Inflatable (''Better Call Saul'')

Teaser

In a flashback to the early 1970s, ten year old Jimmy is working in his father's store when a drifter enters and attempts to pull a con on Jimmy's father by claiming to be a father in financial need. Jimmy disbelieves him and tries to warn his father, but his father is more concerned that suspicion could lead him to not help someone who might truly be in need. When Jimmy's father is distracted, the drifter admits the con and tells Jimmy that there are only wolves and sheep in the world, and he will have to choose which one to be. Disillusioned by his father's gullibility, Jimmy steals money from the register.

Main story

Jimmy represents Mike when Mike tells the prosecutor that the gun found after the fight between Mike and Tuco was his. Jimmy decides to quit D&M, but learns that if he quits, he will have to repay the firm's signing bonus. Jimmy finds a loophole in his contract which permits him to keep the money if he is fired without cause. He does everything he can think of to be irritating at D&M, from dressing in colorful suits to playing bagpipes in his office to poor hygiene. Cliff finally fires Jimmy and tells him D&M losing the signing bonus is worth it just to be rid of him.

Jimmy approaches Kim and attempts to convince her to partner with him in their own law firm. Kim agrees, but only on the condition that Jimmy play it "straight and narrow". Jimmy admits that he can only be himself, which means pushing the envelope on what's legal and ethical, so Kim politely refuses. Jimmy then moves back to his old office at the nail salon.

Mike promises to buy Stacey a new house in a better, safer neighborhood and begins scouting Hector's restaurant. Kim proposes a compromise to Jimmy, suggesting they start separate solo firms, but share office space to save on expenses and support each other if needed. Jimmy considers her offer, and doesn't immediately respond.

Ratings

Upon airing, the episode received 2.03 million American viewers, and an 18–49 rating of 0.8.^[2]

Critical reception

The episode received very positive reviews from critics. It holds a 100% positive rating with an average score of 8.88 out of 10 on the review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes. The critics' consensus reads: "Rich in character (and colorful suits), "Inflatable" is a funny and profound turning point for several key figures with life-altering decisions to be made."^[3]

Terri Schwartz of IGN gave the episode a 9.3 rating, writing "Jimmy decides to set out on his own solo path – but Kim isn't willing to fully walk it with them."^[4]