Why Was Better Call Saul's Smartest Character So Dumb in Breaking Bad?
The incredibly smart protagonist of the prequel Better Call Saul came up with the best solutions and was selective in his approach to each problem.
Only Jimmy's older brother Chuck managed to catch the hapless lawyer in one of his big scams. So why did the talented con man suddenly stop being so creative at the end of Breaking Bad?
In both shows, Saul Goodman is portrayed as a highly intelligent, cunning, and resourceful lawyer. He is known for his quick wit, sharp tongue, and ability to scheme his way out of any situation.
However, in the later seasons of Breaking Bad, Jimmy seems to repeatedly make foolish mistakes and strange decisions that put himself and his clients in danger.
One such decision was to buy a laser tag to help the White family launder money. A seemingly strange pick, as such a move was hardly in the nature of Walt or Skyler.
Fortunately, the wise wife stopped Heisenberg in time from making an unintended purchase, saving him from possible trouble with the police and the IRS.
Hardly a play like that could have been made by Jimmy McGill, who deftly handled his incredibly smart brother Chuck, Howard Hamlin, and even the entire cartel that surrounded him over the course of two shows.
Some fans suggest that Saul's decline in intelligence was due to his increasing paranoia as he became more involved in Walter White's criminal activities.
Others argue that it was simply a plot device used to add suspense and drama to the series.
One possible explanation for Saul's "dumb mode" is that he became too comfortable in his role as a defense attorney.
In the earlier seasons of Breaking Bad and the prequel, Jimmy was always on his toes, constantly scheming and strategizing to stay one step ahead of his opponents.
However, as he became more successful, he may have become complacent, relying too much on his past successes and neglecting to stay sharp.
And some of the character's decisions have seemed really amateurish, especially compared to what he did on Better Call Saul.
However, many fans defend their beloved Jimmy by highlighting some of his moves.
Like the "Save Walter White" website, when an enterprising lawyer managed to launder Mr. White's money and amass a fortune by hiring a tech genius to hack into thousands of computers in the United States.
Source: Reddit