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» » Better Call Saul Sunk Costs (2015– )

Short summary

Jimmy decides to represent a new client, much to Kim's dismay. Meanwhile, Mike meets a formidable ally who presents him an enticing offer.

In the final scene Jimmy (Bob Odenkirk) and Kim (Rhea Seehorn)'s silhouettes form the Wexler and McGill logo that's painted in the office lobby.

The truck that Mike (Jonathan Banks) ambushes has 'Da Nuestra Familia' on the side. This is, no doubt, a reference to Nuestra Familia (Our Family) a well known prison gang in California which is heavily involved in the drug trade in the California prison system.

Jimmy (Bob Odenkirk)'s case number is CR-2003113081. It can be deduced that this episode takes place in 2003, perhaps in November.

This episode marks the earliest chronological appearance of Tyrus Kitt (Ray Campbell) and Barry Goodman (JB Blanc), who first appeared in Halvale Teele (2008).

The background music that plays as the truck is being searched by the Border Patrol is an offshoot of the music that played during the Border Patrol scene in the opening of Season Two episode Better Call Saul: Fifi (2016) ("Border Crossing" by Dave Porter.)

Featured Music:

  • "Hurry Sundown" performed by Little Richard (played during Jimmy (Bob Odenkirk)'s arrest and booking process)
  • "Alfonso Muskedunder" by Todd Terje (played during Kim (Rhea Seehorn)'s morning routine montage)

Oakley jokes that Jimmy is being locked up with the "Hoi Polloi", a term meaning, "common people; masses."

This is the first time that Mike (Jonathan Banks) and Gus (Giancarlo Esposito) meet each other; in Halvale Teele (2008) they worked together.

First appearance of JB Blanc who plays the doctor in episode 4.11, Halvale Teele: Crawl Space (2011), in Halvale Teele (2008). He saves the lives of Gus (Giancarlo Esposito) and Mike (Jonathan Banks).

In the epilogue, Kim (Rhea Seehorn) refers to the same "Fallacy of Sunk Cost" model that Jimmy (Bob Odenkirk) used to explain his actions in (Better Call Saul: Switch (2016)).

This particular episode is used to tie many past events/characters (Better Call Saul) to many future events/characters (Breaking Bad). The marrying of Saul/Mike to the Gus Fring clan signifies a true, shared beginning to the characters that we know from Breaking Bad. The title of this episode,"Sunk Costs", primarily refers to the extensive time spent to positively advance each other's career/future, then ditching it to play for the other team when the opportunity presents itself (classic Good vs. Bad, or what woukd call 'breaking bad'). During the prelude, we see a pair of shoes, tied at the laces, break free from an overhead power line and drop to the ground. This is quite literally to be taken as "waiting for the other shoe to drop" (except 2 shoes dropping shows the coming together of multiple people/characters), as we see the past finally intertwine with the long-term characters from Breaking Bad. Furthermore, yet still unconfirmed, S3E3 signifies the combining of the past of the 3 main background characters from Breaking Bad. S3E 3 = SEE 3

User reviews


  • comment
    • Author: Rrinel
    I've had a theory since season one of Better Call Saul. I've always suspected that everyone vastly underestimates Kim Wixler. She started off in the mail-room at HHM and that's how Howard Hamlin and Chuck McGill continue to see her, as a grunt.

    As the audience we've always know that Kim is smart, hard working and ethical. But so far we've never seen her light up a courtroom drawing blood and cutting witnesses off at their knees. I suspect that that's all about to change. I think we're soon to see Kim kicking butt and taking names.

    Consider that Ernesto's termination from HHM at the hands of Howard was clearly actionable considering that Ernesto was being set up all along. And how about Howard's jaunt through the neighbor's backyard and up their kid's jungle gym? Do you think that that little escapade might have been caught on a security camera? How would you react to a grown man on your kid's climbing structure? Kind of creepy isn't it. The P.I. Chuck hired likes to gamble at Vegas, that can't be good.

    But now that Kim is going to defend Jimmy on the assault and illegal entry charges my guess is that's all about to change. Who here want's to see Kim Wixler eviscerate Chuck and Howard and end up owning HHM?
  • comment
    • Author: Gandree
    so the prequel of one of the greatest TV shows ever made is slowly unraveling itself albeit a bit quicker than the first two seasons. Vince Gilligan's style of giving every character his/her space and not hurrying up with the plot is what makes his shows unique and worth watching. So even if its just Kim Wexler getting dressed up or Jimmy and Oakley having a little chat about Jimmy's case , yo don't get bored. Also Gilligan's style of showing a little clip at the beginning of the episode and then unraveling it at the end is what keeps you tied to your seats till the end. This episode sets things up for this season, Mike's finally working for the person we've all waited to see in this season and Chuck's real intentions are finally revealed at the end of the episode.This episode also sets the wheels moving on the transformation of Jimmy to Saul(what we've all waited for 2 seasons). Overall this episode sets things straight for what promises to be a cracker of a season.
  • comment
    • Author: Cashoutmaster
    I'm glad BCS churned out a great episode this week.

    A special note on the direction of the episode, very impressive and echoes of Tarantino in focusing on surroundings and different camera angles to make scenes jump out and appear significant.

    Mike is a great character who has his own story lines and to see how he ended up being an associate of Gus Fring. His stealth and attention to detail can be quiet mesmerizing to the eye and you also become enveloped in his quest.

    On Jimmy's end its tense as we see him boxed in and in need of a prayer. I wonder if this is how he came Saul but it would be too soon for that. This has to be the best episode of this season so far.

    I decided to write this review because I disagree completely with some other silly reviews complaining about the first two seasons. The first two seasons were excellent, especially the first which showed brilliant story writing and entertainment. I am a fan of slow things being built up into something great but not when things drag on into oblivion. Episodes need to be eventful to say the least and this was thankfully eventful. Season 1 and 2 so far still stand out to be the best, lets hope this builds into something big.
  • comment
    • Author: Xwnaydan
    Greatest episode ever among all law movies. Amazing scenes and cinematography. Transition between scenes just keep getting more amazing. Must watch this when high!
  • comment
    • Author: Qutalan
    We've encountered the junk food eating Deputy DA Bill Oakley character several times in this Show. I know many acting professionals can overcome the stigma of being typecast, but I wonder if Peter Diseth (or anyone) can ever rise above, much less outlive, the dubious honor of being known as "Satan's Bunghole."

    I can't imagine trying to crawl out from that dark comedy of a writer's imagination. But I see from his IMDB photo that Mr. Diseth now has a beard. That's gotta be, at a minimum, a good start.
  • comment
    • Author: Rainbearer
    This episode was the weakest so far of the season, but it did have some decent scenes that make it worth the watch.

    This episode slowed down compared tot he first two, and you could tell it was no longer in the directing hands of Vince Gilligan. Instead, it went to one of the weaker directors who likely had their hand in many of the disappointing episodes of the first two seasons. That's not to say it wasn't fair enough, but the first half hour meanders around just like the directing in seasons one and two. But there's enough material and progression toward the end in summation to make up for it. That's important because episodes one and two of this season directed by Gilligan really built the momentum and trajectory, which looked promising and more stylistically and thematically in line with Breaking Bad, which BCS has yet to even come close to rivaling. Well, it's hard to compare to the greatest television show ever made in history, but Gilligan has showed he might be able to do it. Luckily, Tom Schnauz, a Breaking Bad graduate, is back in the driver's seat next week so he should be able to connect to the Gilligan pulse of the show, which is where it's really at.
  • comment
    • Author: Zan
    The show is now reaching some riveting heights. The final twenty minutes of this episode were very good. It starts a little slow and disjointed like many in the first two seasons, but thankfully it gets back to the momentum from the first two of season 3...And if the previews of episode four are any indication, some of the best episodes of the series may be still to come.

    If you've yet to tune in or got disinterested during the first two seasons, I suggest you catch up and saddle up for next week so you are caught up because it's looking like it's going to be good.

    7/10
  • comment
    • Author: Maucage
    **SPOILERS**Probably abound in this review. I missed this episode on first showing, and thanks to AMAZON, I was able to buy it for later viewing; a great option. Of course, I'll have to buy the entire season, now. Great acting by the A.D.A. who was obviously a friendly adversary from way back. Kim's wake up music was a brilliant choice, as was the way she has to start her day; it shows just WHY she's a great attorney: she is not only highly intelligent, she works harder than anyone else. Does anyone else NOT trust Ernie? I like the guy, but Chuck's deviousness is just twisted enough to turn him, too. - SPOILER - Now for the meat. The way Mike chose to spike Hector's truck just ain't that believable. As good as Mike is at covert specialties, 1st: NEW shoes? No way. 2nd: he obviously had the truck scoped out as to where they'd stop for their weapons drop, so, 3rd: I think he would have concealed himself in some sagebrush across from that spot, and (in desert cammies) stealthily sprayed the back stairs with liquid Cocaine, Lidocaine, or another controlled substance that the German Shepherd would have picked up. The shot he took just has way too many chances for a miss. Hope he picked up his brass.
  • comment
    • Author: Saimath
    After the last two lackluster episodes; something actually happened. Gus and Mike finally meet and a unique idea by Mike in screwing with Fring's boss is amusingly shown. Some motivation behind Chuck's lunatic quest to derail his brother is revealed ( it may have been revealed before but I don't remember ). Jimmy's insistence in refusing Kim's help may foreshadow their eventual split. This episode clipped along at a good pace. You can tell Bonce's glacial, nothing happening pace was not evident here under the hands of s better director. Things are on the upswing now judging from this and the upcoming episode. Whew!!!!!!
  • comment
    • Author: Boyn
    Jimmy is between a rock and a hard place. Chuck knew his emotional brother would go way overboard. He tries to fight his charges on his own. Chuck meets with the ADA and proposes a lose/lose situation. Jimmy gets off the hook as a citizen, but a letter to the New Mexico bar will relieve him of his license to practice. But there is an ace in the hole, so to speak. The other plot involves Mike's efforts to get the man who threatened his family. He has slid into bed with Gus from "Breaking Bad." How far will he go? This episode is very good as it creates suspense and danger. Nice work, writers.
  • Episode cast overview, first billed only:
    Bob Odenkirk Bob Odenkirk - Jimmy McGill
    Jonathan Banks Jonathan Banks - Mike Ehrmantraut
    Rhea Seehorn Rhea Seehorn - Kim Wexler
    Patrick Fabian Patrick Fabian - Howard Hamlin (credit only)
    Michael Mando Michael Mando - Nacho Varga (credit only)
    Giancarlo Esposito Giancarlo Esposito - Gustavo 'Gus' Fring
    Michael McKean Michael McKean - Chuck McGill
    JB Blanc JB Blanc - Dr. Barry Goodman
    Kimberly Hebert Gregory Kimberly Hebert Gregory - Kyra Hay
    Molly Hagan Molly Hagan - Judge Lindsay Arch
    Tina Parker Tina Parker - Francesca Liddy
    Brandon K. Hampton Brandon K. Hampton - Ernesto
    Jeremiah Bitsui Jeremiah Bitsui - Victor
    Ray Campbell Ray Campbell - Tyrus Kitt
    Peter Diseth Peter Diseth - DDA Oakley
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