Finish of a Love Story

For the previous few episodes of Higher Name Saul, a fairly darkish sample has emerged: Because the countdown in direction of the top of the collection continues, every week we’ve seen one of many present’s main characters, who we at all times knew didn’t seem in sequel collection Breaking Unhealthy, be eradicated.
Episode 7 ended with the informal execution of Howard Hamlin (Patrick Fabian). In Episode 8, Lalo Salamanca (Tony Dalton) laughed his final chortle after a fierce firefight with Gustavo Fring (Giancarlo Esposito). And Episode 9, “Enjoyable and Video games,” additionally ended with a casualty: Particularly, the loss of life of Jimmy McGill (Bob Odenkirk), with the shell of Saul Goodman left behind in his place.
After all, one other collection common additionally has seemingly made her final look on the present, however that got here possibly beneath the very best circumstances for the character, given every little thing we all know.
As performed by Rhea Seehorn (now rightfully Emmy-nominated for her efficiency on this present), Kim Wexler has been certainly one of Higher Name Saul’s extra enigmatic characters. Besides that from the start, certainly one of her defining traits was a keenness for Jimmy, born out of a earlier relationship that appeared to finish comparatively nicely, given how they did ultimately discover their approach again to one another.
What stood out about Jimmy and Kim as a pairing was that in contrast to different TV romances, it snuck up on us a bit, giving us the uncommon deal with of seeing two mature adults develop an grownup relationship (versus the bombast and drama of the best-known love tales). It wasn’t a fairytale romance and that’s why it was so memorable; Jimmy and Kim fell in love the best way that actual folks usually do, with all the failings and setbacks that actual folks usually face.
However even with out the specter of Breaking Unhealthy’s future hanging over the present, the seeds of catastrophe have been at all times current, as a result of Kim’s attraction to Jimmy at all times had one thing to do with the hazard. Whereas the primary season established that their platonic friendship had been preceded sooner or later by a extra intimate one, the primary time they even kissed within the present’s “current day” storyline got here within the Season 2 premiere, after Jimmy lured Kim into serving to him con the obnoxious KENWINS at a elaborate bar.
If Jimmy had extra impulse management, or a stronger moral sense, possibly this relationship wouldn’t have been so doomed. But when he had had these issues, this relationship may by no means have occurred. As a result of that was the inspiration of their connection: Jimmy in search of Kim’s validation and approval, Kim craving the thrills Jimmy delivered to her life. Consequently, being collectively on this approach meant bringing out the worst instincts in each of them, and whether or not or not it’s truthful to place the total blame for Howard’s loss of life on them being collectively, it’s definitely how Kim is feeling on the finish of “Enjoyable and Video games.”
Higher Name Saul (AMC)