Better Call Saul (TV Series) Waterworks (2022) User Reviews

Heartbreaking, Shocking, and Tense. A Great Penultimate.

[mattrabbi · 9/10 · 9 August 2022]

This is Vince Gilligan's last written/directed episode in the Breaking Bad universe. Thank you for everything you've given us, Vince!

Finally we get to see Kim after her absence from the past two episodes. She is such a phenomenal character and Rhea Seehorn always gives such an amazing performance, that her absence was definitely noticeable.

Heartbreaking performance from her in this episode in many scenes, most notably the phone call with Jimmy/Saul/Gene (what do we even call him at this point), and the bus scene with her breaking down uncontrollably. I was also shocked to see Kim impulsively confess the truth to Howard's wife, which was also an amazing scene. At least there is some form of closure on that front. I have a feeling this confession may contribute to Jimmy/Saul/Gene's downfall in the finale.

And I was surprised to see a Jesse/Kim interaction during the Breaking Bad time period, what a cool addition to the story. Plus Jesse asking "This guy, he any good?" and Kim's reply "He was when I knew him." was devastating. It sucks how abrupt their split was, and as horrible as they were to other people when they were together, it still leaves the viewer wishing it could have gone better for them.

Meanwhile the Gene scenes are more tense than ever, and he has never been more intimidating than when he was seemingly threatening Marion when she discovered his secret. What a great cliffhanger to the episode, I yelled at my TV when the episode ended (which seems to have been a theme this past season). Also, loved seeing a glimpse of the classic Better Call Saul commercial, which is the first time we meet Saul in Breaking Bad.

One single criticism about this final season: in my opinion, I think certain episodes could have been combined. I get that slow burn has always been the vibe of this show, and is what has made it so great, but I never felt it more than in certain cases this past season. I think episodes "Black and Blue" and "Axe and Grind" could have easily been combined into one well paced and compelling episode. Same with "Nippy" and "Breaking Bad", however this may not have worked as well because of the way "Breaking Bad"'s flashbacks tie into the events of the episode.

I am NOT READY for it all to be over next week. I can't believe it, it's been a wild ride from the start of Breaking Bad until now. The storytelling in these two shows has been otherworldly. I hope the finale feels a bit more linear than the past few episodes, instead of jumping around different time periods.

Thanks for reading this review, fellow BCS fans. See you all next week, for what may be one of the most emotional, tense, and satisfying conclusions on TV.

The most depressing episode in the series

[ste_palom · 10/10 · 9 August 2022]

Watching Kim's new mundane and boring life was honestly the most depressing thing on the entire show, a empty woman trying desperately to forget her past but not truly living at all.

When she finally confessed her crimes to Howard's wife, it looked like she was finally able to feel the guilt that she had been keeping all these years, which is what Saul hasn't been able to do.

Gene has become the most despicable version of Jimmy, a soulless monster who is trying to enjoy his current life by hurting everybody around him. And also running away from his past, the past that Kim finally decided to confront.

That last scene with Marion, I really thought that Gene was going to kill Marion, fortunately she is still alive and Gene is now on the run, probably for the last time.

I'm not ok

[DjDarkrai10 · 10/10 · 9 August 2022]

This episode was absolutely superb. I won't get into spoilers but they didn't waste a single minute. The acting was amazing and there were some utterly heartbreaking moments, I can't wait to see what they do in the finale.

This left me shocked and heartbroken!

[and_mikkelsen · 10/10 · 9 August 2022]

This episode was amazing, dark and emotional! Incredible performances! A crime if Odenkirk and Seehorn doesn't get an Emmy for this season!! So many emotional moments and it really shows how Saul/Gene went to a dark place because of what he has done and what he has lost in the process!

I cant wait for the final episode, but i am also not ready for this show to end!

Empty lives, what's left?

[Adam-09265 · 10/10 · 9 August 2022]

This episode was depressing, Kim's new life felt empty and fake i could feel her depression trying to keep the guilt locked away. Jimmy's life as Gene is just getting more intimidating, lost and regretful. The monster from within Jimmy like Heisenberg was getting more tensional, but what does Jimmy have left apart from his guilt? The last two minutes showed how far Jimmy has gone in this story, lost in regret. He has nothing left.

The series most depressing episode, the type of lives that Jimmy and Kim have been reduced to is so sorrowful.

9.5/10.

The Fall of Saul

[tatehutch · 10/10 · 9 August 2022]

That was about as satisfying as I could have imagined. Cheryl Hamlin getting the truth, Kim's reckoning with her past, and Gene's final chapter diving as dark as he had become, all done to perfection. Vince Gilligan once again shows why he's one of the greats in TV, I have full faith the BCS team will stick the landing.

Give Emmy's to Everyone.

[eaj-943-874905 · 10/10 · 9 August 2022]

"Waterworks" like Breaking Bad's "Granite State" is a perfect penultimate episode that intensifies expectations for an already highly anticipated finale by showcasing the many great talents of both the cast and crew. The writing, directing, and acting, you know, the usual great qualities we've seen from this show, are absolutely amazing. A scene including Rhea Seehorn's Kim Wexler is a standout that deserves the most praise possible. And those are just a couple of the many great moments of this episode. Vince Gilligan returned for one last episode and I can't thank him enough for bringing this great universe to fruition. This was a great sendoff for him as a writer of BB/BCS/EC.

Best Guest Appearance In a TV Series

[tex1978 · 10/10 · 9 August 2022]

I know everyone is talking about Kim and Jimmy/Saul/Gene. But Carol Burnett's appearance in the last 3 episodes has been terrific. I thought originally it would be a one show appearance, but for her to become the central figure in the fate of Saul was a very unexpected pleasure. Give her the Emmy for Best Guest Appearance in TV series.

It' S ALL gone, man

[marveller-66 · 9/10 · 9 August 2022]

The Jimmy-Kim Phone Call sent chills down my spine. Jimmy McGill's character development is as good as Walter White's. Gene breaking down when Marion found out he's Saul was a direct parallel to Ozymandias when Walt confronts Skyler after Hank's death. Kim's meeting with Jesse, although being kinda fan-service, was fun to watch. This episode brilliantly sets up the finale. There's no more running, no more hiding for Saul.

Poetic, devastating & emotional

[hotrobinproductions · 10/10 · 9 August 2022]

The 3 words I can use to describe this episode. It has been an amazing journey up until this point. We see the distress and emotional strain on our characters and the responsibility/accountability for some actions. I've been waiting long for a particular moment that this episode will reveal to the audience as we all have. It's very emotional and a breath of fresh air. The episode has amazing cinematography as usual and the intensity and emotional buildup only gets more gripping. Phenomenal job from the team and I'm excited to really see how they plan on tying everything up afterwards.

My oh my....

[dweiselberg · 10/10 · 9 August 2022]

I have said this time and time again. These are the greatest commodity of 125 episodes that is able to be viewed. Tonight again showed that. Jesse and Kim's conversation was so whole hearted a fulfilling. Its incredible how aaron slips right back into the role (even with some excessive wrinkles around the lips). Kim was beyond expendable in this episode, it may have been the best acting she has portrayed. 10/10 episode again, Gilligan rode off into the sunset IN LEGENDARY FASHION!!

Excited for the end.

[igornveiga · 9 August 2022]

Vince Gilligan really knows what he's doing. I saw a lot of people complaining about the previous episodes, and in this one, we see how meticulous the screenwriter was there to make the path of the last episodes, I'm really looking forward to the last episode, unfortunately just like Walter I think Saul shouldn't have a happy ending, but still, I'm looking forward to seeing how this iconic character's story ends. A lot of people expected a greater participation from Walter and Jesse, but I believe that the director, instead of focusing on Breaking Bad, a series in which we know the fates of the characters, decided to define the last steps of the main characters of Better Call Saul (Kim and Jimmy) , for me it would have been nice to have a season showing Saul being the Saul we already know, seeing some of his tricks in the courts and etc but this is not the way the screenwriter wanted, we just have to watch.

Whoda Thunkit?

[debpurch-22314 · 6/10 · 9 August 2022]

That Carol Burnette would be the best part of these last episodes?

Was happy that Rhea Seehorn was given a good portion of this episode. She deserves it.

That said, Gilligan & company clearly were not thinking ahead when they chose b&w to portray the (bleak and boring?) setting for "Gene's" life. It was an interesting idea that worked well in small doses. But the bulk of these last few episodes are necessarily stuck with this format and it comes off distracting more than anything else. Detracts from the storytelling because, sensorially, b&w is more appropriately associated with flashbacks. So, with the back & forth of these last episodes, I'm constantly thinking, "OK, now when is this scene happening?" Consequently, I lose track of the dialog and have to back it up. Lol.

Leaves me with very little motivation to watch the finale

[ironfistgaming · 3/10 · 29 September 2022]

After the middle of the season I did not expect this show would go downhill so radically. I found myself watching only half an episode per evening, scrolling through my phone while watching and even sometimes checking if it's over soon.

I don't know why all these super high ratings even exist, but it really makes me question if this site is still worth checking out. Because to me, those 8-10 ratings do not reflect the reality in the slightest.

This episode wasn't terrible in itself, but considering we're approaching the finale of a 6 season show, the word terrible doesn't seem so wrong anymore.

Waterworks

[lassegalsgaard · 10/10 · 9 August 2022]

It's been a long time since I felt this emotionally invested in a show that's about to come to an end. "Better Call Saul" has proved to be one of the greatest pieces of TV that I have seen in a long time, and have lived up to the hype that surrounded it after "Breaking Bad" ended and this show was announced. They've given us six seasons of killer television, evolving some simple show about lawyers and con men into the full "Breaking Bad" spinoff that it was always meant to be. We're in a post-"Breaking Bad" era and we're still in a period of chaos. Nothing has had time to actually get back to normal and we're trying to figure out how it's all going to end for Jimmy McGill and his narrative. This episode clearly opened up the guessing game and prepared people for what is to come with the final episode, which is only a week away. I'm not ready for it. I know that they're going to end it with absolute class and a focus on the character that we've grown to love over two very different shows that both added to the mystery of Jimmy McGill and his story. It's all coming to a close and with this amazing penultimate episode, the pieces have been laid out for the finale, which is sure to find Jimmy in a tough spot. We got a lot in this episode to set that up, including more of Kim Wexler's life in Florida.

Is there a fan-favorite character like Kim Wexler in this show? I'm not sure. She's been beloved by everyone since she really started having a big part on the show, and this last season has not been good to her. This episode continued the tragedy of her story, with us finally seeing what became of her after she left Saul. It's not necessarily a happy life, but it seems like it's given her careful closure that we all know she needed after that mid-season finale. Or, at least we know that she's on her way to get closure, which is good.

It's rough to see their relationship past that climatic scene in their apartment a few episodes ago. It's clear that there's a lot of tension, and there may still be love there, but none of them are able to actually act on it because of that experience. Jimmy seems like he's lost in a particular animosity towards her in the episode's flashbacks, while in the present-day, she seems more willing to come clean about everything they did together than actually mend things with him. It's a relationship that was dragged through the mud and has now become very tense.

If this episode told us anything, it's that we're gearing up to say goodbye to Jimmy McGill in some way or another. This episode featured a clear change for the character, with Jimmy seemingly having completely snapped back into his former personality, only thinking about conning people and making sure that he's getting away from everything without any problems. It leads to a tense moment between him and Carol Burnett's character, which then sets the stage for everything that's going to come for Jimmy in the finale, and if my prediction is correct, I don't think it'll be anything good.

Rhea Seehorn has been a constant point of praise in this show, and her performance in this episode continues the streak she's been on this entire season. We've never seen Kim more regretful of her actions during the show than in this episode. There were a lot of theories of her going full bad after the fifth season, but this episode shows that she was never that person and that she never should have been that person. I'm so happy that she got to stick around until the end and can't wait to see what happens to her in the finale.

"Waterworks" is everything I could have possibly asked for in a penultimate episode for this show, and it's only going to get better next week. I'm not ready to say goodbye to this excellent show, but I'm sure that whatever they come up with is going to be satisfying and a great conclusion to this 13-year journey.

Beautifully written ending but not a happy one

[suleymn · 10/10 · 9 August 2022]

It's definitely different but in the best way possible. This is such an unique storytelling and I already know they gonna wrap up this universe perfectly. Now I understand what Rhea Seehorn meant with 'complex and thoughtful' ending. Better Call Saul is writing TV history and I think the way these writers approached this is unexpected but surprisingly the most unique and perfect way.

God. Jesus. Exclamation word.

[shaww01 · 10/10 · 9 August 2022]

This episode is perfect. Like in real life, there are climaxes, but unlike in shows, the climax is rarely bombastic or ends in a gunfight. What I love about Better Call Saul is how it is able to have scenes as intense as Breaking Bad, even while there is no physical threat to the characters immediately present. Saul talking with the man in prison, Jesse talking with Kim, Kim breaking down in a bus, the writing is so perfected that there doesn't need to be a gun or an explosion for there to be a climax. This episode just reaches climax after climax after climax, only by using writing.

"Is he good?" - Jesse "When I used to know him." - Kim She's not talking about Saul, she's talking about Jimmy.

Fantastic. What a memorable episode.

10/10.

WaterWorks is actually Better Call Saul's Ozymandias, so many heartbreaking moments that I can't count!

[swastikrath · 10/10 · 9 August 2022]

Many BCS eps have been compared with the GOAT "Ozymandias" from BB, but Waterworks is the one that is actually quite comparable. Epic storytelling heartbreaking masterpiece from Vince Gilligan.

I am depressed :(

[Moah-505q · 10/10 · 9 August 2022]

This episode is really depressing shocking crying sobbing

This episode is really a masterpiece

And the most sad thing about this show is the next episode gonna be the last :(

14 years of breaking bad universe gonna end

God I am so sad :,(

BOOM ! Here We Goooo

[tristan_19 · 10/10 · 9 August 2022]

The Hype is real and absolutely relentless for the series finale !

What an episode ! Kim pops back up in her new state. We get to see the phone call from her perspective, and the waterworks just start flowing. Kim is devastated and torned and exposes the truth to Cheryl. We get the sense that nobody will prosecute her for lack of evidence. Rhea Seehorn is once again fantastically gripping and acts her butt off.

Kim and Jesse's scene was an absolute freaking wonder. Holy smokes. That was an absolute blast. All of it with undertones of sadness and nothingness from Kim after her interaction with Goodman. The shield is so far up that he can't see her anymore, making for a tragic piece of storytelling. Florida is on the way...

Now for Gene and Marion. Holy hell that confrontation. You almost get the Blood Money vibe with Walt cornering Hank and the DEA agent being completely furious. I genuinely thought Gene could do the unforgivable at that moment. To save his own skin. But Jeff distracting the cops ended up being Saul's downfall.

At first you think, ah there you go they found a way to subert expectations and Gene will end up safe. But then they find a way to double cross what you think, and Marion reveals herself to be more clever than you think by questioning things and doing a research !

Sensational and eventful. This is how you do it. The cliffhanger is one of the best in TV history. The police is alerted. Gene leaves. The door closes. And everything hushes...

This show is what's wrong with modern TV/movies...

[krupocin-1 · 10/10 · 9 August 2022]

Actually what I mean is watching these final few episodes of BCS just makes me very sad, not just because this all-time great writing, which has inspired me to feel actual connection and care about fictional characters whose lives are falling part...but because it just shows how bad 99.9 percent of TV and movies are in 2022

Sure BB/BCS would always be the elite of the elite in any era, but I felt like back with BB we had other classics in the making like Mad Men, the excitement of early seasons TWD (even though I stopped watching after S4, early on it was great), GoT in it's prime seasons, SO much more. Same goes for movies.

What do we have now though? Succession, although I would say even though I absolutely love that show it's not on the level of any of those I mentioned except TWD. A couple other smaller niche shows, and then just mountains of recycled IP garbage like all of this Marvel magic man in tights BS that I got the initial appeal of but if you're still excited about Marvel releases idk what to say to you. Same goes for the ever expanding DC, Star Wars, etc etc universes. Never mind the cultural messages that have been worked into almost everything, especially those on Netflix and other platforms...and to be fair I agree with a lot of the underlying goals of them, but I just don't want them in place of story and character.

Anyway, everyone else said a lot about the episode, so I just want to say I hope this inspires original creations and slow burn, classic storytelling to be created and green lit by studios because wow, when this is gone, we will be in a quality content Death Valley.

Best Episode in Gene Timeline Yet

[christopher_roth · 9/10 · 11 August 2022]

I think this episode was significantly stronger than the last two. You can see Kim and Jimmy have chosen how they processed the guilt of Howard; Jimmy by doubling down and Kim by running away and doing all she can to prevent herself from reoffending. Rhea does an amazing job in this episode.

I think I will be satisfied with the finale if they write a happy ending for Kim. Not intense and exciting like breaking bad, but satisfying in it's own way.

Shocking

[heisenberg12 · 7/10 · 10 August 2022]

It's just absolutely shocking how much this show has disappointed. I see a lot of fans complaining about the past 3 episodes who were normally lovers of the first 6 seasons overall, but I am truly baffled why they didn't see this before since the whole show has been a disappointment except for a handful of great episodes.

But these final series episodes are extra shocking. To have that long of an amount of time to work on this script and story and to basically end the series on anticlimactic whimpers in the last 3 episodes is just unfathomable. You would thing basically that they would turn up the heat a notch during this run of episodes, but they have really just done mostly the opposite with truly boring episodes just like in the early seasons.

Sometimes I really have to rewind scenes because although they have pertinent information in them, they are so slow and drawn out for no good reason that I literally get distracted. This isn't Gus vs Walt in the desert with clouds passing by type of slow cinematography but rather just self indulgent series of meaningless shots that feel like they are truly just long and drawn out to fill up minutes in an otherwise hollow and poorly thought out story to pack in more episodes, which unironically is what most of the show felt like.

Look, I give it a 7/10, so I'm not saying it's awful, but come on: this is not even close to what you would expect from this crew and set of writers and directors of Breaking Bad. This is the penultimate episode? And the previous 2 comprised the final run of episodes? That's it? Wow, just astonishing. Truly astonishing disappointing work. It's not the actors' faults either- they're fine. Just awful writing and plotting.

7/10.

I'm just not getting it

[killercards · 4/10 · 9 August 2022]

I don't need the unpleasant to watch black & white in 2022. I believe people think they're smart by "liking" that. With that said, I do not care about the exact details of how boring Kim's life has become post-Jimmy. All of the fans are very aware this show is almost over, and it is a major bummer when you start to realize early on that it's going to be mostly boring filler content, with only one episode to go. Yes, it's cool & all to see Jessie. And for her to talk with Jimmy. But what did that total? 6-7 minutes combined, with much of it just an awkward silence? A couple minutes of Kim overacting fake crying on the bus? Why do we need to see that, honestly? The reason I comment is because the ratings shown here average a 9.8. Do people not understand that to give a 10, it should be some of the best content ever created? These late episodes of Better Call Saul are not top of the line content by any stretch. Again, I think people feel smart watching this show, and they won't notice or admit when the quality is down. Anyway, the summary of how they are ending the show seems to be that Jimmy has continued being a career criminal in the years following Breaking Bad. Again, seeing the exact details of his petty crimes in black & white isn't that interesting. Some of the worst television I've seen came when they spent an entire episode showing him training 2 beginners how to steal clothing... in black & white. Why in the world would I or any if us care? He's always been a criminal who knows how to get away with everything. Perhaps the big payoff is that he gets himself killed like everyone else. One can hope.

Better Call Kim

[marcoarbia · 10/10 · 9 August 2022]

Superb twists all throughout. This isn't over. Kim might go to jail and Saul might die. The tension underlying the episode was through the roof, even though the shots were often long, slow, contemplative. So Intense. One more episode.