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Better Call Saul Season 5 Episode 6: Bagman

Bob Odenkirk
Bob Odenkirk
Saul Goodman
Jonathan R. Banks
Jonathan R. Banks
Mike Ehrmantraut
Rhea Seehorn
Rhea Seehorn
Kim Wexler
Patrick Fabian
Patrick Fabian
Hamlin Howard
Giancarlo Esposito
Giancarlo Esposito
Gus Fring
Plot Summary: The photo Kim is looking at is a billboard that Mesa Verde Bank has used since its inception, a cowboy on horseback next to a cluster of desert cacti. It's the work of indigenous photographer Olivia, whose photo Kevin's father bought from a store and used as the bank's emblem. Now, it has become Mesa Verde Bank's iconic image. However, the ownership of the photo remains with Olivia, making Mesa Verde Bank an infringer. Practicing law again is certainly a happy thing. Jimmy has an idea: formally change his name to Saul Goodman. From now on, he will take on those messy cases from hooligans and no longer live in the shadow of his brother, Chuck. Although Kim doesn't agree with Jimmy's strange ideas, she doesn't want to directly negate them. As Jimmy plans to give away free phones for advertising and offer discounted legal services, Kim subtly hints that it's not good for his image. Kim means that taking on such cases is detrimental to his reputation in the legal community, but Jimmy thinks that discounts will make others think he's desperate. Jimmy agrees repeatedly, and Kim can only shake her head in secret. That night, Jimmy sets up a tent where he used to sell phones, giving away free phones, with Huell maintaining order outside. Various local hooligans arrive, and the tent is bustling. There are drug addicts, bikers, prostitutes, and homeless people; no matter who they are, Jimmy gives them a phone with a speed dial to Saul Goodman set on button 1. After all the phones are distributed, there are still many people outside. Jimmy simply puts up a sign offering 50% off for “non-violent crimes” and hands out a stack of business cards. These hooligans are always getting into trouble, and Jimmy seizes the opportunity to have prosecutor Bill make a living advertisement for him. That day, Bill had just walked into the courthouse when he was surrounded by a group of reporters. He was at a loss, not even knowing who the name the reporters were mentioning belonged to. Jimmy jumped out, loudly accusing Bill of wronging his client and persecuting innocent people. Early in the morning, Bill hadn't even looked at the case files, so he didn't know what Jimmy's client had done and could only slink back to his office. Jimmy made a big advertisement in front of the camera, adding a lot to his reputation. Having completed all the formalities, it was almost noon. Jimmy wanted to invite Kim for lunch but saw her sitting dejectedly on a courthouse bench. Her client had stolen a truckload of mini-fridges and foolishly sold them to an undercover police officer, getting caught on the spot. With irrefutable evidence, Kim struggled to get a plea deal from the DA for a five-month sentence. However, the client refused outright, insisting on going to court to try for an unlikely acquittal. Going to court would be a guaranteed loss. But the client was stubborn and wouldn't listen to legal advice. Seeing Kim's headache over this, Jimmy suggested impersonating the DA, falsely claiming new evidence had been found and that the plea deal would be revoked for resentencing. Deceiving a client is a serious breach of professional ethics, touching Kim's bottom line. Kim disagreed, so Jimmy had to leave first. Kim returned to the bench, thought it over and over, and, finding no other way, followed Jimmy's approach and told the client. The client, upon hearing it, was instantly dumbfounded, wishing he could beg for the original plea deal. The matter was resolved, but Kim felt no joy. The legal knowledge she had studied for years had to be achieved through such means, leaving her deeply frustrated. In the restaurant, Lalo, who had taken over the business from his uncle Hector, muttered two names: "Mike" and "Werner." He knew Gustavo was planning something but couldn't be sure without finding these two. At this point, Nacho mentioned that some street dealers in the Fourth Ward were complaining about bad product. Lalo personally went to the Fourth Ward's selling point, a two-story shack. Outside, someone was on lookout and collecting money; once the money was in hand, fingers were extended to represent the quantity of goods to be delivered. Then, the second floor would put the same number of small cocaine bags into a downspout, and buyers wouldn't have to go upstairs but could get the goods at the downspout's exit. The lookout didn't recognize Lalo and had just yelled a few words when he saw Nacho, who was accompanying Lalo, get out of the car, and then dared not make another sound. Lalo went straight upstairs, took out the goods, and inspected each bag under the sunlight leaking from the roof. With just his eyes, he could tell that nearly a third of the product was substandard. Nacho was shocked, as the recent shipments had all come from the fried chicken restaurant, so it was impossible for anyone to have tampered with them. This was no small matter, and cartel boss Eladio sent his representative Juan to mediate. In the fried chicken restaurant's warehouse, Gustavo uncharacteristically lowered his head and admitted that Werner, the German foreman in charge of the engineering project, had stolen two bags of product. With Werner dealt with and the product gone, Gustavo bought other product from the market to make up the difference. Lalo didn't believe this bullshit excuse at all, but as long as Gustavo was making money, Eladio wouldn't pursue it. So Lalo didn't point out the inconsistencies, only caring about what engineering project Werner was responsible for. Gustavo was well-prepared and led Lalo and Juan to the other side of the warehouse. Workers were busy assembling a fresh food supply chain system, and Lalo immediately recognized old Mike. Based on a few words Werner had said on the phone, it was absolutely not for assembling such a production line, but Lalo didn't expose it and left without a word. As long as Lalo was there, Gustavo dared not continue. The project was suspended, and the workers received full payment. Under old Mike's arrangement, they returned to Germany in batches from different locations by plane. Werner's death also disheartened old Mike, who refused to work for Gustavo any further. Of course, infringement alone wasn't enough to defeat Kevin; Jimmy also needed to use some underhanded tactics. He found those part-time students from the University of Texas film society, spent a whole day setting up a scene in the nail salon, found actors nearby, and finally managed to film the necessary content. Who knew that by nightfall, Kim arrived, saying she wanted to give up. Rich became suspicious, making Kim realize she was gambling with her future and dreams. Kim decided to end the matter; no matter how much compensation Kevin agreed to pay, she was willing to make up the difference with her own money to ensure that old Mr. Acker received seventy-five thousand dollars, and then the matter would be concluded. Jimmy agreed verbally but had another idea in his heart. The next day, he represented old Mr. Acker at the law firm. At the negotiation table sat Kim, Rich, and Kevin was sitting beside them. Kim had just proposed that Mesa Verde Bank would pay forty-five thousand in compensation when Jimmy interrupted her. Amid Kim's stunned and angry gaze, Jimmy pulled out the filmed promotional video. In the video, several so-called clients recounted various unfair treatments they had suffered at the bank, and Jimmy also spoke from experience, appealing to people with similar experiences to call his number for help. What these people said were fabricated lies, and Mesa Verde was not mentioned in their words, but when combined with some background, it had strong suggestive power. For such a borderline thing, even if the lawsuit was won, there would be no conviction, but the bank's reputation would suffer huge losses. Before Kevin could speak, Jimmy pulled out another photo from his briefcase, accusing Mesa Verde Bank of infringement. Before the court clarified the ownership of the photo, all Mesa Verde Bank signs and billboards had to be covered. Rich and Kim firmly believed they could win against Jimmy's unreasonable accusations, but fully clarifying all these accusations would take at least several years. Kevin finally couldn't hold on any longer and agreed to Jimmy's conditions. Old Mr. Acker could keep his house, Mesa Verde Bank would pay forty-five thousand dollars in compensation and issue a public apology. Kevin would also pay two hundred thousand to purchase the copyright of the original photo from Olivia and apologize to Ms. Olivia. That night, Jimmy looked somewhat smugly at Kim, who returned late. The trick he played today was a win-win: it benefited both old Mr. Acker and Olivia, and Kim's expressed anger also dispelled Rich's doubts. But Jimmy's rhetoric couldn't quell Kim's anger; she had lost trust in Jimmy. A life without trust cannot be sustained; either end the relationship or get married. The sudden proposal left Jimmy stunned.

Better Call Saul Season 5

United States
2020
10Complete Series

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