Ep 3. Dream Hoarders

In the third episode of Raising Hope's first season, entitled "Dream Hoarders," the Chance family finds themselves dealing with a variety of obstacles. At the core of the episode is the idea of generational poverty and the challenges that come with trying to break free from it.

The Chance family includes Jimmy, his parents Virginia and Burt, his grandmother Maw Maw, and his newborn daughter Hope. Throughout the series, we see them grappling with various issues, but in "Dream Hoarders," there are several storylines that come to the forefront.

The episode opens with Jimmy and his friend Sabrina driving by a beautiful estate. Sabrina tells Jimmy that she's always dreamed of living in a house like that and that she wants to make sure she's not stuck in the same position as her parents, who are struggling to make ends meet. This conversation sets the tone for the rest of the episode as we see the characters grappling with their own dreams and aspirations.

Later, we see Burt and Virginia discussing their own financial situation. Burt is upset that they are living paycheck to paycheck and can't afford to give their family the life he wants for them. Virginia tries to reassure him that things will get better, but Burt is skeptical. We also see Maw Maw receiving a notice that she's being sued by a former lover. It's clear that money is a constant source of stress for the Chances.

Meanwhile, Jimmy's ex-girlfriend Lucy shows up with her new boyfriend, who happens to be a wealthy lawyer. Lucy pressures Jimmy to invest in her boyfriend's business, promising that he'll get a big return. Jimmy initially says no, but he's tempted by the thought of finally being able to provide for his family. He eventually decides to invest and of course, things don't go as planned.

In another storyline, Sabrina is trying to get a job at a local grocery store, but she can't seem to get an interview. Jimmy offers to help her out by talking to the store manager, but when he gets there, he realizes that the only way to guarantee Sabrina an interview is for him to take a job there himself. Jimmy and Sabrina end up working together, and we see how hard they are both willing to work for what they want.

The episode culminates in a costume contest with a $500 prize. The Chances are determined to win the money, but they're up against a group of wealthy individuals who seem to have all the advantages. In the end, they come up with a creative and hilarious costume that wins them the prize.

"Dream Hoarders" is an excellent episode of Raising Hope because it tackles the issue of generational poverty in a darkly comedic way. We see the characters facing incredibly difficult situations, but we also see the resilience and creativity that they exhibit as they try to move forward. The episode is a reminder that even in the toughest of circumstances, it's possible to hold onto hope and find joy in unexpected places.