Talk (Better Call Saul)
| "Talk" | |
|---|---|
| Better Call Saul episode | |
 Mike confronts another member of his support group for lying. | |
| Episode no. | Season 4 Episode 4 |
| Directed by | John Shiban |
| Written by | Heather Marion |
| Featured music | "Grazing in the Grass" by The Ventures |
| Original air date | August 27, 2018 |
| Running time | 47 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"Talk" is the fourth episode of the fourth season of the American television drama series Better Call Saul, the spinoff series of Breaking Bad. Written by Heather Marion and directed by John Shiban, "Talk" aired on AMC in the United States on August 27, 2018. Outside of the United States, the episode premiered on streaming service Netflix in several countries.
Plot[]
Opening[]
In a flashback, Mike pours concrete for a carport and allows his young son Matty to write his name in it. Mike is revealed to be discussing Matty at a group therapy session with Stacey and ends by saying "You wanted me to talk. I talked."
Main story[]
Jimmy is offered a manager’s position at a cellular phone store. He initially declines, but when Kim suggests he see a therapist, he accepts. The store sees little traffic and Jimmy becomes bored. Ira pays Jimmy his share of the profit from the stolen Hummel figurine[a] and offers to steal again in the future. Ira says he uses a new phone for every job, so the best way to reach him is through Dr. Caldera. Jimmy is inspired to re-sell pay as you go phones on the street.
Kim spends the day in Judge Munsinger's courtroom. During a recess he warns her that if he sees her in his courtroom again, he will assign her pro bono work. When Munsinger returns to the bench, Kim is still there.
As part of covering up the fake attack on Nacho and Arturo,[b] Victor sells the Salamancas' portion of the drugs to the Espinosa gang. After Nacho tips them off, the Cousins raid the Espinosas, killing most of them and recovering the drugs, then returning to Mexico to avoid the police. Nacho recognizes that Gus can now expand his drug territory but does not yet see the full scope of Gus’s plan. Nacho convinces his father to let him stay with him while he recovers from his wounds.
Mike tells Anita that Henry, another member of their support group, is lying about his past, falsely claiming to have a wife who died. At the next meeting, which was shown in the opening, Stacey says she was able to get through most of a day without thinking of Matt, causing Mike to confront Henry. Having been exposed, Henry wordlessly leaves. Mike then condemns the group for being so self-absorbed they were unable to see through Henry's falsehoods.
After performing another Madrigal site inspection,[c] Mike meets with Gus, who feigns anger that Mike did not tell him Nacho intended to kill Hector.[d] Mike points out that he previously promised only not to kill Hector himself.[e] Mike guesses Gus has another motive for the meeting and asks for details about "the job" Gus wants done.
Production[]
The episode was directed by John Shiban, his third directing credit for the series. Shiban was a writer and producer during the second and third seasons of Breaking Bad.[1]
Reception[]
"Talk" received critical acclaim, with many critics praising Jonathan Banks's performance in the episode. On Rotten Tomatoes, it garnered a perfect 100% rating with an average score of 7.93/10 based on 13 reviews. The site's consensus reads, "Ugly feelings loom large in 'Talk', an installment that manages to lay foundations for future episodes without losing its dramatic own hold."[2]
Ratings[]
"Talk" was watched by 1.53 million viewers on its first broadcast, earning a 0.4 ratings for viewers between 18 and 49.[3]
Notes[]
- ^ As seen in "Something Beautiful".
- ^ As seen in "Something Beautiful".
- ^ As seen in "Smoke".
- ^ As seen in "Expenses".
- ^ As seen in "Sunk Costs".
References[]
- ^ Sepinwall, Alan (August 27, 2018). "'Better Call Saul' Recap: Talking Points". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
- ^ "Talk". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
- ^ Welch, Alex (August 28, 2018). "Monday cable ratings: 'Better Call Saul' holds steady, 'Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood' ticks down". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on August 29, 2018. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
External links[]
- Better Call Saul (season 4) episodes