Better Call Saul Season 1 Episode 1: Down and Out Lawyer Jimmy
Bob Odenkirk
Jimmy McGill
Jonathan R. Banks
Mike Ehrmantraut
Michael John McKean
Chuck McGill
Rhea Seehorn
Kim Wexler
Patrick Fabian
Hamlin Howard
Plot Summary:James McGill (Bob Odenkirk) is a struggling lawyer in New Mexico, living paycheck to paycheck, having just finished a low-paying defense. He attempts to secure the Kettlemans' case but is delayed. On his way back, he encounters a staged accident, which he exposes before the perpetrators flee. Back in his humble nail salon office, he finds a $26,000 check from Hamlin's law firm (actually intended for his estranged partner Chuck), which he angrily tears up. After a failed negotiation with Hamlin (Patrick Fabian), he witnesses the Kettlemans engaging with Hamlin. Chuck (Jimmy's former partner) (Michael McKean) is temporarily staying with Jimmy due to illness; Hamlin secretly funds Chuck, which Jimmy sees as a humiliation. Due to legal disputes, Jimmy is prohibited from practicing under his birth name. To retaliate, he orchestrates a scheme for the youths Carl and Lars, who previously extorted him, to stage an accident with Betsy Kettleman. However, the plan goes awry—Betsy hits someone and flees, and the two perpetrators track her to her residence only to encounter an old woman with a language barrier. After checking the vehicle marks, Jimmy decides to confront her in person.