I think this is just step 1 in his 'decline' (much like walter white had a series of turning points) as it turns out jimmy actually *is* a really nice guy. I feel this is the point where he decides that the other 'little guys' like himself need someone who can do things for them at a bigger level (maybe much like his brother could, albeit shit on him in the end (hi CS!!)). Don't forget we know he ends up as someone who doesn't rip people off, but does have zero qualms about taking money from people who he knows to be shady as fuck. So in that respect, he doesn't turn out to be like jimmy in that he'll stripe marks, but ends up as someone who will earn the money 'legitimately' through services rendered.
Turning points... all the above mentioned by others, also marco saying 'if you're a lawyer and you aren't making bank, you're doing it wrong'.
As for the series... took a long time to get there so more drawn out than I expected, far more tension building in it's own way than balls out like BB was, but I think most of us expected that after the 1st episode or 2 anyway. Very enjoyable
