Just as I had predicted, Hank was found guilty of statutory rape. It was obvious throughout the episode that Hank was nervous and off his game. His usual wit was absent and his jokes fell flat. In other words, he was more human than normal. It was an episode for Hank to feel the gravity of his situation. He was finally accepting blame for being his own worst enemy.
Unbelievably, the truest and best scenes of the episode involved Becca. I'm not a big fan of Madeleine Martin's acting but I thought she did quite well tonight. Becca's had to be the adult more often than a child should where Hank is involved and she didn't hold back on letting him know that. Her life is exhibit A of the downside of having the "cool" parent. She expressed to Hank that sometimes all she wishes is that he was a regular dad who came home from work and did normal dad things. As cool as Hank may seem to us, this is one of those moments you are able to see the hidden consequences of being his kid.
Hank's tour of LA is actually kind of sad. Who does he really have to turn to in his time of emotional need? He's alienated Karen. Charlie is little help in this type of situation and everyone else either hates or wants to use him. He's carved out a rather lonely pathetic situation for himself. Who else could he turn to but his hooker with a golden heart? But Hank doesn't need sex from her. He could get laid by any number of women. What he needs is someone who will listen to him. Allow him to be vulnerable and comfort him.
Just as we see Hank thinking about running from his fate, he's called home to a surprise party with Karen, Charlie, Karen and Becca. The show lost something when the split these two couples up and the writers all but admit that through Becca's assessment. The interplay, conversations and chemistry between these two couples was a show highlight waiting to happen. Marcy and Charlie were always better together even with their problems than either has been apart. Hank and Karen are the natural partners for them. Hank a catalyst to take every situation to the next level and Karen is there to ground everyone. If this is the last time we see the two couples together then is was a good last time with dirty stories, drunken confessions and stoned realizations.
Throughout the night you can see Hank trying to sell Karen on the magic of their relationship. Karen isn't buying. She knows their relationship has reached the end of the road and now it's her job to make Hank see that too. She still loves Hank but love isn't enough when it comes to being with a guy like Hank. She's willing to give herself to him one last time. Maybe it's because he could be going away for a long time or maybe it's because she needs a final chapter for her story with Hank but for one more night she's going to be his. In the morning, it will all be over.
So what sentence does Hank get? How does the season end?
Random Thoughts:
- I guess we've seen the last of Ben and Pearl this season?
- Seems like the least Mia could do is throw Hank one last mercy lay. She owes him that much right?
- I really didn't like the way everyone found out about the guilty verdict. There's no way Charlie and Karen wouldn't have been in the courtroom when that came down.
- I could do without Rob Lowe coming back next week.
