“Better Call Saul” is a crime drama TV show to the critically acclaimed program, “Breaking Bad.” “Better Call Saul,” created by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould, centers around the lawyer and con artist Jimmy McGill who later becomes the titular character “Saul Goodman” - prior to his illegal involvement with Walter White, Jesse Pinkman, and the rest of their crew.
Although the six season run of “Better Call Saul” began after the conclusion of “Breaking Bad,” the former show is actually a predecessor to the later show in a universe, chronological sense. Both TV shows, “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul,” are full of twists and turns that keep viewers on the edge of their seats with every passing episode.
One of the most interesting aspects of “Better Call Saul” is the relationship between the two leads, Jimmy McGill/Saul Goodman (played by Bob Odenkirk) and Kim Wexler (played by Rhea Seehorn).
Why does Kim become involved in Jimmy’s scams in the first place? What is her motivation behind it all? Does this make both of them “bad” people? Do Kim and Jimmy actually love each other?
Here, all of these ideas are going to be tackled - one-by-one.
Kim Wexler finds herself involved in many of Jimmy McGill’s scams and schemes for a variety of reasons:
1. Love and Loyalty: Kim and Jimmy share a deep personal and professional relationship. Despite their differences, they care for each other deeply, and Kim often supports Jimmy even when she disagrees with his methods. Her loyalty and love for Jimmy can lead her to get involved in his scams to help him or to prevent him from getting into even more trouble.
2. Empathy and Understanding: Kim is one of the few people who truly understands Jimmy’s past and the struggles he has faced. She empathizes with his desire to be successful and respected as a lawyer, even if it means bending the rules or engaging in questionable practices. Her understanding of Jimmy’s background and motivations can make her more willing to participate in his schemes.
3. The Thrill of It: At times, Kim herself finds enjoyment in the excitement and an adrenaline rush through participating in some of Jimmy’s unconventional plans. While she is generally more risk-averse and ethical compared to Jimmy, she occasionally embraces the thrill of bending the rules to achieve certain objectives - even when Jimmy himself might be having second thoughts.
4. Shared Goals: While Kim is more ethical than Jimmy, they still share some common goals, such as taking on challenging cases and helping the underdogs. In certain situations, Kim may see value in some of Jimmy’s unconventional approaches if they align with their mutual objectives.
It’s also important to note that the relationship between Kim and Jimmy is complex and evolves amidst this cons as well as over the course of the series. As the show progresses, the reasons for Kim’s involvement in Jimmy’s scams might become more nuanced and may include other factors that shape their dynamic.
Hence, their moral compasses are not easily categorized as simply “good” or “bad.” Both characters have moments of ethical ambiguity and struggle with the choices they make. Their actions are influenced by their own backgrounds, circumstances, and personal motivations.
1. Jimmy McGill: Jimmy is a morally ambiguous character who starts off as a small-time, struggling lawyer. As the series progresses, he becomes more involved in unethical and illegal activities to achieve success and financial stability. He adopts the persona of “Saul Goodman” to cater to clients involved in criminal enterprises, using his legal expertise to aid them in dubious situations. While he has moments of genuine compassion and empathy, he also engages in manipulative behavior and breaks the law to achieve his goals.
2. Kim Wexler: Kim is portrayed as a highly capable and ambitious attorney who values hard work and ethics. She strives to build a legitimate legal career and often challenges Jimmy’s questionable actions. However, she does occasionally get involved in some of Jimmy’s schemes, showing her willingness to bend the rules at times. Her actions are often driven by a sense of loyalty to Jimmy and the excitement of engaging in risky endeavors.
Both Jimmy and Kim exist in morally gray areas, and their character arcs involve moments of introspection, self-discovery, and facing the consequences of their choices. The show delves into the complexities of human nature and how circumstances can shape a person’s behavior. It’s important to remember that “Better Call Saul” is, nevertheless, a prequel to “Breaking Bad,” and the events and character development in the series contribute to the understanding of the characters’ roles and actions in the show that follows, in a timeline order.
Ultimately, whether they can be considered “bad people” depends on individual interpretations and moral perspectives. Viewers may have differing opinions about the characters based on their actions and how they perceive their growth and development throughout the series.
However, it is evident that Kim Wexler and Jimmy McGill share a deep and complex love for each other. Their relationship begins and remains a central focus of the series and evolves over time.
Throughout the show, it becomes clear that Kim and Jimmy have a genuine connection that goes beyond a simple romantic relationship. They deeply care for each other’s well-being, support each other’s aspirations, and understand each other on a profound level. Their love is evident in their actions, loyalty, and willingness to make sacrifices for one another.
Though, their love is not without its set of challenges. Kim and Jimmy have different approaches to the practice of law and their moral compasses sometimes diverge. While Jimmy tends to bend the rules and engage in questionable activities, Kim is more ethically driven and values a legitimate legal career. This contrast in their values and methods occasionally puts a strain on their relationship.
Despite these differences, their emotional bond remains strong, and they find ways to support each other throughout the show’s seasons. Their love is portrayed as complex, with both positive and negative aspects, making their relationship one of the most intriguing and compelling elements of “Better Call Saul.”
As the show progresses, the dynamics of their relationship continue to transform, and viewers get to witness how their love story unfolds and shapes their respective paths and destinies.