‘Lucky Hank’ Recap: ‘The Arrival’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Six of ‘Lucky Hank’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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It is definitely safe to say that our explorations of the mid-life crisis, via the AMC series, Lucky Hank, have been quite singular in nature. Singular in the respect that the show has only focused upon one aspect of the crisis per episode, and it makes sense as to why. For this is indeed something we don’t understand all that well. So, it is supremely helpful for a viewer to learn about this life changing event in stages and properly observe every step and every pratfall that accompanies the mid-life crisis. But while that has made for some fascinating storytelling, the kind that has indeed given us perspective, it has left us wondering what comes next for folks suffering from this event. Such as when does it end? How does one get out of it? And for that matter, why is it so supremely important to address this head on?  
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Well as it turns out, the series is inching closer to answering all of those questions as evidenced by this week’s episode of the show. For ‘The Arrival’ used the arrival of Hank’s dad in Railton to answer two of the three of those questions. A feat made possible by an impassioned plea. For mother dearest wanted Hank to talk to his father and resolve their differences and well, rather than do that and face his past and face his pain… Hank just opted to head off to an education conference with Tony to hear his friend’s speech and avoid dear old dad. Since word was, Pops was leaving on Monday if that talk didn’t happen. And while Hank was gone, the story used his absence at home to give Lily a palate cleansing storyline for us to enjoy. Where she had to step in and help Julie and Russell hammer out the stupid stuff in their marriage, and that led to some genuinely hilarious moments that did indeed keep our minds in balance regarding the heavy stuff.

Because the little vacation that Hank took… did not provide him with the escape he was hoping for. Instead, the trauma his father inflicted upon him, and his own trauma in general was heavy on his mind. Making it clear that escaping such matters was indeed impossible, despite sowing a little mischievous fun amongst other academics as the weekend rolled along. Not to mention, a point of fixation only compounded matters further. For one of the speakers at this event, who was a woman that he could not keep his eyes off of, which implied that she was perhaps part of a plan to give Lily a moment of discomfort through some flirtation on Hank’s part, turned out to be of concern for Hank… because she slept with Hank Senior. And Junior just wanted to confront that and see if his father held any value regarding his family, which added to the tragedy of Hank’s current crisis and that… set the stage to bring forth some answers to those all-important questions. 

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For Hank was so unsettled by that woman and his thoughts in general that he did everything possible to just hide on the day that Tony was giving his speech, and well… he missed it… and the mistakes that Tony made, and that led to a powerful moment between these old friends. Wherein Tony laid into Hank a bit. Mainly because Hank was aloof about something that meant a lot to Tony and well, that’s when the story answered how we start to get out of our funk. Because Tony was blunt with Hank during this dressing down. Pointing out how this crisis more or less put Hank into a dead zone in every way imaginable, to the point where that which he lamented was never going to change and well… that was something Hank needed to hear from someone that was close to him. For it was good objectivity and informed him and us… to get out of a funk sometimes we need someone to call us to the carpet on our nonsense. 
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Which Hank took to heart upon his return home. Since he did the unthinkable and went to see his father post haste. To have that long-awaited talk and well… that took quite the turn. For we came to learn that the vaunted and deeply respected, and sometimes lamented, William Henry Devereaux Senior… was suffering from memory issues and potentially dementia. A sobering moment that taught Hank so many lessons. Such as the need for addressing our traumas and our crises promptly when they arrive, or once we are aware of them… since they can force us to miss out on grand opportunities when they persist. Such as say… making peace with a family member before they no longer understand such concepts. And also… this reinforced Tony’s point that Hank was standing still by burying himself in this crisis and now… Hank has a tough road ahead.

Because not only does he need to put in the work to change course, but now he has to find closure and peace regarding his father without getting it from the source. Which is no easy task, since that hint of what could be will always hang over his head and all of that sets the stage for a powerful close to the end of season one of this moving and brilliant series. One where Hank must indeed face his demons at last and decide what the future of his life is going to look like, all while figuring out how to heal, and it will be fascinating to see how he rises to the occasion, or potentially fails in the early days of this quest… since to err is human, even when healing… as we inch toward the end of this first chapter in Hank’s powerful and uncomfortable journey. Until next time. 

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