BCS Rewatch: "Off Brand"

Man, this was a GOOD one. I must have completely forgotten about it in the wake of "Chicanery," because it pretty much begins as the falling action to "Chicanery" (Chuck's outburst being the climax), but then it becomes something even better.

First off, the beginning of the episode proper (minus the opening with Nacho) damn near made me cry, with Rebecca knocking on Chuck's door and Chuck being curled up next to it, too embarrassed to face her. Rebecca was right- "He's mentally ill. What's YOUR excuse?" Jimmy totally did lie to her. He only wanted her there so Chuck would be thoroughly humiliated. Now Jimmy is burning his bridges, and by the end of the season, Chuck burns his as well (along with his house...). It's devastating, because they could have mended fences, but after the whole trial hearing, their relationship is just shattered. God it hurts so MUCH to see.

FINALLY Nacho starts getting a character arc... I love my boy. Still can't stand Mark Magolis as Hector Salamanca... it worked better when he was in the wheelchair and didn't have to say anything in that horrid accent. I did laugh at "He only had to do six months! He's gonna be there FOREVER!" *knocks stuff over and flips table*

Totally forgot Lydia makes an appearance so soon! Wow.

The scene where Chuck is going out into the world looking like a goddamn nutcase with his space blanket hoodie... that was shot REALLY well! I love the way they emphasized the lights and all the glowing signs, because that's exactly how Chuck would view it in his mind. I really found myself rooting for him to get better, as much as I can't stand him.

And finally, Saul Goodman appears! I think Kim just got the first taste of Jimmy's TRULY seedy side, and she is disturbed. Jimmy didn't want her to see that side of him. And let's just say- Jimmy should have been a director, NOT a lawyer.

BCS Rewatch: "Expenses"

This episode just straight up depresses me, until the very last scene. Jimmy's going through it, man. Interesting to compare his sad little post-community service self-care routine, with Kim's morning routine as she gets ready for the day. Both are at the end of their rope, working so hard... and for what? I'm dreading seeing what happens to Kim in a few episodes' time, and as for Jimmy... My god, if I didn't know his little crocodile tears moment at the end was all a ploy to punish Chuck (there is no way in HELL he ever would have said "I pretend not to care, but I do" because he does NOT care about Chuck at this point), that would have really hit hard. Poor dude is losing money like crazy. Have I mentioned before that Jimmy is the king of fucking himself over? Because he really, really is. And I feel like he might have some mental issues just like Chuck- not to Chuck's extent, but the way he starts to slip in the bar while he and Kim are people-watching, and his complicated love-hate relationship with Chuck... it all adds up. Y'know, I feel like I might end up writing a fic after I complete my rewatch, just to delve into Jimmy's psyche.

Can't BELIEVE Pryce is back. Ugh. Although I cracked up at one his lines, when he asked if Nacho was here to steal his baseball cards. Mike's subplot here was very strange- I don't see the point of it so far. His interaction with Anita... something about it felt so uncomfortable, but I can't put my finger on it. And I still have no idea what to make of Kaylee's mother.

That 5 minute nap Kim took in her car... I've been there, and I HATE it. Her guilt over what she and Jimmy did to Chuck also shapes her character significantly- I need to look out for that in the upcoming season.

The moment with the makeup girl trying to give her money to Jimmy got me emotional. Someone help this man, he won't help himself.