‘Lucky’ Season 1, Episode 4 Release Date and Review: A Car Chase Episode That Reveals More About Cary

Anya Taylor-Joy’s con artist thriller has spent its initial three hours establishing a triangle of grudges involving ‘Lucky’, her estranged husband Cary, and the crime boss mother looming over both of them. By episode four, titled “Too Close to See It,” the series finally allows the tension to escalate into a semblance of momentum.

The episode places Lucky and Cary in a beachside standoff, unfolding like an extended chase scene interspersed with a few quiet, impactful conversations. There’s a palpable sense that the writers understand how long they can prolong a grudge before it needs to either snap or yield, and here it accomplishes both.

What struck me while watching this episode is how much of the emotional weight rests on the women surrounding Cary rather than on him. Lucky experiences a mix of fury and vulnerability, while Priscilla continues to embody a mother who has clearly faltered yet still expects her son to rise to the challenge of managing a criminal empire. Cary, on the other hand, remains the show’s weakest link, a character whose actions feel more like plot devices than genuine choices.

Taylor-Joy continues to be the main draw for viewers. She captures a version of Lucky that allows both rage and heartbreak to coexist, and her physical outburst towards Cary carries more significance than some of the earlier, slower moments in the show. Annette Bening, for her part, consistently uncovers new layers of menace in Priscilla without veering into caricature, which is a challenging feat in such a pulpy narrative.

The episode’s format, primarily revolving around a single extended pursuit, cleverly injects urgency into a season that had begun to rely more on atmosphere than plot. This bottle episode approach either reveals a show’s weaknesses or demonstrates that it has more depth than anticipated, and ‘Lucky’ largely succeeds in this regard. The significant twist that Cary’s betrayal is more complex than initially thought reshuffles the dynamics just enough to make the latter half of the season feel worthwhile.

However, the episode falters by still relying heavily on Cary as the central figure for the drama, despite him being the least engaging character. His reasoning for stealing money he had already taken, laundering it, and expecting pride from those in his life feels more like narrative confusion than character growth. This serves as a reminder that the show shines brightest when it focuses on the women scheming around him rather than attempting to justify his choices.

Four episodes in, ‘Lucky’ has found its groove as a pulpy, fast-paced series that sometimes outpaces its internal logic but remains entertaining to watch. This particular episode reminded me why I started watching in the first place, even if I wished the show would trust its supporting cast enough to sideline Cary a bit more. I’m giving this episode a score of 7.5 out of 10 for “Too Close to See It,” a genuine mid-season boost that raises my expectations for the remaining episodes.

Did this car chase episode win you back, or are you still frustrated by Cary’s poor decisions? Share your thoughts in the comments below.