Better Call Saul: An Astrological Perspective
The final season of Better Call Saul concluded last year, bringing the long running and critically acclaimed series to its bittersweet end. So, now that the dust has settled, I thought it could be worthwhile to explore the series from an archetypal-astrological perspective, using natal charts and transits to make sense of the different characters and themes that made this series so unique.
As a prequel-cum-sequel to Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul has its roots firmly planted in the volatile archetypal landscape that emerged from the mind of Vince Gilligan, all the way back in 2008. The dangerously unpredictable, and morally perilous fictional universe that he created stood as a potent instantiation of its accompanying outer planet transit: the era defining T square between Saturn, Uranus, and Pluto (as well as the preceding hard aspect alignment of those planets that is a feature of Gilligan’s natal chart).
Breaking Bad introduced us to sleazy lawyer Saul Goodman in its second series, and he quickly became a fan favorite, in large part due to the levity and panache that Bob Odenkirk brought to the role. When Breaking Bad finished its run, Better Call Saul stepped in to fill the void that was left by Albuquerque’s most wanted, and Bob Odenkirk stepped up to the role of leading man. Most of the show is set before the events of Breaking Bad, charting the escapades of struggling lawyer Jimmy McGill, prior to his transformation into the corrupt Saul Goodman. Better Call Saul is less suspenseful than its parent series, but this slow burn drama is a great candidate for archetypal analysis on account of the rich characterization that is afforded to its central players.
Having reflected on the show, and the character of Jimmy, in some depth, I am led to the conclusion the Bob Odenkirk’s Natal chart — and the archetypal potentials that it suggests — is the determining factor in Jimmy’s characterization; the archetypal template from which the character is drawn. This is not to downplay the contributions of the very talented writing team, including cocreators Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould, but merely to suggest they were actively collaborating towards the fulfilment of the potential in Odenkirk’s natal chart, sensing and articulating its latent dramatic possibilities, and that Odenkirk’s chart should be viewed as a representation of a universal phenomenon in which other people are active participants.
Slippin’ Jimmy (Jupiter-Uranus)
Odenkirk’s chart is highly dynamic, and notable for the presence of two distinct T squares. These T squares seem to reflect different sides of Jimmy McGill/Saul Goodman, and when considered in tandem they present a compelling portrait of the multifaceted nature of the character as a whole. The first T square that I would like to consider is composed of a conjunction between Uranus and Pluto, in opposition to Jupiter, with all three planets in square aspect to Venus. In my opinion, this is the T square that correlates with the more zestful and ostentatious side of the Jimmy/Saul persona and is the more conspicuous of the two configurations.
The tightest aspect in this configuration is the opposition between Jupiter and Uranus, which is close to exact. This aspect combines the Jupiterian impulse towards confidence, joviality and good fortune, with the Uranian tendency towards risk, rebellion and disruption. It is the aspect of the joyful trickster, exemplified by the happy-go-lucky antics of Jimmy McGill’s early days. Through flashbacks, we see glimpses of Jimmy’s past when he excelled as a small-time hustler and scam artist, specialising in “slip and fall” accidents, and earning himself the nickname “Slippin’ Jimmy”. Despite his mischievous ways, this version of the character was affable, playful, and free spirited, and could easily charm the audience into rooting for him.
The episodes that established the Slippin’ Jimmy backstory were first broadcast during the Jupiter-Uranus trine of 2015. The Jupiter-Uranus complex could also be discerned in the breezy and quick-witted showmanship that Jimmy displayed during his brief stint as a bingo caller for a retirement community during his work on the Sandpiper case.
A real-life parallel to Jimmy can be found in the life of con artist Frank Abagnale, who was born during the Jupiter-Uranus opposition of 1948. Abagnale’s exploits, including numerous thefts, impersonations and forgeries, were dramatized in the film Catch Me If You Can, which was released during the Jupiter-Uranus opposition of 2002. Like Abagnale, Jimmy is a compulsive risk taker (Uranus), and although this tendency is mitigated by his good luck (Jupiter), he does occasionally find himself in trouble.
While Jupiter-Uranus aspects are rightly associated with good fortune, we can also connect this complex to Jimmy’s weaknesses: he is a gambler that is constantly on the lookout for shortcuts and workarounds, anything that will help him to avoid the hard work and diligence that might otherwise be required for success. Jupiter-Uranus aspects combine the Jupiterian principle of prosperity with the acceleration impulse that is associated with Uranus. A crude expression of this synthesis can be found in the get-rich-quick scheme; an enterprise with which Jimmy has considerable experience.
Saul Goodman (Jupiter-Uranus-Pluto)
A different side of this complex is expressed in Jimmy’s later career when he is operating as a criminal lawyer under the name Saul Goodman. It is during this period that Saul indulges in shameless self-promotion, advertising his professional services with tacky commercials and gigantic billboards bearing his appearance. As a lawyer, Saul offers his clients the proverbial get-out-of-jail-free-card, using his bombastic optimism (Jupiter) to entice the custom of a dubious clientele with promises of legal impunity and massive insurance pay-outs.
The version of freedom (Uranus) and prosperity (Jupiter) that Saul offers his clients is aptly symbolized by the crude, inflatable replica of the Statue of Liberty that adorns the strip mall office where he conducts his business. The authentic Statue of Liberty was dedicated in New York harbour during the Jupiter-Uranus conjunction of 1886, as a synthesis of “Jupiter’s elevating crown and Prometheus’s liberating fire”, that Richard Tarnas described — with reference to the statue’s astonishing size — as “the quintessential Jupiterian monument to the Prometheus archetype”. The billowing imitation that crowns Saul’s office is just as much a symbol of Jupiter, although one that reveals Jupiter’s proclivity for showmanship and gaudy excess, as well as literal inflation, more than its potential for grandeur or cultural refinement. The freedom that it represents, from consequences and responsibility, is similarly degraded.
Despite his many vices, Saul became a fan favorite as a result of the comic relief that he brought to the dark and morally complicated world of Breaking Bad, punctuating its intense drama with brief moments of levity. Prior to this role, Odenkirk’s comedic talents were already well known through his work as a writer and performer on comedy shows such as Saturday Night Live and Mr. Show. This aptitude for humor and light heartedness illustrates the positive dimension of the Jupiter-Uranus complex, and is one of the more noble expressions of the trickster archetype in our culture.
In Odenkirk’s T square, the Jupiter and Uranus archetypes are both intensified by the presence of Pluto, which infuses the alignment with a darkly transgressive, and potentially destructive impulse towards power and domination. The sinister and corrosive side of Pluto is expressed in the downward vector of Jimmy’s trajectory: his transformation into Saul Goodman, his descent into an extreme form of corruption, and his involvement with the criminal underworld via characters such as Lalo Salamanca and Walter White. This descent (Pluto) is driven by Saul’s desire for unlimited personal enrichment (Jupiter), and his compulsive need to defy the system (Uranus) at every opportunity.
Saul’s criminal career reaches its culmination through his role as an adviser and money launderer for Walter White. Saul helps to channel the proceeds from Walt’s drug empire through outwardly legitimate businesses, as well as aiding in his evasion of the law. His facilitation of financial crime via cunning and highly creative methods suggests a dark convergence of the Jupiter, Uranus, and Pluto archetypes: extreme prosperity and success (Jupiter) is made possible by risky enterprises (Uranus) in connection with the criminal underworld (Pluto). As the archetype of darkness itself, Pluto draws forth the shadow qualities in whatever it touches, impelling the other planetary archetypes towards dangerous extremes.
A real-world expression of this archetypal complex can be found in the life of Jordan Belfort, the New York stockbroker and salesman who achieved notoriety for his involvement with stock market manipulation, money laundering, and other criminal scams. Belfort and Odenkirk were both born in 1962 during the very same outer planet alignment of Jupiter, Uranus, and Pluto. The sleazy charisma and wily ambition displayed by Belfort are strikingly similar to the qualities displayed by Odenkirk in his portrayal of Saul Goodman. Odenkirk’s performance of Saul is drawn from the same archetypal template that shaped the trajectory of Belfort’s actual life, and this template is illuminated by an understanding of their natal charts.
Although these men have certain archetypal factors in common, the talents that are indicated by their natal charts have been utilized in very different fields of activity, and towards entirely different ends, and the difference in moral character could not be starker. As an actor, Odenkirk tapped into the archetypal drama and tension that is suggested by his natal chart for the purpose of entertainment, in a way that allowed audiences to vicariously enjoy the thrill of misbehaving (Pluto) without incurring real world consequences. Belfort, on the other hand, did it for real; bringing misery to thousands of people.
Belfort’s crimes, along with his extremely opulent lifestyle, were dramatized in the black comedy film The Wolf of Wall Street, which was released in 2013 during a T square of those same planets. This was the same T square that coincided with the final series of Breaking Bad, and the dark pinnacle of criminal profiteering that made Saul Goodman millions of dollars, before it all came crashing down in spectacular fashion.
Jimmy and Kim (Venus-Jupiter-Uranus-Pluto)
As mentioned earlier, Odenkirk’s Jupiter-Uranus-Pluto opposition is also connected with Venus — the planet of love, beauty and sensuality — through a square aspect. The Venusian element of the T square is expressed in Saul’s frequently garish fashion choices: his expensive watches and rings, as well as the many colorful suits and ties that fill his wardrobe. His personal style reflects a Jupiterian elevation of the fashionable Venus archetype towards a pinnacle of opulence and luxury. This Venus-Jupiter aspect is also present in Saul’s appetite for sensual indulgences such as massages and spa treatments.
The combination of Venus, Uranus and Pluto can be related to his relationship with fellow lawyer Kim Wexler (Rhea Seehorn). Their romance is catalyzed through Kim’s involvement in Jimmy’s schemes. Kim finds herself enamored (Venus) with Jimmy through the sense of risk and excitement (Uranus) that he brings into her life. Their attraction to the trickster (Uranus) archetype in each other is an unmistakable expression of the Venus-Uranus complex. This dynamic is intensified by the addition of Pluto, which, as we have seen, tends to bring out the more sinister and destructive potential in whatever it touches. Kim’s involvement with Jimmy’s schemes provides fertile ground for their romance to thrive but is ultimately what leads to both of their downfalls. They indulge each other’s vices and bring out the worst in each other; their passion (Venus) leaving a trail of devastation (Pluto) in its wake.
Kim first gets a taste for the transgressive thrills of con artistry in the season 2 episode ‘Switch’, which was broadcast during the Venus-Uranus-Pluto square of February 2016. Remarkably, Rhea Seehorn was born during a T square of the same planets — Venus-Jupiter-Uranus-Pluto — that constitute the T square that we have been discussing in Odenkirk’s chart; albeit separated by ten years.
A more extreme counterpart to Kim and Jimmy can be found in the example of Bonnie and Clyde, who were both born during major alignments of Venus, Uranus and Pluto. They committed their sensational crime spree — which included numerous bank robberies and murders — during the Uranus-Pluto square alignment of the 1930s. When Venus joined this alignment by hard aspect in May of 1934, the couple were killed in a hail of gunfire as they tried to escape from police in a stolen car. Their story was given a cinematic treatment in the film Bonnie and Clyde, which was released during a rare triple conjunction of all three planets in 1967.
Jimmy and Chuck (Sun-Mars-Saturn-Neptune)
The other T square in Odenkirk’s chart is composed of a wide Sun-Neptune conjunction that sits at the apex of a T square with Mars and Saturn. The tightest aspect in this configuration is the exact opposition between Mars and Saturn, which speaks to a high level of frustration and pent-up rage within Jimmy. This is an aspect of action (Mars) meeting resistance (Saturn); it suggests challenges that can only be overcome through strict discipline and sustained effort. This is the side of Jimmy that keeps him on the straight and narrow through fear of punishment and humiliation, it also describes the suppressed antagonism (Mars) he feels towards established authority (Saturn), and the combative stance he assumes in the courtroom on behalf of his clients. This is the version of Jimmy that spent years grinding away in the mailroom of his brother’s law firm while he completed his online law degree, then spent years doing thankless work as a public defender for the down-and-out.
This T square can also be interpreted with reference to the Sun-Saturn square, an aspect that is perfectly illustrated through Jimmy’s relationship with his older brother Chuck, a respected lawyer portrayed by Michael McKean (natal Sun sextile Saturn) who plays a somewhat paternalistic role (Sun) in Jimmy’s life. Chuck exemplifies the Saturnian characteristics of seriousness, professionalism, and moral uprightness that Jimmy struggles to embody, although Chuck is also capable of extreme pettiness towards Jimmy.
During his early days as a practicing lawyer, Jimmy looks towards Chuck as a kind of role model (Sun), despite Chuck’s often condescending attitude towards him. Having witnessed the wayward antics of Jimmy’s youth, Chuck regards his younger brother’s law career with suspicion, believing him to be the same old Slippin’ Jimmy that used to rob the cash register of their father’s store and sell fake IDs to his classmates. Chuck’s attitude towards Jimmy fuels the development of an inferiority complex (Saturn) that informs much of his later behavior.
I know you. I know what you were, what you are. People don’t change! You’re Slippin’ Jimmy! And Slippin’ Jimmy I can handle just fine, but Slippin’ Jimmy with a law degree is like a chimp with a machine gun!
Neptune’s role in this complex is more subtle, the Sun-Neptune conjunction points toward the essential confusion around the character’s identity: is “Saul Goodman” a mask that Jimmy McGill wears? Or is he an expression of his long-repressed authenticity?
Neptune’s function in the T square with Mars and Saturn seems to be one of obfuscation and sublimation. Jimmy’s underlying sense of inferiority (Saturn) is concealed behind a carefully maintained veneer of bluster and bravado (Mars). There is a sense in which Jimmy throws himself into the Saul Goodman persona as a form of escapism (Neptune); a way to avoid dealing with his personal vulnerabilities and moral shortcomings.
The antagonism between Jimmy and Chuck is often expressed in a covert, passive aggressive way, with both brothers behaving in deceitful and underhanded ways at various points in the story. This dynamic is typical of the Mars-Neptune combination, which often correlates with subtle expressions of conflict that simmer beneath the surface. The cold war between Jimmy and Chuck reached its courtroom denouement in the classic episode ‘Chicanery’, first broadcast during the Mars-Saturn-Neptune T square of May 2017.
Gene Takovic (Sun-Saturn-Neptune)
Another expression of this Sun-Saturn-Neptune T square is embodied in Jimmy’s post Saul Goodman existence, when he is living as a fugitive in Nebraska in the aftermath of Walt’s downfall, going by the alias of Gene Takovic. This version of the character is a shadow of his former self, needing to repress his personality in order to blend in as a non-descript Cinnabon manager. Maintaining this illusion of mediocrity comes at great psychological cost to Gene.
These scenes are filmed in a monochrome palette that reflects his drab, joyless existence, and the ever-present anxiety he feels about the threat of being discovered. Haunted by regrets, Gene inhabits a mind made prison of fear and alienation, from which there seems to be no exit. The futility and despair of Gene’s predicament are deeply resonant with the spiritual trials of the Saturn-Neptune complex.
Gene’s only relief comes in brief moments of escapism when, isolated in his home, he replays the old commercials that he made as Saul Goodman. In contrast to the black and white living room, the commercials appear in full color; a reminder of former glories, and a hint that the vibrant palette of the Venus-Jupiter-Uranus complex is still alive in Gene, filtering through the grey monotony of the Sun-Saturn-Neptune purgatory that he finds himself trapped inside.
Two T squares, two visions of reality. Better Call Saul is ultimately an attempt to navigate the complexity of Odenkirk’s natal chart, and to reconcile its disparate parts. The final episode left viewers with a poetically resonant conclusion that pointed towards a possible integration of these different complexes, and the competing personas that inhabit Jimmy McGill.