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It would be irresponsible, given all of data and the tragic stories surrounding current and past football players, for Ballers (2015) not to address the issue of concussions in football. Earlier episodes have hinted at Spencer’s own issues during his playing days but in Season One, Episode Four, “Heads Will Roll,” the specter of serious trauma is addressed directly and weaves through his interactions with the other characters. Serious and important issues like this can be complicated for a show that bills itself as a comedy. Even more so for a show that, so far this season, has spent a lot of time dealing with the superficial and extravagant trappings of the life of a professional athlete. “We really wanted to have some exposure for the concussion issue without having to go too dark on it. It’s definitely a real fear for Spencer,” says Evan Reilly, Writer and Executive Producer, in the Inside the Episode: 104 extra.

Through the use of flashbacks, viewers know that Spencer is concerned about that big hit from the Miami/Buffalo game. The footage has appeared in each episode (usually via Spencer’s flashbacks) and has been mentioned tangentially, but “Heads Will Roll” is the first time we see and hear Spencer talking about his concerns. Tracy (Arielle Kebbel) blackmails him into an appointment with a neurologist. Spencer tries to deflect the doctor’s questions with humor, but as the doctor drills deeper, Spencer admits to memory loss. This admission is one of the moments of authenticity that make Spencer more than just the sum of his physical presence and his natural charisma.

Spencer’s concerns about his health highlight one of the show’s main through-lines: the ‘after’ life once a player’s playing career is over. Spencer is trying to do for his clients, particularly Vernon, what no one did for Spencer while he was still playing. The struggle with taking care of his friends, financially and emotionally, while also trying to find his own second act, is core to Spencer’s character. Reilly suggests that this struggle will only intensify as Spencer’s concussion issues are explored: “We really wanted to tie it into a psychosomatic flashback thing where Spencer has more of an emotional issue rather than a neurological issue.”

Episode Four has set-up of the tension between Spencer and the people who care for him (including Tracy) and between him and the people he is trying to care for (Ricky, Vernon, Charles, and even Reggie and Joe.) Hopefully, this will continue to pay off in narrative dividends throughout the remainder of the season while Spencer explores his post-career scars, both literal and figurative.