George Saunders – As the episode opens, William Henry “Hank” Devereaux Jr. (Bob Odenkirk) tries to find inspiration in author, George Saunders (Brian Huskey).

Dean Jacob Rose (Oscar Nunez) tries to convince Hank to share the stage with Saunders. When he refuses, Rose reminds him of Saunders’ awards. Hank suggests that under-funded Railton College shouldn’t pay $10K to host Saunders. Rose tells him that it’s $50K. Henry admits to being concerned about saying the wrong thing. Rose says neither of them wants to do it. Hank recommends Finny (Haig Sutherland) but the deal was made weeks in advance. After emerging from the facility, Hank experiences severe pain that drops him to his knee.

The radiologist (Ash Lee) assures Hank that his pain is not linked to kidney stones. Hank suggests he is ignoring obvious facts before saying it runs in his family. The radiologist warns kidney stones have sharp edges that can damage the penis lining. Hank asks for a second professional opinion.

Lily Devereaux (Mireille Enos) asks Hank if his symptoms are linked to stress. He admits to being embarrassed by Saunders being better regarded them him. She says he should be honored to share the stage with him.

Gracie DuBois (Suzanne Cryer) is distracted by a revving car engine. She looks out the window to see Paul Rourke (Cedric Yarbrough) behind the wheel. Solange (Sierra Sidwell) suggests speaking with him. Gracie assures her that Paul wouldn’t reason with her. Solange says he’s bullying her.

Hank tells Saunders that his students question if he really knows him. Saunders says his students question if he knows him as well. Hank asks if his students are familiar with him. Saunders says a few. Hank introduces him to the staff, June Washington-Chen (Alvina August), Teddy Washington-Chen (Arthur Keng), Tom Loring (Chris Diamantopoulos), Billie (Nancy Robertson), and Emma (Shannon Devido). Gracie invites him to stay in her guest house which Paul says doesn’t exist. He tells them that he is on a tight schedule. Emma says prior commitments will probably keep her from attending the Saunders’ reception.

Barto Williams-Stevens (Jackson Kelly) reads his paper for Saunders and Hank. Saunders tells him it’s great that he is escalating. He suggests rejecting the habitual to become a distinguished author. After admitting he knew it existed, Barto says no one showed him how to get there. Hand interjects claiming their time is running out. Saunders assures him that he has plenty of time.

Gracie confronts Paul about revving his engine. He warns that nothing is going to change.

Emma admits to being unintentionally rude to people she admires. When June offers her advice, she immediately refuses.

Gracie bribes Myrna (Jennifer Kitchen) with tequila.

Saunders answers the students’ questions. Lester (Jason Sakaki) asks if he has any expert advice for them. Saunders suggests having good taste and writing daily before asking Hank why he doesn’t write. Hank says it’s lunchtime.

Barto admits this experience makes him not want to return to Hank’s class. Solange suggests his work wouldn’t suck if he focused more on his writing and less on confronting teachers. He says her failure to understand his work makes them more valuable to him. She tells him that Notre Dame wouldn’t take him even though his family donated a building.

Ava (Lilah Fitzgerald) introduces herself to Barto as Brooks Noon’s sister.

Hank accuses Saunders of putting him on the spot about not writing. Saunders questions why he’s being so sensitive. Hank says Rose suggested he had a problem with it. Saunders assures him that he is thrilled to share the experience with him. Hank admits to feeling the same.

Lily informs Hank that Julie Devereaux (Olivia Scott Welch) and Russell (Daniel Doheny) have an announcement to make at dinner. She asks why he doesn’t write. He reminds her of his holding down two jobs and will soon be a grandfather.

Meg Quigley (Sara Amini) asks Hank if she can attend Saunders’ reception. He agrees to let her come. She says Saunders is featured in her dissertation. Hanks admits to only scanning it.

Barto, Ava, and Lester bring their idea of the “Excellence Committee”  in front of the Dean of Faculty. Rose questions if Barto has moved past his confrontation with Hank. Barto says the “Excellence Committee” would be as good as Hank’s apology. Rose agrees to let them utilize the common room and chip in pizza.

Paul emerges from the school to see his car being towed away. A Parking Enforcement Officer (Jag Gordaya) hands him a parking citation after removing his name plaque from the curb.

Saunders admits he and Hank’s father wrote to each other for years. He contributes his success to him.

Paul confronts Gracie about revoking his parking spot. She suggests paying for his parking tickets. He says his tenure earns him the right to a parking spot before describing her as a “vindictive woman.” He admits to enjoying Saunders’ “Tenth of December.”

Hank tells Saunders that he writes grocery and to-do lists, not a second novel. Saunders admits to being wrong for putting him on the spot in front of his students. He suggests it isn’t necessary to write forever, one book may be enough to get your point across.

Paul provides his students with a comparison of Gracie’s “Follow the Lilac Sheet” and Walt Whitman’s Song of the Open Road.” He gives Whitman one point and Gracie zero points.

Laurel (Anne Gee Byrd) and Frank discuss his father’s retirement. Hank questions if his father’s influence contributed to his first positive review. She suggests it is possible since the reviewer adored his father. He tells her that his second novel may be a charm. When he announces Julie’s potential pregnancy, she gives her a family heirloom. He asks why it wasn’t given to Lily.

Russell informs Hank and Lily of their plan to build a swimming pool. He explains how their app connects pool owners with students and swim instructors.

Solange describes Paul as a “monster” for humiliating Gracie in front of his students. Gracie suggests they remain tough. She explains how her poems earned her father’s undivided attention and a seat in his chair, the one she’s sitting in. A student says that’s messed up. Gracie asks her to explain.

Seeing Hank in frantic mode, Lily suggests Finny take his place. He agrees before rushing to join Tony Conigula (Diedrich Bader) at a field hockey game. Tony asks why he skipped Saunders’ reception. Hank says he messes with people’s minds and demeans them before returning to the arena to confront him. Saunders claims to love his novel and doesn’t support his not writing another novel. Hank keeps his questions on a light note.

Gracie throws her father’s chair in the dumpster.

Frank assures Lily that his father wouldn’t have thought any different of him if he and Saunders were on the same level. The episode comes to an end.

 

Lucky Hank Review

Hank faces his biggest rival, Saunders on stage, in front of Railton College students. Saunders being a decorated author worries Hank with his single novel. Hank’s anxiety nearly gets the best of him when he exhibits pain that he associates with inherited kidney stones. A doctor’s visit validates his kidneys are free of stones.

Paul’s bullying forces Gracie to take matters into her own hands. She has his tenure parking spot revoked.

Barto convinces Rose to approve his “Excellence Committee” by saying it would make up for Hank’s refusal to apologize for insulting his writing skills.

Julie and Russell have big news to share with Hank and Lily. They’re sorely disappointed to find out it is a swimming pool and money-generating swim app, not a baby.

When a student asks Gracie about her chair, she opens up about her colonel father. He would invite her to sit in the chair after she read him one of her poems. A student describes her story as “messed up.” She tosses her father’s chair in a trash bin.

Hank faces his fear and writing failures by joining Saunders on stage. The talk is a success.

The episode was a major disappointment compared to the pilot. The story doesn’t flow but jumps from scene to scene, some of which held little to no relevance. It could be their way of assuring each actor gets some airtime. Hence, I never said sufficient because the cast is oversaturated.

The episode deserves a 5.5. Get more Lucky Hank recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking the link. Our onsite advertising builds online awareness for e-commerce businesses.