Better Call Saul: Season 4, Episode 1 - Smoke (2018)

The episode opens with a cold open featuring a flashback to a time before the events of the series. A young Jimmy McGill is seen in a parking lot, where he is approached by a group of teenagers. They are playing a prank on him, and he is visibly frustrated. The scene sets the tone for Jimmy's ongoing struggle with his identity and the perception of others.

After the cold open, the narrative shifts to the present day, where we see the aftermath of Chuck McGill's death. Jimmy is in a state of deep grief and denial. He is at Chuck's house, going through his belongings, and he finds a box of old photographs. As he sifts through them, he is overwhelmed with memories, and his emotional turmoil is palpable. He struggles to reconcile his feelings about his brother, feeling both anger and sadness.

The scene transitions to Kim Wexler, who is at her office. She is dealing with the fallout from Chuck's death as well. Kim is shown to be deeply affected by the loss, and she tries to reach out to Jimmy, but he is distant and unresponsive. She expresses concern for him, but he brushes her off, indicating that he wants to handle things on his own.

Next, we see Jimmy at a funeral home, where he is making arrangements for Chuck's funeral. He is confronted by a funeral director who tries to guide him through the process. Jimmy's demeanor is erratic; he oscillates between being composed and breaking down. He insists on having a simple service, but his emotions get the better of him, and he lashes out at the director, revealing his inner turmoil.

The episode then cuts to a scene at the McGill family home, where the funeral is taking place. Family and friends gather to pay their respects. Jimmy stands at the back, visibly uncomfortable and detached from the proceedings. He watches as people share their memories of Chuck, and he struggles with feelings of inadequacy and resentment. The tension in the room is thick, and Jimmy's internal conflict is evident as he grapples with his brother's legacy.

During the funeral service, Jimmy is called upon to speak. He hesitates, clearly torn between his grief and his complicated feelings towards Chuck. When he finally speaks, he delivers a heartfelt yet chaotic eulogy that reflects his complex relationship with his brother. His words are a mix of admiration and bitterness, and the audience is left in an awkward silence, unsure of how to react.

Following the funeral, Jimmy is seen at a bar, where he attempts to drown his sorrows. He engages in small talk with the bartender, but his heart isn't in it. He is haunted by memories of Chuck and the weight of their relationship. As he drinks, he becomes increasingly agitated and frustrated, leading to a confrontation with another patron. This moment highlights his emotional instability and the impact of his brother's death on his psyche.

Meanwhile, Kim is shown at her office, where she is trying to focus on work but is clearly distracted by thoughts of Jimmy and Chuck. She receives a call from Jimmy, who asks her to meet him. She agrees, concerned about his well-being. Their relationship is strained, but there is an underlying connection that suggests she wants to help him.

The episode culminates in a scene where Jimmy and Kim meet at a diner. The atmosphere is tense as they sit across from each other. Jimmy is defensive and closed off, while Kim tries to reach out to him. She expresses her concern and urges him to talk about his feelings, but Jimmy deflects, insisting that he is fine. The conversation reveals the cracks in their relationship, as Kim struggles to understand Jimmy's emotional state.

As the episode comes to a close, Jimmy leaves the diner, and we see him walking through the streets, lost in thought. The weight of his brother's death hangs heavily on him, and he is left to confront the reality of his situation. The final shot lingers on his face, capturing the turmoil and uncertainty that lies ahead for him as he navigates his grief and the choices he must make moving forward.

In the ending of "Smoke," the first episode of Season 4 of Better Call Saul, Jimmy McGill is seen grappling with the aftermath of Chuck's death. He is emotionally conflicted, struggling with guilt and anger. Meanwhile, Mike Ehrmantraut is shown dealing with the consequences of his actions as he continues to navigate the criminal underworld. The episode concludes with a sense of foreboding, as both characters face their respective paths, hinting at the darker turns their lives will take.

As the episode unfolds, we begin with a somber atmosphere. The scene opens with Jimmy McGill standing in the aftermath of his brother Chuck's funeral. The air is thick with tension and grief. Jimmy, dressed in a dark suit, appears detached, his face a mask of sorrow and anger. He watches as mourners pay their respects, but he feels isolated, trapped in his own turmoil. The camera lingers on his expression, capturing the internal conflict brewing within him. He is torn between the love he had for Chuck and the resentment that has built up over the years.

In a stark contrast, we see Mike Ehrmantraut, who is also dealing with his own emotional fallout. He is at a construction site, where he is working as a laborer. The physical labor serves as a distraction for him, but it is clear that he is haunted by his past decisions. The scene shifts to Mike's home, where he sits in silence, reflecting on the choices he has made. His stoic demeanor hides a deep well of regret and contemplation.

As the episode progresses, we witness Jimmy's struggle to cope with his brother's death. He visits Chuck's house, where he finds the remnants of Chuck's life. The camera captures the disarray, symbolizing the chaos in Jimmy's mind. He picks up a few items, including a framed photo of them as children, which evokes a flood of memories. The emotional weight of the moment is palpable, as Jimmy grapples with the loss and the unresolved issues between them.

In a pivotal scene, Jimmy confronts his feelings of guilt and anger. He stands in front of Chuck's empty chair, a powerful symbol of his brother's absence. The silence is deafening, and Jimmy's internal struggle is laid bare. He recalls their last conversation, filled with accusations and hurtful words. This moment serves as a turning point for Jimmy, as he begins to realize the impact of their relationship on his own identity.

Meanwhile, Mike's storyline intertwines with Jimmy's as he continues to navigate the criminal landscape. He meets with a contact, discussing the logistics of a job that requires his expertise. The tension in these scenes is palpable, as Mike's calm demeanor contrasts with the chaotic world around him. He is a man of principles, yet he is drawn deeper into a life of crime, reflecting the moral complexities of his character.

As the episode nears its conclusion, we see Jimmy making a decision that will shape his future. He returns to his office, where he finds a box of Chuck's belongings. In a moment of clarity, he begins to sort through them, revealing his desire to honor his brother's memory while also acknowledging the rift that existed between them. The act of sorting through the items symbolizes Jimmy's attempt to reconcile his past with his present.

The final scenes depict both characters at a crossroads. Jimmy, now more determined than ever, contemplates his next steps in the legal world, hinting at his eventual transformation into Saul Goodman. Mike, on the other hand, is shown preparing for the challenges ahead, embodying the complexities of his character as he balances his moral compass with the demands of his new life.

The episode closes with a lingering sense of uncertainty. Both Jimmy and Mike are on paths that will lead them further into darkness, setting the stage for the conflicts and challenges that lie ahead in the season. The emotional weight of their journeys is felt deeply, leaving viewers with a haunting reminder of the choices that define their lives.

In "Smoke," the first episode of Season 4 of Better Call Saul, there is no post-credit scene. The episode concludes without any additional scenes after the credits roll. The focus remains on the main narrative and character developments throughout the episode, particularly highlighting Jimmy McGill's emotional state following Chuck's death and the impact it has on his choices moving forward.

In 'Smoke', Jimmy McGill is deeply affected by the death of his brother, Chuck. He struggles with feelings of guilt and loss, which manifest in his emotional state throughout the episode. He tries to cope by throwing himself into work, but the weight of Chuck's death looms over him, influencing his decisions and interactions.

Kim Wexler is visibly shaken by Chuck's death. She attends the funeral and tries to support Jimmy, but she also grapples with her own feelings of grief and the implications of Chuck's passing on her relationship with Jimmy. Her emotional turmoil is evident as she navigates her professional responsibilities while dealing with the personal impact of the loss.

The fire in Chuck's house serves as a pivotal moment in the episode, symbolizing the destruction of Chuck's life and the end of his battle with his mental illness. It also represents the fallout from his strained relationship with Jimmy, as the fire is a direct result of Chuck's actions and his inability to cope with his circumstances.

In 'Smoke', Mike Ehrmantraut is seen dealing with the aftermath of the events from the previous season. He is focused on his work and maintaining a low profile, but he is also haunted by the choices he has made. His internal conflict is highlighted as he reflects on his role in the criminal world and the impact it has on his life and relationships.

In 'Smoke', the seeds of Jimmy's transformation into Saul Goodman are sown as he begins to embrace a more morally ambiguous approach to his legal career. The episode showcases his struggle between his desire to honor Chuck's legacy and his inclination to pursue his own interests, hinting at the eventual shift in his character towards the more unscrupulous persona of Saul Goodman.

"Better Call Saul," Season 4, Episode 1, titled "Smoke," contains several elements that may not be suitable for children or sensitive viewers. Here are some potentially objectionable aspects:

1. Violence: There are scenes that depict the aftermath of violence, including a significant emotional impact from a character's death, which may be distressing.

2. Emotional Distress: The episode explores themes of grief and loss, particularly as characters cope with the death of a loved one. This can be heavy and upsetting for some viewers.

3. Substance Use: There are references to smoking and the effects of stress, which may not be appropriate for younger audiences.

4. Adult Themes: The episode delves into complex adult relationships and moral dilemmas, which may be difficult for children to understand.

5. Language: There may be instances of strong language that could be considered inappropriate for younger viewers.

These elements contribute to the show's mature rating and may not be suitable for all audiences.