Question
In the final episode of Better Call Saul (so, y'know, spoilers ahead, both inside and outside the spoiler blocks):
Jimmy, off-screen, provides the prosecutors with fictional details about Kim's involvement in Howard's death, in order to get her to attend his trial. He then recants this testimony at the trial, and honestly describes both his involvement with Walter White, and his actions in connection with his brother's suicide.
He seems to do this in order to
make amends with Kim, by demonstrating that he's honestly facing his motivations for his previous actions, like she did when she filed her affidavit describing her actual involvement with Howard's death.
However, Kim was also facing potential civil legal action from
Howard's widow
in relation to her actions, which could result in effectively permanent financial punishment for her. Jimmy initiated his plan to lure her to the courtroom after hearing about this from Bill Oakley on the plane to Albuquerque.
Was Jimmy also attempting to protect her from the civil case? If so, how might an honest confession from him accomplish this?
Answer
In a Rolling Stone interview, Peter Gould makes it fairly clear that Jimmy isn't attempting to affect Kim's legal situation, and very clear that he doesn't achieve that:
To your mind, do you think what Saul does in the hearing will get Kim out of legal trouble with Cheryl?
No, I don’t. I think that Kim is on her own journey, and I think he knows that. He does feel bad about what’s happening with Cheryl. But I don’t think Kim would like it if Jimmy pulled some maneuver that protected her from Cheryl. He doesn’t save her; she saves her. They’re done with saving each other by this time.
Answered By - Paul D. Waite
