What Did Hamlin Tell Kim? Unraveling the Complex Relationship of Kim Wexler and Howard Hamlin
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Howard Hamlin tells Kim Wexler a multitude of things throughout the course of Better Call Saul, but the core of their interactions revolve around a few key themes: his complicated relationship with Jimmy McGill, his perception of Kim’s potential, and his ultimate attempts to understand and address the destructive path both Jimmy and Kim are on. The crucial things Howard tells Kim can be broadly categorized into:
1. The Truth About Chuck’s Manipulation:
Initially, Howard doesn’t reveal the extent of Chuck McGill’s deliberate sabotage of Jimmy’s career. However, after Kim confronts him about Jimmy’s lack of opportunities at Hamlin Hamlin & McGill (HHM), he eventually confesses the truth. He explains that Chuck secretly asked him to block Jimmy, effectively using Howard as a pawn in his personal vendetta. This revelation is pivotal as it begins to unravel the web of deceit and manipulation that has been affecting Jimmy’s trajectory and, consequently, Kim’s perception of HHM.
2. An Astonishing Offer:
At a pivotal point, Howard makes a significant offer to Kim: he would pay off her remaining law school loans and hire her on at HHM, specifically placing her on cases separate from the Sandpiper lawsuit to avoid any conflicts of interest. This offer is a clear attempt from Howard to demonstrate his belief in Kim’s talent and potential. It’s also a strategic move to keep her within the firm’s orbit. Howard hopes this offer would secure her loyalty and prevent her association with Jimmy’s increasingly questionable methods.
3. Justifications for His Actions:
After demoting Kim to doc review, following the controversial commercial Jimmy produced for Davis & Main, Howard attempts to justify his actions. He explains that he demoted her not out of malice, but because she failed to disclose her knowledge of the commercial, putting HHM at risk. Howard views her lack of disclosure as a breach of trust and uses the demotion to assert his authority and to take out his frustration at being unable to punish Jimmy directly. It’s clear that he feels betrayed by Kim’s divided loyalties.
4. Insights into Kim’s Abilities:
When Kim resigns from HHM, Howard shares an important piece of his perspective. He tells her that he pushed her harder throughout her time at the firm because he knew he could expect more from her. This statement highlights Howard’s belief in Kim’s talent and his expectation that she was capable of significant achievements. In a way, it’s a form of praise, but one that comes across as paternalistic and somewhat condescending in the context of their fraught relationship.
5. Accusations and Frustration about Jimmy:
Later, in a desperate and final conversation, Howard confronts Kim about Jimmy’s harassment campaign against him. He reveals the extent of Jimmy’s antics (like the bowling ball and the prostitutes sent to his business lunch), blaming Jimmy for her departure from HHM and overall decline. When Kim laughs off his accusations, stating she is insulted that Howard thinks she can’t make her own choices and that she knows Jimmy better than he does, this underscores the depths of their misunderstandings and the chasm that has formed between them. This exchange further highlights Howard’s inability to grasp the complex and enabling dynamic between Kim and Jimmy.
In essence, Howard’s conversations with Kim are often a mix of genuine admiration, frustrated attempts at guidance, and a fundamental misunderstanding of the forces at play in her life, particularly her relationship with Jimmy McGill. He sees Kim’s potential but struggles to accept her choices, especially when they diverge from his established moral compass.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What was the initial dynamic between Kim and Howard at HHM?
Initially, the dynamic between Kim and Howard was that of a promising associate working under a senior partner. He appeared supportive of her ambition but also somewhat distant. Kim was a dedicated and hardworking employee at HHM, and Howard was her boss who often placed considerable pressure on her. She was a high achiever, and Howard had a high expectation of her.
Why did Howard offer Kim a deal to stay at HHM?
Howard’s offer to pay off Kim’s loans and give her a role separated from Sandpiper was an attempt to secure her loyalty and keep her within HHM’s influence. He saw her as a valuable asset and wanted to prevent her being pulled into the morally questionable orbit of Jimmy McGill. He hoped the offer would address her financial concerns and provide her with stability.
How did Kim react to Howard’s offer?
Initially, Kim was considering Howard’s offer seriously. It was tempting to have financial security and a clear path within a reputable firm. However, she is ultimately drawn back to Jimmy and her desire to seek a different kind of fulfillment outside of HHM’s confines, choosing a more unconventional path.
Why did Howard put Kim in doc review?
Howard demoted Kim to document review as a punishment for not disclosing her knowledge of Jimmy’s controversial commercial. He saw it as a breach of trust and a failure on Kim’s part to protect HHM’s reputation. It was also a way for him to exert control and vent his frustration over his inability to directly discipline Jimmy.
Did Kim hate Howard Hamlin?
While Kim did not hate Howard, she became increasingly resentful of his perceived arrogance and control. She viewed him as a pompous narcissist, especially after becoming more involved with Jimmy. She also felt like he underestimated and tried to control her. However, her motivation to hurt him was not initially driven by hatred, but by her own desires and her alliance with Jimmy.
What did Kim think of Howard’s management style?
Kim viewed Howard’s management style as overbearing, paternalistic, and controlling. She felt that he prioritized the firm’s image and his own ego over the well-being and growth of his employees.
Why did Jimmy and Kim target Howard?
Jimmy and Kim targeted Howard to get him discredited, so Jimmy could finally cash in on the Sandpiper settlement. This plan stemmed from Kim’s idea, and she convinced Jimmy that this was the only way forward. While Jimmy had past grievances against Howard, the plan was more driven by Kim’s motivations.
What was the nature of Kim and Jimmy’s plan against Howard?
The plan against Howard involved a sophisticated series of psychological and social manipulation tactics. They planted drugs in his golf locker, artificially dilated his pupils before an important meeting, and spread rumors of a cocaine habit. The goal was to convince the legal community that Howard was a drug addict and mentally unstable.
Why did Kim write Howard a check?
Kim wrote Howard a check for the full amount of her law school loan when he made a passive-aggressive comment about her being demoted to doc review. She did this to assert her independence and to show that she didn’t need his help, or at least didn’t need his financial assistance any longer.
How did Howard react to Kim’s resignation?
Howard was clearly disappointed and frustrated by Kim’s resignation. However, he also expressed a degree of understanding, telling her that he pushed her harder because he believed in her potential. Despite his frustrations, his feelings towards Kim are complex.
Was Howard Hamlin a bad guy in Better Call Saul?
While Howard was not a morally perfect character, he was not a “bad guy” in the traditional sense. He was a complex character with flaws and vulnerabilities. He was, at times, arrogant and insensitive, but he also showed moments of genuine care and consideration. He was more of an antagonist in the series as a consequence of his position and actions taken by him against Jimmy and Kim.
What was Howard’s reaction to the knowledge of Jimmy’s harassment campaign?
Howard was deeply hurt and angered by Jimmy’s harassment campaign. He didn’t understand the full extent of the manipulations and he saw it as a personal attack. He felt like he was a victim of unprovoked cruelty.
How did Howard’s death affect Kim?
Howard’s death profoundly impacted Kim, leading her to confront her complicity in the events leading up to it. It was a major turning point in her journey, forcing her to question her choices and seek redemption. It’s a catalyst for her confessing and eventually leaving the life she had built with Jimmy.
What happened to Kim after Howard’s death?
After Howard’s death, Kim became overwhelmed with guilt. She eventually confessed the truth about Howard’s death to the authorities and his widow, Cheryl. After this she cancels her law license, leaves Jimmy and moves to Florida where she is shown living a mundane life with no legal career.
What is the significance of Kim confessing the truth to Cheryl Hamlin?
Kim’s confession to Cheryl represents her attempt at taking responsibility for her actions and seeking a path towards redemption. It is a very significant moment of the series and reflects the internal struggle she has about her past. It signifies her acknowledgment of the harm she caused and her desire to make amends.