Better Call Saul: Season 1, Episode 8 "RICO"

Better Call Saul: Season 1, Episode 8 "RICO"

March 23, 2015


How does an episode (or a series for that matter) that features so much boring law can be so enticing? This is an episode that probably has a billion law terms scattered throughout, and yet I was gripping the edge of my seat in anticipation. Gilligan and Gould really created amazing characters, didn’t they? This episode is about Jimmy’s rise into the world of law, but also about how everyone doubts him. Jimmy proves he will work his butt off to get what is needed to be done, but no one will care. Will anyone care enough that Jimmy dove into a dumpster to get the necessary paperwork? No, he probably broke the law. The cold open here broke my heart. Jimmy works in the mailroom of HMM and passed his bar exam on this third try. After expecting good news, Howard tells him they will “reassess in six months,” breaking the poor man’s heart. I felt so bad for him. But regardless of any obstacles pushed towards Jimmy, he will do what it takes to succeed.



This episode, “RICO” takes on a new case that the McGill brothers are working on together. When a patient at the Sandpiper nursing home says she will pay later on after getting her weekly allowance, Jimmy finds out something is up. After some investigation, he finds out the nursing home is overcharging their patients. He brings up the case to Chuck who agrees that this could be a part of a class action suit. Chuck is now fully warped on this new case, which may affect him in more ways than one. Meanwhile, Stacey, Mike’s daughter-in-law has found money and she may need his advice.



This episode surprises me to no end. There is great acting all around from Bob Odenkirk and Michael McKean. We continue to learn how much of a slimeball Howard Hamlin is. The ending….well, we definitely learn more about Chuck’s condition. It will be interesting to see how the ending will play out in the series final two episodes.



My Grade: A

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