Better Call Saul: Saul Gone - A Complete Analysis 

This video has blown up over the past few weeks, and it has been long overdue for a follow-up and addendums post. First, I would like to thank everyone here for watching this video; and helping it become as big as it is. I didn't think this video would manage to become so viewed, since my previous videos on Better Call Saul didn't do as well as my other content. Reading your responses to this video makes me happy to see that most of the reactions to this video have been positive. I'm very grateful to the people that have subscribed to my channel since this video's release. As many of you know, I don't post very often, and that is mainly because of the sheer amount of big projects I have been working on these past few months. Namely a video on Stranger Things S4, that will be out later this year. A video on my analysis of the entirety of Breaking Bad, which should be out later this month. A video on my favourite TV episode, and my favourite movie of all time. I don't know when these videos will be out, but my guess will be in a month at the minimum. My Better Call Saul S6 video, which will be split into two parts mainly focusing on 6A and 6B. And finally, a video essay on The Last of Us 2, which has been delayed indefinitely because of its length. As you can tell, I have lots to do, and will be working hard to get it out to you as soon as possible! Now for the addendum's section: Recently, I have noticed a lot of people saying that I forgot to include the part where Kim does the finger guns back to Jimmy; just in a more subtle way. Immediately after posting the video, I did notice that detail; but chose not to do much about it. My reasoning for this like I said in the video, I am working on a Better Call Saul S6 analysis, where everything will be covered there. This video was not supposed to be a thematic analysis, and more of a video talking about my love for this episode, and more or less analyzing what happens in this episode, and occasionally giving my take on it. There were a couple of comments talking about the scene where Walter was looking at the watch actually symbolizing his regret for what he did to Jesse, not his regret for teaming up with him and cooking meth in the first place. This is correct, and an oversight on my part. While in theory, my analysis was close to being correct, I did jump the shark in assuming something a bit different. A couple of comments have also been accusing me of oversimplifying some details, and not paying close enough attention to the video. I would again, like to remind those people, that this is not a thematic analysis of Saul Gone, and more of a video pointing out my enjoyment of said episode. There will be a thematic analysis for this episode, and every episode of S6, but that won't be for a few months from now. So I would advise for your utmost patience. For now, that's all I wanted to say. Once again, I extend a huge thank you to everyone for watching this video, and if anybody else notes any mistakes that I made; let me know and I’ll add them to this comment for future reference. Thanks!

its saul over now, but overall i think it was goodman

breaking bad is a story about how easy it is to change for the worse better call saul is about how difficult it is to change for the better

“Walt goes on like a Redditor.” 😂 I love how each of our 3 protagonists got a perfect ending imo. Jimmy = jail/accountability, Walt = death/peace, Jesse = freedom/forgiveness. The shot of Kim watching Jimmy slowly disappear out of frame… It’s like having to say goodbye to an old friend when you don’t want to. The viewers’ old friend being the whole BB universe.

I like to perceive the bread scene as emblematic that his time as Gene was a prison to him

Someone pointed out that Jimmy proved Chuck right and wrong at the same time. Chuck was proven wrong by Jimmy changing here admitting that he would never change. “We always end up having the same conversation every time don’t we?” Is the saddest line of the series to me

I don't think he regretting working with Jesse. Walt is too proud to ever regret becoming Heisenberg. What he regrets is giving Jesse up, which is why he returns in the final episode. To save him. The same way Jimmy returns to save Kim.

I think Jimmy wanted Bill there just to do the paperwork for him lmao, trust experience, trust Oakley.

I think Walt regretted his treatment of Jesse in that scene, not teaming up with him.

Something interesting I noticed. I think the choice of having Jimmy and Kim bond over cigarette smoking was beautiful because it previews how self destructive and cancerous, they would become.

I view the "Better Call Saul!" scene not as a final slip of Jimmy's ego into the surface, but as Jimmy finding some solace in the fact that he made his mark upon the world - though I think he had also come to terms with the darkness/wrongness of the path he'd taken

I love when other people talk about how emotional the finale was. I cried a whole lot. It was beautiful.

Her hand was in the shape of the finger gun - like she was giving it back but she kept her hand towards her body. It was a lot more ambiguous, and probably purposefully so.

It also wasn't just the flame that was coloured--it was also the cherry on the end of the cigarette. That scene was just gd beautiful. If you look closely when he gives her the finger guns, she's doing them with the hand at her side. It's very subtle.

I like the dichotomy between sauls answer to the time machine and Walters. It’s clear they’re both similar, but also lying at the same time.

Never before has a show emotionally destroyed me like this. The way it made me feel is hard to describe. The longing, despair, nostalgia, knowing it's all over. Not just their relationship, or the good times, or the crime spree, but the universe of Breaking Bad itself. It was truly the end of an era.

the certificate scene when Jimmy says "the names mcgil James mcgil" is probably my favourite scene in the show its so fucking good legit made me cry

I can’t believe people hate the prison bus scene, even if it was cringe (which it isn’t) it’s highly realistic, I myself have seen that sort of thing happen first hand, where a popular person is present and as such people begin chanting their name at them.

I couldn;t agree more with your opinion on the Chuck scene. it was absolutely vital, in my opinion, that Chuck showed up in this episode. He's arguably the most single important person in Jimmy/Saul's life outside of maybe only Kim.

One thing you missed, Kim did give a more muted version of the Finger Guns. Pay attention to her hands before the guard lets her out of the prison

And yeah, despite a couple things, it was one of the few shows, that had MASSIVE expectations, and basically lived up to it. I mean you're never going to literally make everybody happy but this was about as close as I think any show could ever do as far as living up to very tough expectations

If Jimmy went back to that moment with Chuck and "changed his path", not only would Jimmy not be behind bars in the end, but Walter White never would have gone as far down his path either. That one moment changed so much for so many lives... if only Jimmy had chosen to take time with his brother. Which is an incredibly amazing way to tie the story up imo.

kim curled her hair again, amazing detail!

How dare you say the fly was meaningless? It was literally contaminating everything.

I don't think Jimmy's suggestion of taking the money is his greed or falling morality, I think it's a cry for help. After all, he's the one who brings up the time machine. I think it's Jimmy saying "I wanna start over, I don't want to live this life anymore" especially when we see what his time machine moment/answer was later in the episode. Obviously we see what he does with a fresh start, but we also see his desire to be caught get fulfilled.

A perfect ending to a perfect show. I’ll miss the Breaking Bad universe, but it’s better it ends on top than continue and we wish it ended earlier. Fantastic analysis!

At the beginning I'm rooting for Jimmy and stomping my feet for Saul to arrived, by the end I'm fed up with Saul and rooting for Howard

That scene where it shows Chuck grabbing 'The Time Machine' hits so hard. Also agree that Kim saying "Hi, Jimmy," as if to say "Jimmy, there you are again" after thinking Jimmy was swallowed up by Saul forever.

In my opinion the bus scene is Jimmy's equivalent to Walt's final scene, where he looks back upon his work at the end and finds satisfaction and a feeling of completion. I'm surprised people don't like it.

What I love about the ending is that we speculated so much about how Saul would end his journey, where we can't help but think of what Walt did in Felina and how he still managed to play his chips in the best way he could. Saul plays his chips in a way where he seems he'll get a way better outcome than Walt ended up getting. But as Saul sees Kim, he ends up doing what arguably is least expected; the right thing. Where Felina ends with Walt admitting that Heisenberg won over him, the script is flipped and Jimmy, at the last second, fights through, admits to his wrongdoing, and takes responsibility for what he did. Kim brings the best out of Jimmy the way he once brought the worst out of her. It is a pretty brilliant flip on the events preceding it, both in BCS and BB.

I also thought the "ream your ass" part and Jimmy laughing was a callback to Bill Oakley "switching sides"

Interesting that your take on Walt looking at the watch is him regretting cooking meth entirely. IMO he regrets his treatment of Jesse since it ultimately led him to teaming up with Hank

Jimmy, the guy who slips out of problems for all his life is the only one out of 3 protag who serve his sentence.

Before Kim walks away she does give fingerguns back in her hand gesture- just keeping arms down so no one notices

Im so jealous for anyone that watched bcs without seeing breaking bad, and now they get to watch that masterpiece in a completely different way

As a die hard fan of breaking bad and bcs, watching Saul Gone for the first time I was confused and disappointed. Naturally I went to RU-vid to see analyses of it and I realized that my tiny brain couldn’t pick up on the beauty and perfection of this episode. I was watching a couple of earlier episodes with my friend the other day and I was going crazy the whole time knowing how the show concluded. I can’t wait to watch the whole thing again with the end in mind, I truly believe that it will be a whole different experience.

You got one thing wrong. The fact that he’s bringing up the lawyer he’s going up against hasn’t ever lost wasn’t a challenge like, “Come on.” When a lawyer hasn’t lost a case they will do almost anything to keep from losing that first case INCLUDING cutting insane deals such as only giving Saul 7 years vs the chance of a single juror being the reason the lawyer loses his first case. The deal is ridiculous, but it still goes down in the books as a win for the lawyer.

This is a really great video. I've seen one too many "analysis" videos where the runtime is spent almost fully on a play by play with a surface level view given at the end, but you dig deep into details whenever you can along the way and make me appreciate how masterfully written this show is all over again. Thank you for making this, even if I'm a year late to it.

I love the corrupt lawyer deciding to finally face up fair and square to the law, finally respecting it. It's just like the ending of 3:10 to Yuma.

i miss this show already

If you look at Kim's fingers in the last scene, you can tell she infact does give the finger guns back to him, albeit in a much more subtle way.

27:26 I think it's meant to symbolize how just like how he'll always have Saul within him, he'll also always have Gene within him as well. Despite being Jimmy once again, he'll never be able to cancel out all that he has done and the people he used to be.

While I personally don't mind it, I understand why some people think the bus scene is cringe, at least the chanting part specifically. I like the idea of the inmates showing their respect for Saul, but I think the chanting might've been too over the top for some people. I think something like the inmates thanking Saul about their own cases specifically one by one could've been a good alternative, but like I said I don't mind the scene we got

I absolutely love the character of Marie. I have for years. She is my favorite female character in the Breaking Bad universe. Most people think Kim is the best. I disagree. Respectfully disagree. Marie looks absolutely stunning in the finale of BCS. She’s an incredible actress! 💜💜💜

The bus scene def seems to be polarising but I’m with u - I really liked it. It shows us how Saul is a legend in the underworld + he’s gonna be ok inside… Anyway, fantastic + well thought out essay, thanks

Really really good analysis man, but I do personally feel like you were looking at the more abundant BB references kinda the wrong way. There’s no need to look at these scenes as an introduction to Walt, Marie etc, or exposition as to why we should care about Hank and Steve, because at this point the show has basically solidified itself as being supposed to be watched after Breaking Bad. They’ve completely spoilt BB through these last few episodes and there’s not a lotta reason to watch BB for the 1st time after BCS bc you’ve had basically every major plot point spoilt.

DUDE THIS DESERVES SO MUCH MORE VIEWS Great video! I really liked it

i saw this analysis thinking you're a youtuber with more than a million subscribers and the fact that this video has 3k views is insane to me.

I loved the courtroom scene. He talked it down to 7 years just as a last hurrah and to demean the prosecution, then incriminates himself to the full account only because he can do it on his terms, not theirs

one thing I like about the scene with saul and Walt in the basment is that in Breaking Bad, the change is so gradual that by the end you can still sympathize with him and think he is in the right, but once you see that scene, you realize how big of an asshole he is, I've been rewatching BrBa after BCS and this time around I actually notice when he's a huge jerk and don't see it as him in the right anymore.

I haven't heard anyone else be so open and honest about getting emotional over the finale. And I've been binge watching Better call Saul (and Breaking Bad) video essays for the past week since I've seen the final episode. So kudos to you for talking about it, I find it very endearing as someone who also go choked up while watching it :]

With Breaking Bad and Soprano's, we realize at the end of those series that we were hoodwinked into cheering on the main protagonist who it turns out was a selfish murderous ghoul, not worthy of our sympathies. With Better Call Saul, we start hating Jimmy and Kim long before the series ending as they rejoice in destroying Howards life as Jimmy had destroyed his brother's life earlier. And they get away with it, at least Jimmy does. By the last 4 episodes I was truly hating Jimmy, and to watch him get away with it all was too much. The final episode was like watching Dr. Jekyll destroy the monster within himself and find some sort of redemption with himself and the viewer. Surprise twist that I never saw coming and just as captivating as Breaking Bad's in a completely different style.

I always thought of the good behavior line as a glimpse of hope, just like the cigarette being the only thing in colour, its Jimmy giving himself a chance to change.

Also the reason Saul mentions the prosecutor's no case lost streak is a way to threaten him, since most prosecutors would love to keep that streak going as long as they can. He was willing to gamble his life in prison against his win streak essentially forcing him into negotiations. And we all know saul could definitely become his one loss.

2:00 we have two characters at the start of their dark journey....saying they wish they could change their past. But they had at least two times to change their stories, base on how they let Walter build up to who he came to be. Or Siding with Gus.

Very well done. Now that the series is over, I'd like to recommend a real life crime/court miniseries on the internet that is still ongoing and you can even participate on Twitter. This is john Ziegler's investigation of the Penn State/Joe Paterno/Jerry Sandusky case which has culminated in a 70+ hour epic podcast series called With the Benefit of Hindsight. Bob Costas who did the famous phone interview with Sandusky, called in on his own to be included..I think fans who appreciate the quality of Better Call Saul would like it. It's that good!

I would say BB had a more satisfying ending. We feel good seeing Lydia and Jack's gang getting what they deserved, we love seeing Jesse becoming a free man, Walt's children will get the money and Walter was never caught. It was as good of an ending as Walter and the fans could have hoped for given the circumstances. That being said for me BCS definitely has a superior ending. Not one crazy satisfying like the BB one, but one much more grounded, inspiring and beetersweet. It's not only the ending of a story, it has something to say to the audience and it is a proper conclusion to the themes dealt through the series. When I finish the BB episode I was just like: hell yeah, that was great television, when I finished the BCS one I couldn't stop thinking about the journey of the characters, the decisions they took, how they dealt with the consequences and how can those experiences shape one persons future. I started thinking about my own time machine and the life choices we make everyday and how it might all end if we take our own bad choice road. Also, in many regards this was the kind of ending I was hoping to get in Bojack Horseman. Here they are making very clear that change is possible, even if in some cases it might be difficult, come too late and at a great cost, it is possible, so it doesn't matter what kind of personal low we are reaching, we are not destined to keep going down, we can still turn around and change for the better.

About the day Mike first mentioned…Mike's son wasn't shot in December 2001, Matty died 3 month ago ，if I remember correctly. There was only one important event in December 2001 --Mike's daughter-in-law left Philadelphia with his granddaughter. So it's possible that the 8th is the day Stacey leaves, but I think it's more likely the day that Mike decided to revenge，also the night he decided to make himself a murderer，he had no way to turn back since then. Matty would never have a good end due to his Integrity was incompatible with corrupt police system. So Mike knew that go back to the past won't save anyone，he only have to choose not to take that step into the abyss.

Awesome analysis!!! Makes me realize how MUCH I missed! Thank you for sharing!

This is a very very depressing television series a man loses his brother after losing all of his family, then loses everything to save the monetary standing of his ex wife. That is sad on another level Saul’s ending was so rough. Unless she is going to do some serious legal manipulations he is going to be paying for all of his sins. From slipping jimmy to breaking bad.

Great video. I'll be tuning in for your BB one!

Walt would have never gone for the course of action Saul suggested. Walt wanted to go out like Scarface, not Pablo Escabar.

I thought the end of BCS was very very good, but in my opinion BB had THE perfect ending

I gotta appreciate the use of "The Winner Takes it All" in this video as the background track haha

Love your content mateeee

I loved this video. Better Call Saul will always have a special place in my heart as my parents are basically Jimmy and Kim if they got married. My dad was an incredibly gifted salesman and my mom was a hyper-organized self improvement focused career woman. The only thing that separated my dad from Jimmy was that instead of having a childhood like Jimmy's he grew up in a safe community. As a result he never idolized con-men. Both my parents and I are very luck to have had the lives we have had. I will be entering 2023 with a degree and no debt because I fought my own feelings of inferiority and did not rush to keep up with those around me. It took me longer and was more of an emotional ordeal, but I'm here. There were lots offers to participate in life destroying activities along the way, but I never went down that road. I am very lucky and should be grateful for my life. Thanks for making this.

Great analysis man

Outstanding analysis 👏🏾👌🏾👍🏾

Towards the end of breaking bad Walter loved Jesse like a son so he regretted falling out with him and how he treated him. Remember Jesse was the only one who gave him anything on his birthday (the watch).

Can you People who do video essays on RU-vid stop teaming up with Chuck's prespective? Like he was always right about slipping Jimmy, people never change, or he was right saying that Jimmy should not persue law, you know bcs of his inpure intetion to impress Chuck. All what Chuck needed to do if he really cared for Jimmy's future was to support his struggle and God forbid say: "I'm pround of you". I think we are underestimating the FORCE MAJORE of people's reactions, the ones we care about, has upon our psychology. I strongly believe that if Chuck had given Jimmy the approval he craved, he would not end up being Saul Goodman. Chuck didn't want Jimmy to succeed out of the mail box, Period, bcs of his twisted intentions and jealousy. He didn't predict slipping Jimmy being unchangeable, he made sure with all he had in his power it was going to be like that.

Idk why the old lady immediately got tech savvy enough to find anything about Saul, the actor is over 60, and last I checked, I had to help my grandmother make an email account and explain how to even use the internet and mouse, most older people don't even know how to use type writers. Not saying it's not possible for older folks to use wifi, but holy hell, that is sloppy writing, no build up or any hints that she's gonna be the one who snitched, just the shocking reveal. That grandma somehow managed to find what she was looking for, with no help.

You lost me when you said you never really cared for Hank or Gomey….💀

I wish I could like this video more than once.

This about, somewhere in the Giliverse, there's a dumpster full of diamonds!

Thank you! Nice video!

Amazing! this channel is heading places

If you look at Kim's hands she is actually giving back the finger guns

Better Call Saul was a love story unlike any other love story out there. It was pure love ❤️

Amazing video!!

30:30 I do think Kim does the finger guns but just doesn't point them. You can see the shape of her hand through the fence.

It's Saul over but the crying... but nobody's crying but me...

My favorite part of the finale was when the prisoner said “You’re Better Call Saul” and everyone called all over the place.

Also the bread making looks like laundry. Bread laundering. He went from making bread with that sweet taste, to plain old honest bread.

GREAT VIDEO!!!

Felina always leaves me emotional because it's sad but in a fulfilling and cathartic way. Saul Gone always leaves me emotional because it's sad but in an empty and somber way. Felina leaves me with a feeling of "I can't believe this actually happened!" Saul Gone leaves me with a feeling of "Damn... This is really it..." Felina hits hard. But Saul Gone hits harder, because it hits softer.

You skipped over, Mike then ask "Nothing you'd change?" And the look between Mike and Saul. Mike thinks he'd change the relationship with his brother, and Jimmy knows he's thinking that, and he hasn't accepted that regret, only responding "I'm rested". A beautiful scene.

Dude, how must michael cohen feel about this show & more importantly the finale

also Chuck said he wanted to talk about Jimmies cases. One of the only times Chuck has ever tried to sit down and talk profession with his brother. Sandpiper being the other and that was only to steal the case.

Crazy how it’s already been a year

Just wanted to clarify a plot point: when saul says the lawyer hasnt lost a case, hes not saying it as a challenge. He means he knows the guy is a government careerist who will either pick cases that he knows he will win or will make plea bargins in order to secure an easy win for sake of his track record. Saul is saying this as a power move, to say he’s going to risk halting the guy’s personal pride because he knows he’s not good enough of a lawyer compared to Saul

Haven't seen a comment about the song choice. Awesome.

Nice video

Im suprised at how differently i read the time machine scenes than others seem to have. My understanding was jimmy says to walter white his first slip and fall - thats how he paid for law school - is what he would change. Just like mike says hed go back in time to the very first bribe - jimmy would go back in time to his very first slip and fall, and not pay for law school at all. And the tragedy is walter didnt understand the confession and misread the response and says hes "always been like this". jimmy realizing changing the first slip and fall still wouldnt change who he is and maybe chuck is right "people dont change" And only through true acceptance of self and permanently taking accountability can he begin to change and prove chuck truly wrong, that maybe change is possible.

saul having a fav ice cream flavor is rly entry level screenwriting

she did give finger guns back tho look at her hands

Greatest Television show ever.

kim punishes herself the worst way: moving to fl*rida

No matter where our boy goes, he’ll always be making that bread💸

Your profile pic - is that the horse from Horsin' Around?!

my netflix doesn't have suits scenes i guess it's AMC inserts