Hung: Season One

Is anyone even reading this blog anymore? Did anyone ever read it to begin with? August has been a rough month... the end to a series of rough months. The end of a rough and horrid summer. But, as it comes to an end, I promise to try and pull together my reviews and opinions. I plan to start back on a regular basis next week. Although, school starts next week, too. Who knows...

I have read little of the reviews for Hung. I feel it must not have done too well because there was a bit of delay in the release of the DVD and the filming of season two. It isn't so much that the show is bad, but the show lacks originality. The story: a single father with a run of bad luck goes into illegal business. Think Weeds, the story: a single mother with a run of bad luck goes into illegal business. There is hardly a difference between the central themes of the two shows. Do we need two morality plays along the same vein?

The characterization of the background characters in Hung come pretty close to Weeds, too. The character of Lenore (Hung) is so dead on Perkins' character in Weeds. A smart mouthed, wealthy, insecure hustler. And, the children... too smart for their ages and dealing with an unimaginable amount of trauma and stress. Even Anne Heche as the shallow ex-wife seems to border on the Weeds character Andy, at times. How do people get away with outlining so obviously?

There are two savings graces to the series. The first, Jane Adams. I have been obsessed with Adams since I first saw her in Happiness. Her neurotic, stressed, unappreciated characters have always been pure perfection. Adams pulls you into her dilemmas and unhappiness the moment you see her bugged out eyes, scattered voice, and greasy hair. Adams is an original.

The second saving grace: prostitution. I love a prostitution story. In fact, if I were ever to pursue a masters in English (which I never will), I would love to work a thesis on whores in literature. I believe sex is used as a way to break down boundaries of the body. A way to move beyond static existence. A way to expose our vulnerabilities. And, sex can be a lot of fucking fun. Hung uses all of these aspects of sex to explore the characters.

Of course, this is a TV series. There are a lot of cliches. A lot of shallow conversations. Of half assed attempts at depth. But, there is a heart. There is a message. And, there is a bit of naughty fun. Since Weeds has completely jumped the shark, and I can't stand to sit through a single episode, I feel Hung will make a great replacement.

C+