In the episode, the New Mexico Bar Association hears an argument over whether Jimmy McGill (Bob Odenkirk) should be disbarred over sabotaging a business partnership made by his brother, Chuck (Michael McKean).

Jimmy and his co-counsel, Kim Wexler (Rhea Seehorn), attempt to prove that he lied on tape about sabotaging the deal in order to make Chuck feel better about his alleged condition of electromagnetic hypersensitivity.

Howard Hamlin testifies that Chuck did not want to hire Jimmy as an attorney at HHM, supposedly to avoid the appearance of nepotism.

During cross-examination, Jimmy raises Chuck's EHS and asks him to identify the closest source of electricity.

Lavell Crawford reprises his role as Huell Babineaux from Breaking Bad after last appearing in the season 5 episode "To'hajiilee".

The site consensus reads: "The war between Jimmy and Chuck comes to an unprecedented climax in the heartbreaking, sober, and defining 'Chicanery', an episode that clearly cements Better Call Saul as essential television.

Many critics were disappointed when McKean, who was said to have given "one of the best performances by anyone in TV all year", failed to secure an Emmy nomination while his co-star Jonathan Banks did.

Uproxx noted that even the facial expressions of "Chicanery's" three committee members mirror those of three judges in Caine.

[9] (The film—which Vince Gilligan counts among his favorites—is also referenced in the Breaking Bad episode "Madrigal", in which Mike can be seen watching it.