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Season 1 – Luck

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Luck Jan 2012 Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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82% Tomatometer 50 Reviews 81% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
A three-year stay in federal prison has given Chester "Ace" Bernstein plenty of time to think, and what he devises upon his release is a revenge plot against the colleagues who betrayed him. With the help of his trusted bodyguard and driver, Gus, who acts as a front for his race horse investment, Ace seeks to reverse the sad-sack fortunes of a famous racetrack. A key to the plan is held by Turo Escalante, a talented self-made trainer with a questionable character, who takes on the job of training Ace's colt. The series, from "Deadwood" creator David Milch and director Michael Mann, stars Dustin Hoffman as Ace, Dennis Farina as Gus and Nick Nolte as veteran trainer-turned-owner Walter Smith. The cast also includes Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens, who plays a grizzled rider with a love for Jack Daniels.
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Luck — Season 1

Luck — Season 1

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Critics Consensus

With its outstanding ensemble cast, immersive atmosphere, and terrific cinematography, Luck is a well-pedigreed series that takes its time but is ultimately absorbing.

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Critics Reviews

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Hugh Montgomery Independent (UK) 06/13/2018
Perhaps this preponderance of heavyweight talent is part of the problem. Certainly, the opener seemed hobbled by an unchecked self-regard that rendered it both overemphatic and unintelligible. Go to Full Review
Terry Curtis Fox IndieWire 06/13/2018
Luck has massive amounts of verisimilitude but only occasionally comes to life. Go to Full Review
Stuart Jeffries Guardian 06/13/2018
For the moment it feels as though we viewers are mostly investing in loss, gambling that all the bafflement will be redeemed before the finale. Go to Full Review
Chris Swanson What Culture 06/13/2018
4/5
I'm still more than a little lost at sea, but I've never been so entertained while being so very uncertain as to what I'm seeing. Go to Full Review
Adam Newland TV Equals 06/13/2018
It seems that Luck may be an acquired taste, but it's one worth acquiring. Go to Full Review
Sandrine Sahakians TV Equals 06/13/2018
I guess I can't resist a character study after all even if I don't understand most of what's going on. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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07/09/2019 I love this worked at many big and small racetracks , I did the real work of food and beverage , also fun stories . Horses die everyday at race tracks , when they break a leg they are humanely put down immediately , why is PETA upset that a legal profession is unjust , as accidents happen . I hate only one season , great stories actors action See more 04/08/2015 Luck? Not for the horses murdered on set. See more 01/21/2015 Brilliant. HBO cancelled this masterwork because the hypocrites over at PETA complained about three horses dying while on set. Does HBO and PETA both know how many animals have to die to make film for most of these shows to be shot on? So by this loony logic, should HBO stop shooting TV shows and PETA protest every single television show and movie that is shot on film? Come on HBO, Milch gave us so many tremendous characters only for you to cancel the show over mystifying reasons? "Luck" should be seen, regardless, for its intricate and dense storytelling and characters, a good roster of directors, excellent soundtrack, a cast that had not one weak link, and plenty of the usual Milch trademarks spanning philosophy to history to a vile and intelligent worldview and so on. See more 10/10/2014 It was awesome until it lasted See more Read all reviews
Luck — Season 1

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Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Jan 29, 2012 Pilot Ace Bernstein is released from prison after three years; four racetrack junkies make a bet that could be worth millions. Details Episode 2 Aired Feb 5, 2012 Ace meets with a potential investor; Renzo makes a claim on a horse; Lonnie spends time with two unscrupulous women; Walter Smith finds a jockey for his thoroughbred. Details Episode 3 Aired Feb 12, 2012 Jerry pursues a deal to buy the horse that Renzo lost to Mulligan; he also talks to Escalante about training it. Details Episode 4 Aired Feb 19, 2012 Ace meets with Claire about a charitable endeavor for prisoners and discusses his new venture with an old partner. Details Episode 5 Aired Feb 26, 2012 Ace takes the reins when Escalante surprises Gus; he decisides to race Pint of Plain with an inexperienced jockey in the horse's debut. Details Episode 6 Aired Mar 4, 2012 Ace meets with a track owner and his parole officer; sends Nathan to discuss business with fellow investors. Details Episode 7 Aired Mar 11, 2012 Ace and Claire tour a horse farm; Jerry tries to get into a poker tournament; Lonnie claims another Escalante horse; Rosie asks Joey to be her advocate; Ronnie tries to get his life back on track. Details Episode 8 Aired Mar 18, 2012 Ace reacts decisively to a new wrinkle in the racetrack deal, but it's probably not a move that Smythe will take lying down. Details Episode 9 Aired Mar 25, 2012 Gus does everything in his power to protect Ace; they watch as their star mount races against Walter's prized horse. Details
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Season Info

Director
Michael Mann
Creator
David Milch
Executive Producer
David Milch, Michael Mann, Carolyn Strauss
Screenwriter
David Milch
Network
HBO
Rating
TV-MA
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date
Jan 29, 2012