As episode 2 of Lucky Hank commences, Hank finds himself seated in a cozy coffee shop, his laptop screen glaring across from him. The cursor in the document editor flickers incessantly, mirroring Hank's furrowed brow and struggle to find the right words. A few tables away, a youthful man, his fingers dancing merrily on his laptop keys, catches Hank's eye. Beside him sits a tacky book titled "How to Write a Novel," its gaudy cover contrasting sharply with the man's carefree demeanor.
Hank's eyes wander to YouTube, where a video of his old friend and rival, George Saunders, comes to life. The clip hints at a past relationship between George and Hank's father, Henry. Enraged, Hank rushes to Dean Rose's office, demanding the cancellation of the upcoming public talk scheduled with George, of which he was supposed to moderate. However, Rose reveals that the university has invested a significant amount in George's appearance, highlighting his fame, wealth, and recognition—something Hank has yet to achieve. Rose encourages Hank to swallow his pride and conduct the talk professionally.
Hank's anger simmers as Rose insinuates that George might have had issues working with him. He rants about the declining standards of professionalism in today's world, convinced that he is suffering from a kidney stone. At the hospital, however, the radiologist assures him that there is no stone, a diagnosis Hank doubts due to his bias against the man. Lily attempts to comfort Hank, urging him to soldier on with the talk, but he is unmoved.
Amidst his ranting, Hank targets writers and their self-indulgence. The scene shifts to Gracie, instructing a small group of poetry students. Outside, Peter revs his new sports car loudly, a blatant display of bullying and misogyny. Solange, a student in the group, begs Gracie to intervene. Hank approaches George with a warm greeting, momentarily setting aside his envy. He introduces George to his department, where everyone is charmed, especially Finny.
George decides to join Hank's class. Bartow holds up a placard on the table, reminding Hank that he has yet to apologize. Hank reads a passage from his prose, and George offers constructive criticism. The students, recognizing George's genuine interest in helping them, bombard him with questions, all of which he answers patiently and attentively—a role Hank should emulate as a teacher. As the session draws to a close, George gracefully yet pointedly inquires why Hank has ceased writing. Hank glances at his watch and excuses himself with a mumbled "lunchtime," breaking the awkward silence with a fleeting escape.
Gracie confronted Peter, a man lacking in basic human decency, who mocked her sensitivity and assumed entitlement to be affected by others' actions. Undeterred, she headed straight to Myrna in the Campus Parking Enforcement Office, where she shrewdly bribed her with a bottle of tequila. Her scheme succeeded, and Peter's car was towed, his parking spot forfeited.
Bartow, with his loyal friend Lester, vehemently argued against Hank's suitability as a teacher. Solange counseled introspection, questioning Bartow's own credentials. Ava, an eavesdropping student, proposed forming a club with Bartow, which Rose graciously sanctioned as the 'Excellence Committee', to operate for two hours weekly. George clarified after class that he was comfortable working with Hank, though he had doubted Hank's comfort level.
Lily excitedly announced to Hank that their daughter Julie had "some news," which the parents eagerly anticipated as pregnancy. They joyfully anticipated becoming grandparents. Julie invited them to Nora's for dinner to reveal the news. Hank confessed that he had stopped writing, devoting most of his time to building a family with Lily and juggling two jobs. Lily remained unconvinced.
Meg, a new character introduced in this episode, worked part-time as a bartender at Nora's and part-time at the university. She shared a casual rapport with Hank, evident when he attempted to write again at Nora's. George reminisced with Hank about his father, Henry, who had encouraged and propelled George towards a writing career. They exchanged letters for years, ultimately contributing to his success. Hank was taken aback by this revelation as George apologized for the earlier classroom incident.
Peter publicly ridiculed Gracie for her vindictive actions, further attempting to embarrass her in front of his class by comparing her work to Walt Whitman's. Hank's mother insinuated that Henry had homosexual relationships, emphasizing that Hank's failure as a writer was not innate; he chose family life and raising Julie with Lily, which bolstered his confidence. She also bestowed a ring belonging to her grandmother upon Julie.
The big news from Julie and Russell was their plan to launch a swimming pool construction app, much to Hank's disappointment. He requested Meg to offer Russell a part-time job at the bar, which she obliged. Gracie's narrative of her father and the chair she still keeps as a souvenir was emotional. Her father allowed her to sit beside him as she recited poetry, instilling a love for words. However, when one student labeled her story as "messed up," Gracie became self-conscious. The talk was imminent, but Hank, inebriated and unfit to moderate, was sent home by Lily, who entrusted Finny to take his place.
Hank attended the college field hockey game with Tony, who jokingly suggested confronting George about insulting him. Hank took the advice seriously and stormed back, confronting George backstage. However, George assured Hank of his respect as a writer, having read his book upon its release and even the night before in anticipation of the event. Relieved, the interaction between them was cordial. Gracie discarded the chair, symbolizing her move forward. As they walked back to their car, Hank confided in Lily about his epiphany: even if he had become a great writer, it wouldn't have mattered, as he would never have gained his father's approval. They exchanged a revealing look before stepping into the car, words left unspoken.
