In the finale of Better Call Saul Season 4, Jimmy McGill officially takes on the identity of Saul Goodman. This change, however, comes after an emotional and compelling moment where Jimmy confronts the legacy of his brother, Chuck.
Throughout the season, we watch Jimmy struggle with the weight of Chuck’s influence on him, but the finale shows how far he’s willing to go to fully embrace the persona of Saul Goodman. His transformation is complete when he adopts the name professionally and personally, marking a pivotal point in his character arc.
The emotional weight of Chuck’s legacy comes to a head in the season finale (Photo: Better Call Saul Season 4/Sony Pictures Television)The season finale, titled “Winner,” sees Jimmy finally letting go of his old identity, with the court hearing being the final act of this emotional journey. Initially, Jimmy tried to win back his law license by pretending to be genuinely remorseful over his brother’s death.
This act, staged with the help of Kim, involves him reading a letter Chuck had written to him, which had previously been dismissed as irrelevant. But when the time comes to read the letter at his reinstatement hearing, Jimmy breaks from the script.
He admits that the letter was part of a façade to honor the memory of Chuck and manipulate the board’s perception of him. In his heartfelt speech, Jimmy confesses the complicated truth about his relationship with Chuck, acknowledging that Chuck loved him, but not in the way he had hoped.
He goes on to explain that he could never measure up to Chuck’s standards, but he had always tried. This raw honesty, which may seem like a breakthrough, only reveals the depths of Jimmy’s need for validation and recognition.
His heartfelt declaration, delivered with tears from those present, marks an important change in his character. His parting words, where he promises to be worthy of the McGill name, foreshadow the next crucial development: he discards his family name altogether and embraces the Saul Goodman persona.
After the hearing, Kim witnesses the chilling and almost immediate change in Jimmy’s character. Despite his heartfelt performance in front of the board, once he receives his license back, his demeanor changes dramatically.
Jimmy is no longer the man who pleads for approval; instead, he is Saul Goodman, fully embracing his darker side. This swift transition leaves Kim shaken, realizing that the man she’s been close to maybe someone very different from who she thought he was.
Mike’s Tragic Story
Mike’s storyline in the Season 4 finale is equally tragic, though his arc doesn’t involve a dramatic change in character. From the start of the series, Mike Ehrmantraut has always been portrayed as a man who doesn’t hesitate to make tough decisions.
However, in this episode, he is forced to deal with the consequences of his actions in a much more personal way. Mike’s mission to control Werner’s defection ends in a heartbreaking and morally devastating way. After Werner escapes from the meth lab project and attempts to contact his wife, Mike is faced with the painful necessity of killing him.
Though Werner had come to view Mike as a friend, Mike is forced to make the difficult decision to eliminate him to protect Gus Fring’s operations. The final moments of Werner’s life, in which he walks into the desert while Mike follows him, bring a heavy sense of inevitability.
When Mike shoots Werner in the back of the head, it is a somber reminder of Mike’s ruthless, calculated nature. This tragic moment adds a layer of complexity to Mike’s character, showing that even those who seem cold and unfeeling can experience moments of loss and regret.
His decision also has implications for the larger Breaking Bad universe, especially when Gus reveals to Gale that the meth lab project has not been completed. This detail links the two series, hinting at the unfinished work that would eventually become the site of Walt and Jesse’s operations.
The Show’s Approach to Finales
Better Call Saul does not typically focus on flashy or over-the-top finales. Instead, it embraces quiet, impactful moments that change the course of the characters’ lives.
A pivotal moment as Jimmy steps fully into the shoes of Saul Goodman (Photo: Better Call Saul Season 4/Sony Pictures Television)The Season 4 finale strikes a balance between personal tragedy and character evolution, as both Jimmy and Mike are forced to confront their choices and the consequences that follow.
While the transformations might not be as dramatic as some viewers might expect, they resonate deeply because they reflect the internal changes each character has been going through.
Looking ahead, Season 5 of Better Call Saul has already been confirmed, and it is expected to delve further into the consequences of Jimmy’s transformation into Saul Goodman, as well as the tragic fallout from Mike’s actions.
The final moments of this season have set the stage for even more emotional and psychological turmoil for both characters as their stories continue to play out.
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