To all you TV watchers who gave up on Luck after being overwhelmed by its fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants approach to storytelling: Give it another chance.
Bridging the Age Gap
Ace (Dustin Hoffman) spends the entire episode picking apart Nathan (Patrick J. Adams), a brilliant and egotistical twentysomething and Ace's new "go-between" in his master revenge plan. And no, we have no idea what said plan is yet, but isn't getting there half the fun?
Can I Open My Eyes Yet?
Tonight's episode brings two cringe-worthy moments of searing pain. Eager jockey Leon (Tom Payne) collapses in a steam-filled shower, cracking open his skull on the tile floor with the sound of a bug hitting a windshield. And Ronnie (Gary Stevens) takes a nasty fall off of "Gettn'up Morning" during the colt's first race, shattering his collarbone and forcing Walter to ask Rosie (Kerry Condon) to become the horse's new jockey.
Oh No, She Didn't
After calling Escalante (John Ortiz) a "sick f___ing creature," veterinarian Jo (Jill Hennessy) is in his living room, drinking his wine and following him into the bedroom. Come again? We're finally getting to know these characters inside and out, and it's only making the show that much richer. Oh, and Escalante's romantic pick-up line, just in time for Valentine's Day: "Wanna do it?"
Can I Pet It?
How pitch-perfect was that scene when Jerry (Jason Gedrick) and the rest of the "railbirds" listened to Escalante's instructions for their new horse, "Mon Gateau"? Escalante gave the four bozos the stink-eye on multiple occasions, revealing a deep connection with the animal that we have yet to see. And that last shot with all four men holding out carrots? I believe we've got visual poetry on our hands.
At the episode's final moment -- Ace and Gus simultaneously closing their eyes, while Gus admires their prized horse in his mind's eye -- I had a realization: Luck is going to turn out to be a real keeper. Anybody else eager to see how this slow horse of a show develops?
Best Lines:
"Do poppy bagels make your test bad?"
--Ace to his parole officer before delivering his urine sample.
"Guy asks me about a girl he wants to see, I still have eyes for her, I tell him she's got crabs."
--Jerry to Escalante, referring to the trainer giving up Mon Gateau.
"I break this f___ing collarbone more than I get laid."
--Ronnie after falling from Gettn'up Morning.
"You think this comes from a job at McDonalds?"
--Ace to Nathan, referring to his upper-class lifestyle.
"Keep your hands open."
--Escalante instructing the four friends how to feed their new horse.
Recommendations:
