Jimmy McGill's character undergoes significant development between Season 1 and Season 5 of "Better Call Saul," which is the prequel to the critically acclaimed series "Breaking Bad." This evolution is foundational to understanding his transformation into the persona of Saul Goodman, the ethically challenged lawyer we first meet in "Breaking Bad." Below are some key differences that illustrate how his character evolves across these seasons. **Identity and Purpose**: - In Season 1, Jimmy McGill is striving to prove himself as a respectable lawyer. His struggles include working out of a makeshift office in the back of a nail salon while trying to step out of the shadow of his successful brother, Chuck McGill. - By Season 5, Jimmy fully embraces his alter ego, Saul Goodman, which marks a significant shift in his identity. He adopts the Saul Goodman persona not only professionally but also personally, indicating a transformation in how he perceives himself and his role as a lawyer. **Moral Compass and Ethics**: - Season 1 sees Jimmy grappling with his moral compass; he is a "corner-cutting" lawyer but retains some ethical boundaries. He is ambitious and often bends the rules but generally avoids outright illegal activities. - As the seasons progress, particularly by Season 5, Jimmy's ethical boundaries become increasingly blurred. He dives deeper into morally questionable practices, including getting involved with the criminal underworld. His choices show a willingness to engage in much shadier activities. **Relationships**: - The early season showcases a complex but caring relationship between Jimmy and his older brother, Chuck McGill. Despite Chuck's lack of faith in him, Jimmy seeks to earn Chuck's respect and often cares for him due to Chuck's illness. - By Season 5, Chuck is out of the picture, and Jimmy's primary relationship focus shifts to Kim Wexler. His actions and choices become more intertwined with Kim's, and their relationship becomes complex and fraught with moral ambiguity. Interestingly, Kim's influence sometimes pushes him towards the edge of ethics more than pulling him back. **Approach to Law Practice**: - Initially, Jimmy's approach to practicing law involves attempting to win cases through hard work and ingenuity, even if he occasionally resorts to less-than-ethical tactics. - In Season 5, Jimmy, now as Saul, becomes much more cavalier and flashy with his legal practice. He’s no longer the underdog looking for scraps but a cunning player exploiting the legal system to his advantage, often without concern for the consequences. **Attitude Towards the Legal System**: - The Jimmy of Season 1 still believes in the power of the legal system and the potential to help his clients within that system, despite recognizing its flaws. - In contrast, Season 5’s Jimmy views the legal system cynically as a game to be played. Saul Goodman is a character who manipulates the law to serve his interests and those of his often unsavory clients. In summary, the transformation from Jimmy McGill to Saul Goodman over the course of "Better Call Saul" represents a profound shift in identity, ethics, relationships, professional practice, and underlying philosophy towards the law. Season 1 Jimmy is characterized by a struggle for legitimacy and acceptance, while Season 5 Jimmy, as Saul Goodman, reveals a confident, morally flexible persona who thrives within, and in spite of, a corrupt system.