You were the show whose pilot knocked me off my chair - I was so in awe with what I’d seen, so jealous of the power of the writing. As you went along I had a troubled relationship with you - I had a hard time taking you seriously during your goofier moments but you always pulled me back when you got around to being poignant.
The problem with sustaining a series with a troubled hero like Hank Moody is that you can only go so far in his growth without abandoning what was exciting about him in the first place. So it’s hard to sustain this long-standing story of the love of his life when he’s constantly with other women. After a few seasons of that you kind of start to feel like those two aren’t really destined to be together. I believe it was season five that ended with his crazy girlfriend trying to kill him. That was an inspired story choice, and really gave us material to go somewhere real and honest and dark with the character, but it largely got squandered and Hank set off on another kooky adventure in show business. This season worked as a swan song. I liked the idea of him connected with a long-long son, and having the dual relationship between his two baby mamas - though I have a hard time buying he wouldn’t have given it a shot with Heather Graham - not just because she’s gorgeous, but because they have a clean slate like he and Karen never could. Alas.
Evan Handler has always been a joy, and there’s a special place in my heart for Pamela Adlon.
If you’ve never seen this series I’m not entirely sure I can advocate for it’s entire run. I definitely think it’s first three or four seasons are worth your time - after that it’s a little hit or miss. David Duchovney is always delightful though, so there’s that as well. I’ll miss the characters a little and seeing where they go, but I can’t say I need anymore. Let’s see what Tom Kampinos has up his sleeve next.
