The actor offers insights into the gripping episode he calls “operatic, symbolic, and beautiful.”
Let us now raise a broken glass to Nacho Varga.
you’re free to skip the farewell speech, though, because you won’t top his.
Michael Mando as Nacho Varga in ‘Better Call Saul’.Greg Lewis/AMC/Sony Pictures Television
And to whom Nacho would make a final emotional call.
The episode concluded with Hector repeatedly, if feebly, shooting his lifeless body.
“Nacho becomes the man he was always meant to be.”
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: R.I.P., Nacho.
MICHAEL MANDO:I was in Montreal.
I think it was around the end of 2020, beginning of 2021.
And it was just a really beautiful conversation.
And that I would be very happy.
And they were right.
What kind of levels were you playing in that moment?
It was a really fantastical moment.
The first time around, we had a huge sandstorm take over and we had to stop shooting.
We couldn’t shoot my coverage.
We had done everyone else’s coverage.
It was an incredible episode to shoot.
So it was just a magical moment, you know?
The ancient Egyptians used to weigh the heart of the dead man against the weight of a feather.
And if his heart was lighter than a feather, then he would go to heaven.
But also to the world.
To me, he was doubling down on his love for his father….
This is the speech that doubles down what I feel in regards to killing innocent lives.
He hates this idea that tough guys need to kill for fun or pleasure.
He dislikes the idea of greed and corruption and he wants nothing to do with it.
And it’s his chance of standing up for what he believes is right.
Did you try different calibrations on the speech?
And was there any dialogue that was cut?
He sees his community as virtuous and full of integrity and morality.
And that’s what he wishes for others of his community as well.
And with the gun, Nacho can now end things on his terms.
I think Mike is a conflicted character morally at this point.
For most of the show, Nacho’s been looking at Mike for guidance.
In this point, Nacho transcends that relationship.
What do you think was going through Nacho’s head in that moment?
Nacho has made the decision to die during the phone call with his father.
And he really puts full faith into himself.
There’s a lot of symbolism in that whole episode.
It’s just such an incredibly poetic episode.
It’s a beautiful episode, and it transcends life.
Not unlike Mike, Nacho had a code.
He cared deeply for his father, and for those who chose not to involve themselves in crime.
He realized that these were choices that he made and he accepted the responsibility.
Those people did not, so leave them alone.
In the end, after that speech, how do you view his soul?
You mentioned the Egyptian analogy.
I’d like to imagine this character as a tragic, heroic, romantic figure.
Vince told me [he is] a samurai without a master.
Somebody at AMC told me he’s the king of soul.
Somebody else told me “the prodigal son.”
People seem to have these quotes for him that I find really interesting: “Breaking good.”
Is it possible that viewers will see you again before the end of the show, in a flashback?
That would be a Peter and Vince question.
How much more to the story is there to get to that moment?
That’s a Vince and Peter question.
[Laughs]…. We’ve sworn an allegiance to keep our lips sealed.
What’s the first thing that pops into your head to sum up your six seasons onBetter Call Saul?
Gratitude certainly sounds like one.
I never knew that this guy was going to be such a fan favorite.
It’s an unbelievable feeling of gratitude that that character became that to so many people.
Same thing with a lot of people inside the show and the crew.
And I can’t wait to take these lessons and apply them on my next journey.
Can you talk about that next journey?
I’m very interested in developing with producers and co-creating.
I’m interested in a lot of great up-and-coming directors who have cool ideas.
I like genre films.
I like Westerns, sci-fis, psychological thrillers.
I like action films with a very solid, dramatic core to them.
So I’m very excited for the future and very grateful for the past.
What should be written on Nacho’s tombstone?
“Love conquers all.”
This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
