90
Matthew Dougherty
IGN
“Better Call Saul breaks bad in the best way as Season 5 gets cookin’.”
Critical Assessment
What Critics Praise
- Powerful emotional impact
- Nuanced character development
- Sharp witty dialogue
- Effective storytelling
- Contemplative pacing
- Tense black‑and‑white framing
Points of Contention
- Lacks major plot twists
- Limited screen time for supporting characters
- Underdeveloped subplots
Professional Reviews
8 reviews from 2 critics88 Matt Fowler 7 reviews · avg IGN The episode excels in character development, particularly through Jimmy McGill's persuasive job interview and Gus Fring's ruthless actions. These well-crafted moments provide emotional depth that surpasses typical gritty television.
Matt Fowler 7 reviews · avg
IGN
The episode excels in character development, particularly through Jimmy McGill's persuasive job interview and Gus Fring's ruthless actions. These well-crafted moments provide emotional depth that surpasses typical gritty television.
All 7 Matt Fowler reviews, aggregated above
93
Winner
“Better Call Saul wickedly wraps up its fourth season with heartbreak and murder.”
91
Quite a Ride
“In this week's stupendous episode, we saw both the beginning and end of Saul Goodman.”
90
Something Beautiful
“Wow. Another superb, standout showing from Rhea Seehorn here in "Something Beautiful."”
88
Breathe
The episode excels in character development, particularly through Jimmy McGill's persuasive job interview and Gus Fring's ruthless actions. These well-crafted moments provide emotional depth that surpasses typical gritty television.
87
Something Stupid
“Something Stupid (a nice bookend title to 'Something Beautiful') was a huge transitional episode that not only sped us through months - during a split screen intro that may require a second viewing to catch all the little fun morsels - but it also worked to create more distance between Jimmy and Kim in their relationship.”
86
Talk
“Despite being able to predict an easy win for the twin Terminators, the scene was still saturated with magnificent menace because of how invested we are in Nacho, who felt the need to lend a hand despite barely being able to walk without doubling over in pain.”
83
Better Call Saul Season 4 Premiere
The season four premiere deepens Jimmy McGill's transformation into Saul Goodman through strong performances and thoughtful storytelling. While lacking dramatic twists, the episode solidifies the series' tone and sets up future conflict effectively.
