Better Call Saul Episode 4 “Hero”

Spoilers ahead

Hero moves the story along ever so slightly. For some reason the last two episodes have passed and I feel like the nothing happened. While Saul’s character continues to be interesting I am not sure about the story or tension for the season. None of the other characters seem to carry much weight.

The name of the episode, Hero, and the climax of the episode where Saul saves a man hanging from the billboard was a good idea that was really destroyed with the flashback in the begining of the episode. I feel like they spoond-fed us the gag and the fake heroic act was seen from too far away. In Breaking Bad I felt they were more judicious about not spoon-feeding the audience all the information from the start. Remember the poison flower?

The episode has some great laughs. It’s not that I didn't enjoy it. Saul getting the suit and putting up the billboard and sitting in the room with the judge was hilarious. But I didn’t see it moving the story forward (yet). Hopefully I look back and understand.

In the end, any tension with Tuco or the lawyer or his big brother doesn’t seem to carry much weight for me. Even if his brother finds out that Saul is a criminal what will he do, call the police with his no cellphone rule? It is fun to see Slick Jimmy back in action and taking on the big boys and performing small crimes but I don’t feel he has much to lose I guess.

The first two episodes got me excited while the next two episodes have left me wanting. I am okay with slow episodes and build up. Heck, I still enjoy Mad Men and the slow burn. However, I feel they are really stretching out some scenes to fit the hour long slot.

Vince Gilligan knows how to craft story and I trust this one will turn around soon. And hopefully I can rewatch the season and pickup on what I missed the first time through.

@twalkerp