The Televangelist: ‘Luck’ Season 1, Ep 8
Regardless of its future, “Luck” has been a worthy ride.
- HBO
- Happy Trails To You
As most everyone has heard by now, HBO changed its decision to bring viewers a second season of the show due to the death of a third horse on set. Though the deaths were accidental (or freak accidents, really), autopsies reported that the horses were in severe pain and were heavily medicated at the time.
To this I say ... is anyone surprised? It seems more like confirmation of something we had suspected but preferred not to consider. It has been mentioned here before (as well as in the comments) and on the show itself that racing is a painful and dangerous sport for horses. If current racehorses are already in excruciating pain, then how must ex-racehorses feel? It was always a difficult prospect to focus a show on these animals - and not just a single horse but a stable of them - especially ones in conditions that might pass a medical screening but may also not be able to work to the standard that the creative side of the show demands. Like most, I was horrified to read about the deaths on set, and do of course support the decision to shut down production. It was a tragic ending for a bold attempt at storytelling.
As for the show itself, whose penultimate episode aired last night, there’s no reason to give up on watching yet. Judging by the way some of the storylines are coming together, I have a fairly positive feeling that the season finale (now series finale) will be a mostly satisfying ending. It will be a shame not to explore this rich world in a deeper way during upcoming seasons, but “Luck” will still hold its own in the HBO canon as a glimpse into the microcosm of horse racing, solidified by some fantastic filming and acting along the way. Perhaps in this way it’s better to look at the show as a miniseries. It might not tie up as neatly as “Mildred Pierce” or “Generation Kill,” but it was just as immersive.