‘Lucky Hank’ Recap: ‘The Clock’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Five of ‘Lucky Hank’. To revisit the previous episode, click here. Also, this article contains discussions regarding self-harm and suicide, which may be triggering to some individuals.
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It is definitely safe to say that the AMC series, Lucky Hank, has offered us a masterclass examination in what the mid-life crisis actually looks like in the everyday world. For now, we know, it isn’t some cliché laden embarrassment filled with goofy purchases and moments and eye-rolling romances. It’s a very intimate affair. One filled to the brim with doubt, worry, and moments of frustration and anger and understandably so. For the mid-life crisis is the epitome of unfinished business in our minds, the kind that people suffering from it aren’t sure they can easily resolve. But what is truly fascinating about this series is that it has so much more to teach us about the mid-life crisis, such as how sometimes it is born out of unfortunate origins.
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For instance, unresolved trauma. For the human mind oft desires resolution and closure, and when we cannot receive that and when we do not deal with such matters… they will bubble up at the appropriate time, which may well be in the midst of that crisis, as evidenced by last night’s episode of the show. For ‘The Clock’ is a story that saw Hank and Lily host the annual English Department Dinner. An evening that should have been a beautiful celebration of all things academic, but instead… this evening turned out to be quite the disaster and a fine place to explore how that unresolved trauma contributes to that mid-life crisis, and it accomplished this particular feat… by way of two key triggering moments for Hank. One of which, involved his staff.

Because the usual attitude that only they bring to the table, was in fact, brought to the dinner table. With an emphasis on chaos coming from Paul. Who we came to learn, wanted Hank’s house for its lakeside view and he was consistently throwing digs Hank’s away about losing out on a bid for the house and of course, the rest of the staff and their usual shenanigans made for a tense evening. One that was further compounded by a surprise for Lily. In that, she got the job in New York. Which left her pondering upon what she should do, and well, once that news reached the party’s ears… Paul pushed harder on perhaps putting in an offer on the house since he assumed Lily would take the offer and she and Hank would move, and of course… then there was discussion regarding who would settle into the chair.​

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All of which put Hank on edge and agitated his already frayed nerves and that was further exacerbated by the constant discussions regarding New York and the understanding that Tom tried to make out with his wife. Because that tapped into his fears that more change was coming, and that Lily might leave him. Which in turn exploded into a full-on battle near the end of the night, one that Julie was sucked in via Hank’s machination, and eventually involved tears. For Lily wanted to take the job and that brought Hank to his breaking point. Where he honestly asked her why she didn’t want him, why she didn’t want to be near him. A question that ended the party and brought forth a full-circle moment regarding Hank’s mid-life crisis. Since all of that led to an incredible revelation regarding his life.
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Because this story also revolved around a clock from the moving pod that Hank valued and cherished. In part, because it was tied to some of his calmer memories from his youth and one of the true genesis points of his crisis. For we came to learn that Hank once attempted to end his own life when his father was preparing to leave, all because he never felt loved by his father and felt abandoned by him and was stunned by the change his father brought into his life. Which is why Hank is struggling with change, with the road not taken and with Lily’s desire to explore a fulfilling job. In that, it he can only associate change with suffering and worry, and abandonment and sorrow, and well… if he cannot address that pain and that trauma and find peace within it… he may cycle and find himself trapped within these fears and worries and extend this crisis.

But what mattered more, is that this story did an amazing job of exploring how in fact… trauma can influence a mid-life crisis and even fuel it to a certain extent. Adding a fascinating layer to this crisis, to the point where now we all may ponder upon what drives a crisis such as this and perhaps approach our support to those in need differently, and from a storytelling perspective… this completely changes our perspective of Hank through and through. Simply because… he is now a tragic figure. One haunted by the past and terrified of letting go of his pain and now, we simply must continue the journey to see if and how Hank will release his pain. So, he can find the peace and direction he’s desperate to obtain. Until next time.   

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