S02.E08: Laying In The Weeds

[paigow]

Note: Airdate gap

Spencer tries to move forward; Joe works to keep things together; Charles and Ricky clash; Travis worries about his prospects; Spencer asks for help at his draft day party.

Edited August 31, 2016 by paigow
Zap2it Summary available

[thuganomics85]

Totally obvious that Spencer getting fired was going to end up being exposed at the party, despite his best efforts.  Oh, Spencer.  Will you ever learn?  I loved Joe pointing out that people usually come up with exit strategies before they actually, well, exit.

Glad Charlie and Ricky made-up, after Charlie got upset for Ricky turning down his deal.  I still doubt he's going anywhere, so something will either cause the deal to fall through, or Ricky will change his mind for whatever reason.

Joe's big speech was hilarious.  Rob Corddry is so much fun.

I really do not care about Spencer and Tracy's issues.

Travis is drafted to Baltimore, huh?

[hkit]

I'm having a real hard time caring about anyone this season. 2 episodes left probably won't change that. 

If this comes back for a third season, I hope we get better storylines than "which team will pay Ricky the most?"

[Joimiaroxeu]

That was some interesting word parsing going on there between Travis and Andre. So what is the difference between a dick and an asshole, other than the physical one, that is? I generally use both words interchangeably, though I think I would consider assholery more of a chronic condition.

Yeah,  this show seems to stuck on the same track plot-wise. Plus Dwayne kinda seems to be over it. I imagine he'd rather be pursuing his film career. Whatever, it'll be interesting to see where Ballers goes next season.

Edited September 12, 2016 by Joimiaroxeu

[paigow]

15 hours ago, Joimiaroxeu said:

That was some interesting word parsing going on there between Travis and Andre. So what is the difference between a dick and an asshole, other than the physical one, that is? I generally use both words interchangeably, though I think I would consider assholery more of a chronic condition.

Dick: Petty Theft / Simple Possession / Flasher

Asshole: Felony Murder / Possession with Intent to Traffic / SVU Most Wanted

[marcee]

23 hours ago, Joimiaroxeu said:

That was some interesting word parsing going on there between Travis and Andre. So what is the difference between a dick and an asshole, other than the physical one, that is? I generally use both words interchangeably, though I think I would consider assholery more of a chronic condition.

That wasn't Travis and Andre. Andre is Andy Garcia (the finance competition/Spencer's rival). The guys Travis was talking to were all team owners; the Dick/Asshole discussion, specifically, appeared to be with Christopher McDonald who plays the owner of the Dallas Cowboys. Travis seemed to make the distinction as being a dick was more obnoxious and annoying -- whereas being an asshole was a serious and potentially evil personality flaw.

I REALLY don't care about Tracey and their goodbye kiss made me uncomfortable. Zero chemistry. Ugh.

I'm not sure why Spencer isn't more concerned about getting his registration in order instead of collecting $12mil. Seems like if he can just get that handled, AMS might even hire him back. How can he even have a successful NFL financial-coaching business without it? I'm so confused.

Edited September 13, 2016 by marcee

[Ottis]

Quote

If this comes back for a third season, I hope we get better storylines than "which team will pay Ricky the most?"

This show is hamstrung by whatever its agreement is with the NFL. It dances around the edge of interesting issues, but can never delve into anything that makes the NFL look bad. There was an ESPN show a few years back called Playmakers which was much more interesting. There was a star RB who had been injured several times who had to first fight and then face being passed over and washed out, for instance. More interesting "Baller" story lines might involve players with concussions and how it affected their personal lives, or how franchises treat players who are injured on the field, or what exactly is going on with player money with these investments that are mentioned in regard to Spencer but never explained, or how do players deal with a franchise that is relocating (rams) or might relocate (Chargers), or marijuana use by players vs. state laws and NFL requirements, or ... the list goes on.

Ballers is stuck with trying to make us care about characters whose actions are not very interesting or realistic, and many plot lines really aren't about football. Having Andre try to crush Spencer (who makes poor decisions,anyway) and Joe is a story about business, not football.

Edited September 13, 2016 by Ottis

[Rapunzel]

2 hours ago, Ottis said:

This show is hamstrung by whatever its agreement is with the NFL. It dances around the edge of interesting issues, but can never delve into anything that makes the NFL look bad. There was an ESPN show a few years back called Playmakers which was much more interesting. There was a star RB who had been injured several times who had to first fight and then face being passed over and washed out, for instance. More interesting "Baller" story lines might involve players with concussions and how it affected their personal lives, or how franchises treat players who are injured on the field, or what exactly is going on with player money with these investments that are mentioned in regard to Spencer but never explained, or how do players deal with a franchise that is relocating (rams) or might relocate (Chargers), or marijuana use by players vs. state laws and NFL requirements, or ... the list goes on.

Ballers is stuck with trying to make us care about characters whose actions are not very interesting or realistic, and many plot lines really aren't about football. Having Andre try to crush Spencer (who makes poor decisions,anyway) and Joe is a story about business, not football.

Playmakers actually came out in 2003 - if you can believe its been that long already (I know I couldn't believe it had been that long). It really is worth watching, and you can still get find it (at least used) on DVD and I own a copy as it actually is that good if you like sports dramas. It is more realistic than Ballers and focused on more of the cast overall and multiple issues and has more interesting plots. I remember wondering why on earth it never got a second season and then found out that the NFL used whatever influence they had to have it taken off the air.

All the teams in it are fictional, if I remember right, but it goes into some serious issues, including how they are able to beat drug tests, even while people are watching them take them (the details are gross, so I'll let you all leave that one to your imaginations), it talks about severe injuries, domestic violence, a misogynistic, womanizing star QB who has the Equipment Manager scout the stands for him every game to find a girl(s) for him to home with, the over the top partying, some of the contract negotiations and things that go on in the front office, etc.

Ballers tries to keep things a bit lighter I think, in part, to help avoid running into some issues with the NFL, but it does show them partying pretty hard and using hardcore drugs. It also goes in to the womanizing a bit, though a lot of that of course isn't exclusive to the NFL or pro sports, of course. Playmakers is darker, more dramatic, and, therefore, seems more realistic, though of course nothing is ever 100% accurate in a TV show. 

Agree with those who have posted that they want to see more storylines than just how much money Rickey will end up chasing after each season and how many career changes Charles is going to have, etc.

For some reason I have a feeling that Spencer may end up going to work for Andre - at least for a time - especially given how he was outed for being fired at the party and that he is unregistered. I know he hates the guy, but it may help him get registered properly and Andre could end up taking over the other firm.

Also, when Playmakers was done back in 2003, they didn't know a ton about the post-concussive issues these guys could have years after they stopped playing. I think it was just really just starting to get more notice - though the NFL may have known more about it earlier than when it really started being more publicized. The knew concussions were an issue, and after too many your career was pretty much over, but the fact that the damage could affect them so many years later and so severely I don't believe was addressed/discussed too much back then.  It may be an interesting topic for Ballers to do - better than Spencer's hip injury and budding pain killer addiction, which is so typical and common on shows about sports.

[Chas411]

I don't understand the point in making Arielle Kebbel a regular when she's had maybe 3 scenes spanning the entire season.

[Brooklynista]

1 hour ago, Chas411 said:

I don't understand the point in making Arielle Kebbel a regular when she's had maybe 3 scenes spanning the entire season.

I have no use for any actress who can stand next to Dwayne Johnson, while playing his love interest and generate absolutely NO HEAT.  Nothing! 

[Chas411]

To be fair I don't think she's been given anything to work with. She pops up every third episode, has one scene where they're talking and then that's it..