‘Ballers’ season 2, episode 5 video: Spencer’s pill habit comes back to bite him

Over the past several episodes of “Ballers” on HBO, Spencer Strasmore has faced on particular struggle more so than any other: Prescription drugs. He has been using them to keep going, and getting them refilled constantly without much of an explanation as to why. Basically, he’s dancing around the issue that is right in front of his face, almost like a linebacker would to get around an offensive tackle.

In the promo below for Sunday night’s new episode, what we really see more so than anything else is a case of him being finally turned away. His doctor, though listening to many of his excuses, seems more intent now on making him face the problem he is suffering from head-on. As for whether or not he actually listens, that’s what we call more of a point of contention in the episode.

By the time we make it to the end of this episode, hopefully we either start to see Spencer sink or swim. Our sentiment is that Dwayne Johnson is great at playing these incredibly charismatic guys, but we want to really see him get down in the gutter with Spencer. We need to get the sense that this character is at rock bottom, and cannot look away from his problems any more. At that point, maybe we’ll learn a little bit more about who he truly is and how he handles adversity.

As for what else is coming Sunday night, be ready to see Ricky continue his search for a new home — admittedly, we’re somewhat shocked he didn’t just take New Orleans after the miniature parade they gave him.

Interested in getting some other news on “Ballers” without delay? Then be sure to head over here to see our most-recent episode review, or sign up over here to secure some other TV news on all we cover, sent right over to you via our official CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo: HBO.)