RICO (Better Call Saul)
| "RICO" | |
|---|---|
| Better Call Saul episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 1 Episode 8 |
| Directed by | Colin Bucksey |
| Written by | Gordon Smith |
| Original air date | March 23, 2015 |
| Running time | 47 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"RICO" is the eighth episode of the first season of the AMC television series Better Call Saul, the spinoff series of Breaking Bad. The episode aired on March 23, 2015 on AMC in the United States. Outside of the United States, the episode premiered on streaming service Netflix in several countries. It is named after the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.
Plot
Opening
In a
Main story
Jimmy is suspicious when a client mentions that her nursing home, Sandpiper Crossing, controls her pension and Social Security payments while only providing her a monthly allowance. Upon reviewing her invoices, Jimmy's suspicions grow and he begins collecting invoices from other residents. Jimmy and Chuck analyze them and find evidence of Sandpiper systematically overcharging residents, making the company guilty of fraud. Chuck suggests there are grounds for a class action lawsuit and encourages Jimmy to continue investigating.
Jimmy is stopped at Sandpiper Crossing's front desk, preventing him from seeing clients. He hears papers being shredded and goes to a bathroom to hastily write on toilet paper a demand letter for Sandpiper to stop destroying evidence. He hands the letter to a manager as he is escorted out.
That night, Jimmy looks through the retirement home's dumpsters for shredded papers. Chuck and Jimmy sort through the shreds and piece together an incriminating document. Chuck decides to become Jimmy's co-counsel, and Sandpiper's attorneys agree to a meeting.
Sandpiper's attorneys deny the company is defrauding residents, but concede some were overcharged. The company offers $100,000 in compensation, but Jimmy presents evidence that Sandpiper's fraud makes them eligible for a
Production
This was the second episode written by Gordon Smith and directed by Colin Bucksey.
Reception
Upon airing, the episode received 2.87 million American viewers, and an 18-49 rating of 1.3.[1]
The episode received a generally positive reception from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, based on 23 reviews, it received a 96% approval rating with an average score of 7.97 out of 10. The site's consensus reads, ""RICO" introduces an intriguing fraud case while providing insightful backstory to Jimmy's unlikely beginnings as a lawyer."[2] Roth Cornet of IGN gave the episode an 8.8 rating, concluding, "With “RICO”, Better Call Saul lays the foundation for the circumstances that will likely transform sweet(ish) Jimmy McGill into the hardened Saul Goodman."[3] The Telegraph rated the episode 4 out of 5 stars.[4]
Notes
References
- ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (March 24, 2015). "Monday Cable Ratings: 'Monday Night RAW' Tops Night + 'Love & Hop-Hop', 'Better Call Saul', 'Teen Mom' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 28, 2015. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
- ^ "RICO". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
- ^ Cornet, Roth (March 23, 2015). "Better Call Saul: "RICO" Review". IGN. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
- ^ Power, Ed (March 24, 2015). "Better Call Saul: Rico, episode 8, review: 'satisfyingly conventional'". The Telegraph. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
External links
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