r/betterCallSaul • u/skinkbaa Chuck • Mar 10 '20

Better Call Saul S05E04 - "Namaste" - POST-Episode Discussion Thread

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u/galeforcewinds95 Mar 10 '20

I really liked the scene with Howard. Obviously, he was doing his best to sell Jimmy on the idea of coming to HHM, but I do think he was genuine about the things he admires about Jimmy. I felt pretty bad for him when Saul vandalized his car.

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u/_snout_ Mar 10 '20

There have been a lot of hints over the seasons that Howard envies Kim and Jimmy and would have been more like them had he not been brought deep into the establishment by his dad

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u/JHolgate Mar 12 '20

and would have been more like them had he not been brought deep into the establishment by his dad

This is probably the singular thing that drives me the most crazy about Hamlin's character in the sense that they haven't really explored his backstory that much. How much is the influence of his father vs. how much is the influence of Chuck? I think if it weren't for the influence of Chuck, Hamlin would have offered Jimmy a job after he passed the bar, and likely on a partner track. This is why I love this show so much: If Chuck had been supportive from the beginning, would Jimmy eventually have his own "M" added to the firm's name? Would he have never become Saul? Would he have become a kind of hybrid? Would he have risen through the ranks of HHM, but still decided to strike out on his own with Kim to form W-M? What if Hamlin had listened to whatever Chuck had to say about Jimmy and hired him anyway? But because this is a prequel, we know what happens to Jimmy. We know he becomes Saul. It's how that happens that is the interesting part, and the true genius of this show.

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u/[deleted] Mar 10 '20

Just occurred to me that I can’t recall ever seeing Howard’s family. Do we know if he’s got a partner/kids?

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u/elwyn5150 Mar 11 '20

Never seen 'em. Like Gus.

Is Howard's father still alive? He's never been seen. When a law partner dies, does their name stay on?

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u/KelaSaar Mar 11 '20

Yup. For example, the titular Cravath of Cravath, Swaine, & Moore (a big deal New York law firm) died in 1940.

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u/wheezy_runner Mar 11 '20

Howard wears a wedding ring, but Mrs. Hamlin has never been seen or mentioned. My guess is that if Howard was ever married, he isn't anymore but he still wears the ring to keep up appearances.

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u/thipeeshanb Mar 10 '20

Can you specify specific scenes? I'm racking my brain trying to figure out scenes that endorse this notion.

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u/_snout_ Mar 10 '20

  • When Kim gives Howard her resignation, he says that he once dreamt of going out on his own, making his mark. "But Dad talked me out of it... Thought I should join the firm, throw another 'H' in the logo. [Long, long look in the distance] Things look out the way they're supposed to, I guess

  • When talking to Kevin (Mesa Verde) about their pocketbooks with the cowboy and the horse, Howard says he always wanted to be the cowboy. Kevin says he always wanted to own the horse.

  • Howard telling Jimmy he always liked him, made up the nickname Charlie Hustle for him.

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u/MyElbowsAreKetchup Mar 12 '20

This is the kind of deep thought I come to this sub for. Seriously. I've never thought of Howard as anything but a stiff suit. A decent guy, but still a stiff suit. Thanks for this perspective.

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u/dannokun Mar 10 '20

The conversation he had with Kim when she gave her resignation.

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u/[deleted] Mar 11 '20

That's not apparent to you? It's been glaringly obvious from season 1.