Badger

Lore & Background

Badger's arrest in a sting operation by the Albuquerque Police sets the events of the episode "Better Call Saul" in motion. After his arrest, Saul Goodman offers to be Badger's legal counsel. Walter White, posing as Badger's uncle, goes to Saul's office and offers a bribe to keep Badger from confessing, but Saul refuses. Walt and Jesse then resort to kidnapping Saul, threatening to kill him if he does not keep Badger from informing on them. Saul, realizing they are associates of Badger, asks for payment so he can legally represent them and keep their talks confidential. Saul then tells the duo about Jimmy "In-'N-Out" Kilkelly, who makes a living being paid by other criminals to go to jail, and offers to have him stand in for Heisenberg. The DEA busts Kilkelly when Badger gives them a fake deal, though Hank Schrader is not completely convinced.

In Their Own Story

The Albuquerque Police set up a sting operation and arrest Badger. Walter White and Jesse Pinkman, needing to protect their operation, look into hiring a lawyer. Saul Goodman has already inserted himself as Badger's legal counsel. Walt, pretending to be Badger's uncle, visits Saul's office and offers a bribe to keep Badger from confessing. Saul refuses the bribe. Walt and Jesse then kidnap Saul, threatening to kill him if he does not keep Badger from informing on them. Saul initially mistakes them for cartel enforcers sent by a man named "Lalo," but upon realizing they are associates of Badger, he asks for payment to legally represent them. Saul then proposes using Jimmy "In-'N-Out" Kilkelly, a man who gets paid to go to jail, to stand in for Heisenberg. Badger gives the DEA a fake deal, leading to Kilkelly's arrest, but Hank Schrader remains suspicious.

Reader's Guide

In the episode "Better Call Saul" (Breaking Bad season 2, episode 8), Badger is arrested by the Albuquerque Police in a sting operation. This arrest prompts Walter White and Jesse Pinkman to seek legal representation, leading them to Saul Goodman. Saul has already offered to be Badger's counsel. Walt attempts to bribe Saul to keep Badger from confessing, but Saul refuses. Walt and Jesse then kidnap Saul, threatening him to ensure Badger does not inform on them. Saul, realizing they are connected to Badger, agrees to represent them for payment. He introduces the concept of using Jimmy "In-'N-Out" Kilkelly, a professional jail-goer, to take the fall for Heisenberg. Badger participates in the scheme by giving the DEA a fake deal, resulting in Kilkelly's arrest. Hank Schrader, however, is not fully convinced by the setup.

Did You Know?

• Badger's arrest in a sting operation by the Albuquerque Police is the catalyst for Walter White and Jesse Pinkman to seek out Saul Goodman.
• Saul Goodman offers to be Badger's legal counsel before Walter White and Jesse Pinkman approach him.
• Walter White poses as Badger's uncle when visiting Saul Goodman's office.
• Badger gives the DEA a fake deal, leading to the arrest of Jimmy "In-'N-Out" Kilkelly, but Hank Schrader is not completely convinced.
• The episode "Better Call Saul" is the eighth episode of the second season of Breaking Bad, written by Peter Gould and directed by Terry McDonough.