Boxing Episode: The meat of this episode centers on Luke preparing for his big fight against a professional fighter. Like many boxing episodes, Luke faces stacked odds (this thanks to Boss) and must somehow overcome them to save the Duke farm.
Disproportionate Retribution: Luke broke an expensive mirror that Boss merely claims is worth the same amount as — coincidentally enough — the mortgage for the Duke farm. Naturally, Boss gets a crooked appraiser to attest to the mirror's alleged worth.
Old Shame: Luke had previously not talked with others (outside of perhaps his Uncle Jesse) about why he doesn't want to revive his boxing career, until Boss begins badgering him and reminding him that he can foreclose on the Duke farm in an instant. Luke then opens up and admits that, while in the Marines, he was a very good boxer and had always played by the rules. Then one night, while he was being dominated, he landed a punch on his bigger, stronger opponent ... in just the right spot; the punch nearly killed the antagonist. Since then, a shaken Luke vowed to himself to never re-enter the ring. Of course, Boss is unmoved, although Bo – who is hearing the story for the first time – and Cletus are.
Screw the Rules, I Have Money!: Boss coerces Luke into fighting a professional fighter that is clearly better and more skilled than him after reminding him that he holds the mortgage to the Duke farm and can foreclose if he refuses; he had already softened him up by having him jailed on a trumped up charge, and by giving him a blanket and radio while in the holding cell. (In the real world, Boss would be facing felony blackmail charges and Cletus might also be in legal hot water by – as a witness – his failure to stop Boss from backing him into a corner.)
