In Better Call Saul, Ignacio "Nacho" Varga does a great job as the enforcer of the Salamanca family. But in as much, as he tries hard to be a loyal employee, the irrational nature of his bosses often leaves him disgruntled. He, therefore, keeps plotting to take them down and so far, he has had some success.
Unlike his colleagues in the cartel, Nacho has a conscience. It's his good-heartedness that mostly causes him to be disgusted by the actions of his superiors and influences him to engage in clever schemes. While at it, he has come up with some of the most memorable quotes on the spinoff show.
When He Chastices Pryce For Buying A Yellow Humvee
"It Looks Like A School Bus For 6-Year-Old Gangsters."
Pryce - an IT specialist at a pharmaceutical company - earns a lot when he begins supplying prescription pills to Nacho. Thrilled, he buys a yellow Humvee and shows up with it to the next meeting, something that doesn't impress Nacho.
Nacho is justified in being angry at Pryce. Since he is new to the world of crime, the IT specialist doesn't understand the importance of discretion. A bright and expensive car is guaranteed to attract the authorities and cause problems for them both. In one of Mike's best Better Call Saul quotes, he also shares Nacho's concerns and advises Pryce to ditch the car.
When He Informs Jimmy That He'll Never Stop Working For Lalo
"When You're In... You're In."
After helping Krazy-8 avoid jail time, Jimmy meets Lalo for the first time. He suggests that he hire another lawyer for future problems but he refuses. When Lalo leaves, Jimmy asks Nacho whether there is a way for him to stop working for the Juarez cartel member.
As a high-ranking cartel member and one of the most powerful characters in Better Call Saul, in general, Lalo does things on his own terms. If he needs someone's services, he'll get them, whether that person is willing or not. Nacho understands this and that's why he advises Jimmy to be prepared for a very lengthy partnership.
When He Attempts To Dissuade Hector From Using His Father
"My Father Is A Simple Man. He Is Not In The Business."
Tired of using Gus Fring's trucks to move his drugs, Hector suggests using vehicles that Nacho's father uses to transport his upholstery from Jalisco. Not willing to let his father get in the business, Nacho tries to dissuade Hector.
The dialogue between the two is meant to underscore Hector's arrogance. As a high-ranking Juarez Cartel member, he has no respect for anyone, not even his own men. His haughtiness later costs him since Nacho makes plans to switch his heart medication. Consequently, he becomes paralyzed.
While Trying To Get Lalo To Sleep
"I'd Rather Get Some Shut Eye."
Nacho gets nervous when Lalo stays awake on the night that mercenaries are supposed to show up at his hacienda to kill him. This is because Nacho had made plans with Gus to open the gates for the attackers soon after Lalo went to sleep. When Lalo tells Nacho that he rarely sleeps, Nacho advises him about the importance of getting some rest.
By conspiring with Gus to have Lalo eliminated, Nacho pulls of one of the biggest betrayals in Better Call Saul. However, he has every reason to want Lalo dead because he had been harassing him ever since he took over from Hector. Unfortunately for him, the plan to have Lalo killed doesn't go well.
When He Warns Tuco To Not Kill Jimmy
"Cracking A Lawyer For No Reason Is Bad For Business."
Tuco becomes infuriated when two skaters associated with Jimmy try to scam his mother. He quickly considers killing the lawyer but Nacho advises him not to do so.
For the most part, it appears that Nacho is the only astute individual that keeps the Salamanca crew from falling apart. Everyone else is reckless in their decision-making, with Tuco being the worst of them all. Even though Nacho understands that Jimmy did wrong by disrespecting Tuco's mother, he knows that the death of a lawyer will be investigated far more vigorously.
When He Warns His Father About Hector
"I Know What You're Gonna Want To Do. But You Can't. You Can't, Papa."
Nacho goes to warn his father when Hector makes plans to take over his legitimate business. Knowing his father will want to call the police, he advises him to cooperate with Hector in the meantime so as not to cause himself any trouble.
While Nacho is the quintessential cartel member, his father is a straight arrow, hence the two don't normally get along. Despite the animosity, Nacho loves his father and wants to see no harm come to him. He has a feeling his father might want to go to the police but such a course of action will only cause him more detriment than good.
When He Asks Mike For Help In Killing Tuco
"If Tuco Finds Out About My, You know, Independent Ventures, It's Gonna Be Dog All Over Again."
Nacho approaches Mike, seeking help in killing Tuco. Mike wonders why Nacho would want his partner dead and the man explains that Tuco harms people over the slightest things. He then narrates how Tuco once killed one of their biker gang associates named Dog, because he only suspected him of working with rivals.
Nacho makes a habit of trying to eliminate his partners and associates but he isn't stupid for doing so because he is looking out for himself. Tuco is shown to be very unpredictable in both the original show and the spinoff. Nacho isn't delusional for thinking that the Salamanca family member might make him a victim too.
When He Gets Arrested For The Disappearance Of The Kettlemans
"Get Me Out Of Here Today, Or You’re A Dead Man."
When the Kettlemans learn that Nacho is planning to scam them, they go into hiding. However, Nacho is arrested as it is presumed they have been kidnapped. Instead of seeking Jimmy's services the official way, he threatens him.
Nacho isn't too cordial with Jimmy McGill because he believes the lawyer set him up to be arrested. He runs with his assumption because it gives him the opportunity to get free legal services. Whether he is right or wrong, it'll be a win-win situation for him when he finally gets out.
When He Meets Gus And Michael
"You're Michael?"
Tired of being mistreated by the Salamanca's, Nacho meets Gus to tell them about their plans. When he sees Mike there, he pretends to not know him yet they've been working together.
Nacho does this to protect Mike because he is Gus Fring's henchman. He doesn't want the distributor to think that his henchman might be making deals without his knowledge. He does a good job of pretending in the particular scene and manages to convince Gus that he'll be working for him going forward.
When He Explains To Mike What'll Happen When He Switches Hector's Pills
"His Heart Goes Out, That's It."
Initially, Mike isn't convinced that Nacho can pull off his major plan of killing Hector by switching his heart pills. He figures the Juarez cartel member will have time to figure out what's going on as he is getting a stroke. However, Nacho assures him that it'll all be simple because his heart will go off immediately.
Mike is partly right because Hector doesn't exactly go out. Even so, the plan works because Hector becomes incapacitated, unable to engage in any form of retaliation. It's still a win for both Nacho and Gus. By taking Hector off the picture, Nacho establishes his status as one of the show's master manipulators.