Jimmy and Kim’s future hinges on a sentence in Better Call Saul episode 7 (Recap)

Jimmy and Kim’s relationship gradually deteriorates all throughout Better Call Saul season 4 episode 7, “Something Stupid.” 

Bob Odenkirk, Rhea Seehorn, and the entire cast as a whole proved why Better Call Saul is in its own league of acting on tonight’s episode once again. Not only was the acting top-shelf as always but the directing/cinematography was spectacular, showing the slow burn of a relationship through division and subtlety in everyday action. It’s capturing the little details of everyday life this episode that set yet another milestone for one of the best shows on television of all time.

The split between two careers (one becoming elite, the other held back by a PPD) was beautifully portrayed when Jimmy joins Kim for a party at Schweikart and Cokely. Jimmy feels out of place among an elitist crowd at the firm, in many ways Kim used to feel the same before joining as partner. As always, Jimmy tries to make the best of it, effortlessly connecting socially and the party attendees taking a liking to him.

It’s when talk of an office retreat sparks up and Jimmy is told “employees only” half-jokingly when he asks where “we’re” going that the downward descent arrives. Richard Schweikart had spoken about wanting a retreat and not having it be too expensive but that he doesn’t want too look cheap either. Jimmy doesn’t say anything until he’s asked to give his opinion of where they should go, and comments “Telluride.” Richard says thats hours away but Jimmy mentions they could rent a party bus and it could be part of the office bonding experience.

Richard actually takes a liking to the idea surprisingly but the whole thing is bait, a ruse by Jimmy to publicly put Richard on the spot. He mentions where they should really go is Aspen, that “Aspen is like Telluride on steroids!” This draws Richard to say that’s a 9 hour bus ride and as the whole party suddenly listens in on the conversation, Jimmy makes a plane noise. He tells Richard that’s what a private charter jet is for! Kim looks exceptionally unhappy on the ride back home, only commenting “well, that was something” in a tone with an obvious hint of anger. Jimmy however, does not look sorry in the slightest.

Gus’ elaborate revenge is fit for a horror movie

When Gus notices during playback of Hector Salamanca’s latest session with his doctor that he purposely bumped a cup over to check out the nurse, he realizes the true Hector is in there. He then proposes to the doctor that he’s “kept her from her work long enough.” The doctor tries to convince Gus otherwise, telling him with intensive care “he might even learn to talk and walk again.” But Gus has other devious plans, he seemingly only wanted Hector awake and conscious to realize what’s going on, how his power has been usurped.

Rather, than actually bringing him back to full health to be a thorn in his side, he wants Hector to remain in a kind of lasting suffering, where he’s there but not at the same time. Leaving Hector Salamanca in limbo, purgatory.

German workers become unruly

Mike greets the German workers under the employ of Gus to find that even with all the amenities they have become unhappy with the situation. Head German engineer Werner Ziegler explains the workers were expecting to go home in eight months and now they realize they’re not even half way complete. An altercation occurs when one of the pillars fall due to accident and Kai confronts his fellow team member, who tells him he’s “not the boss around here.”

Mike shuts the fight down and later asks Werner if they could send Kai back home. Werner turns the idea down, saying Kai is his best demolition man, and they all just need some fresh air and different scenery. It’s not clear if Mike and Gus will oblige the request.

Huell Babineaux wants to run away

While selling his drop phones from a van, Jimmy is confronted by a officer who asks him to please leave the premises and sell somewhere else. Jimmy tells him he has a legal permit to sell there and he doesn’t have to leave, which the plain clothes officer responds to by saying you know who you’re selling to? “I’m asking nicely.”

Huell, a man Jimmy hired as his bodyguard is wearing headphones and notices the unhappy conversation, he hits the officer from behind, not knowing he is one.

As Huell is being arrested Jimmy tries to work out a deal with the officer, telling him he’ll leave and never come back, that this is all a misunderstanding. However, the officer arrested Huell three years earlier for pick-pocketing and he tells Jimmy he already gave him a chance and got a “screw you” in response. Huell is looking at doing time in jail and tells Jimmy he’s going to run, warrant for his arrest or not.

Jimmy goes to Kim for help, and she seems mad Jimmy has been selling drop phones. Nevertheless, she agrees to take the case but not on Jimmy’s gray area terms. When she’s unable to convince the lawyer prior to the case to drop jail time for a misdemeanor, she delivers the bad news to Jimmy. It’s important to note when the lawyer asks Kim why she cares anyway when the only eyewitness is a disbarred scumbag lawyer, she defends Jimmy subtly by replying, “You don’t know the whole story.”

Kim tells Jimmy to please make sure Huell does not run, that she can get him less time than the excessive original amount. Jimmy seems unpleased, and mentions essentially if this is the only way to do it by the books he understands. Kim again asks Jimmy to stay on the same page when Huell calls him.

Kim has a change of heart

It’s then Jimmy tells Kim, “You do your thing, I’ll do mine.” This has an unexpected effect on Kim who has been ice cold to Jimmy most of the episode as she responds, “Jimmy, what does that mean?” It’s the first time Kim looks like she’s afraid of losing Jimmy and consciously understands what’s really happening in the moment (instead of the gradual slow burn throughout the year portrayed in the episode). Kim goes to purchase supplies in a rush and calls Jimmy telling him to please stop whatever he’s going to do, that she has another way… and credits roll on that Better Call Saul cliffhanger!

Catch up on prior season 4 episodes of Better Call Saul over at AMC.com and previous seasons on Netflix.