Lucky Hank (1×01) Pilot Early Review

As far as Bob Odenkirk is concerned, following up the critically-acclaimed Better Call Saul is a tough act to follow. Suffice it to say that he needed a change of pace and Lucky Hank appears to fit the bill. With strong writing and direction, Odenkirk can very well succeed once again here as a relatable man who is at his wit’s end after seemingly hitting a rut both personally and professionally. While some may not necessarily agree with the character, his charm can’t help but pull viewers in. Contemplating about his own happiness, he no longer held back what he really thought in a way like nothing mattered, it will be interesting to see where the series goes from here but to balance out that energy, the first episode establishes a decent ensemble around him featuring coworkers who stand up to him and/or put up with him depending on the situation and his wife (Mireille Enos) who is also more than capable to stand toe-to-toe with him. Though the performances from Odenkirk, Enos, and others are good, its the writing that brings is all together.

The episode begins with William Henry Devereaux, Jr. or Hank (Odenkirk) about to start another day and having a breakthrough. Holding back while in a class, he lets out what he was really thinking about his class, English department, and the college as a whole while taking a few self-deprecating shots at himself after being pressed by his students. It did not go well as a student named Bartow (Jackson Kelly) took the brunt of his ire and it didn’t end there. Being a small town, Hank’s outburst quickly made the news across his department, college, and the local newspapers. Meanwhile, hearing the news of his father’s retirement from a newspaper left him on edge. The episode hints to a complicated relationship. As mentioned, Hank’s outburst stirred up the dysfunction of his college’s English department for which he was also the chair. Often butting heads with fellow professor Gracie DuBois (Suzanne Cryer), the others found themselves at the sidelines, merely putting up with them. 

Attempting to do some damage control, the one thing that would end the controversy is an apology from Hank which he of course refused to do. He had tenure therefore felt pretty safe but still planned for the worst, including a potential move to so his wife Lily (Enos), a high school vice principal could take another job at another school. However, Hank’s conformity torpedoed any chance at a future in another city. Although through a miraculous turn of events, his position remained safe hence the “Lucky.” However, he’ll still have challenges moving forward as far as his department was concerned.

Odenkirk as a burnt out and miserable English professor who finds a sense of comfort within that misery had a funny way to show it at times by what was essentially a general disdain but that misery was mutual and it was easy to relate to that. His many contemplations on life and the true meaning of happiness were entertaining and perhaps that is how the series will continue to develop Hank. Odenkirk’s charm and dry delivery fits the role perfectly in a way that doesn’t come off as pretentious or a caricature, instead giving him a flawed yet relatable humanity which has been a trademark for him. Not sharing too many scenes, he and Enos as Lily had decent chemistry. Odenkirk vs. Cryer’s Gracie looks to be a thing as their adversarial dynamic made for some fun moments. The chemistry between the English department as a whole made for some fun banter as the episode only scratches the surface of where they could go.

At the end of the day, Lucky Hank is a promising dramedy boasting laughs and a grounded story led once again by the flawed relatability of Bob Odenkirk.

still courtesy of AMC Networks

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.