Steven Prusakowski
While Bob Odenkirk’s performance in Better Call Saul as Saul Goodman as well as his alter egos, Jimmy McGill and Gene Takovic, is nothing short of perfection, Rhea Seehorn‘s portrayal of his partner in crime, Kim Wexler, is an equally, if not more, impressive achievement. That is saying a lot. Even if viewers did not realize it at first, her character was a critical part of Jimmy’s transformation story. Early in the series, Wexler served as Jimmy McGill’s friend, confidant, smoke-break partner, and often his moral compass. As seasons passed the relationship evolves, she became a far more intricate part of his life, his metamorphosis, and the series as a whole.
Seehorn’s portrayal of Kim is as layered as they come, delivering a subtle yet utterly captivating transformation from a character we think we know into one whose decisions reveal a side we could hardly expect after episode one. When Kim shoots her finger-guns at Saul—a seemingly simple gesture—viewers knew she too was “breaking bad.” It sent a shiver down my spine, like watching a slow-motion car wreck you are unable to prevent, as I grappled with disbelief that this is who she could be. The seeds were planted right before our eyes, slowly took root, and were now growing at an unstoppable rate.
To avoid spoiling too much for those who haven’t watched, I’ll keep things vague, as I truly believe the series is a masterpiece. There’s no expiration date on spoiling something so well written, acted, and produced.
Season six delivers devastating television on countless levels, with much of its impact resting on the gravitas of Seehorn’s unmatched performance. Her bus scene in episode twelve, “Waterworks,” carries such depth of emotion that it alone deserves recognition. Yet, that masterful scene means far less without the tour de force performance surrounding it—one Seehorn sustains from the first episode to her final cigarette in the finale. Most series hope to deliver a single character study with a satisfying arc; Better Call Saul delivered two.
Beyond individual performances, the series’ lack of recognition is shocking. Since this is my last chance to champion Better Call Saul, let me step onto my soapbox and say that the fact this incredible Vince Gilligan series has yet to win a single Emmy is a travesty—one we can hopefully move past with much-deserved accolades. Okay, I will get off my soapbox.
No matter what awards the series claims, nothing can diminish the monumental achievement left on screen by all involved. Seehorn’s exceptional work is a vital piece of this complex puzzle, a testament to the series’ brilliance, especially when you consider the thought and passion she pours into crafting Kim Wexler.
In a conversation with Awards Radar, Seehorn shared insights into her performance as Kim Wexler—an enthralling discussion that nearly brought me to tears mid-interview. Not due to anything sad or upsetting, but because I was struck by the care and contemplation she invests in the character. Watch the full interview below. Included is an excerpt—a glimpse into our engrossing 19-minute conversation.
On if Kim was changed by Saul or if it what we see these last two seasons was part of Kim all along:
“I don’t think he brought up anything in her that was not already there. But I think that they both ignited things in each other. That’s what she’s saying, when they break up is that there’s some ignition point that’s going on between the two of them, that can be used for good and could be used for evil, and they went down the wrong path. I think that’s one of the interesting questions that the whole series asks is, What’s learned behavior versus what’s innate behavior? And who are you? It’s impossible to unravel who you are, independent of every relationship you’ve had are independent of your past or independent of your your family as or your upbringing. It’s not possible to figure out, ‘well, what’s my true self?’ So that question fascinated me the whole time. And I think it was very easy early on, for people to say, Jimmy is just bringing her down. But it wasn’t. It wasn’t that – and there were times where they raise each other up. And there’s times where she was not a good influence.”
Be sure to watch all of my Better Call Saul-related interviews on Awards Radar: Bryan Cranston, Giancarlo Esposito, Patrick Fabian, Michelle MacLaren, Thomas Schnauz and more to come.
Comments
Loading…