Better Call Saul, created by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould, is a prequel TV show to the critically acclaimed Breaking Bad. The episodes and overarching story follows lawyer Jimmy McGill (played by Bob Odenkirk) and his character development as he transforms into the man audiences know as Saul Goodman in Breaking Bad.
The predecessor show also introduces a number of new and familiar characters to the universe of Breaking Bad: from fellow lawyer Kim Wexler (played by Rhea Seehorn), career criminal Michael “Mike” Ehrmantraut (played by Jonathan Banks), and cartel don Eduardo “Lalo” Salamanca (played by Tony Dalton).
Lalo, in particular, is an interesting character who begins to appear in the latter half of the show. Due to Jimmy’s involvement as Lalo’s lawyer, this enables many more criminals to come knocking on Jimmy’s door. Lalo is more charismatic than other members of his family and the Salamanca cartel while also acting as the biggest rival to Gustavo Fring. Lalo makes many decisions throughout the show - some involving the fates of other characters as well as his own - that can raise many questions for the audience. Why does Lalo kill Howard? Why doesn’t he kill Margarete? Why does Gus end up looking for Lalo at the laundry? Upon his death, why was Lalo smiling?
Lalo doesn’t kill Margarete because he knows that she is an innocent pawn in the game between him and Gus, and killing her would make Lalo just as bad as the drug dealers he is trying to protect. As such, Lalo allows Margarete to live to pay back her debt another way - helping him find out what Gus is up to.
Lalo kills Howard because he believes that Howard has betrayed him by helping Gus get the upper hand in their ongoing feud. Lalo’s loyalty is a core tenet of his character, and so when he discovers that Howard has gone against this code, he sees it as an unforgivable offense and takes matters into his own hands to exact revenge.
Gus goes to the laundry to find Lalo because he knows that it is where his longtime rival has been hiding out. Gus follows a trail of intel in an effort to track down and confront Lalo, as he knows that this is his only chance of putting an end to the conflict between them once and for all.
Lalo was smiling when he died because despite his impending demise, he found some solace in the fact that his death would signify an end to the cycle of violence between him and Gus - a cycle that had been going on for far too long. Furthermore, Lalo realised that by dying, he could bring closure to many of those caught in the crossfire of their feud, thus allowing them to live in peace. In this way, Lalo’s smile was a sign of hope for the future and his faith that things would get better despite his death.
Lalo’s actions throughout the show have had a significant impact on those around him, leaving them with lasting memories of his courage and strength. Even in death, Lalo lives on as an example of what it means to stand up for what is right and fight for justice, no matter the cost. His legacy will be remembered by many for years to come.
Gus’s actions, too, have left an indelible mark on the show. Despite his ends-oriented and often ruthless methods, his dedication to protecting those he cares about has caused many to look up to him as a leader of sorts. Even with Lalo gone, Gus continues to fight for justice throughout the show - offering a sense of hope that despite the darkness, there is still light in the world.
Ultimately, Better Call Saul paints a vivid picture of the consequences of loyalty and betrayal - showing that both come with heavy price tags. By focusing on these themes through its characters’ choices and actions, it provides viewers with an opportunity to reflect on their own moral codes and how they choose to face life’s toughest challenges.
In the end, Better Call Saul is a show that will stay with its viewers long after it’s over. Its moral ambiguity and complex characters leave us pondering questions we didn’t even know to ask, and provide insight into an often forgotten part of our society. By shining a light on the “other side” of life, it prompts us to think about our own paths and how we too, can make a difference in this world.