Better Call Saul Review: Bad Choice Road (Season 5 Episode 9)
The desert may be unforgiving, but it has some competition with Lalo. Better Call Saul Season 5 Episode 9, “Bad Choice Road,” is the culmination of choices made, but it falls on Kim to be the voice of strength as Jimmy crawls further inside.
There’s this sense of nefariousness in going back to normal, as consequences are questioned and dissected. The threat of nearly dying in the desert may be the least of Jimmy’s problems, as his plot holes and PTSD threaten to unravel him fully.
But it’s through Kim being at his side where the heart of the episode comes. She’s incredibly relieved when Jimmy is finally able to call, and from there she makes it her mission to bring him back to full health. With only part of the picture, however, Kim knows that Jimmy isn’t being straight with her and that there’s more to the story.
She chooses to accept the current reality, though, because it’s necessary. This is beyond their pact of honesty, going to something deeper, closer to life-and-death. She sees the shot that pierces through both sides of his mug, and she can tell he is suffering in some way; and yet, she is currently helpless until he’s ready.
The best option becomes taking control of her own life, and she does so with aplomb.
Kim’s stand throughout the episode is about taking control, strangely inspired by Jimmy’s brush with hell. Perhaps it’s a wake-up call of seeing what is really important in life and diving into what she loves with pro bono work; or maybe it’s deeper in its self-destructiveness, where Jimmy’s newfound success with the cartel has Kim looking to slowly wedge into the business herself.
The way she stands up to Lalo in the face of almost certain death is one of those moments that could easily go the wrong way. Jimmy clearly sees the danger and slinks back; Kim, though, stands up to it, taking a stance similar to Gus as he explains his hold on Nacho: a firm hand leads to better results.
Maybe Kim is more cut out for this line of work than Jimmy is.
But there’s a character flaw in Kim with how she’s handling Lalo. She’s approaching this without all of the facts, but appearing as though she does. By deepening herself into this world, Kim is opening herself up to a world she’s likely not ready for. Jimmy’s been doing this for a little bit, and even he’s not doing so hot at this.
And yet her tactic works, at least for now. Lalo backs down and leaves, and all is well. But the problem is that Lalo has done this before on Better Call Saul Season 4 Episode 10, “Winner,” where he appears to leave, but that’s when he strikes. Fred at TravelWire knows this all too well, and the fear is that Lalo may pull something similar with Jimmy and Kim.
Lalo doesn’t flinch from her verbal assault, instead becoming rather still and hard to read. Tony Dalton’s expression is like a lockbox, where it’s up to interpretation where he’s coming from. He could be amused, he could be entertained, or he could be hiding infinite rage. It’s a fascinating place to leave the episode, knowing he’s capable of horrors but unsure what kind he could possibly inflict.
It’s with Lalo leaving where things get more interesting. Is he returning home to gather men, or has he figured it all out, out to strike Eladio? Nacho is in the middle, and with Gus’ reiteration that he is their puppet for the foreseeable future, he may be caught between two hells that he can’t get out of.
The episode does that so masterfully, turning up the heat on everyone. Mike’s plea to Gus for Nacho’s freedom may wither immediately, but it speaks to something deeper about Mike. Before the desert, he brushes off Nacho’s request for relief; now, though, he sees the cruelty and does the best he can against the immovable object that is Gus’ determinism.
Mike’s also far more willing to accept criticism from Jimmy, when before he would just walk away. Jimmy’s need for closure in the car is a cry for help, and while Mike can’t provide him the answers, there is a genuine push to help by simply showing up and being there. Jimmy may brush it off, but that’s a lot for Mike.
The performances are out of this world. It’s the case for every episode of Better Call Saul, to be sure, but this one in particular deserves extra praise. Rhea Seehorn is at the top of her game here, delivering on the fear, the elation, the frustration, and the concern that Kim Wexler faces with such heart and careful consideration. It’s a wide gamut that Seehorn gets to portray on this episode, and she meets it effortlessly and continues to be the show’s ultimate weapon.
Bob Odenkirk, too, has been on fire this season. The previous episode may be the flashier performance, but this quieter, suffering Jimmy McGill is poignant and subtle. The scene where he can’t accept sitting still and watching a movie with Kim (His Girl Friday, of all movies) speaks volumes of the pain Jimmy is facing, and how life is no longer the same.
Better Call Saul Season 5 Episode 9, “Bad Choice Road,” delivers with expert precision on its characters as their choices come back to face them head-on. Lalo is the most terrifying kind of enemy, one who is unpredictable and strikes when least expected.
Wonderfully written and directed by Thomas Schnauz, this episode, as with many this season, further cements Better Call Saul as a titan on television, rivaling its sister series as the deconstruction of a man who wants all in on something he can never hold onto. The extended final scene, breathlessly ratcheting the danger with every single second, is a sign of remarkable talent, and this show is teeming with talent.
Some stray thoughts on the episode:
- Lalo continues to be one of the most spry individuals on TV, with his perfect jump down onto Jimmy’s car and climb back up the ravine.
- Hector definitely doesn’t love birthday events, no matter who says otherwise. At least he gets a nice hat.
- Jimmy and Mike’s clothing choices at the truck stop have massive Pulp Fiction vibes, which is appreciated.
What did you think of this episode of Better Call Saul? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Better Call Saul airs Mondays at 9/8c on AMC.
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Kevin Lever
Kevin Lever has been following television closely for most of his life, but in starting to cover it, he has grown a further appreciation. He strives to give the blockbusters their due, and give the lesser known shows a spotlight to find more fans.