(S02E02) Before I even get started, I feel the need to state that 'Hung' deserves bonus points for setting the show in Detroit. It's fittingly ballsy.

This week's episode delves deeper into the male psyche than I think most people are comfortable with, only because we're not used to delving into the male psyche. Most of us assume men don't think about anything outside of food, sex, trucks and Seagal movies, but Ray (Thomas Jane) has been doing a lot more thinking than laying pipe.

(Side note: my biggest challenge with these recaps is to find new and exciting euphemisms for the F-bomb.)

As this season unfolds, we're starting to see how specific elements of Ray begin to project onto the women in his life. His brain is currently represented by Claire, the pregnant client who Ray believes is throwing away her life . This week, he begins to interject his opinion about her personal life, and she reacts negatively, since she enjoys "working on the nursery and getting screwed everyday." Ray has to decide whether to continue seeing her as a client, or to tell her how he feels, and allow her to "fix" her life. Ray's brain trumps his wiener.

This conflict leads directly to Ray's heart, represented by Jessica, his ex-wife. Banging a pregnant woman in your spare time seems to conjure up feelings of nostalgia and regret in a dude's life (who knew?), and now his heart is starting to lean back toward his family ... the family that is fractured ... the family he wants Claire to have. Meanwhile, the writers continue to dangle the old "will they or won't they" (made famous by 'Who's the Boss') angle, as Lenore continues to attempt to match Ray with Jessica, as ho and trick. Definitely a reason to continue watching, because this is a twist on the tired old sitcom convention... and by "twist," I mean "a woman may seek a male prostitute who is her ex-husband, unbeknownst to her." BOOM! Ray's heart trumps his brain.

Lenore and Tanya, and their continual struggle for complete control of Ray's prowess, represent Ray's libido. Lenore (Rebecca Creskoff) has come a long way since her stint opposite my brother-in-law (John Ducey) on Disney's, 'JONAS.' And she continues to use her wealth and power to subjugate Tanya's more grass roots approach to pimping -- if such a thing exists. Theirs is a contrast in styles, and a metaphor for our culture. Tanya's honesty and ability to approach perspective clients as real people versus Lenore's glamorized, veneer of image come to a head with Francis, a wealthy widower and perspective client, and Tanya seems to have won this round. Rays penis trumps everything.

Through all this, Ray struggles to maintain, or adequately define his masculinity. Surrounded by such powerful women who continually put him into positions that make him question everything his culture has taught him about being a man is a humbling and discouraging experience, yet he seems to have struck a balance by compartmentalizing as I have outlined above. His baseball coaching responsibilities are the only thing he has control over, even as Lenore reminds him: "You're a coach and a whore, Ray." He's a man with heart, brain, and huge package ... a triple threat.

Remember to watch 'Hung' Sunday nights at 10PM on HBO if you're at all into interesting and entertaining television ... about dicks. Now, I leave you with, what will become a recurring segment for 'Hung' recaps, and it's a far more interesting version of the "will they or won't they" strategy. Every week I watch 'Hung,' and every week I keep my fingers crossed for the epic, wish-granting 'Boogie Nights'-esque full frontal shot, and every week (so far) I finish the credits, limp and dissatisfied. We'll call it 'Full-Frontal Forecast," and it will become an internet sensation. Stay tuned to TV Squad and you'll be the first to know.


Dr. Vaughan teaches English/Media/Humor courses at Binghamton University in upstate New York, and he once at a stick of butter. You can also check out his blog at drvtv.wordpress.com or www.facebook.com/pages/Ryan-Vaughan/21931402981