As episode 6 of "Lucky Hank" commences, Hank sits outside Taylor Manor, the abode of his mother, eagerly anticipating William's arrival. In the previous episode, he had left a voicemail pleading with William not to come, but it remains uncertain whether the message was heard. The overarching question looms: Will Hank seize this moment, confront the demons of his past, and finally find closure, allowing him to reclaim his capacity for care? Time will tell.
The facade of normality has been restored in the relationship between Lily and Hank, yet beneath the surface, things may be far from serene. Julie and Russell's marital woes have escalated, leading Julie to seek refuge in her childhood bedroom. After Hank fails to answer her calls, Laurel arrives at the house, enraged over the voicemail. William, now desiring a move to North Carolina rather than staying in Railton, will only reconsider if Hank makes amends by visiting the house. Hank, however, cites the Regional Humanities Conference as his excuse and sends a text to Toni, requesting a ride.
Hank's indifference is palpable. His attendance at the conference is merely a mockery of the academics who are overly enamored with their work. Among the crowd, he spots Anna Wood and follows her to the bar, initially appearing to seek revenge on Lily through a fleeting encounter. However, Toni dissuades him, warning of future regret, yet Hank's intentions are far more profound, as the episode later reveals.
Julie informs Lily of her intention to move in with her in New York. Her first significant quarrel with Russell stemmed from his late-night returns and her suspicion of an affair. Lily attempts to soothe the tensions, initially with little urgency, but when Julie mentions the tumultuous nature of Lily's own marriage to Hank, Lily's resolve solidifies, and she sits both parties down for a discussion.
Hank spends much of his time alone at the conference, as Toni busies herself with his presentation. He wanders the halls, pitying the academics who are so consumed with their own importance that they fail to realize they merely seek validation from their peers. His disdain is evident in every glance and gesture. Grace, too, is present at the conference, her lively debate with another scholar a stark contrast to the monotony surrounding Hank.
Before bidding farewell, Gracie catches a glimpse of Hank and declares with fervor that she has never felt so alive. Despite the tepid response to the poetry session, Gracie and her fellow scholars transformed it into a workshop, a feat that left Hank with a sense of envy. He marveled at how effortlessly others could invest their hearts into something, while he struggled.
Lily, on the other hand, struggled mightily with meditation. Julie and Russell turned against her, accusing her of fleeing New York to evade Hank. Incensed, Lily stormed off, leaving them behind. Later, she lamented the younger generation's inability to understand the sanctity of marriage.
As the conversation shifted to New York, Hank mentioned his intention to visit his father before his departure. He presented himself to William and embarked on a conversation that, though rehearsed countless times in his mind, still felt awkward. William's demeanor was one of indifference and coldness, even referring to his son in the third person. It was in that moment that Hank began to suspect something was amiss.
He posed general questions about the location and the date, but William was unable to provide answers. It was evident now; William was suffering from Alzheimer's. The realization broke Hank's heart, and he wept bitterly.
