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Better Call Saul: Saul Gone (2022)
Not Flashy, Intense, or Bombastic; but a Deeply Earned and Satisfying Finale
I'm expecting quite a number of people to not really love this finale. It was a somewhat slow episode, it didn't have any shocking twists or gut-wrenching deaths. In many ways, it's the absolute antithesis of Breaking Bad's finale.
However, Better Call Saul has always been the antithesis of Breaking Bad, and just as it perfectly complements Breaking bad in tone, themes, and pacing, so does its finale complement its predecessor's finale. In all honesty, despite just how perfect of a conclusion "Felina" was, "Saul Gone" may be even better.
Ultimately, after years of speculation as to what would become of Saul, he...goes to prison, just as we all expected. However, the entire series has excelled in surprising viewers with the journey rather than the destination, and its final act does exactly that with perfection. Saul is caught early in the episode and manages to negotiate an extremely favorable plea deal. But just as we think he might just come out on top, he suggests that he is going to throw Kim to the wolves out of some ostensible desire for revenge. At that point, and idea that just five episodes would have sounded absurd seems completely logical, and I fully expected Saul to fully 'break bad' and eviscerate Kim on the stand. But then, as he atones for his many sins, we realize that he had indeed listened to Kim, and he ends the series in prison, but not as anyone quite expected.
Obviously I thought the ending was the perfect sendoff for Saul, but the episode was just peppered with phenomenal moments and appearances. I was certainly not expecting to see Marie again, but her appearance makes sense and fits well within the episode. We also get great (and surprisingly emotional) final scenes with Mike and Walt, which both build the theme of regret that ultimately leads to Saul's final confession on the stand.
I was also quite surprised--and very thrilled--to see Michael McKean return as Chuck one final scene. Much in the same vein as his cameo in the Season 4 finale, it was quite touching to see the McGill brothers share an affectionate moment, and the final shot of H. G. Wells' "The Time Machine" shows that Chuck had regrets and feelings for his brother as well, much as the scene in Season 4 implied.
Finally, the final scene with Saul and Kim smoking was quite poetic--obviously mirroring their first scene together in the series premiere--and served as an excellent sendoff for Saul and Kim. With Saul finally coming clean, Kim realizes that he still has good in him and her conscience is somewhat alleviated. Saul mimicking Kim's little cowboy hand motion from when they decided to take down Howard in Season 5 was a great final touch.
Overall, Better Call Saul has redefined just how good a prequel can be, and now that the series is over there is a fair case to be made that it's better than Breaking Bad. I don't even think it's possible to compare them though--each is perfect in its own way and they complement each other perfectly. I'm sure that this has solidified Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould in television's 'hall of fame' but all the other writers (particularly Thomas Schnauz and Gordon Smith, who penned an absurdly disproportionate number Better Call Saul's best episodes) deserve near equal credit for ensuring such an unprecedented standard of excellence across both shows.
Westworld: The Auguries (2022)
A Surprisingly Strong Premiere After a Downright Bad Season 3
I don't want to get too optimistic just yet, but it seems like Westworld may actually be back. While perhaps retaining some of Season 2's convoluted plots, "The Auguries" feels like a return to form for the show. While the episode sets up a host of mysteries--chief among them being what on earth is going on with 'Christina'--it is still reasonably easy to follow.
Moreover the show seems to be regaining some of the emotion that has been missing from its past few seasons. Evan Rachel Wood and Aaron Paul are incredibly gifted actors, and I'm happy that they are being allowed to display their range.
Finally, I would be remiss not to mention Ramin Djawadi's phenomenal cover of Lana Del Rey's "Video Games" at the end of the episode. It's been more than two years, but he is still bringing his absolute A-game, and it really elevates the show a lot.
Overall, the season will have to present compelling answers to the mysteries set up by this episode, but it's quite a promising start!
The Mandalorian: Chapter 16: The Rescue (2020)
UNBELIEVABLE
Everybody was saying a Jedi would show up. I thought there was no way. Getting back the child would be enough. The Mando vs. Gideon duel would be enough. Badass Dark Troopers would be enough.
I had the biggest chills when I saw that X-wing. I can't believe they actually did it. I don't care that the CGI wasn't perfect. Seeing Luke tear through those Dark Troopers, hearing R2-D2's beeping, hearing the force theme...
I don't often tear up in movies/TV, but this is certainly the exception.
In other news, the action was pretty great, loved the callback to Oberyn and the Mountain when the Dark Trooper was trying to bash his head in, and that post-credits scene was epic. Gideon was again amazing, and I loved his line about assuming he knew everything. I hope they keep him around next season, because I would very much like more Giancarlo Esposito.
DECEMBER 2021 CAN'T COME SOON ENOUGH!!!!
The Mandalorian: Chapter 13: The Jedi (2020)
Amazing
I am without words. From the beginning, the direction was incredible. Filoni's work in Chapters 1 and 5 was definitely imperfect, but this was flawless. Great return to the Kurosawa aesthetic that has influenced Star Wars since the beginning.
I was very initially apprehensive about Rosario Dawson playing Ahsoka, but she totally nailed it. The lekkus may have been a bit short, but the transition from animation to live-action was excellent.
The action this episode was excellent. The way that Ahsoka attacked was excellently shot, and those white lightsabers looked incredible.
I also loved the dynamic between the Child--now Grogu, apparently--Ahsoka, and Mando. It was great to see the Child's exposure to violence begin to manifest, and the reference to Anakin's fall was perfect. Overall, I am thrilled with Filoni's writing this episode, and it is clear he has put just as much thought into Ahsoka's live-action debut as he did the impeccably-written Siege of Mandalore.
Honestly, I am just out of adjectives to describe this episode. Simply astonishing, and I eagerly await the rest of the season.
The Mandalorian: Chapter 12: The Siege (2020)
Best of the Series So Far
The episode as a whole was phenomenal, probably my favorite of the series thus far. I particularly enjoyed the cinema-quality speeder/TIE fighter chase, and the humor was great throughout.
I got so excited when I saw the"il" patches, and then the full reveal that they were trying to transfuse midichlorians from the child was awesome.
Finally, seeing the Arquitens was epic; it looked so sinister. And I'm not quite sure what Gideon was up to in that room, but color me excited for the rest of the season.
Looking back at the tanks, those bodies have to be Snoke/Palpatine related...
The Mandalorian: Chapter 9: The Marshal (2020)
Incredible Premiere for S2; Great Things to Come
First, this episode managed to look even more cinematic than S1. Its seriously pushing into high-budget movie level stuff at this point. The entire episode was action-packed and full of fun references. Perhaps most importantly, the 54 minute runtime gave the story enough time to breathe. I hope this runtime remains consistent/increases throughout the season.
The opening scene--which was also shown in the trailer--was a great way to begin the season. Immediately, it's clear that they have increased the violence a bit, which is nice. From there the episode slows down a bit, but it ends with a great action scene. The inclusion of Cobb Vanth from the Aftermath trilogy was cool, as was a live-action appearance of the Krayt Dragon.
Finally, in easily the best moment of the episode, it is revealed that Boba Fett--played by none other than Temeura Morrison--is alive. He was confirmed to have survived the Sarlacc in the old Expanded Universe, but I think this is the first confirmation of the new Canon. I believe this epic moment is a sign of things to come, and I eagerly await the rest of the season.