"Waterworks" is the twelfth and penultimate episode of the
sixth season of ''
Better Call Saul
''Better Call Saul'' is an American crime and legal drama television series created by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould. Part of the ''Breaking Bad'' franchise, it is a spin-off of Gilligan's previous series, ''Breaking Bad'', and serves as a ...
'', the spin-off television series of ''
Breaking Bad
''Breaking Bad'' is an American crime drama television series created and produced by Vince Gilligan. Set and filmed in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the series follows Walter White (Bryan Cranston), an underpaid, overqualified, and dispirited hig ...
''. It was written and directed by
Vince Gilligan
George Vincent Gilligan Jr. (born February 10, 1967) is an American writer, producer, and director. He is known for his television work, specifically as creator, head writer, executive producer, and director of AMC's ''Breaking Bad'' (2008–2 ...
. The episode aired on
AMC
AMC may refer to:
Film and television
* AMC Theatres, an American movie theater chain
* AMC Networks, an American entertainment company
** AMC (TV channel)
** AMC+, streaming service
** AMC Networks International, an entertainment company
*** AM ...
and
AMC+
AMC may refer to:
Film and television
* AMC Theatres, an American movie theater chain
* AMC Networks, an American entertainment company
** AMC (TV channel)
** AMC+, streaming service
** AMC Networks International, an entertainment company
*** AM ...
on August 8, 2022, before debuting online in certain territories on
Netflix
Netflix, Inc. is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service and production company based in Los Gatos, California. Founded in 1997 by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph in Scotts Valley, California, it offers a fil ...
the following day. "Waterworks" primarily takes place after the events of ''Breaking Bad'', exploring
Kim Wexler
Kimberly Kim Wexler is a fictional Character (arts), character from the television series ''Better Call Saul'', a Spin-off (media), spin-off of ''Breaking Bad''. Kim is primarily portrayed by Rhea Seehorn, and was created by Vince Gilligan and P ...
's new life in
Florida
Florida is a state located in the Southeastern region of the United States. Florida is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the northwest by Alabama, to the north by Georgia, to the east by the Bahamas and Atlantic Ocean, and to ...
while continuing the story of
Gene Takovic in
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha ( ) is the largest city in the U.S. state of Nebraska and the county seat of Douglas County. Omaha is in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about north of the mouth of the Platte River. The nation's 39th-largest cit ...
.
"Waterworks" was met with critical acclaim, particularly for Gilligan's direction and screenplay, the cinematography, and
Rhea Seehorn
Rhea may refer to:
* Rhea (bird), genus of flightless birds native to South America
* Rhea (mythology), a Titan in Greek mythology
It may also refer to:
People
*Rhea (name), list of people with this name
Mythology
* Rhea Silvia, in Roman mytho ...
's performance as Kim. An estimated 1.32 million viewers saw the episode during its first broadcast on AMC.
Plot
In 2004, in
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque ( ; ), ; kee, Arawageeki; tow, Vakêêke; zun, Alo:ke:k'ya; apj, Gołgéeki'yé. abbreviated ABQ, is the most populous city in the U.S. state of New Mexico. Its nicknames, The Duke City and Burque, both reference its founding in ...
,
Kim Wexler
Kimberly Kim Wexler is a fictional Character (arts), character from the television series ''Better Call Saul'', a Spin-off (media), spin-off of ''Breaking Bad''. Kim is primarily portrayed by Rhea Seehorn, and was created by Vince Gilligan and P ...
finalizes her divorce with
Jimmy McGill / Saul Goodman. Outside Saul's office, she has a conversation with
Jesse Pinkman
Jesse Bruce Pinkman is a main character in the American television series '' Breaking Bad'', played by Aaron Paul. He is a crystal meth cook and dealer and works with his former high school chemistry teacher, Walter White (Bryan Cranston). Jess ...
, a friend of Saul's latest client,
Emilio Koyama
''Breaking Bad (franchise), Breaking Bad'' is a neo-Western crime drama Media franchise, franchise created by American filmmaker Vince Gilligan, primarily based on the television series ''Breaking Bad'' (2008–13), its prequel/sequel series, '' ...
. Jesse notes Saul's shady advertising and asks whether he is a legitimate attorney; Kim replies that he was when she knew him. In 2010, Kim leads a quiet suburban lifestyle in
Titusville, Florida
Titusville is a city in eastern Florida and the county seat of Brevard County, Florida, United States. The city's population was 43,761 as of the 2010 United States Census.
Titusville is located along the Indian River (Florida), Indian River, west ...
, where she has a desk job at Palm Coast Sprinkler. While at work, she receives a call from Jimmy, under an alias, checking in on her; Kim cautions him against calling her due to his fugitive status and tells him to turn himself in. Jimmy angrily refuses, challenging her to turn herself in for her involvement in
Howard Hamlin
Howard Hamlin is a fictional character who appears in the crime drama television series ''Better Call Saul'', a spin-off prequel of '' Breaking Bad''. He is portrayed by Patrick Fabian and was created by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould. Hamlin i ...
's disappearance.
Kim flies to Albuquerque and visits
Cheryl
Cheryl is a female given name common in English speaking countries.
There are several prevailing theories about its etymology. The most common is that it has Italo-Celtic roots and is an Anglicised version of either the French name Cherie (from ...
, Howard's widow, to whom she gives a written confession detailing her and Jimmy's plot to
character-assassinate Howard, as well as the truth about his death. Kim says she submitted the
affidavit
An ( ; Medieval Latin for "he has declared under oath") is a written statement voluntarily made by an ''affiant'' or '' deponent'' under an oath or affirmation which is administered by a person who is authorized to do so by law. Such a statemen ...
to the district attorney but notes she might not face prosecution due to the lack of physical evidence or witnesses. That night, she has an emotional breakdown while riding the bus back to the airport.
In
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha ( ) is the largest city in the U.S. state of Nebraska and the county seat of Douglas County. Omaha is in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about north of the mouth of the Platte River. The nation's 39th-largest cit ...
, Gene breaks into the home of Mr. Lingk, the latest target of his identity-theft scheme, and locates his financial records and account passwords while he is unconscious. Gene lingers in the house and steals some of Lingk's wristwatches from his second-floor loft. Lingk suddenly awakens and sits on the loft stairs; Gene prepares to bludgeon Lingk with an urn containing his dog's ashes, but Lingk passes out again. Outside, Jeff panics when a police car idles behind him and crashes his taxi into a parked vehicle; the distraction allows Gene to escape while Jeff is arrested for the robbery.
Jeff calls Gene and asks him to post bail. Gene calls Marion to ask her to accompany him, explaining that Nebraska does not require a bondsman, and that having a family member present would be more compelling to the authorities. Marion, suspicious of Gene's legal knowledge, uses the computer Jeff bought for her using money from the department store heist to discover that "Gene" is Saul Goodman. When Gene arrives, he attempts to intimidate Marion into silence, but she uses her
Life Alert
Life Alert Emergency Response, Inc. is a nationwide American company, with headquarters in Encino, California, which provides services that help elderly contact emergency services. The company was founded in 1987. The company's system consists ...
button to call the police, forcing him to flee.
Production
"Waterworks" was written and directed by ''
Breaking Bad
''Breaking Bad'' is an American crime drama television series created and produced by Vince Gilligan. Set and filmed in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the series follows Walter White (Bryan Cranston), an underpaid, overqualified, and dispirited hig ...
'' and ''
Better Call Saul
''Better Call Saul'' is an American crime and legal drama television series created by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould. Part of the ''Breaking Bad'' franchise, it is a spin-off of Gilligan's previous series, ''Breaking Bad'', and serves as a ...
'' creator
Vince Gilligan
George Vincent Gilligan Jr. (born February 10, 1967) is an American writer, producer, and director. He is known for his television work, specifically as creator, head writer, executive producer, and director of AMC's ''Breaking Bad'' (2008–2 ...
. This is Gilligan's only solo writing credit for the series, and the first television episode he wrote by himself since "
Felina", the series finale for ''Breaking Bad''.
Gilligan rejoined the ''Better Call Saul'' writers' room in the sixth season, having left early in the third season and ceding showrunning duties to series co-creator
Peter Gould
Peter Gould is an American television writer, director and producer. He worked on all five seasons of the AMC drama ''Breaking Bad''. He was nominated for four Writers Guild of America (WGA) Awards for his work on the series. After ''Breaking B ...
.
Bob Odenkirk
Robert John Odenkirk (; born October 22, 1962) is an American actor, comedian and filmmaker best known for his role as Saul Goodman on ''Breaking Bad'' (2008–2013) and its spin-off ''Better Call Saul'' (2015–2022). For the latter, he has re ...
and
Rhea Seehorn
Rhea may refer to:
* Rhea (bird), genus of flightless birds native to South America
* Rhea (mythology), a Titan in Greek mythology
It may also refer to:
People
*Rhea (name), list of people with this name
Mythology
* Rhea Silvia, in Roman mytho ...
are the only actors listed in the starring credits.
Seehorn had been absent from the series since "
Fun and Games" three episodes prior. The episode answered the long-posed question from fans and critics alike of Kim Wexler's fate and whereabouts after the events of ''Breaking Bad''.
Gilligan mentioned that, over the years, several people had asked if Kim was deceased in this timeline. While this was a possibility, the writing staff never considered killing off the character.
Seehorn interpreted that "a part of her has died" and her overall character as being a "shell of a person". She had discussed Kim's character with Gould and Gilligan, noting that while there was "nothing wrong with her life, quote unquote", her life was considered "tragic" as "It is only because we know what she could have been, and her potential and what she wanted, that it is so tragic to have her not practicing law, to have her not be using her brain to her full potential or her skill set". In her phone call with Gene, Seehorn interpreted that Kim had asked Gene to turn himself in "out of love that she’s saying this can’t be much of a life, like, turn yourself in". She also added that while Kim understood Gene had asked her to confess to her crimes was "defensive, reactive talk", it was also an indirect challenge to her conscience, which Seehorn believes encourages her to "take on her own conscience".
Scenes of Kim's house in Titusville, Florida, were filmed in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with
digital matte paintings used to give the illusion of a tropical environment.
Other scenes of Kim driving through Florida and Jimmy driving through Omaha were shot on a soundstage in non-moving vehicles.
The scenes set in Omaha are predominantly black-and-white, save for when a Saul Goodman commercial in color reflects on Gene's glasses. Gould said this use of color (which was used in a similar fashion in
the pilot
A pilot is a person who flies or navigates an aircraft.
Pilot or The Pilot may also refer to:
* Maritime pilot, a person who guides ships through hazardous waters
* Television pilot, a television episode used to sell a series to a television netw ...
) was a sign of Gene recalling his fondness for his time as Saul.
The scene's music was reused from the first episode, and was
Dave Porter's first composition for ''Better Call Saul''. Kim's emotional breakdown was filmed on an actual rental-car bus that circled
Albuquerque International Sunport
Albuquerque International Sunport is the primary international airport serving the U.S. state of New Mexico, the Albuquerque metropolitan area, and the larger Albuquerque– Santa Fe–Las Vegas combined statistical area. It handles around 5. ...
, in a full take. Using four cameras for proper
camera coverage Camera coverage, or coverage, is the amount and kind of footage shot used to capture a scene in filmmaking and video production. The film editor uses coverage in post-production to assemble the final cut.
Coverage in cinematography
The coverage te ...
on Seehorn, Gilligan only needed two takes for the scene.
Gilligan's wife, Holly Rice, has a cameo as the bus rider who sits next to Kim and puts her hand on her to comfort her.
Aaron Paul
Aaron Paul (born Aaron Paul Sturtevant; August 27, 1979) is an American actor best known for portraying Jesse Pinkman in the AMC series '' Breaking Bad'' (2008–2013), for which he won several awards, including the Critics' Choice Television ...
again reprised his ''Breaking Bad'' role of Jesse Pinkman after appearing in
the previous episode. His scene, shot months before the episode to accommodate his schedule, was filmed in dark lighting to help conceal his age.
Gilligan stated the writers room expressed excitement to have Jesse share a scene with Kim and "have these two worlds collide," despite the scene not progressing the plot much farther.
Reception
Critical response
![Rhea Seehorn by Gage Skidmore](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0c/Rhea_Seehorn_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg)
"Waterworks" received critical acclaim. On the review aggregator
Rotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is an American review-aggregation website for film and television. The company was launched in August 1998 by three undergraduate students at the University of California, Berkeley: Senh Duong, Patrick Y. Lee, and Stephen Wang ...
, the episode received an approval rating of 100% based on 11 reviews, with an average rating of 9.5/10. The critical consensus said, "An arresting showcase for Rhea Seehorn, the penultimate installment of ''Better Call Saul'' wistfully surveys what came before while teeing up this saga's conclusion with agonizing tension." It received five out of five stars from Scott Tobias of ''Vulture'', Nick Harley of ''
Den of Geek
''Den of Geek'' is a US and UK-based website covering entertainment with a focus on pop culture
Pop or POP may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Music
* Pop music, a musical genre Artists
* POP, a Japanese idol group now known as Gan ...
'', and Raul Velasquez of ''Game Rant''.
''
The A.V. Club
''The A.V. Club'' is an American online newspaper and entertainment website featuring reviews, interviews, and other articles that examine films, music, television, books, games, and other elements of pop-culture media. ''The A.V. Club'' was cre ...
''
's Kimberly Potts and ''
IndieWire
IndieWire (sometimes stylized as indieWIRE or Indiewire) is a film industry and review website that was established in 1996. The site's focus was predominantly independent film, although its coverage has grown to "to include all aspects of Hollyw ...
''
's Steve Green graded the episode with an "A" and "A-", respectively.
Harley called the episode "masterful
ndfull of emotionally walloping moments, black comedy, and satisfying reveals
ndamong the very best Vince Gilligan-verse hours assembled."
Liz Shannon Miller of ''
Consequence
Consequence may refer to:
* Logical consequence, also known as a ''consequence relation'', or ''entailment''
* In operant conditioning, a result of some behavior
* Consequentialism, a theory in philosophy in which the morality of an act is determi ...
'' said the episode was a "masterclass in making the mundane seem both important and suspenseful."
Seehorn's performance was singled out by many critics as the highlight of the episode.
Harley called the performance "transcendent", while Chase Hutchinson of ''
Collider
A collider is a type of particle accelerator which brings two opposing particle beams together such that the particles collide. Colliders may either be ring accelerators or linear accelerators.
Colliders are used as a research tool in particle ...
'' said that "though Seehorn says little in these scenes, her physical performance is nothing short of revelatory as we journey with her through the rubble of her past."
Several critics highlighted the scene where she breaks down crying on the bus.
Alan Sepinwall
Alan Sepinwall (born October 19, 1973) is an American television reviewer and writer. He spent 14 years as a columnist with ''The Star-Ledger'' in Newark until leaving the newspaper in 2010 to work for the entertainment news website HitFix. He th ...
of ''
Rolling Stone
''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner, and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. It was first kno ...
'' labeled it as "the best scene Seehorn has ever played on this show."
''
Vanity Fair''
's Mike Hogan described it as "a sequence that brilliantly shows off the acting prowess of Rhea Seehorn, who has been spectacular throughout this series."
Critics also praised Gilligan's directing and writing,
the cinematography,
Odenkirk and Burnett's performances,
the scene between Kim and Cheryl,
and Kim's encounter with Jesse.
''
TVLine
''TVLine'' is a website devoted to information, news, and spoilers of television programs.
History
In late 2010, ''Entertainment Weekly''s Michael Ausiello announced that he would be leaving ''EW'' after nearly two years in their employ to est ...
'' named Burnett as an honorable mention for "Performer of the Week", for the week of August 13, 2022. They wrote, "Burnett's legacy as a TV icon is unquestioned, but it's nice to see she can still add to that legacy — at 89 years old! — with finely calibrated work like this." ''
TV Guide
TV Guide is an American digital media company that provides television program
Television, sometimes shortened to TV, is a telecommunication medium for transmitting moving images and sound. The term can refer to a television set, or t ...
'' ranked "Waterworks" the fifth best episode of the year.
Ratings
An estimated 1.32 million viewers watched "Waterworks" during its first broadcast on AMC on August 8, 2022.
Notes
References
External links
"Waterworks"at
AMC
AMC may refer to:
Film and television
* AMC Theatres, an American movie theater chain
* AMC Networks, an American entertainment company
** AMC (TV channel)
** AMC+, streaming service
** AMC Networks International, an entertainment company
*** AM ...
*
{{Better Call Saul
2022 American television episodes
Better Call Saul (season 6) episodes
Black-and-white television episodes
Identity theft in popular culture
Television episodes directed by Vince Gilligan
Television episodes written by Vince Gilligan