Better Call Saul Season 6 Episode 11 review: Ladies and gentlemen, Heisenberg’s in the house

3/5

Story: In the aftermath of the events of Breaking Bad, the Feds confiscated all of Saul Goodman’s (Bob Odenkirk) assets, even the shell companies within shell companies and the offshore account in his assistant Francesca’s name. All of what he’d ‘earned’ as Saul Goodman is gone, but for whatever little he ran away with. The feds are still keeping an eye out on Francesca, lest she leads them to him. With Walter White dead and Jesse Pinkman still in the wind, they are hoping to nail Saul, at least.

He, though, has bigger issues – he needs a fresh influx of cash. So, he teams up with his department store heist gang yet again, for a new con. Identity theft of rich men who live alone.

Review: Like all Breaking Bad fans, I have also been waiting with bated breath for the much-awaited Better Call Saul-Breaking Bad crossover and the cameos by Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul as Walter White and Jesse Pinkman. But, when the moment finally presented itself, I was, truth be told, a little underwhelmed. We are back in the RV-turned-meth lab, with Walter, Jesse and Saul, who now figures out their modus operandi and that Walter is Heisenberg. (Walter and Jesse had kidnapped Saul to prevent his client and Jesse’s friend Badger from testifying against Heisenberg. Saul’s intrigued enough to have Mike check him out. Chemistry teacher with cancer, whose odds don’t look good, is Mike’s reading of the situation. He also wants Saul to stay clear from Walter, but, of course, he doesn’t. And well, we know how that turns out.

In Omaha, Gene’s fast slipping back into Saul Goodman mode. This time around, his scam is to befriend rich guys at the bar, ensure they live alone and them send them home in a pre-determined cab. Along the way, the driver, Jeff, offers them water, which has been spiked with barbiturates. His job ends at dropping the mark off home and strategically placing tape along the door lock frame to ensure it doesn’t snap back. Then Buddy comes by and figures out all the personal information of the person, which is then sold.

It's all smooth sailing. Gene’s even bought himself a swing master again. But then comes a mark, who not only seems nice, but is also battling cancer. Buddy just can’t bring himself to bleed this man dry, even though he may be dying. But that’s exactly why Gene thinks they need to go ahead with the plan.

Verdict: After a string of brilliant episodes, this was a tad subdued. There’s no tying Gene behind the counter of Cinnabon for ever. But what will be the fallout of his latest scam?