Ep 4. Hometown

Lou Grant season 5 episode 4, titled Hometown, follows the veteran journalist Lou Grant as he travels back to his hometown of Carson City to visit his sister and attend his high school reunion. However, what he finds is a town on the brink of collapse due to the economic recession that has hit the area hard.

As soon as Lou arrives, he is greeted by old childhood friends who have also fallen on hard times. Lou's sister and her husband run a small business that is struggling to stay afloat, and many of the factories and businesses that once provided employment for the town have closed down. Lou is deeply affected by the current state of his hometown and decides to report on the story for the Los Angeles Tribune.

Lou's investigation exposes the root causes of the economic recession in Carson City. The town's government officials were unable to secure funding to attract new businesses, and those that did come were soon forced to close down due to a lack of support from the locals. Residents of the town had become apathetic and pessimistic about the future, leading to a lack of community involvement in keeping local businesses alive.

Lou's reporting soon attracts the attention of the national media, and he is invited to speak on a radio show where he talks about the plight of his hometown. The exposure brings promising results as investors express interest in starting new businesses in Carson City. Lou's journey to his hometown brings hope and revitalizes the community spirit.

Overall, Lou Grant season 5 episode 4 Hometown serves as a commentary on the economic recession that affected many small towns in America during the 1980s. It's a powerful episode that highlights the importance of community spirit and involvement in building a sustainable future. Lou Grant's journey to his hometown is a testament to the power of journalism as a catalyst for social change.