Better Call Saul (TV Series) RICO (2015) User Reviews

Jimmy's Lawyer Breakthrough!

[gab-14712 · 9/10 · 24 April 2020]

How does an episode (or a series for that matter) that features so much boring law can be so enticing? This is an episode that probably has a billion law terms scattered throughout, and yet I was gripping the edge of my seat in anticipation. Gilligan and Gould really created amazing characters, didn't they? This episode is about Jimmy's rise into the world of law, but also about how everyone doubts him. Jimmy proves he will work his butt off to get what is needed to be done, but no one will care. Will anyone care enough that Jimmy dove into a dumpster to get the necessary paperwork? No, he probably broke the law. The cold open here broke my heart. Jimmy works in the mailroom of HMM and passed his bar exam on this third try. After expecting good news, Howard tells him they will "reassess in six months," breaking the poor man's heart. I felt so bad for him. But regardless of any obstacles pushed towards Jimmy, he will do what it takes to succeed.

This episode, "RICO" takes on a new case that the McGill brothers are working on together. When a patient at the Sandpiper nursing home says she will pay later on after getting her weekly allowance, Jimmy finds out something is up. After some investigation, he finds out the nursing home is overcharging their patients. He brings up the case to Chuck who agrees that this could be a part of a class action suit. Chuck is now fully warped on this new case, which may affect him in more ways than one. Meanwhile, Stacey, Mike's daughter-in-law has found money and she may need his advice.

This episode surprises me to no end. There is great acting all around from Bob Odenkirk and Michael McKean. We continue to learn how much of a slimeball Howard Hamlin is. The ending....well, we definitely learn more about Chuck's condition. It will be interesting to see how the ending will play out in the series final two episodes.

My Grade: A

Is This the Breakthrough?

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 18 May 2018]

First of all, we are introduced to the young McGill. He gets his law degree but is rejected by the young, handsome partner when he tries to get a job. This is despite going way beyond expectations. The second thing is his pursuit of senior law. He discovers a nursing home that is bilking it's unsuspecting patients by charging them outrageous prices for things like toothbrushes and other necessities. When he gets involved, he is treated badly. He uses his skills, along with his brothers, to launch an attack on the corporation doing this.

Exceptional installment, looking good for the McGill brothers!

[PulpPhiction · 9/10 · 24 March 2015]

I feel stupid for saying this every Monday when I write my review, but this was an exceptional episode, once again. I likely won't give out a 10/10 for an episode anytime soon, because I think you should always save your 10 for a really special thing. I loved all of Breaking Bad, but I only gave 10/10 for one episode - the finale. What I'm trying to say is that just because I haven't given it a perfect rating doesn't mean it isn't a damn near perfect episode.

Man, was this a great hour of television. The music, cinematography, acting, mood, atmosphere, just everything was spot on. An especially great performance this week from Chuck (Michael McKean), and as usual all around good acting from the rest of the regulars, as well as a few new characters.

Thanks Gilligan, Gould, the cast and crew for another excellent hour of TV, you have successfully filled the Breaking Bad hole that has been left vacant for the past year and a bit.

High Quality episode

[llsabathia · 9/10 · 25 March 2015]

This episode really sparked a turn in season 1. We see Jimmy's dedication to bust Sandpiper Retirement for their fraud with Jimmy's elder clients. He truly has nothing to lose when we see him jump into the garbage searching for shredded records. I loved Gilligans devotion to picture quality and location, Buckley did a great job with the meeting between the lawyers as well. I commend Gilligan for his attention to detail. He chooses which female character he wants us to adore or hate. I disliked Lydia Rodarte-Quayle (Breaking Bad) but I like Kim Wexler (Better Call Saul). I sided with Skylar White from time to time but I never liked Betsy Kettleman.

I love the tense atmosphere that each episode provides. You can tell that this is Vince Gilligans work just from the facial expressions of each character. The invidious attribute isn't quite there yet but I have a feeling it will come soon. Jimmy is on the verge of hitting it big and the plot will either spiral into a downwards fall or spike up and go a different way. If I was to predict the next few episodes, I would say that this case will have depth and raise conflict but it will go wrong. Chuck is close to being "healed" but going outside and retrieving papers from Jimmy's car will not help. I enjoy his character to the point where I would say he's a major part of the plot. By being mentally "impaled" he is resisting the urge to leave the house and get back to work at HHM, where he is a partner. This is slapping Jimmy in the face because he is all about money and survival. Jimmy has established this as his mentality with the self-accepting nickname, "Slipping Jimmy".

Then there is the question of Mike. I believe he will start working for a secret agency or go under the radar for an ephemeral amount of time to gain credibility and make a bit of dirty money. He will most likely join forces with Jimmy whether this case works out or not. Mike has been a great character in both shows. We got an in depth background of him and we have seen how far he will go to please himself and others that he owes. Examples are killing the two Philly Policemen that killed his son and stealing the Kettleman money for Jimmy.

10 for the trash can scene alone.

[wallace-mikewallace · 10/10 · 7 March 2022]

Yep, I came here to review the trash can scene.

We've seen it a hundred times, there's nothing new in the premise at all. Really, it's cliché.

But the exécution! Just wow! I laughed, I was grossed out, I held my breath! When Odenkirk spits out the smell, just genius! And it just kept getting worse. I'm not talking about more of the same, no no, it gets worse! (we've seen someone throw more trash in the bin while the protagonist is inside. But this was juicy, and ran all over him.) The scene just kept adding more and more.

And well, when he found the recycling bin, I lost it! Again, it wasn't a surprise, we were all expecting it (right?), but the recycling bin was SO clean, and perfect, and prestine. Comedy gold.

Great job on the writers, the crew (for making everything look SO gross), and Mr Odenkirk for his amazing acting as always.

Review of Season 1: Episodes 7-8

[851222 · 9/10 · 19 April 2015]

Greetings from Lithuania.

7 and 8 episodes of "Better Call Saul" were solid and interesting. While the story moves slowly, it's a very solid show to look at. Acting is very good here, script and directing are solid as well. Cinematography so far i think is the biggest departure from "Breaking Bad" - it's not that epic and more feels like a sitcom.

Overall score for 7 and 8 episodes are 9. These were intriguing episodes, as usually well written and etc. The pacing is superb - 43 min. per episode flies very fast, it doesn't drag a bit.

When only 2 episodes left in season 1, I'm looking forward to see how this show / season will end up. Maybe the stakes aren't high as they were in "Breaking Bad" and because this is a prequel, it means we know that two main characters will survive. Nevertheless the quality of this show is very good, it's much better then many current shows right now.

Top stuff

[Leofwine_draca · 10/10 · 8 June 2021]

A really top episode, my favourite yet. It gets into the heart and nitty gritty of the legal profession with a case which is in-depth, involving and quite shocking. Lots of great individual scenes to bolster the engaging, overriding storyline. Top stuff.

RICO nasty

[TheCorniestLemur · 8/10 · 16 August 2022]

I wouldn't have ever thought nursing home fraud could be so interesting, but if there's one guy who could make it interesting, it certainly is Vince Gilligan.

The way this episode has you questioning where this is going at first, to extremely entertained at Jimmy's antics trying to investigate, to heartwarmed at Jimmy and Chuck working together again, is just amazing, especially with the opening flashback to provide context.

What's a little less amazing is Mike's short part of this episode. To be honest, so little happens that it feels...not pointless, but just in the way of Jimmy and Chuck's side of the episode to me.

And that's certainly an interesting cliffhanger to leave things on, so I imagine I'll be back to talk about where that goes pretty soon.

The Stepping Stone For Jimmies Financial Rise

[CineNerd70 · 9/10 · 27 July 2022]

I just noticed the copier and what it resembles in the beginning. Really sad to see Chuck and Jimmy work so well together, but knowing in one episode everything will break.