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As a tense meeting ends, Gus Fring stands staring at a swimming pool in Better Call Saul. Does he fancy a quick dip, or is there a deeper reason?
Gus Fring starts a staring contest with a swimming pool in Better Call Saul season 6, episode 9 – and there’s a tragic reason why. When Better Call Saul‘s “Fun & Games” begins, Gus Fring has succeeded in assassinating his devilish rival, Lalo Salamanca, but must still face the bell-dinging wrath of Hector. Unable to contact his nephew, Hector told Don Eladio that Fring was responsible and demanded a meeting be called at the cartel leader’s hacienda. Unfortunately for the Salamancas, Lalo faked his death almost too well, leaving Eladio no choice but to rule in Gus’ favor and bring the matter to a close.
As the testy summit ends, Eladio acknowledges the hate Gus Fring feels, warns him to keep those emotions in check, then promptly departs. Juan Bolsa takes a breath and pours a sorely needed drink, but Gus walks right to the edge of the nearby swimming pool and stares deep into the shimmering water.
An explanation can be found in a flashback from Breaking Bad season 4’s “Hermanos.” Gus Fring first met Don Eladio in 1989 alongside his friend and business partner, Max Arciniega. Retaliating for the bullish manner in which the young duo engineered this audience, Eladio ordered Hector Salamanca to shoot Max in the head. The body slumped to the edge of an adjacent swimming pool, blood discoloring the blue water, then Gus’ face was pushed down opposite Max’s to send a message. The pool in Better Call Saul season 6 is the very same one Max died beside. By spending a moment on the spot his partner perished, Gus isn’t just remembering the reason behind his hatred for Don Eladio, he’s renewing his motivation for what comes next: finishing the superlab, and overthrowing the cartel for good.
Better Call Saul Season 6, Episode 9’s Max Nod Carries A Deeper Meaning
Better Call Saul doesn’t reference Max Arciniega often, but Gus’ moment of swimming pool reflection compliments a later scene in “Fun & Games.” Fring is revealed as a regular visitor at a local wine bar, and a particular fan of a sommelier called David. The chemistry between them is impossible to ignore, and Better Call Saul effectively confirms Gus Fring is gay here. It’s surely no coincidence that the first Better Call Saul episode to openly tackle the topic of Gus Fring’s sexuality also features a scene where Gus stands in the place Max died and remembers his fellow Chicken Brother. Better Call Saul is tacitly admitting Gus and Max absolutely were connected on a romantic level.
Better Call Saul‘s swimming pool scene and commentary on Gus Fring’s sexuality both enhance Breaking Bad season 4’s cartel massacre storyline. Initially, Gus seemed motivated by the murder of a friend and colleague. Now, his arc feels more like a love story. What could be more romantic than waiting over 20 years for revenge against the gang who murdered your one true love. Not only does Better Call Saul make Gus Fring’s motivations more personal, but viewers are finally witnessing just how long Gus peacefully endured Don Eladio before striking. Meetings like the one in Better Call Saul season 6, episode 9 would’ve been torturous for Gus, but he never snapped, never lost his patience, and never wavered in his mission until the stars perfectly aligned to destroy the cartel in one fell swoop.
Better Call Saul continues Monday on AMC.
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