Better Call Saul's Ending Invokes a Literary Classic

During his confession, Jimmy doesn't just confess to his crimes in the Heisenberg drug empire. He also finally admits to voiding Chuck's malpractice insurance since the start of "Better Call Saul" Season 3, which helped drive his brother to suicide. Jimmy's repentance would be incomplete without his original sin, after all. The way Dostoyevsky writes Raskolnikov's confession indicates similar exhaustion:

"[Raskolnikov] faithfully and clearly maintained his confession, without in any way confusing himself as to details or mitigating any circumstance. Nor did he mutilate any fact, nor spare the smallest detail."

Tried and convicted, Raskolnikov was sentenced to a labor camp in Siberia. While he is there, Sonya visits him; his love and acceptance of his penance nurtures his soul to health. Jimmy is sentenced to 86 years in maximum security prison, but is treated like a celebrity by the other inmates and receives a surprise visit from Kim. It is implied that this will not be the last time she visits.

There are some differences. Raskolnikov is only to serve eight years, leaving a more hopeful ending - like Dostoyevsky himself, it's likely that one day he will be a free man again, so that he and Sonya can get their happy endings. Jimmy, on the other hand, is likely going to be a permanent resident of his new home. Even so, he prefers this to his existence without Kim in Omaha.

Admitting your crimes, honestly and without mitigation or justification, does not absolve you of punishment, but it is the only thing that can set your soul back on track. Both Jimmy and Raskolnikov found jail worth it if it meant a cleansed conscience.