Jim Lahey Is A Fuckin' Drunk And He Always Will Be (Episode)

The boys spend the day with Bubbles, and Randy wrestles with Jim's attitude and teetering sobriety.

Plot Synopsis Edit

TeaserEdit

Phil Collins wants to take Randy kayaking, but Randy is concerned that Jim is going to start drinking again, so they both stick around the trailer, eventually getting attacked by Trinity and the bottle kids.

Act One Edit

Ricky is upset because everyone is blaming him for Ray's trailer fire, but he doesn't think it's a big deal. Ray is trying to keep his chin up in his new sleeper cab. Ricky makes his dad bacon and they talk about life and forgiveness. Julian wakes up and tries to get some rum from Ray but they end up arguing. Bubbles, broke and hungry, eats bread and bacon grease with Ricky.

Jim talks about his great new life of sobriety, and says he doesn't need his pills anymore. Trinity borrows the shitmobile from Ricky and Julian tries to prevent it, but fails, and argues with the group; Bubbles has to break it up and gets upset. To make him feel better, they decide to do watever Bubbles wants, and that is to play badminton.

Act Two Edit

Lahey sees Trinity driving the car and tries to pull her over but fails. After venting about this, Randy confronts him about his fear Jim will start drinking again, suggesting he listen to some hypnosis tapes, and he grudgingly agrees.

Julian, Bubbles and Ricky go to the mall to get a badminton set, but Bubbles spots a rocket kit that he wants instead. It's more than they have to spend, so Ricky undertakes a cheque scam that will allow them to get it for free. When they get back to the car, they find Cory and Trevor in the trunk, they have accidentally locked themselves in. Then they are apprehended by mall security and Ricky produces a cheque for the amount of the rocket, saying that Cory and Trevor were supposed to pay for it while he went to the car. Cory and Trevor are detained and the rest are let go with the rocket.

Jim Lahey says the hypnosis tape worked for him, and Randy seems satisfied. Meanwhile, the boys put the rocket together and get ready to play 'space'.

Act Three Edit

While playing space, Randy and Lahey come over and try to put a stop to it. Lahey says it's not a big deal and reiterates that he is not drinking. Ray, who is also in attendance isn't buying it. While they all watch the rocket launch preparation, Ray reveals that Lahey's water bottle actually contains vodka. Lahey denies it, but Randy takes a drink from it realizes its true. The rocket fires and Lahey argues with Randy, who storms off. Lahey swears revenge against them all and leaves, destroying the rocket on his way.

Later, Randy returns, and Lahey tries to explain that he was only pretending to be sober so he could catch the boys off guard. Randy says he understands and hands him a 40 and says he's on board.

BackgroundEdit

• It is revealed in this episode that while Lahey had in fact quit drinking, he had not only resumed while still in the mental institution, but had been consistently drunk since then. Lahey's "bridge games" were just cover to visit the strip club, where he would excessively drink, and as Ray put it, claim to be off the booze. Evidence of this can bee seen throughout the early start of the season and particularly this episode, when it is noted that he has started to obsess over the smell, taste and effect of liquor. Other clues include Lahey's behavior, such as calling Randy "Bobandy" and his Shit Talk, which is hinted to occur while he is drunk.
• This is the fourth episode in the series to mention Mr. Lahey by name in the episode title, and the second to directly address the fact that Lahey is a drunk, and always will be.

References Edit

Rickyisms Edit

Ricky constantly calls Bubbles' favourite games "bagmitten".

• Ray: Where do you think the bacon came from, Rick?

• Ricky: A cow.

"Worst case Ontario, if you get caught, you just cancel the check..."

"No way, fuckin' decnals, man!" (decals)

Ricky's space talk: Breaker, breaker, come in Earth, this is rocketship 27, aliens fucked over the carbonator on engine number four, I'm gonna try and refuckulate it, and land on Juniper, hopefully you got some space weed, over."

Lahey's Shit Talk Edit

"God-damn shit-apple driving the shitmobile!"

"I got the shit-monkey off my back for good."

"You just opened Pandora's shit-box, Ray."

"Shit-snares, Randy... All Julian needs is to be pointed in the right direction and he'll go there, Right into my shit-snare, Randy."