‘Lucky Hank’ Recap: ‘Escape’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Three of ‘Lucky Hank’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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We are taught from a very early age, that being tough is essential to getting through tough times. Because they will test us and do whatever they must to break us, emotionally. So, if we want to make it through them, our resolve must be at its absolute best, and we must put our heads down and work through it and of course… project an air of confidence. Because that too, helps us feel as though little has changed in that moment and only when the ugly days are behind us, can we let our guard down and process the pain and well… that really is the mantra we follow to a tee, and in the end, that really is the wrong way to handle long days and unpleasant nights.
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Simply because… we will bottle up our emotions in doing so and that can bring about all kinds of trouble. For it can prompt us to lash out when the pressure becomes too great, and we will say and do hurtful things when that particular moment arrives. Not to mention, it makes us numb and a shell of ourselves. To the point where we go through the motions akin to a George Romero zombie. Plus, it can also prompt us to lash out in a different manner. Where we take our troubles, emotions and our fears and flat-out project them onto others. Which can lead to uncomfortable moments and can even inspire negative behaviors as evidenced by this week’s fascinating episode of Lucky Hank on AMC. 

For ‘Escape’ is a story that saw more tough times come Hank’s way. Because Dean Rose basically confirmed to Hank that the rumors were true, that the school was indeed pondering upon budget cuts and layoffs and that Hank needed to submit a list of viable candidates to release, as soon as possible. Which immediately put a bevy of pressure upon him since the staff wanted to know if they would make the list and what they could do to prevent being fired, and that difficult task… was compounded by a secondary struggle and surprise; the fact that Hank’s father was returning home. For he had his stuff shipped to Hank’s address and made mention Railton was his next stop, and well… that did not sit right with Hank in the slightest. Because he had worked so hard to ignore and be free of his father and their sordid past.

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But alas, dad was coming home, and he even had mom’s blessing, since Hank also came to learn they had been in communication for some time and well… that damn near broke him. Because it brought old memories and old ghosts back to the forefront of his mind, and emotions that lay unresolved. All of which put Hank into that mental mode we discussed a moment ago. Wherein tough times and old lessons pushed him to forge ahead and not deal with this until the time was right and well, that prompted him to project his fears and his frustrations and outright deeper desires upon others. For he basically told his daughter that perhaps the best course of action for her was to leave Railton and start over, without prompting or without reason and that brought about a fight since it was so random and so blunt.
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Not to mention, he leaned in hard with this same projection when it came to his interactions with Meg. Since he discouraged her from teaching at the college in every way imaginable to motivate her to escape this town as well, and he of course… indulged in his frustrations with alcohol, with Meg, as people are wont to do when the world seems overwhelming. Which brought about an awkward moment between Hank and Meg when she saw a night of drinking and care as a signal that something intimate could happen. A move Hank quickly rebuffed. All of which made it clear how forging ahead in tough times is a terrible idea, since repressed emotions do indeed bubble over in a toxic manner and can cause all kinds of trouble and can inspire the opposite of what one wants. Since Lily is considering taking a gig in New York City because of all this talk of escape. Also… because… everyone’s refusal to clean up a puddle of urine at her school made it her job.

All of which made, for a fascinating tale, one that further expanded upon a man in crisis. Since now we know that a fair chunk of what’s haunting Hank in regard to his mid-life crisis, relates to past traumas and unresolved emotions, that have managed to influence broken behaviors in the present. Adding fascinating depth to this journey and informing us of how much self-work Hank is going to have to take part in to find peace and to really start his second chance. And this episode deserves a round of applause for putting this kind of realistic behavior on display and for further expanding upon a complex character, all while setting the stage for the work ahead in his complex journey and it will be incredible to see what other unique life lessons and expansions upon the mid-life crisis await us, as this journey continues along. Until next time.  

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