Hero (''Better Call Saul'')
| "Hero" | |
|---|---|
| Better Call Saul episode | |
| Episode no. |
Season 1 Episode 4 |
| Directed by | Colin Bucksey |
| Written by | Gennifer Hutchison |
| Original air date | February 23, 2015 |
| Running time | 47 minutes |
| Guest appearance(s) | |
| |
"Hero" is the fourth episode of the first season of the AMC television series Better Call Saul, the spinoff series of Breaking Bad. The episode aired on February 23, 2015.
Plot
The episode begins some time in the past, as Jimmy and an unidentified companion leave a bar. In an alley, they discover a wallet with cash, and nearby a barely conscious drunk man. The companion takes the cash, and Jimmy takes the man's Rolex watch and estimates it is worth more than his wallet, leading his companion to trade the found money plus some additional cash of his own in exchange for the watch. After the companion takes off, it is revealed that the whole incident was a scam organized by Jimmy and the "unconscious" man. The two then return to Jimmy's residence and congratulate each other.
In the present, the Kettlemans offer Jimmy a bribe if he does not reveal they stole the $1.6 million. Jimmy instead gives them the option of them hiring him as their lawyer, but the Kettlemans refuse. The next day, Jimmy thanks Mike for his assistance in solving the predicament. After Nacho is released from police custody, he accuses Jimmy of warning the Kettlemans and says he will face "consequences." Jimmy rebuts by implying that he warned the family for the children's sake, and that given Nacho's sloppiness he should be grateful for any warning as it saved him.
Back at his office at the salon, it is revealed that Jimmy took the Kettlemans' bribe. Jimmy cooks his books to make it look like the money was legitimate fees for his services and spends the money on a makeover and billboard advertisement which shares obvious and deliberate similarities with Chuck's law firm, Hamlin Hamlin & McGill, presumably out of spite. Kim confronts Jimmy over the imitation, and Howard Hamlin brings Jimmy to court over the trademark infringement, in which he is ordered to have the advertisement removed within 48 hours.
After failing to convince any news outlets to cover his predicament as a human interest story, Jimmy organizes a video plea, calling for sympathy to his situation, using a freelance media team. During filming, however, the worker removing the advertisement slips and falls, held on only by his harness. Jimmy pulls the worker to safety while the public watches and records. It is revealed that the accident was staged by Jimmy as a publicity stunt. Howard and Kim, watching the news, see through the ruse instantly. Due to his newfound popularity, Jimmy receives numerous new consultations.
Jimmy visits Chuck, but hides the newspaper that reported the "rescue" to keep Chuck from seeing it. Chuck congratulates Jimmy on his new success, but is oblivious to the stunt. Chuck notices that one of his daily newspapers is missing, which Jimmy dismisses. After Jimmy leaves, a suspicious Chuck painstakingly hurries to his neighbor's house and collects their copy of the newspaper, in which Chuck reads about the stunt.
Production
The episode was written by supervising producer Gennifer Hutchison, who was also a writer and producer on Breaking Bad.[1][2] It was directed by Colin Bucksey, who directed four episodes of Breaking Bad.[3]
Reception
Upon airing, the episode received 2.87 million American viewers, and an 18-49 rating of 1.4.[4]
The episode received positive reception from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, based on 20 reviews, it received a 95% approval rating with an average score of 8.2 out of 10. The site's consensus reads, "'Hero' marks the essential early evolution of Saul's conning skills, beginning his amusing transformation into the well-known Breaking Bad personality."[5]
References
- ↑ Littleton, Cynthia (December 20, 2013). "‘Breaking Bad’ Writers Join ‘Better Call Saul’ Staff". Variety. Retrieved January 12, 2014.
- ↑ Couch, Aaron (February 23, 2015). "'Better Call Saul' Writer on Jimmy's "Terrifying" Plan, Saul Goodman "Reveal"". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
- ↑ Hibberd, James (July 11, 2014). "'Better Call Saul': New photos, details from 'Breaking Bad' spin-off". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
- ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (February 24, 2015). "Monday Cable Ratings: 'Monday Night RAW' Tops Night + 'Love & Hip Hop', 'Better Call Saul', 'Black Ink Crew' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
- ↑ "Hero". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved March 10, 2015.