The essential episodes of Hung
Watch these 15 in order and you've got Hung — each pick states its reason.
- 01
Years ago, as a student at Detroit's West Lakefield High School, Ray Drecker was athletic, popular and destined for success. Today, as a West Lakefield teacher and coach of the varsity basketball team (which is on an unprecedented losing streak), he's underpaid, uninsured and embittered that his wife of 20 years left him for her dermatologist, Ronnie Haxon. After fire damages the rundown lakeside home he inherited from his parents, Ray's fortunes reach an all-time low when his twin children Darby and Damon, who had been living with him, move in with their mom and her smug husband. Lonely, run down and at wit's end, Ray attends a self-help class, where the mantra is to identify a personal "winning tool" to market for financial success. After a not-so fulfilling encounter with fellow attendee Tanya Skagle, a would-be poet, Ray has a "eureka" moment. With the help of Tanya, the well-endowed Ray sets out to exploit his greatest asset in hopes of changing his fortunes.
- 02
West Lakefield students choose "Coach Ray" to be the recipient of their fall fundraising efforts, but Ray sees their pickle-jar donation as an embarrassing metaphor for his downward spiral. All is not lost, however - Tanya has a couple of leads that could jumpstart Ray's gigolo career. But is Ray ready, willing and able enough to follow through? Meanwhile, Damon is shattered when he rushes to his sister's defense during drive-in family night, only to learn that Darby doesn't want his help.
- 03
Ray is frustrated when an unsatisfied client asks for a do-over of her "damsel in distress" roadside fantasy. With times tight for Ronnie and Jessica, Ray hopes to one-up his ex by promising to buy a car for the twins. Tanya goes on a pity date with Floyd and is surprised by the outcome.
- 04
"Doris is Dead" or "Are We Rich or Are We Poor?"
Tanya takes umbrage with Jemma for bypassing her service to set up "dates" directly with Ray. Still upset about a decision to put down her dog, Jessica confronts Ronnie about their finances, learning that times may not be as tough as heʼs made them out to be. After Jemma prods Ray to open up about himself, he gives his basketball team an inspiring pep talk.
- 05
"The Rita Flower" or "The Indelible Stench"
Ray's relationship with Jemma gets murky when he begins to develop real feelings for her. Tanya meets a hipster who sets out to help her get through her writer's block. Looking to land new clients at a farmerʼs market, Ray runs into Jessica, who invites him to dinner with Ronnie and the twins. Ray's finds himself in a potential quid pro quo situation with Yael, the wife of his despised neighbor Howard.
- 06
"Thith ith a Prothetic" or "You Cum Just Right"
After standing him up, Jemma tells Ray that maybe they should take a break, and Ray seeks out Tanya for advice on women. Meanwhile, Tanya finds her new boyfriend Pierce to be a man of mystery. Attending a family barbeque at Jessica and Ronnieʼs, Ray finds himself in a (predictably) uncomfortable place. After seeing her classified ad, Lenore gives Tanya some unwanted feedback on her marketing strategy, which leads Tanya to take a more personal approach.
- 07
"This is America" or "Fifty Bucks"
Tanya is dismayed when a "satisfied" customer says she won't be using Ray's services again. Later, Tanya pitches Happiness Consultants to other women in her office, with mixed results. Damon goes to after-school detention to hang out with his androgynous friend Powell, leaving Ray baffled. Lenore gives Ray lessons in branding and, after a chance encounter at a department store, offers Jessica lifestyle advice.
- 08
"A Dick and a Dream" or "Fight the Honey"
Alarmed by a bad omen, Tanya ends up battling Lenore for control of Ray, who is worried about his future after hearing rumors from Mike about layoffs at school. As Ronnie flirts with an old flame at work, an unfulfilled Jessica decides her battery needs a jump start. Ray finds a sweet surprise inside his home, courtesy of his local bees and his frisky neighbor. With a new relationship losing steam, Damon turns to Darby for advice and comfort.
- 09
Ray's new co-partnership with Tanya and Lenore gets off to a rocky start when he "holds back" during a tryst with Claire, a client, so he turns to Tanya for advice. Later, Ray and other teachers picket the school in anticipation of summer layoffs. Jessica, already filled with doubts about her marriage to Ronnie and refusing to take calls from Lenore after her experience with the no-show gigolo, is stung by criticism from Darby and Damon. Looking to get an edge on Lenore and regain Ray's trust, Tanya ventures into a tough neighborhood for liberating pimping advice from a real pro.
- 10
"Sing It Again, Ray" or "Home Plate"
Ray gives Lenore an ultimatum, and probes Tanya about the possibility of cutting ties with her fellow pimp. Disturbed that Damon has defiled the school baseball diamond, Ray considers Tanya's suggestion that his son find a new hobby to shake him out of his recent doldrums. Ignoring Ray's warning, Lenore offers Jessica advice in dealing with Ronnie. On his way to meet a new client, Ray has to think on his feet when he runs into Mike in a hotel lobby.
- 11
Jessica turns to Ray for help with a rodent problem that may be imaginary. Rebuffed by Ray in her attempts to add Mike to her stable, Tanya gets guilt-management advice from Charlie, then goes to extremes to prove her success. Ray has difficulty thawing a client who is cold as ice.
- 12
"The Middle East is Complicated"
A container of hummus puts Ray in the position of choosing cultural sides between Yael and a new client. Tanya catches Ray in a cover-up--and turns to Charlie for some stress relief. Lenore seethes after learning of Tanya's duplicity.
- 13
"Fat Off My Love" or "I'm the Allergen"
A bad day at school gets worse when Mike accuses Ray of betrayal. Ronnie vents his frustrations with Jessica at a dermatology banquet, sending his wife running for the hills. Empowered by confession, Tanya lashes out a Ray, Lenore and Horny Patty.
- 14
"Don't Give Up on Detroit" or "Hung Like a Horse"
Ray and Tanya must convince a bank officer and her friend that their "Wellness Center for Women" idea is financially sound. Lenore discovers a new prospect to rival Ray.
- 15
Tthe survival of Tanya and Ray's business depends on Charlie's whereabouts; Jessica is accused of negligence by Matt; and Lenore tries to get Sandee out of the picture for good.
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