Better Call Saul season 6, episode 11's "Breaking Bad" episode title hits on more than just one level. For its first nine installments, Better Call Saul season 6 followed a strict naming pattern - "Wine & Roses," "Point & Shoot," "Fun & Games," etc. Better Call Saul broke that pattern once Jimmy McGill's backstory came to end, and the Gene-centric episode 10 was simply titled "Nippy" after the fake lost dog used to catch poor Marion's attention. Viewers were left to ponder whether episode 11 would resume normal service, or continue with the bespoke titles.
Almost trolling a fanbase eagerly awaiting Walter White and Jesse Pinkman's announced cameos, Thomas Schnauz (executive producer) confirmed Better Call Saul season 6, episode 11 would be titled "Breaking Bad" after the iconic parent series that first introduced Bob Odenkirk's Saul Goodman to the world. On the surface, the reason behind the title is clear - this is where Better Call Saul officially enters Breaking Bad territory, crossing over with season 2 of the original series. Under closer inspection, however, Better Call Saul season 6, episode 11's title makes sense on two other levels.
The much-hyped installment begins with Saul Goodman being hauled out to the desert by Walt and Jesse - a recreated moment from Breaking Bad season 2. That particular episode was named "Better Call Saul," and birthed a character who would go onto inspire an entire spinoff series. As said spinoff throws Jimmy McGill back into the rear of Walt and Jesse's RV and toward a hastily-dug grave, the episode titles are beautifully flipped. Saul's desert kidnap scene originally played out in the Breaking Bad episode "Better Call Saul." The desert kidnap scene now continues in the Better Call Saul episode "Breaking Bad."
How Better Call Saul's "Breaking Bad" Title Connects To Gene's Timeline
And that's not all - Better Call Saul season 6, episode 11's "Breaking Bad" title also speaks directly to events in Gene Takavic's timeline. By the end of "Nippy," Gene had rediscovered his "Slippin' Jimmy" persona, but resisted the temptation to purchase a "Saul Goodman" shirt-and-tie combo, and assertively told Jeff and Buddy that their criminal team-up was done - no getting greedy. Gene's resolve lasts all of 15 minutes before he's back inside Marion's garage talking Pat Healy's Jeff into a brand new scam.
A classic con where rich folks are drugged and robbed, the scheme proves hugely successful, but when Gene encounters a target undergoing cancer treatment, he faces a crossroads. Rob this gravely ill man, or cancel the job? Despite loud protests from Buddy (and not-quite-so-loud protests from Jeff), Gene bullishly insists the scam goes ahead, ignoring the huge pile of moral and practical reasons to leave the cancer patient alone.
At this point, Gene has departed Slippin' Jimmy Station and rolled headfirst into Saul Goodman Canyon, refusing to draw an ethical line in the sand. After living a quiet, crime-free life as a Cinnabon manager (then pulling a one-time, no-one-gets-hurt mall robbery), Gene Takavic has finally broken bad, giving Better Call Saul season 6, episode 11's title an even deeper meaning beyond just signalling the arrivals of Walt & Jesse and paying homage to Breaking Bad season 2.
Better Call Saul continues Monday on AMC.