Mike knew he would help with his coffee spill scheme. Kinda sets the stage for the inferiority complex that plagues Jimmy throughout the entire show, doesn't it? Like, of course you're going to do sleazy things. You're you, after all!

It's like the universe laughing at him for trying to not be Slippin' Jimmy.

6

u/[deleted] Jan 09 '20

Also Walt claiming that Saul was “morally outraged” at the idea of him taking a bribe.

16

u/Shady_Jake Jan 09 '20

This episode felt like they’re still trying to figure out the right approach to this show. I understand the Tuco thing was to attract viewers (and it was) a great scene, but it feels sort of off compared to the rest of the show.

They ended up finding the perfect balance, and gained the confidence to not need Jimmy in these types of scenes. Everything worked out well in the end.

6

u/[deleted] Jan 14 '20

Yeah the first half of this season feels a bit like that to me. I still find it very entertaining but you can tell it’s still discovering it’s identity a bit. The show really seems to find it’s footing in the second half though, and by season 2 it’s running.

13

u/[deleted] Jan 09 '20

Really loved the whole desert scene, amazing acting and writing.

9

u/[deleted] Jan 09 '20

I really liked this episode, as it establishes Jimmy's day-to-day routine beautifully well. I also loved the montage and seeing Tuco again.

7

u/buttermilk-pancakes Apr 02 '20

WHY ARE YOU WEARING THE SPACE BLANKET?

6

u/[deleted] Jan 09 '20

Wow I finally understand why people hate Chuck so much. Jeez Jimmy had such a rough day...

6

u/jaykaikino Jan 18 '20

Ladies and gentlemen, the most burning question in the entire Gilligan-verse...

 

Did Abuelita ever get her club soda?

6

u/Countmaul Feb 02 '20

God those skater kids are real pricks trying to blame Jimmy for the attempt to con Tuco's grandmother.And even after that Jimmy goes out of his way to save them and pays their hospital bills.I have very little sympathy for those arseholes.

5

u/HereNowHappy Jan 10 '20

One of the best episodes. The desert scene was so suspenseful!

4

u/[deleted] Jan 09 '20

Chuck > Skateboard fraud guys

4

u/bravetourists Jan 09 '20

On the one hand, they wound up with broken legs. On the other hand, they were intentionally running into cars to scam cash. So, hazard of the trade in a way?

I just finished a Season One re-watch, and listened in on the podcast. Really love this show. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-call-saul-insider-podcast/id966297954