Why Saul Goodman Did Not Take the 7-Year Prison Sentence

Throughout the series Better Call Saul, Saul Goodman, whose real name is Jimmy McGill, faces numerous challenges, including a significant legal hurdle. A plea deal was offered that included a seven-year prison sentence for his involvement in various criminal activities. However, Saul ultimately decides not to take the deal, instead opting for a more risky strategy. This decision is indicative of his confidence in his legal skills and his desire to avoid a lengthy prison sentence. Let's delve deeper into why he made this choice.

The Decision to Refuse the Plea Deal

Saul is characterized by his confidence in his legal skills and his desire to avoid a long prison sentence. Instead of accepting the plea offer, he opts for a more risky strategy. This decision reflects his penchant for manipulation and his belief that he can outsmart the legal system, aligning with his overall personality and the themes of ambition and moral ambiguity throughout the series.

While most observers might say that he did it for Kim Blosky's sake, he also did it for himself. Kim opened herself up to prosecution and a lawsuit from Howard Hamlin’s widow by confessing everything she had done to him and her indirect responsibility for his murder. When Saul had already negotiated the plea deal brilliantly, playing on the prosecutor's vanity about his perfect conviction record, he did not know about Kim's actions until later.

The Role of Kim Blosky and Jimmy McGill

Kim was still the one person who could bring out the Jimmy McGill in Saul, the compassionate fighter for the underdog. The flashback scenes with Mike Ehrmantraut and Chuck McGill can be seen as him having imaginary conversations with these now deceased characters, who were so vital to his life. He is still fully Saul in his conversation with Mike, who chides him for being greedy. He retreats a bit with Walter by relating a regret about a Slippin' Jimmy scam gone wrong and gets chided again. Chuck gives him a cryptic bit of advice about retracing his steps and starting again.

Alternative Path if Saul Did Take the 7-Year Sentence

What would have happened if Saul had taken the 7-year sentence? It is highly unlikely that he would have been able to maintain his current lifestyle upon release. He would be penniless, friendless, and careerless, with a reputation too notorious for anyone to touch. The prison experience would certainly be harsh, but he would still play a role in society. He could protect Kim and, at the same time, reclaim his own identity as Jimmy from Saul Goodman. This is exactly what he did in his courtroom confession.

Life in prison would be a harsh experience, but it would give him a platform to make amends and pay the price for his many crimes. In the end, this courtroom confession provided both great entertainment and a great ending for the show. Jimmy paid the price for his many crimes and gained redemption in my eyes and Kim's, leading to a sense of closure for the audience.

Throughout this journey, Saul Goodman's character development is a testament to the show's masterful storytelling. His decision to avoid the 7-year prison sentence, and the subsequent events, serve as a powerful narrative element that contributes to the overarching themes of the series.