Essex County Season 1

Beyond the reason for bringing them together under one roof, Ken and Lester are still adjusting to their relatively new roles with each other with Ken as Lester's guardian. The two of them as immediate family is not helped by Lester's return to school and continually being bullied which is further driving him into his shell, and Ken able to admit to himself that he never wanted children of his own. Ken's issue is only highlighted in he meeting Luke. And Lester can only wonder more now about the father he has never known. Now alone in being an empty-nester, Anne discovers that her time is at least partially taken up by Lou as she, upon hearing from Lou's home care nurse Peter about his deterioration, decides to be his home care nurse, it a better option in her mind than the alternative of sending him to a care facility.

Ken doubts his ability to care for Lester, while Lester develops a new bond with Jimmy. Lou resents his loss of independence and against Anne's wishes, ventures into town with disastrous consequences.

When Lester tells his dad he wants to live with him, Jimmy starts to dream big and asks Anne for support. Lou destroys reminders of old heartbreaks and tells Anne the secret he has kept for decades.

Lester runs away from the farm, but Jimmy struggles to be there when Lester needs him most. Ken makes demands so he can get on with his life. Cheered on by his old pals, Lou escapes his care home.

Anne visits her daughter at university, where old ambitions are reignited. Ken gets news that makes the future more settled. Lester realizes he is not alone in his grief, and Lou searches for peace.