Short Summary is an original series in which I write brief reviews of movies, TV shows, video games, books, and more. Spoilers ABOUND!

“Something Beautiful”

“Something Beautiful” doesn’t revolve around a single event like the first two episodes did. In fact, many different things are going on in this episode.

It starts with an elaborate, nearly silent sequence in which Gus’ men and Nacho set up a grisly scene. They plant Arturo’s body and Nacho’s car on the side of the road in the desert, and they riddle the car with bullet holes. Unfortunately, Nacho has to be involved as well; it has to seem like a legitimate attack on the Salamancas. Victor shoots him in the shoulder at first, but then Tyrus shoots him in the stomach, claiming that they “gotta make it look real.” God damn, Nacho’s really in deep now, and these guys have no sympathy for him whatsoever. They merely have a job to do.

Luckily, the Cousins (or the twins, depending on who you ask) arrive and take him to the “veterinarian,” Dr. Caldera. He does just enough to save Nacho’s life, yet he insists that Nacho actually goes to the hospital for proper care. He also whispers in Nacho’s ear that he never wants to hear from him again. Dr. Caldera is getting out of the Fring-Salamanca war while he still can.

Speaking of Gus, he gets a call from Juan Bolsa regarding the assault on Nacho and Arturo. This worries Juan, and he tells Gus to start sending decoy drug shipments across the border until they can guarantee the security of their real ones. Juan advises Gus to look into drug production on his side of the border, meaning within the US instead of Mexico. And guess who he goes to see about that?

It’s not Walt or Jesse, unfortunately. However, it’s another meth cook from Breaking Bad, Gale Boetticher! He’s working in a research lab, listening to Tom Lehrer’s song, “The Elements,” quite possibly the nerdiest and most appropriate song he could be listening to while testing chemical reactions. Gale’s not fully working for Gus just yet, though he’s tested some meth samples, and he insists to Gus that they can be purer. Gus refuses to let Gale cook any meth himself, for the time being anyway.

My main man, Mike, is just sort of hanging out again in “Something Beautiful,” not really doing much. But, as previously stated, he has his reasons. Jimmy meets with him to discuss a heist, and he refuses. Mike is currently playing the long game, doing whatever it takes to stay inconspicuous in his security job. Jimmy quickly moves on and finds a back-up. The heist that Jimmy has planned, one that should only take 10 minutes and should mean “free money,” goes hilariously wrong. When his new hired man breaks into the photocopier store from the last episode, he gets trapped there; one of the owners is there and in the doghouse with the missus. Yet Jimmy comes to the rescue and manages to help get his guy out of there using some Saul-esque tactics.

As for Kim, she returns to work for her client, Mesa Verde. Clearly, she’s still not ready, especially given the bank’s sudden plans for opening new locations in several states. She and Jimmy end the day back at their apartment, and she decides to inform Jimmy about his inheritance from Chuck. She gives him the letter Chuck wrote, too! I thought that was going to happen much later on and in a different way, but here we are.

The letter is undated, and I’ll get to that shortly. However, Jimmy reads it aloud in a deprecating, unfeeling manner. In the letter, Chuck seems to be heartfelt, assuring Jimmy that they’ll always be brothers despite their differences. Jimmy remains emotionless, whereas Kim is actually reduced to tears. She retreats to their bedroom, much to Jimmy’s confusion, and the episode ends.

Alright, here’s my husband, Kevin’s, theory about the letter. He thinks that Kim might have read the actual, much more hateful letter that Chuck wrote, and she wrote a fake letter to spare Jimmy’s feelings. Then, seeing how Jimmy reacts to her letter, she gets upset, recognizing the truth of the matter: Jimmy really doesn’t care about anything Chuck did or said. My theory is that, since he didn’t date the letter, Chuck could’ve written it well before his falling out with Jimmy and their last, big fight. Chuck really could’ve meant those kind things, and Jimmy spurning those earnest thoughts is what upsets Kim.

Maybe we’ll find out in the next episode!