‘Better Call Saul’: 5 Theories About That Phone Call to Kim
Spoiler Alert
[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for Season 6 Episode 11 of Better Call Saul, “Breaking Bad.”]
Better Call Saul‘s final episodes are on the horizon and after the most recent installment, “Breaking Bad,” one big question looms: What was that phone call to Kim about?
Set partly in the Breaking Bad timeline and partly in the “present-day” for Gene (Bob Odenkirk), the episode saw the former criminal lawyer ring up his old assistant Francesca (Tina Parker) for an update on the current situation unfolding in Albuquerque. Before hanging up, she mentions that Kim (Rhea Seehorn) had called to check in, asking how he was.
Considering this, Gene begins driving away from the phonebooth he’d visited to make the call to Francesca, but then he hits a crossroads and turns back, dialing information for the number that could connect him with Kim. Unfortunately for fans, the dialogue cuts off as the camera exits the booth and captures Gene from across the street.
(Credit: Greg Lewis/AMC/Sony Pictures Television)
It’s clear he’s yelling and frustrated, and although some subtitled and audio-fixed versions of the sequence have surfaced online, the original episode doesn’t reveal anything about the nature of the conversation or if Gene even managed to get Kim on the phone at all, and that’s how we’re approaching these ideas. Below, we’re breaking down five possible theories behind the reactive moment that led to Gene hitting the booth with the phone and kicking the glass walls out.
Kim & Jimmy Have a Deal
It’s unclear why Gene called Kim since we don’t hear the basis of the conversation, but if he did reach her, it is possible he called to convey he’s upset about her reaching out to Francesca. A looming question for the series based on past episodes set in this timeline includes the reason for Gene’s box of diamonds. Clearly, it’s a way to transport something of large value with minimal space, but is it some kind of fail-safe or contingency?
For instance, Jimmy got the contact info for the Best Quality Vacuum Repair, a.k.a. the number you call when you want to disappear, alongside Kim. Who’s to say that in the years we didn’t see them onscreen that they didn’t make some kind of deal to disappear together if their lives went sideways? By her calling Francesca, it puts a target on both of their backs because Francesca said her phone was bugged. If authorities know she was checking up on him, that could spell danger for them both, hence Gene’s freakout in the phonebooth. An idealistic belief, this theory would mean there’s hope for Jimmy and Kim yet, but it would take a lot of work to accomplish.
(Credit: Greg Lewis/AMC/Sony Pictures Television)
Kim Asked Jimmy to Turn Himself In
Considering their complicity in Howard’s (Patrick Fabian) murder by Lalo (Tony Dalton) earlier this season, it would be a shocking notion for Kim to suggest Jimmy turn himself in, especially when she’s done bad things as well, but perhaps that could be the reason he’s upset. He could have called to express feelings about her contacting Francesca, then heard her say something about turning him in. It would be a perfect storm for his reaction.
Kim Rejected Jimmy
Taking stock of his quiet life in Nebraska, perhaps Jimmy called with the intention of reconnecting with Kim, but she turned him down. It’s certainly a possibility and would force him to reckon with the choices he’s made which landed him in this quiet existence, where his more colorful side is stifled by the need to hide his identity as Saul.
Kim Is Dead
Kim felt a great amount of guilt following the death of Howard and her near-death experience alongside Jimmy with Lalo. Perhaps in the years since she and Jimmy broke up, the upset ate away at her until she couldn’t handle it anymore. When the national news story about Walter White (Bryan Cranston) broke, she would have heard about Saul’s involvement and it could have been the tipping point. If Francesca couldn’t be honest about how Jimmy was doing living as Gene, maybe it was the last straw before ending it all. If Gene were to discover such a terrible possibility, then it would explain his questionable choices in the most recent episode, including scamming a businessman with cancer.
Kim Offered to Turn Herself in if Jimmy Does
When hearing from Gene, perhaps Kim suggested he turn himself in and as a gesture of solidarity, offered to turn herself in too, answering for her involvement in the death of Howard. What would be more full-circle than corrupt lawyers, doing the lawful thing and turning themselves in? Only time will tell for certain though.
Let us know what you think was said during the phone call in the comments section, below, and stay tuned for the final two episodes of Better Call Saul.
Better Call Saul, Season 6, New Episodes, Mondays, 9/8c, AMC and AMC+
Conversation23 Comments
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Comments are closed on this story.
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R
The operator requested another $2.30 for 3 more minutes and Jimmy was out of change, the call was abandoned....
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P
Kim had Jimmy’s child, likely conceived after the celebratory win over Howard, and Jimmy doesn’t know yet. She will not allow Jimmy into their child’s life as long as he still clings to his spiraling Saul Goodman persona. He needs to give up Saul for good(man), and own up to his complicity in Chuck’s and Howard’s deaths. He has to want to become James McGill, and be happy with that.
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O
wrong
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O
She just called Francesca because she wants to get married and so she needed to know if her husband was still alive. When he called, Kim told him.
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you guessed it.
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G
I don’t think it’s been enough time but interesting
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G
Nope,. I think two attorneys would have figured out how to get a divorce by now.
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R
I think Gene got her receptionist and was told that Kim no longer works there. He’s upset that now he has no way to find her.
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I would also like to know who put the $$ in the pipe? Not Mike - he's dead (thanks Walt) so who?
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G
Good question. My guess is that Jimmy/Saul did this himself, or maybe Huell, before leaving Albuquerque to become Gene - knowing that he might need to contact Francesca at some point.
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G
I think the FBI were on the phone and told him they were getting closer and closer to finding him. I also think the FBI indicated Kim had come forward with information and Saul would be offered witness protection if he finally stands up to the leader of Pollos Locos.
I think the last scene will be him and Kim with new names playing house in a witness protection program.
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I've loved watching both Saul and Breaking bad but why
t has it been necessary after every episode to have to search Google to decipher/get explanations? I'm still trying to understand the time-line
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G
The most likely scenario is that Jimmy wanted to reconnect with Kim, and she basically rejected him. We'll see if that's the last we hear from her though.
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C
What if Gene was told when he asked to speak to Kim that nobody by that name worked there. Gene might have insisted that Kim had said she worked there. He might have said perhaps she recently left the job, and the person that answered the phone stated that to the best of his or her knowledge, nobody by that name has ever worked there. Gene might have started getting angry at this point, and the person might have suggested transferring the call to Human Resources to verify whether someone named Kim Wexler had ever worked there. Gene might have been even more upset and rudely declined the offer to speak to HR. The person might have suggested that perhaps the person Gene was asking to speak with hadn't been completely honest with him. This might explain that phone call and Gene's reaction to it. Maybe after Gene calmed down and thought it over, he called back to speak to HR. His call was transferred, then he heard his call being picked up as a familiar voice said, "Giselle St. Claire. How may I help you?"
Can you imagine the look on Gene's face? That's how I would end the series.
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G
I was on a YouTube thread and the substance of the conversation was already determined. If you're watching the episode and you have the option to hear the audio in German language they do not mute out this conversation. A German national was kind enough to translate and essentially Kim is giving Jimmy the cold shoulder and suggests that he turned himself in. Jimmy in turn indignantly yells at her and says "why don't you turn YOURSELF in???"....this inspires Jimmy to start another run of scams with Jeff leading to the ending of the last episode where he wants to complete the scam on the guy who has cancer.
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I think Kim is dead
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I think it’s more simple than that. He wanted more money and wanted to run a scheme with her again like the old days and she didn’t want to do it so he went back to the other 2 guys to hustle money out of people
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O
wrong
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G
If you listen to the German dub you can Hear genes voice. Kim wanted Jimmy to Turn himself in.
Although there is a slight Chance that Kim only said that because her Phone is bugged.
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R
If I had to pick one of those choices I'd say she rejected him.
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she met another guy and wants a divorce
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O
she met another guy and moves away to where Jimmy can't contact her. A member of the crew told me a couple weeks ago. Did I spoil it? Well, too bad, life is tough.
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If that's true, why do you feel the need to spoil it for others? Does that make you feel powerful?
Wrong, you're just a pig.
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