It took me three episodes to get hooked on Game of Thrones. Four for Enlightened. But last week's premiere of Luck
(one of HBO's major new series hopefuls this season) left me confused. I had no idea betting the ponies could be so complicated. After tonight's sophomore round I still feel like I'm playing catch-up, but I'm hopeful.
Urine Sample, Anyone?
We kick off the ep with our hero (or anti-hero, maybe?), Chester, who goes by "Ace" (Dustin Hoffman), submitting to a urine test for his parole officer. Ace is a muckety-muck crook, presumably a mobster type, who knows the ponies. He's doing something with setting up a racetrack. He has a fancy apartment. And a partner/best friend/driver in Gus (Dennis Farina).
Jason Gedrick's Alive!
To be honest, I wasn't sure. The last thing I saw him in was Iron Eagle. But he's here, with a permanent 5 o'clock shadow, playing a degenerate gambler. His character, Jerry, won a ton of money at the track with his friends/fellow gamblers, and now he's pissing it away at the poker table... even though he and his friends haven't actually collected their winnings. The "Ace" in the Hole
We finally learn here what Ace is up to: He wants to bring casino gaming into a racetrack. Something about the economy being bad and how no one's betting, and horse tracks are expensive in the way of upkeep. It's a big deal idea, it seems. But he's got some illegal angle, I think. Maybe.
And the Fast Pony
Nick Nolte is a horse trainer, or owner, or both, named Walter Smith. He's got a fast, young horse.
The most confusing thing, thus far, is how many characters and subplots there are. The show is clearly looking at the world of the horse track, from the gamblers to the businessmen and mobsters behind the scenes to the jockeys and trainers on the ground. It's ambitious, and could be interesting, but right now it's pretty hard to just keep the characters straight. I'm hoping my confusion gives way to something positive... soon.
Best Lines:
"Shy kidneys."
--Ace's parole officer to Ace, when Ace is slow with his urine sample.
"Why don't you show me how you take a raspberry douche?"
--Jerry to a poker competitor.
"I don't know why you wouldn't let me kill that prick."
--Gus to Ace.
"Why don't you stop by the barn. We'll tell each other some lies."
--Walter Smith to a jockey.
"With money comes responsibility, whether you think you can handle it or not."
--Marcus to Jerry.
Recommendations:
