Hank rants against Railton College, calling it "Mediocrity's Capitol," and the administration is pressured to fire him; Hank and Lily contemplate a future outside of Railton.

When George Saunders visits Railton College, the professors scramble to impress the celebrated writer, while Hank is reminded of his own failed writing career; Hank and Lily anticipate an announcement from their daughter Julie.

Hank spirals when a storage pod full of his father's belongings is dropped in his front yard; the professors spiral when rumours of budget cuts threaten their tenured jobs.

Amid firing rumours, the professors look to the union to protect their jobs, while Hank tries a different approach; Lily interviews for a job at a prestigious New York prep school.

Lily urges Hank to think about relocating to New York, but he is reluctant; the Deverauxs host the annual English department dinner; Lily makes a confession; Hank breaks down and tells Lily about his troubled relationship with his father.

Hank and Tony travel to an academic conference, where their differing philosophies on work and life cause friction; Lily mediates trouble in Julie and Russell's marriage.