This post contains spoilers for Better Call Saul season 6, episode 12, "Waterworks"Better Call Saul co-creator Vince Gilligan explains the scene that closed the penultimate episode of the series featuring comedy icon Carol Burnett. Gilligan returned to the show's writers' room to pen an episode for the first time since season 3, with Better Call Saul season 6, episode 12 "Waterworks" which he also directed. "Waterworks" serves as the next to last episode of the acclaimed crime drama, with the series finale set to air on August 15.
The final episodes of Better Call Saul follow Saul (Bob Odenkirk) after the events of Breaking Bad, where under his new identity, he tries to maintain a low profile before falling into his old tricks. One such scam is befriending Marion (Burnett) the mother of Jeff (Pat Healy) who recognizes Saul from his days in Albuquerque. "Waterworks" ends with Marion recognizing Saul through his old Better Call Saul commercials before calling the police and Saul making a run for it.
In an interview with Variety, Gilligan talks about the tense scene between Odenkirk and Burnett, saying Saul thought about killing Marion. He says Saul's been pushed to the edge to the point that he would actually consider murdering Marion to protect himself. He also mentions how relieved he is that the series is ending because he didn't enjoy writing Saul as someone who would do something so unforgivable. Read his quote below:
I don’t think he was kidding around. I think he was ready to do something awful. And oh my God, how can you do that to Carol Burnett? An absolute American treasure. He has turned into such a monster. A couple of people who watched the episode have asked me, “What do you think made him step back from the edge here in this final moment?” I say, the bigger question is, “What got him here in the first place?” A little moment of sanity prevailed, hopefully at least for a few minutes here. You’d hope as to be expected, but my God, how did he ever get to the point he was going to kill Carol Burnett in the first place? I’m glad we don’t have too much left because I don’t want to see too much more of him being a monster. It was tough in Episode 12 watching him be so unpleasant and unlikable. My god. This is not what I want to see as a fan of the show. I think it’s important stuff and we feel it’s necessary plot wise, but man, what an unpleasant thing.
With the new resolutions about the fate of Kim (Rhea Seehorn) it's clear that Saul is running out of options, with Kim's conscience finally getting the better of her, leading her to confess her role in the death of Howard (Patrick Fabian.) Better Call Saul's mirroring of Breaking Bad shows how Saul, like Walt, can't accept how far they've fallen and have trouble accepting the consequences. Gilligan's words suggest that Saul can't own up to his actions the way Kim has, and as a result is getting pushed further and further over the edge.
Unlike Walt, Saul's downfall was a lot more gradual and subtle, with only now the story acknowledging he wasn't the man he used to be. With only one episode of Better Call Saul remaining, it's anyone's guess how Saul will fair with what he's done because neither Saul nor the audience wants him to get away with it. With Gilligan talking about how far Saul has fallen in "Waterworks," Better Call Saul has its work cut out for it to finally resolve the story of Saul Goodman.
Source: Variety