Ep 2. Raise Up

After a successful pilot episode, the Ballers is back with season 1 episode 2, titled Raise Up. The episode starts with Spencer Strasmore (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson) getting coffee and reading the newspaper while his financial advisor, Jason (Troy Garity), fills him in on a potential deal with an NFL team. Spencer eagerly awaits the news, hoping to land a new client before his former teammate, Tracy Legette, could.

Meanwhile, Ricky Jerret (John David Washington) is seen partying heavily after completing a successful deal with the Green Bay Packers, which resulted in a $7.5 million contract. However, things take a turn for the worse when he wakes up with a mysterious woman in his bed, and he can't remember whether he signed his contract with the team or not. Ricky is desperate to get sober before the deal falls through and he loses everything he worked towards.

Joe (Rob Corddry), Spencer's business associate, is in for a surprise when he attends a meeting with the Miami Dolphins' management team. They discuss his role as a PR specialist for the team, and Joe is not pleased with the direction they want to take the team's image. After being ejected from the meeting, Joe heads back to Spencer's office, where he voices his opinions. Spencer not only disagrees with Joe's approach but also sees potential in him as a potential asset for the Dolphins.

The episode is full of dilemma and decisions, one of which is whether to take an endorsement deal or not. This is a choice that will affect not only the player but also their team. Vernon Littlefield (Donovan W. Carter), an upcoming player, is caught up in this mess and tries to seek guidance from Spencer. Spencer has to make the decision whether to risk losing Vernon's trust by advising him to ignore the tempting offer or to save him from countless financial issues after his career is over.

On the whole, Raise Up is a well-scripted and beautifully executed episode that navigates the complexities of the sports industry with ease. The multiple narratives at play all intertwine seamlessly, and it's fascinating to see how the different characters' actions ripple out and affect others. The episode excels in highlighting the challenges that come with success in the sports world, such as temptations, tough choices, and consequences that come with a player's decisions.

In the end, Raise Up leaves the viewer with a real sense of anticipation, serving as an excellent build-up towards the season's subsequent installments. The storylines are inventive, the cast is excellent, and fans of the sports genre are sure to find this episode worthy of their time. Watch Ballers season 1 episode 2, Raise Up, to experience the thrill of the sports industry firsthand.