Ep 21. Lucky Day

Becker season 1 episode 21, titled "Lucky Day," centers around John Becker (Ted Danson), a grumpy and opinionated doctor who runs a small practice in the Bronx. In this episode, Becker is having a particularly bad day - he misses his train, spills coffee on his shirt, and forgets his keys. But when he arrives at his office, he discovers that his luck may be turning around.

Becker's first patient of the day is a woman named Sarah (guest star Lisa Thornhill), who believes she has a brain tumor. Becker initially dismisses her concerns, but when he discovers she has a family history of brain cancer, he orders some tests just to be safe. Meanwhile, Becker's nurse Margaret (Hattie Winston) is dealing with her own issues - her car won't start, and she's worried she won't make it to her mother's birthday party.

As the day goes on, Becker continues to have unusual encounters. He treats a man in a gorilla suit who was injured while working at a carnival, and deals with a patient who insists on using herbal remedies instead of traditional medicine. But despite these challenges, Becker starts to feel like his luck is improving. He even wins $200 in a scratch-off lottery ticket from a street vendor.

However, when Sarah's test results come back, Becker's luck takes a turn for the worse. Sarah does in fact have a brain tumor, and Becker is forced to deliver the devastating news to her and her family. Meanwhile, Margaret's car troubles continue, and Becker starts to feel like his lucky streak was short-lived.

Throughout the episode, Becker's character is tested and he confronts various obstacles, including his own sense of humor that some may deem nonchalant. One of the most notable and recurring themes found in Becker is the character's philosophy, exhibited by his oftentimes crude and brash approach towards his patients and even his colleagues. In "Lucky Day," we see this philosophy challenged as he begins to question whether the way he usually conducts himself is helpful or hurtful, and whether he needs to change his approach to be a better doctor.

The episode also highlights the importance of luck, and how it can change drastically in just a few moments. Whether it's winning a scratch-off or receiving a devastating diagnosis, luck can impact people's lives in unforeseeable ways. As the episode comes to a close, Becker and Margaret finally make it to her mother's birthday party, where they reflect on the events of their day and the role that luck has played in their lives.

Overall, Becker season 1 episode 21 is a poignant and thoughtful exploration of luck and how it shapes our lives. With its well-crafted characters and engaging storylines, Becker remains a beloved classic that stands the test of time for both its humor and its emotional depth.