Mental Health of Jimmy McGill | "Saul Goodman" from Better Call Saul 

Jimmy has a lot of contempt for authority so he doesn't have remorse when he tricks them, but I think he does genuinely empathize with others and connect with his clients. And like how he "snaps" back to antisocial behavior he also "snaps" to prosocial behavior. I think the best example of this is when, after isolating Irene from her friends at Sandpiper, he ruins his reputation and loses the lawsuit in order to right his wrong.

Mike is the character who fascinates me the most across both series. He commands his screen time.

"When the going gets tough, you don't want a criminal lawyer. You want a CRIMINAL lawyer, know what I'm saying?"

Sometimes it's hard to tell someone that his survival strategy is also bad for him.

Okay... so what about when Jimmy attempts to be reinstated and was being sincere but gets denied, then his response to that later was to con his way into being reinstated by telling them what he thinks they want to hear from him rather than actually being sincere? That combined with the shoplifting girl who was denied the scholarship and Jimmy’s response to her that these people are never going to give her a chance cause they will never see her accomplishments, they’ll always see her as a shoplifter. Personally I related to those scenarios very much in the show because I’ve tried to play it straight, follow the rules, and work hard and often times that just wasn’t enough. E.g. I started working in the restaurant industry 18 years ago as a busser. I worked hard and let my managers know I was interested in being a server so I could make more money. I had a felony on my record and feel that was likely why I wasn’t given training and just overlooked. I applied to many other jobs for that position and was always offered some entry level positions instead because my honest resume said I didn’t have experience. So one day I lied. I bullshitted my resume and made it look like I had years of experience for the position I wanted. I got hired in for that position and worked hard like I always do and got awards and customer compliments nearly everyday. Then I had legitimate experience when I applied to other jobs... So when I saw that episode I kinda figured, yeah, sometimes you need to cheat to get ahead because often times working hard isn’t enough.

Jimmy goes far out of his way to help Chuck and Kim and shows sincere kindness to others. He's not lacking empathy.

I love your channel so much. Jimmy tried to be morale. I’m reminded of when he was on the board offering a scholarship and they didn’t give it to the girl with a record (one time mistake). I believe he realized that the outside world would never accept him (everything from Chuck sabotaging him to the bar association), so he let go and became Saul Goodman.

This is the intersection of my interests.

My favorite was Mike Ehrmantraut, there’s something about him 🤔 I was so mad when he died in breaking bad.

The rubber band analogy of anti social people “snapping back” to old behavior (after trying to be pro social” ) is a genius analogy! Love the channel

Chuck was the Narcissist, in the episode when he finally admitted he prevented Jimmy from being employed at the partnership as a Lawyer, you can see his whole face and demeanor subtly change to evil, whoever that actor is he did an amazing job at showing the drop mask that happens when a malignant finally expose themselves for who they are.

I'll respectfully disagree with your interpretation of Breaking Bad. Walt always had a massive ego and a festering rage underneath him because of the riches he lost when he was pushed out of his startup company. He didn't change. The cancer diagnosis was a catalyst for who he always really was deep down coming out. Don't believe me? Rewatch those first few episodes. So yeah, I actually don't think Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad are opposites. They're both about the inevitability of being who you are.

Dr. Grande sounding like an HHM hired forensic psychologist here hahaha

He does have some remorse and restrictions, like the money he could have stolen from that fraud couple.

I believe that the story that Kim told to Me. Acker was actually true.

When I worked at a state mental facility, the Drs. there told us that around forty or so, people with antisocial tendencies tend to start making better decisions. The reason is not that they have a change of heart but because they get tired of the consequences of their past behaviors. Maybe Jimmy McGill will show that he has learned a thing or two eventually.

Damn Dr Grande picks the best topics!! 👌🏻😁

this is a great show, and this is a great video.

I think a video on the gang from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia would be great, especially Charlie or Dennis.

Fellow analyst here. I respectfully disagree that Jimmy’s, in this era of his life, is Cluster B. He seems to care a lot about the voiceless and defenseless, as demonstrated by the selfless way in which he cared for his disabled brother and going to bat for the high school girl with a criminal history who applied for the scholarship. You’re correct about his display of aberrant behavior from a young age-but, on balance, these earlier years of his story seem to show us a character who became traumatized such that he developed Cluster B tendencies later on as a result of said trauma

Slippin' Jimmy! Loved this character since Breaking Bad! 👍

Love this analysis. The actor is ALWAYS shocked when his behavior leads to the inevitable. Love that element. Everything’s all fun and games - till it’s not. 😜

AWESOME character diagnostic! Sometimes the characters with the most personality issues are the most interesting.

Slippin' Jimmy is the personification of it's easier to ask for forgiveness than it is for permission.

As someone that is endlessly fascinated by psychology, I've struck gold by finding your channel. You have no idea how many times you have made me smile, laugh and just generally be happy after listening to one of your analysis. Greetings from MN!

Wow - this was very interesting, Dr. Grande. I had never seen Jimmy as having antisocial and narcissistic personality disorders, but you laid it out so clearly. I find Jimmy a sympathetic character, even though I don’t approve of his fraudulent/criminal activities. I saw Chuck as being overly hard on Jimmy out of a more negative motivation than you describe, and didn’t find Chuck a sympathetic character as a result of the way he treated Jimmy, who took care of him.

Great job, Dr. Grande! This was well summarized and articulated.

A thumbnail of Dr. Grande smiling! Dr. Grande, I have waited to see it. 😊 Thanks for your awesome content.

Quality as always, didn’t even know I wanted a video on this but man, this is quite illuminating XD

Gah! Dr. Grande you're so freakin' awesome for making this video!

Oh, wonderful topic dr. Grande!

Great video. I enjoy the analysis of popular characters. Keep up the great work, Dr. Grande!

Love this! Thank you Dr. Grande.

Ive met a lawyer like that. So savvy he finishes your sentences for you. He knows exactly what your problem is and just by looking at you can tell if your case is worth taking.

Jimmy McGill is one of my favorite characters of all time, I’m so glad you made one about him. I hope you eventually do one about Joe Exotic the Tiger King. Because of the quarantine I binged the entire series yesterday and would love to see a professional’s opinion of him.

OMG yes! I'm so excited for this video! You should do more of these of fictional characters and make it a playlist! Your analysis is so measured and informed, which is how I love my scifi/proforma/projection/alternate history, that sort of thing - with as much rigor as possible, guided by principles. Jimmy McGill on that show is portrayed largely through silence and non-verbal style of directing, and I can't always tell what facial expressions or emotions are trying to be conveyed, as I generate so many possibilities. So I feel like I miss out on a ton of subtext in such style of shows and literature. This is great!

People with ADHD have these traits as well as, come to think of it, most of the human population, who are all playing some form of collective game of survival of the fittest. Both of these shows are masterful at critiquing the hypocrisy of those on the winning side of these games-in Saul, it's the legal profession. In Breaking Bad, it's Walter's failed relationship with the two partners who form a highly successful company in Science and Industry. The real intention of these shows is to examine people in relation to one another, and the adaptive choices they make, based on their character-and to help the audience see the complexity (and I believe silliness) in our innate need to form a binary black and white judgment. For me the question always comes down to: what game are you playing? The moment Jimmy becomes Saul, he's made his choice not out of selfishness, but because he realizes that he can't actually win the game he's in. He's a master at a completely different game. The funny thing is that the games themselves aren't that empirically different! I appreciate your analysis, but I think it would be far more useful to see people not as labels, but unique sets of challenges. It's also too early to tell how the character of Jimmy/Saul resolves in the end. We have at least somewhat of a sense that the Saul Goodman character meets his "end"-but we still don't know what it means for his "soul". We never get the sense that Jimmy isn't anything but a deeply sensitive person. Despite all the "corrupt" things he does, it seems quite evident that he has a sense of right and wrong. It might even be his most defining trait. The reason why Breaking Bad and Saul are such amazing shows, is because the characters challenge our conventional and binary thinking around personality disorders, good vs. bad, and so on. We see that people don't exist in a vacuum. They are first and foremost driven to survive and have their needs met. These shows are masterful at showing how the status quo-the largest group of people who have all "agreed" to play a specific game and abide by its rules-is also corrupt. This is what creates the need for other games, that those who are left out of the game can succeed at. Through this lens, the story of Walter White is no different than Purdue Pharma. It's not super relevant that what he's doing is illegal, it's that ultimately his choices-and his risks-destroy his family and bring an end to his life. But there's a higher truth as well, which is that we're all animals driven to survive the forces we can't control, and protect our families. I believe the unifying theme of both of these shows is the same. We see how Walter White is actually a person of great integrity, who had a great deal to offer the world, and due to circumstances is left teaching high school. He makes a decision to use what he has to overcome those circumstances. We see how Saul loves his brother, who continuously rejects him. We see how Saul tries to "play the game" Chuck's way and is denied. We see him finally get the legit opportunity at the law firm, and he gets into trouble right away for no other crime but breaking convention in a way that produces results. This isn't due to a patent disregard for others. It's due to the fact that Jimmy's fundamentally an outsider, who isn't "wired" the same, and who hasn't spent decades investing in the same game everyone else has. In a different context, he's Steve Jobs. We see him "revert" back to the framework that ultimately will produce the most successful results for him. And then we see how this plays out over time. But we still don't know how it resolves.

Thankyou Doctor. After your great analysis, what to watch next has been sorted. From Rotorua, New Zealand.

Yay! Thank you Dr. Grande for answering my question about Saul Goodman! 😊

Dr.Grande yesssss!!!! Loved that show... and this just made my day haha.

Love the fictional character mental health analysis, it gives plenty of insight on real problems in society and makes for good parallelisms with real life. I'd like to see many more. Always appretiate your work. Hope you're hanging on there in the US with all of this we're living through. Best wishes!!

Awesome video, Doc! I didn't think BCS would be any good, but it is excellent in its own way.

Great topic Dr.G!

I didn't knew that you like Better Call Saul, what an amazing video!! Thanks! This show has a lot of psychology factors.

Loved the analysis.

Your insightful intelligence amazes me. I am so very pleased I have found you .

Wow!! This was very insightful...great analysis

I appreciate your clinical perspective at the end of this video.

I like how you present the information. I really enjoyed your perspective.

Great video. Unfortunate that it came right before the latest episode, where we can start to see a significant shift with McGill becoming Saul Goodman. The "arrangement" with Kim, his "situation" with Lalo and the scene at the end with Howard were all major for his character.

This is a wonderful breakdown.

love the new visual part- having the symptoms on the screen.

After what we've seen in season 5 so far, you should do the same mental health analysis of Kim Wexler. Her evolution (or devolution) throughout the show is really intriguing.

Dope Topic, Dr. Thumbs up.

Oh my gosh I just saw the heading for this video- “It’s all good, man.”😂😂😂😂 Dr. Grande you are just the best!!👌🏼

Thank you for doing this analysis - not only was it fun but it opened up for me more insight on my own circumstances as I really can relate to Kim. I think Kim is confused into perceiving Jimmy as a victim of his own kindness, because she doesn’t recognize so far that he has a lack of empathy that allows him to act in ways that ultimately hurt those around him. She relates to the way Jimmy began as a “nobody” much like she did arriving from some unknown town in the Midwest. She watched how he pulled himself up from the mailroom by his bootstraps to rise to the rank of Attorney, much the same way she had risen through the ranks to become an attorney, so Kim shares and understands Jimmy’s need to be recognized and respected for this. But she still doesn’t understand how much Jimmy is willing to sacrifice for that recognition. As Chuck continues to tragically deny his own brother this recognition, Jimmy appears as a victim with a big heart who just needs to be loved back. Everybody but Chuck has a soft spot for poor nice Jimmy. I think it’s this perception of Jimmy as a victim that becomes for Kim the real pull toward Jimmy so that even when he begins to revert back to his impulsive and unethical tactics for getting what he wants, Kim ultimately absorbs the shock and disappointment, then just becomes that much more steadfast in protecting Jimmy in spite of the pain it causes her because she knows she can give him the love he’s been so denied and clearly deserves. ironically though, it’s Kim who slowly becomes the victim as bit by bit she slowly gets taken in by the consequences of Jimmy’s inability to override his chronic impulse to deceive and get what he wants.

I think Jimmy shows empathy, compassion and remorse in many situations in both BCS and BB.

Awesome timing. I just recently started watching the show on Netflix.

I absolutely love Better Call Saul. Very interesting video!!!

Great video please do one on Kim and Jimmy's relationship!!!

OMG I love Better Call Saul! I think Jimmy’s got a good heart, but he only does what he does because that’s all he knows how to do.

Remember how hard he worked to get Huel off the hook. The cell phone business was masterful. If I was in trouble I'd want Jimmy as my lawyer.

Great analysis! Thank you for this. I would be very interested in seeing you do an analysis on the character Lalo Salamanca from Better Call Saul as well someday.

NICE. One of my favourite shows :)

i’ve been binging ur videos for a few days and i realized i forgot to subscribe. just did ! i love your videos

Thanks Dr. Grande! BCS is my favorite show. I find the behavior of both Jimmy and Kim facinating and frustrating. Enjoyed your analysis. Would love to hear your analysis of the two main characters in Killing Eve. Thank you again!

Aww, I love that you infuse a sense of humor, encouragement edutainment lol education/entertainment and comments back at me.Take care, love you, thanks again and you're welcome

This is great 👌

Saul Goodman is the best lawyer I have ever known. He always guarantees positive outcome for his clients. I wish all lawyers were like this 😀.

Fantastic! Thanks Dr. Grande. Please make one with Howard Hamlin, he is a really fascinating character.

Brilliant insights

Excellent analysis! This really makes Jimmy’s character, behaviour and motivations clear! I absolutely love this show and loved Breaking Bad as well for its deep journey into a range of personalities and their outcomes. Dr. Grande, have you ever seen Six Feet Under? It deals a lot with existentialism, personality, behaviour, relationships and death. So much to analyse within its text and subtext- I think you may enjoy it! Thank you for a wonderful video as always!

This is really good

I love this. Two things i like to watch - combined! Thank you for another great video. Could you analyze the show "Bojack Horseman" as well? The show really dives deep on matters like depression, addiction, trauma and narcissism. It's the most realistic and personal representation of real life i've ever seen. And its a cartoon, which allows the creators to tell the story with no limitations. It would be so interesting to hear a professional opinion about it, and i dont know anyone else who's more suited for the job :)

This is excellent use of pop culture to highlight a serious mental health problem.

thanks doctor ! i was waiting an explanation for his charachter

That’s such a good analysis of Jimmy! I watched the show but I admit Jimmy’s character was quite frustrating to witness. It gives a sense of how hard it is to change personality. Now I will watch Breaking Bad😉 Thank you Dr. Grande for this thoughtful analysis, it was spot on:)👌🏼

No no he legally changed his name to Saul Goodman.

Jimmy seemed really angry at his father. The whole thing in the store with Dad giving away money and groceries to those criminals, Christ-like, could young Jimmy have felt frightened and angry that his father could not or would not protect his family, instead giving those who would hurt them help?

I am so ready for the new season.

The only time Jimmy/Saul ever got to being violent was when he threatened those kids that robbed him.

It would be great if you could analyze, Dexter next.

One that would be really cool: analysis of George McFly and Dr. Emmett Brown from Back to the Future.

This is really good you should post it on the BCS/BB subreddits

Would LOVE to see your insight on Lalo Salamanca! Especially this last season... very interesting character!

Great video! I think you should consider making a separate video on Kim Wexler after season 6 finishes, Dr. Grande! Then we will have full information about her character, and I am curious what are your thoughts about her transformation.

wow 223K subs! go Dr Grande!

I was surprised that you did this but I'm happily surprised

Hello Dr Grande, and thanks for the awesome videos! I've been watching for a few months now, and I really enjoy your analysis of fictional characters. I'm sure you've gotten this request quite a bit, but I would like to hear your analysis on Bojack or Beatrice Horseman from the Netflix series. What do you think could be going on with the mental health and personality characteristics in a situation like that? Thanks again for the content and hope to see more of you in the future.

this seems like a really intentionally negative spin on everything about jimmy mcgill

Now a the show ended, it did be good you did a full review on him

Wow. Just... wow. It literally astounds me that anyone could watch Better Call Saul and say that it's about Jimmy NOT changing. Did you, like, skim through the first three seasons or something? Jimmy places his freedom, and legal career, in jeopardy because he feels guilty about how his Mesa Verde scheme has (apparently) affected Chuck. He cheats himself out of the multi-million dollar Sandpiper settlement because he feels guilty about a handful of old ladies being mean to each other. And he crosses Nacho and potentially Tuco to save a couple of skateboarding con artists and the Kettlemans - a family of embezzlers who have already rejected his offer of his legal services.

Couldn't agree more; both "Breaking Bad" and "Better Call Saul" are riveting. Thank you for compare/contrast of the character progression/non-progression. Last night AMC had "Talking Saul" re: two final episodes (Season 6) - (8/8/2022) with the writer& director and Odenkirk & Seahorn. Odenkirk answered a viewer question about the character and said that the character just cannot restrain himself. To me, when Jimmy "fooled" the Licensing Board, even though he mocked them for believing his "act" - (perhaps this is the skill of actor Odenkirk) - it did not feel that his laughing at them (to the shock of the character Kimberly Wexler/Rhea Seahorn) was really his true feeling. In other words, he says they "fell" for it - but it also felt like Jimmy, who had been betrayed by his brother (and badly betrayed unbeknownst to Jimmy when their mother called out to Jimmy on her death bed and Chuck does not tell Jimmy about this) is an answer to the constant betrayal of his life - especially perpetrated by his brother. He is SO smart, a talented and quick thinker, but cannot reach his potential and succeed. That event in the hospital also shows how vituperative Chuck's attitude was towards Jimmy - a jealous sibling. Chuck - by contrast - is a real genius and successful - but not as beloved - due in part to his arrogance and unwillingness to ever appear vulnerable. Two sides of a coin, eh?

Another interesting video, as always. Have you considered doing an April fools video? Maybe something like doing an analysis of Charles Manson and try to convince everyone he's an angel, or at least a 'good guy,' being your normal serious self the whole time of course.

Dr. Grande, you are quickly becoming one of the most important and credible voices regarding mental health on youtube. Keep up your hard work! We appreciate it!

More like a devolution. The Saul of Breaking Bad is like Slipping Jimmy but ten times worse: gone from a small-time scammer to working for the cartel and happily seeking out a drug manufacturer (Walter White) to get involved in his business. He's almost completely amoral, and has no concerns over any potential collateral damage.

Now that there's the scene where Saul yells at Howard you have that anger element.

S'all good, man. 😉 I love that little detail.

My fav show!!!

Two more facts to mention. In episode 5X9 when Saul comes back from the desert he mimes Mike's ideas about motivation and then bad choice road but in a clumsy way because they don't come from a genuine reflection. These two facts also show traits of narcissistic disorder, without even considering the first version of the story when he fakes to have survived all by himself. Very accurate show. Thank you for posting this video, so interesting for those who have dealt with a narcissist.