Luck

[Travis Stone]

I thought it was pretty good. HBO rarely screws-up though, except when they canceled Deadwood too early.

[otisotisotis]

Very good. Multiple story lines that you can see crossing in and out of each others path. Solid characters with flaws and possibile redemptive qualities.
Liked how they tackled the issue of breakdowns early on, and Gary Stevens with the best line..."You never get used to it. That's why they make Jim Beam."

[GenuineRisk]

Slate gave it a really, really good review:

http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/t...ick_nolte.html

The reviewer is right about it being a bit confusing for people who don't know racing- my husband said he was confused by some of the dialogue. I like that that it's not being dumbed down, though. I thought the line about risking "$864 on a single in the 4th" was a clever way of doing a bit of exposition.

[Rudeboyelvis]

I don't know why they wouldn't show an actual 864.00 ticket since so much of that particular sup-plot line revolved around raising the bankroll - I'd love to see a screencap of the cocktail napkin - I'm certain they went 5 deep and 4 deep in two legs, had the single to Mon Gateau, were 3 deep in 2 legs, and 8 deep in the last - if my math's right - that a 2880.00 ticket. Probably being too critical, but that seems to me to be pretty elementary

[MaTH716]

It would have been better if their single ran in the finale.

[PatCummings]

Originally Posted by Rudeboyelvis

I don't know why they wouldn't show an actual 864.00 ticket since so much of that particular sup-plot line revolved around raising the bankroll - I'd love to see a screencap of the cocktail napkin - I'm certain they went 5 deep and 4 deep in two legs, had the single to Mon Gateau, were 3 deep in 2 legs, and 8 deep in the last - if my math's right - that a 2880.00 ticket. Probably being too critical, but that seems to me to be pretty elementary

There was also a difference between the first show of will pays and then when they keep going back to it. Overall, things we notice that others don't.

When I saw the pilot, I thought this was the most dynamic discussion of ticket structure in the history of racing on mainstream television (and there wasn't even much of it, but you get the point). I'll gladly deal with the occasional inconsistencies.

[Rudeboyelvis]

Originally Posted by PatCummings

There was also a difference between the first show of will pays and then when they keep going back to it. Overall, things we notice that others don't.

When I saw the pilot, I thought this was the most dynamic discussion of ticket structure in the history of racing on mainstream television (and there wasn't even much of it, but you get the point). I'll gladly deal with the occasional inconsistencies.

2nd time I've heard this....Someone mentioned to me this morning that the pool only paid to the 8 in the first show of will pays, and wasn't until after the breakdown that the 2 was a co-longshot.

I don't recall that, but then again didn't spend a bunch of time analyzing it either. Figure there is something to it...

It grew on me a bit seeing it a second time - (I was critical when that episode previewed back in Dec.). I'll keep watching for sure.

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by Rudeboyelvis

2nd time I've heard this....Someone mentioned to me this morning that the pool only paid to the 8 in the first show of will pays, and wasn't until after the breakdown that the 2 was a co-longshot.

I don't recall that, but then again didn't spend a bunch of time analyzing it either. Figure there is something to it...

It grew on me a bit seeing it a second time - (I was critical when that episode previewed back in Dec.). I'll keep watching for sure.

the 2.3 million was the will pay on two different horses from the start. the camera's focused on the 8.. but there was another horse that paid 2.3 also. for some reason, I feel like at first it showed the 5 horse paying 2.3, but by the end of the race it was the 2 horse.

[GenuineRisk]

Originally Posted by Rudeboyelvis

2nd time I've heard this....Someone mentioned to me this morning that the pool only paid to the 8 in the first show of will pays, and wasn't until after the breakdown that the 2 was a co-longshot.

I don't recall that, but then again didn't spend a bunch of time analyzing it either. Figure there is something to it...

It grew on me a bit seeing it a second time - (I was critical when that episode previewed back in Dec.). I'll keep watching for sure.

I also had a problem with the line early on that 5 winning would knock out 3/4 of the bettors, because it seemed to me unlikely that there would be enough potential winning tickets left by the last race that either of the favorites would pay about 50,000, while the long shots would pay over two million. I thought that a lot more than 25 percent of the bettors would have to still have live tickets in that case (as I don't wager pick 6, I may not understand the math involved; it was something that stuck out to me, though).

And yeah, my husband commented that for him the stakes were lower knowing that they were going to win $50,000 at least, but I can see why they set it the storyline up like that- the ride in the 4th race and the horse breaking down would be too much for one race sequence, and for the average viewer, had they done the breakdown in an earlier race, all the rest of the races would be viewed with a fear that another horse would break down.

I'm going to watch it again to look at the will-pays. Nice catch.

[Antitrust32]

I can't wait to see more episodes. It was just so real, compared to how the racetrack has been portrayed in other films or shows.

I will admit I got very emotional, even shed a few tears, at the end of the show. heartwrenching seeing a thoroughbred in pain and taking its last breath. I usually don't cry when watching movies or shows (except Sports Center make a wish) but the scene got the best of me.

on another note, Gary Stevens is a pretty good actor.

I'm excited to see the story line develop over the next few episodes.

[trackrat59]

Originally Posted by Travis Stone

I thought it was pretty good. HBO rarely screws-up though, except when they canceled Deadwood too early.

Yeah, Deadwood was the best show ever to grace a TV. Amazing stuff. If you have never seen Deadwood do yourself a favor and watch all 3 seasons.

I also did not fully get the Ace Bernstein story line. Can someone explain?

[Arletta]

Originally Posted by trackrat59

Yeah, Deadwood was the best show ever to grace a TV. Amazing stuff. If you have never seen Deadwood do yourself a favor and watch all 3 seasons.

I also did not fully get the Ace Bernstein story line. Can someone explain?

Maybe this will help

http://blogs.houstonpress.com/artatt...luck_pilot.php

[dalakhani]

I guess i am alone in thinking that the pacing was really slow. It was disappointing to me.

[Kasept]

Seth (Equidaily) found a very cool media website, AV Club. Warm review and then a very funny, clubby sequence of comments:
http://www.avclub.com/articles/pilot-again,68437/

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by dalakhani

I guess i am alone in thinking that the pacing was really slow. It was disappointing to me.

As 'Luck' Story Editor/Script Writer (and ATR progenitor) John Perrotta explained Friday on the show with me, Sunday viewers were basically watching hour one of a nine hour movie. As Scav noted earlier in the thread, watch next week and you'll see the pacing pick up.

[Calzone Lord]

Originally Posted by dalakhani

I guess i am alone in thinking that the pacing was really slow. It was disappointing to me.

A lot of first episodes seem to be like that.

Rome was just good enough in a few parts in episode one to bring me back.

I almost gave up on John Adams after one episode -- and quickly, either episode two or three was one of the best shows I've ever watched.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Calzone Lord

A lot of first episodes seem to be like that.

Rome was just good enough in a few parts in episode one to bring me back.

I almost gave up on John Adams after one episode -- and quickly, either episode two or three was one of the best shows I've ever watched.

the john adams' was great. i bought david mculloughs book to get all the details that had to be missed. i'd never known much about adams before then, and wasn't much of a fan. great watch/read. learned a lot, cast adams in a new light and gained a lot of understanding.

[GBBob]

Rolling Stone weighs in..

and that in itself is a major accomplishment for racing

http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/...#ixzz1kzJ1rEGU

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by dalakhani

I guess i am alone in thinking that the pacing was really slow. It was disappointing to me.

they were setting the story line / plot for the season. While I did enjoy the pilot episode, I bet the next episode better and faster paced.