Gene Takavic wears a familiar ring on his finger during Better Call Saul season 6's "Nippy" - here's what the trinket really means. Finally, Better Call Saul resumes its Gene narrative after season 6's premiere bucked tradition by ignoring the black-and-white sequel timeline entirely. When audiences last saw Gene, his identity had been rumbled by an inquisitive taxi driver named Jeff (wait, he actually is a taxi driver?!) and after a failed phone call to the Disappearer, the runaway lawyer decided to handle matters himself.
Better Call Saul season 6, episode 10 is all about Gene handling said matters himself. He recognizes Jeff's inner frustration and offers a shot at the big time, cooking up an ambitious shopping mall heist. Jeff gets a hefty payday, and Gene gains the leverage necessary to ensure his secret identity remains secret, assuring his accomplice that running to the cops will result in his own conviction for the mall robbery. Before putting his plan into motion, however, Gene delves into a hidden shoe box full of mementos. He pulls out a ring, places it on his pinky finger, and gets to work.
This is Marco's ring from Better Call Saul season 1. Jimmy and Marco were close childhood friends, pulling scams as a dastardly duo. They relived the old days in Better Call Saul season 1, but Marco died shortly after. The deceased's mother then gave Jimmy her son's pinky ring as a token, and the lawyer still wears it during Breaking Bad. More than just a tacky accessory, Marco's ring connects Jimmy to his "Slippin' Jimmy" scam artist roots. Throughout Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad, Jimmy fiddles with Marco's ring whenever he's considering a risky move, almost as if summoning his alter ego. It's remarkably similar to how Walter White channeled Heisenberg through a pork pie hat and sunglasses. Gene hasn't worn Marco's ring in any previous Better Call Saul sequel scenes, but by slipping it on during "Nippy," he's slipping back into his Slippin' Jimmy persona, which is needed for the mall heist.
Is Gene Takavic Finally Done With Jimmy & Saul Goodman?
Despite pulling one last scam, Better Call Saul season 6, episode 10 strongly implies Gene Takavic has moved forward. In the episode's dying moments, he picks a distinctly "Saul Goodman" shirt and tie from the recently-robbed department store, and carefully considers purchasing this new (old) uniform. Ultimately, Gene leaves Saul Goodman on the rack, walking away with head held high. This one moment proves the "Saul Goodman" alter ego is truly, properly dead.
The same isn't necessarily true for Slippin' Jimmy, who's a completely different entity. When Gene strides into the department store before picking up the tie and shirt, a small glint on his left hand suggests Marco's ring remains in place (and even if not, it's ready and waiting in a cardboard shoe box). Saul Goodman - the callous, moral-free criminal - is dead and buried, but Slippin' Jimmy - the roguish, lovable con artist - is still at Gene's fingertips whenever he needs it.
This balance is perfectly demonstrated by Gene's Better Call Saul mall heist. Nobody gets hurt, there are no real victims (not that robbing department stores is okay, obviously), and Gene honors his arrangement with Jeff. The "Nippy" scam is a mischievous caper in the classic Slippin' Jimmy style, and lacks the ruthlessly toxic edge of Saul Goodman. The "criminal lawyer" might be dead, but Slippin' Jimmy is alive and well... when Gene lets him out to play.
Better Call Saul continues Monday on AMC.