(Major Spoilers Ahead!)
From a teacher-turned-meth kingpin to high-powered mobsters, Vince Gilligan has an excellent command over his characters that we seldom see in contemporary TV shows. When it comes to character arcs, evolution, etc., he definitely has some tricks up his sleeve! Additionally, the technical aspects of his shows, precisely the camera work(still frames, no haste, etc.,) allow the viewers to immerse in these worlds. But let’s not get into technical talks for now!
So after getting charmed by Breaking Bad, I had to dive deep into its spin-off series ‘Better Call Saul’, which takes a time jump in the past- narrating the story of Jimmy Mcgill aka Saul Goodman, a lawyer we all need. And yet again, I was rooting for each character right from the first season. However, the one well-rounded persona that intrigued me throughout my watch so far is Chuck Mcgill, Jimmy’s elder brother. Yes! I’m in the middle of watching the third season, and of all the interesting characters, Chuck’s got some prominent layers as a potential villain.
We saw Jimmy outdo a deranged Tuco Salamanca and take over the big firms in the court. However, unfortunately, he always gets weighed down by his brother’s actions. And the relationship between the two eventually becomes one of the major conflicts of the show. It brings to us the other side of Jimmy Mcgill. Whether it be his con stories from the past, his entry into the world of law, or as a caring young brother, we see it all through Chuck’s perspective.
Moreover, watching Jimmy as a guardian to Chuck makes the viewers sympathetic to him. And simultaneously morphs Chuck into a hateable character, all credit to his actions. Chuck is never happy with Jimmy being a lawyer and truly believes that he cannot leave behind his conman gimmicks. To be honest, Chuck is always right about Jimmy! And so most of the Better Call Saul fans do hate him. He is surely a well-written villain, but I do feel most of his actions are justified and he deserves some empathy, if not sympathy.
Chuck mentions how he had always been away from his home, pursuing law and then emerging as a successful lawyer. And being away from the family cost him a lot! There’s a powerful scene that can single-handedly justify Chuck’s behaviour or why he’s envious of Jimmy- When their ailing mother breathes her last in the hospital and a worried Chuck stands beside her, she mistakes him for Jim. And this is just one aspect! Chuck also believed that Jimmy was responsible for their father’s financial crisis. Then there are the countless others…
Though we all believe that Chuck should have given Jimmy a chance, we can’t really question his actions, which at times were justifiable!
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