The relationship between Jimmy McGill and Kim Wexler is at the heart of Better Call Saul, but does Kim love Jimmy or his Saul Goodman persona?
The relationship between Kim Wexler and Jimmy McGill is at the heart of Breaking Bad prequel, Better Call Saul, but it’s difficult to tell whether Kim loves Jimmy or his con-man counterpart, Saul Goodman. Breaking Bad introduces Saul as a slippery lawyer with little to no conscience. However, Better Call Saul proves he wasn’t always this way. Despite Jimmy’s tendency to get in trouble growing up, he initially tries to build his career by the books. Circumstances push him back toward a life of crime, and his relationship with Kim contributes to Jimmy’s transformation into Saul Goodman.
Jimmy and Kim are a beloved couple from the Breaking Bad universe, but there’s no denying that toxicity lurks beneath their relationship. The two are friends when Better Call Saul begins, but they soon become partners in everything, including Saul’s schemes. Their shared time at Hamlin & McGill leaves them with pent-up resentment and the ability to wiggle out of any situation. This nearly gets them into trouble on several occasions, but their bond only grows stronger as they shift from friends to accomplices.
Jimmy Was More Interested In Kim During Better Call Saul’s Early Seasons
Jimmy is interested in Kim when Better Call Saul opens, but it’s hard to say if Kim returns those feelings at the beginning of the show. The two make a good team, and there’s clearly chemistry between the characters. However, Jimmy is always chasing Kim, whether it’s to romantically woo her or with the goal of opening a law firm. Kim initially keeps Jimmy at arm’s length, dodging his romantic advances and his suggestions of going into practice together. It’s clear she cares for Better Call Saul’s lead, but unlike Jimmy, her feelings aren’t strong from the start.
It’s only when Slippin’ Jimmy’s scams reemerge that Kim becomes truly invested in their relationship. It’s an odd twist, especially considering she pushes Jimmy to do the right thing during Better Call Saul’s early episodes. Jimmy’s criminal side brings out a part of Kim that she buried long ago. Eventually, Kim even starts taking the lead on their joint schemes. She has fun participating in and planning Jimmy’s cons, and that pushes her into a romantic relationship with her longtime friend.
Kim Grew More Attracted To Jimmy After “Saul Goodman” Emerged
There’s no denying that Kim grows more attracted to Jimmy once the “Saul Goodman” side of him surfaces. The pair gets together after they trick a wealthy businessman into buying them Zafiro Añejo, an extremely expensive brand of tequila. Although Kim tells Jimmy that she doesn’t want to make this behavior a regular occurrence, she leans further into their cons as Better Call Saul continues. Their romantic relationship evolves alongside their criminal one, with them becoming both lovers and accomplices. The line between those labels is thin, especially when Jimmy’s questionable behavior is what draws Kim closer.
There are two plausible reasons Kim is attracted to Jimmy’s criminal side, the first being that she grew up with a con woman for a mother. Having participated in her mom’s exploits, it makes sense that Kim finds comfort and familiarity in Jimmy’s behavior. Kim also grows bored with her law career over the course of Better Call Saul. This is why she jumps from company to company, and it’s the reason she tackles pro bono cases. Her adventures with Jimmy bring about excitement that’s not present in her everyday life. They serve as a form of escapism, and she comes to associate that thrill with Jimmy.
Better Call Saul’s Ending Proved Kim Did Love Jimmy (Not Just Saul)
Kim initially falls for Saul Goodman, but the ending of Better Call Saul proves she loves Jimmy as well. The Better Call Saul finale sees the titular lawyer owning up to his crimes from Breaking Bad. This lands him a life in prison, which he chooses over a seven-year deal attained through his connections and lies. Foregoing the deal highlights that he’s transitioning from Saul Goodman back into Jimmy McGill. He finally does the right thing, a decision heavily influenced by Kim’s choice to tell the truth about Howard Hamlin. Jimmy hangs onto his feelings for Kim years after they part ways.
The Better Call Saul finale confirms that Kim is still hung up on Jimmy, too. Despite years of silence between the characters, Kim attends Jimmy’s hearing and is impressed by his honesty. She later visits Jimmy while he’s in prison, demonstrating she still cares for him. The fact that she checks on him after he lets go of his Saul persona proves Kim loves Jimmy just as much. Her feelings for Jimmy come from a different place, but they’re undeniably a driving force for her character. Unfortunately, they’re unlikely to go anywhere now that Jimmy is permanently behind bars.
Kim Loved Both Saul Goodman & Jimmy McGill (But For Different Reasons)
The ending of Better Call Saul proves that Kim loves both Saul Goodman and Jimmy McGill. Kim embraces the opposing sides of her on-screen beau, appreciating each persona for very different reasons. Kim and Jimmy have a lengthy history with one another, and they always have each other’s backs. Kim respects the part of Jimmy that does the right thing and is capable of succeeding without scams and lies. That Jimmy appeals to the Kim introduced at the beginning of Better Call Saul — the one who values hard work and strives to be an ethical lawyer.
Of course, there’s a part of Kim that revels in trickery and deceit, and it emerges during the later seasons of Better Call Saul. Because she enjoys a good con, Kim also loves Saul Goodman. He brings purpose and entertainment to Kim’s life right when she needs those things the most. Although she eventually realizes that Saul brings out the worst in her, Kim has “the time of [her] life” with him. She’s attracted to Saul precisely because he’s thrilling to be around.
Kim loves how Saul makes her feel, while she loves who Jimmy is. That’s an important distinction, and it complicates the dynamic between Better Call Saul’s leads. It also simplifies their relationship in a way. Kim loves both sides of Jimmy, regardless of their faults. She accepts the darker version of her longtime friend, but she also knows he’s capable of more. The same can be said about her, and that likeness is probably why they hit it off in the first place.
