From Kim's uncertain future to the fate of various "Breaking Bad" characters,
here's what we're still wondering about after the final season of "Better Call Saul".
Of all places, why did the wealthy criminal lawyer escape to the cold and unforgiving land of Omaha,
Nebraska? Was it just an obscure location to avoid being captured? After all, it almost was as Gene
does go unnoticed for a matter of time before former Albuquerque cab driver Jeff recognizes
him. However, this location is actually both a reference to a throwaway line from "Breaking
Bad" and an important place from Kim Wexler's past. Saul tells Walt as they hide out under the
vacuum repair shop in the "Breaking Bad" episode "Granite State" a prediction of his future.
"If I'm lucky, a month from now, best-case scenario, I'm managing a Cinnabon in Omaha."
This scene is revisited in the series finale of "Better Call Saul" and also serves as a set-up
for the prequel series. The sad fulfillment of this line is accompanied by a gorgeous
black and white composition that captures the emptiness of the icing-slinging Gene Takovic.
However, that may not be the only reason Saul hides out here. As we learn in Season 6, from
Kim's flashback earring thievery, she's actually from Omaha, as seen on her mother's license plate.
Was Saul originally hoping Kim may have returned here and chosen Nebraska in hopes of a reunion?
Before we flash-forward to full Saul, we witness the devastating breakup of Jimmy
and Kim. Once again, the exact timeline is a little unclear. It's hard to pinpoint just how
long it's been since Kim made that difficult decision due to the artful way in which the
series portrays the passage of time. So the question is — how long was Jimmy left alone
before he received a fat check from a case he first discovered in Season 1?
It would be interesting to know how long Jimmy was forced to sit with himself before Saul crept
up and fully took over his persona and life. Who gave him the call updating him on the case
now that Hamlin, Hamlin & McGill is fully dissolved? Was it a reluctant conversation
with a Davis & Main representative? Or could it possibly have been Erin Brill,
his old co-worker who kept a close eye on Jimmy during his time there?
Manuel Varga — Nacho's father — played a pivotal role in his son's final episodes. The automobile
upholstery shop owner and upstanding citizen was the epitome of good in a series full
of morally gray characters and others who have intentionally broken bad. Thankfully,
Nacho was able to share a tear-jerking goodbye with his father before he met his untimely demise.
However, the question remains — what was the fate of Manuel? The last we saw of Nacho's father,
Mike paid him a visit to let him know that his son died a good man. Thematically,
Mike gave Manuel a sense of closure Mike will never have while providing
viewers with another redeeming moment for the ex-officer and further revealing his
honorable true nature. While we may never see Manuel again, thanks to Mike he will at least
have some sense of closure as he presumably continues to work in his shop. Hopefully,
without Nacho around Manuel will be safe from the cartel as he can no longer be used as leverage.
"If you are true to your word, there will be no reason for anyone to harm your father."
There were very few joyful moments in the grim series finale. However,
Kim Wexler remains one of the show's most hopeful characters who still
seems worthy of true redemption. In a strict exercise of self-discipline,
Kim settles for a simple life living in Florida working at Palm Coast Sprinklers,
where she creates brochures and catalogs for the company. After her explosive call with Saul, she
takes accountability for her actions by confessing to her part in Howard's death and volunteering at
her local free legal clinic. Kim soon returns to her true nature by burying herself in paperwork.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly,
Rhea Seehorn breaks down this turn of events and what it might mean for Kim's future, saying,
"I think she's thinking two things: One, that it's possible that I can
allow myself to find some joy and passion in my life again. And two,
that it's possible that I can atone for my actions in an active way, instead of just a passive way."
She expands on Kim's more authentic altruism and even teases a possible future reunion with
Jimmy — all of which is tied into the cathartic decision to acknowledge her past mistakes.
The double-edged sword with Kim finding happiness again is there is now someone
out there who wants to snatch it away. After Kim remorsefully unveils her role in Howard's death,
she brings her completed statement to his widow in an attempt to make amends. Cheryl
Hamlin is understandably livid at this revelation and threatens to sue Kim in
civil court for everything she has in the event that Kim avoids prosecution.
With the overall lack of evidence or witnesses available to implicate Kim in Howard's death,
it seems unlikely that she'll be prosecuted, especially after Jimmy clears her name in the
series finale. However, should Cheryl learn that Kim has re-entered the law and is even
on speaking terms with her convicted ex-husband Jimmy, the wronged widow may seek vengeance.
This could involve taking Kim to civil court as promised and even exposing her past to her
new associates in Florida, potentially shattering Kim's fragile fresh start.
After Jimmy weaponizes the law in Saul's signature style,
he has a sudden change of heart after seeing Kim. However, this ultimately lands him in a
far less luxurious prison than he originally worked out for himself. His initial sweet
deal of seven years is increased to a crushing sentence of 86 after his astonishing admission
of guilt, in which he details his actions in shielding Heisenberg from prison during
his crime reign. He protects Kim and even displays remorse for not doing more to save
his brother Chuck and admits the role he played in the events that led to his brother's tragic
death. As star Bob Odenkirk stated during an interview with Entertainment Weekly,
"It's the bravest, most honest thing he can do."
The series finale sees Jimmy return to using his birth name while serving his sentence at the
very prison he wanted to avoid: ADX Montrose, as indicated by the letters on his jumpsuit. However,
ADX Montrose may not be the final stop for Jimmy, as Rhea Seehorn offers a ray of hope
with Entertainment Weekly that suggests he could be seeing more of his ex-wife. Seehorn explained,
"I think she's going to go through a very complicated process of trying to
figure out if she can help decrease his sentence in a way that is still
just. And I don't think that's the last time they'll see each other. Not by a long shot."
The last three episodes of "Better Call Saul" intertwine with the original
series in some interesting ways. In the Season 6's third to last episode,
aptly titled "Breaking Bad," Gene catches up with his old secretary Francesca, played by Tina
Parker. She updates him on the fate of a few of Walt's old accomplices. The first is Walt's widow,
Skyler White, who presumably got her deal with the DEA, although she also mentions
that Jesse Pinkman's abandoned El Camino was found somewhere near the border of Mexico. So,
where are Skyler and her son, Walter Jr., now? When viewers last saw them in the "Breaking
Bad" series finale, they were living in a small apartment and attempting to live
quiet lives. That could be the reason why they didn't accompany Marie to face Jimmy in court.
Walter Jr. is in for some good news though, as he still has the $9.7 million coming for
his 18th birthday from Walter's leftover drug money in the form of an irrevocable
Trust from Elliot and Gretchen's company, Grey Matter Technologies.
Marie's unexpected appearance in the finale was an enormous delight for
both the fans and crew. "Better Call Saul" co-creator Peter Gould praised
actress Betsy Brandt's return during an interview with Variety. He said,
"I was so grateful that she was willing to come to Albuquerque. She has a couple of scenes,
so she was there for quite a while. Working with her reminded me of what a brilliant actress she
is, and every time she did her scenes, she would bring something a little different."
Viewers can also be confident that underneath all that beautiful black
and white footage used in the final episode of "Better Call Saul," Marie was draped in
her signature purple while delivering on of the best lines of the series:
"They tell me they found you in a garbage dumpster. Well, that makes sense."
When "Breaking Bad" ended in 2013, most fans thought we'd seen the last of Walt
and Jesse. However, even then there was some comfort in knowing that the universe would
continue with the already announced prequel spin-off about the loudmouth criminal lawyer,
Saul. However, now we are facing the possible conclusion of the entire franchise.
Still, there is a shred of hope remaining thanks to some recent
comments that Peter Gould made to The Hollywood Reporter which suggest that
this may not be the end of the "Breaking Bad" saga. Gould said,
"Look, if Vince or I or any of the folks who worked on the show had an idea that we
were excited about, never say never. Vince and I both feel like we want and need to do
something different and change things up. If we ever did come back to this universe,
hopefully we bring a new set of ideas that would enrich it and give us something different."
Deadline recently reported that Vince Gilligan's next
show is going to be an Apple TV+ exclusive starring Rhea Seehorn,
but isn't expected to be related to the stories of Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad.
While this is certainly an exciting new direction for Gilligan,
fans are still hoping for a return to Albuquerque in the not-too-distant future.
"Fantastic! Phew. That makes my life much easier."