The Middle East Is Complicated (15 Aug. 2010)

"Hung" - "The Middle East is Complicated" - August 15, 2010 Ray and Lenore are post-coital... See full synopsis »

Director:

Gloria Muzio

Writers:

Colette Burson (creator), Dmitry Lipkin (creator),

Stars:

Thomas Jane, Jane Adams, Eddie Jemison

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Thomas Jane	...	Ray Drecker
Jane Adams	...	Tanya Skagle
Eddie Jemison	...	Ronnie Haxon
Charlie Saxton	...	Damon Drecker (credit only)
Sianoa Smit-McPhee	...	Darby Drecker (credit only)
Rebecca Creskoff	...	Lenore Bernard
Gregg Henry	...	Mike
Anne Heche	...	Jessica Haxon
Marylouise Burke	...	Jessica's Mother
Lennie James	...	Charlie
Alanna Ubach	...	Yael Koontz
Roxanne Hart	...	Frances
Loren Lester	...	Howard Koontz
Merrin Dungey	...	Liz
Mozhan Marnò	...	Samara (as Mozhan Marno)

Storyline

"Hung" - "The Middle East is Complicated" - August 15, 2010 Ray and Lenore are post-coital... See full synopsis »

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Plot Keywords:

book club | cell phone | talking to self | interracial sex | blunt | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

TV-MA

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 August 2010 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

HBO Entertainment, Tennessee Wolf Pack, E1 Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

When Tanya gives Ray the lawnmower, she takes her hands off the handlebar and puts them in her pockets. In the next shot they're back on the bar.

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Quotes

Yael Koontz: My husband fucks prostitutes and pays them on their PayPal account.

User Reviews

Hummus

Lenore wakes up in Ray's bed. She has spent the night with him, but Ray has to go to work. She wants some coffee; all Ray has is instant, something that repulses her. Lenore tells Ray she has a new client for him. She does not want him to screw up because she feels this woman shows possibilities for a long lasting relationship where money is not the object. Ray tries calling Tanya, but she is not home. He wants to discuss Mike and Francis situation.

Tanya feels desperate after spending money in her mother's dinner. She goes to see Charlie, her friendly pimp. Tanya feels terrible about Mike's involvement with the unsuspecting Francis. Charlie's solution consists in having Tanya get a gift for Ray, as a friendly gesture. She follows his advice and goes to Ray's with a lawn mower she has bought him. Ray, unfortunately, is not too impressed. Tanya notices Lenore's Lanvin sweater hanging on a peg, and goes ballistic. She realizes they had sex.

Mike is happy seeing Francis. Suddenly his life is richer because he genuinely feels good with the rapport he is experiencing. Being an old fashioned individual he is catering to Francis needs. Ray feels bad because his friend does not even suspect the way Tanya has involved him in something he is not aware of.

Something that Mike mentions, strikes a chord within Ray. His new date with Samara, a beautiful woman, who hails from the Middle East. He puts into practice whatever Mike is doing to Francis to excellent results. Samara offers some hummus to Ray. He mentions his next door neighbor, the Israeli Mrs. Koontz, had made it for him. Samara tells Ray the origin of hummus is actually Lebanese.

Tanya goes to Charlie for sex. They click in more ways than she had expected. He is satisfied as well, but deep down he feels she is a sexual kind of tourist, and not the same as his "hos". Tanya even apologizes to Charlie for her multiple orgasms, something that goes well with his ego. Discussing Mike involvement with Francis, Tanya has discovered him at her place even though she is only paying for weekends encounters. Charlie suggests she does something to harm Mike so he learns his lesson.

Lenore brings Jessica to Francis' for a book meeting. The work being discussed is Cormac McCarthy's "The Road", a bleak novel about a depressing catastrophe. Jessica feels inadequate for not being, perhaps, on a par with the rest of the women. Lenore advises her to keep saying "lyrical" when commenting about the book. Lenore surprises everyone in the room with her description of the apocalyptic work and how she would have dealt with the situation.

Ray is visited by his next door neighbor, Mrs. Koontz, who is in a rage after having found out her husband is having sex with hookers. She accidentally discovers some charges done through their PayPal account that involve prostitutes. Mrs. Koontz discovers a container of hummus in Ray's fridge. When he tells her the provenance, she flies into a rage. Hummus is Israeli, as far as she is concerned. Late at night, Ray hears someone crying outside. It is his neighbor the lawyer Koontz who, having found out by his wife, admits to Ray he did it, but it is always a frustrating experience. It is way better when he has sex with the wife.

Another great episode of this amazing series targeted for adult audiences. This installment was directed by Gloria Muzio, a veteran with a lot of experience in television. The writers were Brett Leonard and Kyle Peck. The story line flows from chapter to chapter, in spite of having other guests behind the camera. Even details such as Lenore's sweater being found in Ray's house, plays well within the main idea of what is going on.

Thomas Jane and Jane Adams are amazing comedians and it shows. Rebecca Creskoff is perfect as the bitchy Lenore. Anne Heche had some good moments as Jessica.