Magic Man (Better Call Saul)

After being discharged from the hospital, Gene suspects he is being followed and spends a few days away from Omaha. He returns and stakes out his apartment to determine whether anyone is surveilling him, but returns to his normal routine after finding nothing suspicious. After Gene returns to work, Jeff, the cab driver who drove him home from the hospital[lower-alpha 1] stops to say he recognizes Gene as Saul Goodman from Albuquerque. Saul plans to flee and calls Ed Galbraith for help, but changes his mind in mid-call and hangs up.

Jimmy explains to Kim that the "Saul Goodman" alias from his prepaid cell phone business gives him an instant client base for a criminal law practice. Kim is wary but supportive, and presents Jimmy with gifts to celebrate his return to practicing law. Saul gives away his remaining phones in a promotion to generate publicity for his law practice, calling himself the "magic man" who can keep guilty people out of jail. He later uses his film crew to generate more publicity by faking a confrontation with Deputy District Attorney Oakley.

Kim's pro bono client rejects a favorable plea bargain. Saul offers to help trick him into accepting. Kim declines, but after Saul leaves she tricks the client herself. Kim steps into the stairwell and throws her briefcase, frustrated at herself for letting Jimmy/Saul talk her into running another con.

Lalo wonders about Werner Ziegler's identity and reason for being in Albuquerque. Nacho and Domingo inform him of quality issues with some of the cocaine the Salamancas receive from Gus Fring. Lalo confirms that some Salamanca product is inferior and meets with Gus and Juan Bolsa. Gus falsely claims Werner was constructing a chilling system under Mike's supervision at the Los Pollos Hermanos farm, but fled after stealing cocaine. Gus claims he then attempted to cover for the loss by replacing the cocaine with local, inferior methamphetamine. Gus's cover story explains events of which Lalo is aware, including Werner fleeing, Mike's pursuit, and Werner's death. Lalo accepts Gus's version of events and apology, but remains suspicious. Juan privately warns Lalo that Eladio and the cartel trust Gus, or at least consider him a valuable earner, so he should consider the matter closed.

Because of Lalo's suspicions, Gus shuts down work on the underground meth lab. Mike sends Werner's men home, paid in full for the half-completed job and warned to remain silent. Gus informs Mike that Werner's widow has accepted the story that he died in a construction accident, and that Gus has ensured she is well-compensated. Gus offers to continue paying Mike during the construction delay, but Mike declines, frustrated with Gus's seeming lack of compassion about Werner.

An estimate 1.6 million viewers watched "Magic Man" on its first broadcast, a 4% increase over the fourth season finale episode, though down 10% from that season's premiere. Viewership was aided by the mid-season premiere of The Walking Dead that led in the show.[5][6]