Rex Linn: A Closer Look At His Role In "Better Call Saul"

Rex Linn is an American actor who has appeared in over 100 films and television shows. He is best known for his roles as Detective Stanley Bolander in the CBS series CSI: Miami and Kevin Costner's brother in the film Open Range. Linn has also had recurring roles in the series Better Call Saul, Bosch, and Justified.

In Better Call Saul, Linn plays Howard Hamlin, a senior partner at the law firm Hamlin, Hamlin & McGill. Howard is a successful and respected lawyer, but he is also arrogant and condescending. He often clashes with Jimmy McGill (Bob Odenkirk), a brilliant but troubled lawyer who is working as Howard's subordinate. Over the course of the series, Howard and Jimmy's relationship becomes increasingly adversarial, culminating in a bitter feud that leads to Howard's death.

Linn's performance as Howard Hamlin has been praised by critics. He has been credited with bringing depth and nuance to a character who could have easily been one-dimensional. Linn's portrayal of Howard has helped to make Better Call Saul one of the most acclaimed television dramas of recent years.

Rex Linn Better Call Saul

Rex Linn's portrayal of Howard Hamlin in the acclaimed television series Better Call Saul has garnered significant recognition for its depth and nuance. Here are seven key aspects that encapsulate the essence of his performance:

• Arrogant
• Condescending
• Successful
• Respected
• Adversarial
• Vengeful
• Tragic

Linn's portrayal of Howard Hamlin is a complex and multifaceted one. He is a successful and respected lawyer, but he is also arrogant and condescending. This often leads him into conflict with Jimmy McGill, a brilliant but troubled lawyer who is working as Howard's subordinate. Over the course of the series, Howard and Jimmy's relationship becomes increasingly adversarial, culminating in a bitter feud that leads to Howard's tragic death. Linn's performance captures all of these elements, creating a character who is both sympathetic and deeply flawed.

1. Arrogant

In the context of "Better Call Saul," Howard Hamlin's arrogance is a defining character trait that shapes his interactions with others and ultimately leads to his downfall. As a senior partner at the prestigious law firm Hamlin, Hamlin & McGill, Howard is accustomed to being in a position of power and authority. This has led him to develop an inflated sense of self-importance and a dismissive attitude towards those he perceives as beneath him.

Howard's arrogance is evident in his interactions with Jimmy McGill, a brilliant but troubled lawyer who works as his subordinate. Howard often belittles Jimmy, both in public and in private, and he is quick to dismiss his ideas and suggestions. This arrogance stems from Howard's belief that he is intellectually and morally superior to Jimmy. However, Howard's arrogance blinds him to Jimmy's true potential, and it ultimately leads to his downfall.

In the end, Howard's arrogance is his undoing. His inability to recognize and appreciate Jimmy's talents leads him to make a series of bad decisions that ultimately cost him his life. Howard's story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of arrogance and the importance of humility.

2. Condescending

In the context of "Better Call Saul," Howard Hamlin's condescending behavior is a key aspect of his character that shapes his interactions with others and ultimately leads to his downfall. As a senior partner at the prestigious law firm Hamlin, Hamlin & McGill, Howard is accustomed to being in a position of power and authority. This has led him to develop a condescending attitude towards those he perceives as beneath him, including his subordinate, Jimmy McGill.

• Dismissive and Belittling
  

  Howard often dismisses Jimmy's ideas and suggestions out of hand, and he frequently belittles him in public and in private. This condescending behavior stems from Howard's belief that he is intellectually and morally superior to Jimmy.

• Patronizing
  

  Howard often speaks to Jimmy in a patronizing tone, as if he were a child. This is particularly evident in the early seasons of the show, when Jimmy is still struggling to find his footing as a lawyer. Howard's patronizing behavior serves to reinforce his sense of superiority over Jimmy.

• Demeaning
  

  Howard's condescending behavior can also be seen in the way he treats other characters, such as Kim Wexler and Howard's own wife, Cheryl. He often makes demeaning comments about Kim's career choices, and he frequently dismisses Cheryl's opinions and feelings.

• Ultimately Self-Destructive
  

  Howard's condescending behavior ultimately proves to be self-destructive. His inability to recognize and appreciate Jimmy's talents leads him to make a series of bad decisions that ultimately cost him his life. Howard's story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of condescension and the importance of treating others with respect.

Howard Hamlin's condescending behavior is a complex and multifaceted character trait that has a profound impact on his relationships with others and ultimately leads to his downfall. By exploring the different facets of Howard's condescension, we can gain a deeper understanding of this complex character and the tragic consequences of his behavior.

3. Successful

In the context of "Better Call Saul," Howard Hamlin's success is a key aspect of his character that shapes his interactions with others and ultimately leads to his downfall. As a senior partner at the prestigious law firm Hamlin, Hamlin & McGill, Howard is accustomed to being in a position of power and authority. This success has led him to develop a sense of entitlement and a belief that he is superior to others.

Howard's success is evident in his professional accomplishments. He is a brilliant lawyer with a successful track record. He is also well-respected by his peers and colleagues. However, Howard's success has also led him to become arrogant and condescending. He often looks down on others, particularly those who he perceives as being less successful than himself.

Howard's success ultimately proves to be his undoing. His arrogance and condescension alienate those around him, including his own wife and brother. His inability to recognize and appreciate Jimmy McGill's talents leads him to make a series of bad decisions that ultimately cost him his life. Howard's story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of success and the importance of humility.

The connection between "Successful" and "rex linn better call saul" is a complex and multifaceted one. Howard Hamlin's success is both a source of pride and a source of pain. It leads him to develop a sense of entitlement and superiority, which ultimately leads to his downfall. Howard's story is a reminder that success is not always a positive thing. It is important to stay humble and to appreciate the people around us, regardless of their level of success.

4. Respected

In the context of "Better Call Saul," Howard Hamlin's reputation as a respected lawyer is a key aspect of his character that shapes his interactions with others and ultimately leads to his downfall. As a senior partner at the prestigious law firm Hamlin, Hamlin & McGill, Howard is accustomed to being treated with deference and respect. This respect is due in part to his professional accomplishments. He is a brilliant lawyer with a successful track record. He is also well-respected by his peers and colleagues.

However, Howard's reputation as a respected lawyer also leads him to develop a sense of entitlement and superiority. He often looks down on others, particularly those who he perceives as being less successful than himself. This arrogance and condescension ultimately alienate those around him, including his own wife and brother. His inability to recognize and appreciate Jimmy McGill's talents leads him to make a series of bad decisions that ultimately cost him his life.

The connection between "Respected" and "rex linn better call saul" is a complex and multifaceted one. Howard Hamlin's reputation as a respected lawyer is both a source of pride and a source of pain. It leads him to develop a sense of entitlement and superiority, which ultimately leads to his downfall. Howard's story is a reminder that respect is not always a positive thing. It is important to stay humble and to appreciate the people around us, regardless of their level of success.

5. Adversarial

In the context of "Better Call Saul," Howard Hamlin's adversarial relationship with Jimmy McGill is a key aspect of his character that shapes his interactions with others and ultimately leads to his downfall. As a senior partner at the prestigious law firm Hamlin, Hamlin & McGill, Howard is accustomed to being in a position of power and authority. This has led him to develop a competitive and adversarial mindset, particularly towards those he perceives as a threat to his position.

• Clash of Personalities
  

  Howard Hamlin and Jimmy McGill have very different personalities. Howard is a buttoned-up, rule-following lawyer, while Jimmy is a more free-wheeling and unconventional attorney. This clash of personalities leads to a natural adversarial relationship between the two men.

• Competing Interests
  

  Howard Hamlin and Jimmy McGill have competing interests. Howard is focused on maintaining the status quo at Hamlin, Hamlin & McGill, while Jimmy is more interested in shaking things up. This conflict of interests leads to a series of adversarial encounters between the two men.

• Personal Rivalry
  

  Over time, Howard Hamlin and Jimmy McGill develop a personal rivalry. This rivalry is fueled by a combination of factors, including their clash of personalities, their competing interests, and their own personal insecurities. The rivalry between Howard and Jimmy becomes increasingly adversarial as the series progresses.

• Tragic Consequences
  

  The adversarial relationship between Howard Hamlin and Jimmy McGill ultimately leads to tragic consequences. Howard's inability to accept Jimmy as an equal leads him to make a series of bad decisions that ultimately cost him his life. Jimmy's own adversarial tendencies also contribute to the tragedy, as he is unable to let go of his rivalry with Howard.

The connection between "Adversarial" and "rex linn better call saul" is a complex and multifaceted one. Howard Hamlin's adversarial relationship with Jimmy McGill is a key aspect of his character that shapes his interactions with others and ultimately leads to his downfall. The rivalry between Howard and Jimmy is a cautionary tale about the dangers of adversarial relationships and the importance of finding ways to resolve conflict peacefully.

6. Vengeful

In the context of "Better Call Saul," Howard Hamlin's vengeful behavior is a key aspect of his character that shapes his interactions with others and ultimately leads to his downfall. As a senior partner at the prestigious law firm Hamlin, Hamlin & McGill, Howard is accustomed to being in a position of power and authority. This has led him to develop a sense of entitlement and a belief that he is superior to others.

When Howard feels that he has been wronged, he is quick to seek revenge. This is evident in his treatment of Jimmy McGill, a brilliant but troubled lawyer who works as his subordinate. Howard often belittles Jimmy and makes it difficult for him to succeed. He also goes out of his way to sabotage Jimmy's career.

Howard's vengeful behavior ultimately proves to be his undoing. His inability to let go of his anger and resentment towards Jimmy leads him to make a series of bad decisions that ultimately cost him his life. Howard's story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of vengefulness and the importance of forgiveness.

The connection between "Vengeful" and "rex linn better call saul" is a complex and multifaceted one. Howard Hamlin's vengeful behavior is a key aspect of his character that shapes his interactions with others and ultimately leads to his downfall. Howard's story is a reminder that vengefulness is a destructive emotion that can have tragic consequences.

7. Tragic

The connection between "Tragic" and "rex linn better call saul" is a complex and multifaceted one. Howard Hamlin's tragic downfall is a key aspect of his character that shapes his interactions with others and ultimately leads to his demise. As a senior partner at the prestigious law firm Hamlin, Hamlin & McGill, Howard is accustomed to being in a position of power and authority. This has led him to develop a sense of entitlement and a belief that he is superior to others.

However, Howard's tragic flaw is his inability to recognize and appreciate the talents of those around him, particularly Jimmy McGill. This blindness leads him to make a series of bad decisions that ultimately cost him his life. Howard's story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of arrogance and the importance of humility.

In real life, tragic heroes are often those who possess a fatal flaw that leads to their downfall. This flaw can be anything from hubris to excessive pride to a simple inability to see the truth. Howard Hamlin's tragic flaw is his inability to recognize the value of those around him. This flaw leads him to make a series of bad decisions that ultimately cost him his life.

The practical significance of understanding the connection between "Tragic" and "rex linn better call saul" is that it can help us to avoid making the same mistakes that Howard Hamlin makes. We can learn from his tragic story and strive to be more humble and appreciative of the people around us.

FAQs about Rex Linn's Role in "Better Call Saul"

Rex Linn's portrayal of Howard Hamlin in "Better Call Saul" has been a highlight of the show, and has led to many questions from fans. Here are answers to some of the most common FAQs about Linn's role:

Question 1: What is Howard Hamlin's role in "Better Call Saul"?

Answer: Howard Hamlin is a senior partner at the law firm Hamlin, Hamlin & McGill (HHM). He is Jimmy McGill's (Bob Odenkirk) boss and Chuck McGill's (Michael McKean) brother.

Question 2: How does Howard Hamlin evolve as a character throughout the series?

Answer: Howard Hamlin starts out as a successful and respected lawyer, but he becomes increasingly arrogant and condescending as the series progresses. He eventually becomes Jimmy McGill's adversary and tries to sabotage his career.

Question 3: What is Howard Hamlin's relationship with Jimmy McGill like?

Answer: Howard Hamlin and Jimmy McGill have a complex and adversarial relationship. Howard sees Jimmy as a threat to his position at HHM, and he often belittles and undermines him. Jimmy, in turn, resents Howard's authority and tries to prove himself to him.

Question 4: What is Howard Hamlin's tragic flaw?

Answer: Howard Hamlin's tragic flaw is his inability to recognize and appreciate the talents of those around him, particularly Jimmy McGill. This blindness leads him to make a series of bad decisions that ultimately cost him his life.

Question 5: What is the significance of Howard Hamlin's death?

Answer: Howard Hamlin's death is a turning point in the series. It marks the end of Jimmy McGill's transformation into Saul Goodman and the beginning of his descent into darkness.

Question 6: How does Rex Linn's performance contribute to the character of Howard Hamlin?

Answer: Rex Linn's performance is a key part of what makes Howard Hamlin such a compelling character. Linn brings a sense of depth and nuance to the role, and he captures the character's arrogance, vulnerability, and eventual downfall with great skill.

Summary: Rex Linn's portrayal of Howard Hamlin is a complex and multifaceted one. He is a successful and respected lawyer, but he is also arrogant, condescending, and vengeful. His tragic flaw is his inability to recognize and appreciate the talents of those around him, particularly Jimmy McGill. This blindness leads him to make a series of bad decisions that ultimately cost him his life.

Transition to the next article section: Howard Hamlin is a fascinating and complex character, and Rex Linn's performance is a key part of what makes him so compelling. In the next section, we will take a closer look at Howard's relationship with Jimmy McGill and how it evolves over the course of the series.

Tips Inspired by "Rex Linn Better Call Saul"

Rex Linn's portrayal of Howard Hamlin in "Better Call Saul" offers valuable lessons about personal and professional conduct. Here are five key tips inspired by his character:

Tip 1: Avoid Arrogance and CondescensionHoward Hamlin's downfall stems partly from his arrogance and condescending attitude towards others. To avoid a similar fate, it's crucial to remain humble and respectful in your interactions, regardless of your position or accomplishments.Tip 2: Recognize and Appreciate TalentHoward's inability to recognize Jimmy McGill's talents ultimately leads to his demise. In contrast, successful leaders are able to identify and nurture the abilities of those around them. Seek out and support talented individuals, as they can contribute significantly to your goals.Tip 3: Control Your Vengeful ImpulsesHoward's vengeful behavior towards Jimmy McGill ultimately proves destructive. While it's natural to feel anger or resentment at times, it's important to manage these emotions constructively. Seek healthy outlets for your frustrations and avoid letting them cloud your judgment.Tip 4: Be Aware of Your Tragic FlawsEveryone has flaws, and it's important to be aware of yours. Howard's tragic flaw is his blindness to the talents of others. By understanding your own weaknesses, you can take steps to mitigate their impact on your life and relationships.Tip 5: Learn from the Mistakes of OthersHoward Hamlin's story serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of arrogance, condescension, and vengefulness. Take heed of his mistakes and strive to avoid making them yourself. Learn from the experiences of others to chart a more positive and successful path.

Summary: By following these tips inspired by Rex Linn's portrayal of Howard Hamlin in "Better Call Saul," you can cultivate positive personal and professional relationships, avoid self-destructive behaviors, and achieve greater success in your endeavors.

Transition to the conclusion: The character of Howard Hamlin provides valuable lessons about the importance of humility, recognizing talent, controlling vengeful impulses, understanding your flaws, and learning from the mistakes of others. By incorporating these principles into your own life, you can create a more positive and fulfilling path for yourself.

Conclusion

The exploration of "Rex Linn Better Call Saul" unveils the intricate character of Howard Hamlin, portrayed with depth and nuance by Rex Linn. Howard's journey highlights the corrosive effects of arrogance, condescension, and vengefulness, while also emphasizing the significance of recognizing talent, controlling negative impulses, and understanding one's flaws.

By drawing lessons from Howard's story, we can cultivate more positive personal and professional environments. Embracing humility, appreciating the abilities of others, and managing our emotions constructively can lead to greater success and fulfillment. Moreover, recognizing the mistakes of others serves as a valuable guide, helping us avoid self-destructive behaviors and chart a more positive path.