At the park on Shabbat, Aaron sits on a bench reading about Hinduism. A young man approaches him and introduces himself as Chali. They discuss theology, and Chali explains his journey from Catholicism through Buddhism to Krishna consciousness. He invites Aaron to visit the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) temple on Sunday, giving Aaron language for his search in the idea of “God consciousness.”

The final day of the bee begins, and Eliza observes the nervous tics of the other contestants, especially a homeschooled girl named Rachel. She successfully spells earlier words using her father’s method before being given the word “duvetyn”; she tries to let the letters guide her but misspells it and is eliminated. Rachel goes on to win the bee with the word “piranha.”

Back home, the family eats a tense victory dinner. Aaron asks to see a movie with a new friend named Charlie as cover for visiting the temple. Saul misreads this as a possible date. Aaron, who hasn’t properly observed Shabbat in Saul’s absence, feels anxious about being discovered. When asked about high school, Miriam explains that she attended a girls’ boarding school and rarely dated.

A flashback reveals that in eighth grade, Aaron burned his hated gym uniform on the patio. When the polyester melted onto the concrete, creating a permanent stain, he panicked and lied to Saul, telling him that he had been playing. Saul accepted the explanation without pressing further.

Miriam drives to another unfamiliar neighborhood and breaks into a second house through a window. She steals a pressed-copper ashtray but becomes overwhelmed by the house’s grime and vomits before fleeing.

That night, Miriam seeks out Saul sexually. Saul responds with confusion and tentative interest. During the encounter, Miriam attempts to focus on the physical interaction but remains detached. Later, Eliza hears her parents having sex for what she believes is the first time in years and listens, fascinated, imagining what is happening without fully understanding it.

Aaron wakes up nervous about visiting the temple. He tries distracting himself by going to the park, hoping to see Chali. He leaves disappointed when the ordinary setting fails to match his expectations.

Meanwhile, Saul decides to wait for Eliza to approach him about studying again and goes upstairs with his guitar, intending to reconnect with Aaron. He leaves when he finds his son’s bedroom door closed.

That evening, Aaron tells his parents that he’s seeing a movie and goes to the temple. A woman in a sari welcomes him, and Chali appears in a yellow robe with a shaved head. Chali shows Aaron the temple room with its Krishna and Radha deities and explains the wax statue of Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-Acarya. When Aaron asks if they worship Prabhupada, Chali clarifies that they worship only God; Prabhupada receives thanks and respect.

Chali explains that “Krishna” is their word for God and that ISKCON works in harmony with all religions. In his office, Chali gives Aaron the Sri Isopanisad and Bhagavad Gita, plus japa beads made from sacred banyan wood. He explains that each bead represents one completed chant and that devotees chant at least 16 rounds daily. When Aaron asks if Chali feels God while chanting, Chali describes how he initially only felt relaxed, but as he let go of maya, chanting brought amazing happiness.

At home, Aaron examines his gifts and begins chanting in his closet. The enclosed space feels contained and private. He continues chanting regularly, including during the school day, and carries the beads with him. When the scent of the banyan wood beads sticks to his fingers, he notices it repeatedly. He gradually increases the number of rounds he chants.

Meanwhile, Eliza can’t get through a day without hearing a spelling-bee word. Each time gives her an adrenaline rush, but the moment fades, leaving disappointment. During a Barney Miller episode, she hears “loquat” and remembers how the word’s letters once felt vivid and immediate to her. Recalling Saul’s promise that next year she could be unstoppable, she decides to believe him. The next night, Saul wakes to Miriam performing oral sex on him. She remains unresponsive to him and continues the encounter without speaking, while Saul reacts with confusion and attempts to slow her down.

Eliza returns to Saul’s study. He has her write the alphabet repeatedly without looking, switching hands and focusing only on the motion. She visualizes letters increasing in size. They chant the alphabet together until letters become music. Saul teaches her to clear her mind and open herself to a letter. When one comes to her, she experiences distinct physical sensations associated with it. Saul then instructs her to open herself to all words containing that letter.

Eliza imagines growing with the letter as it forms her body parts. A stream of words flows through her consciousness so quickly that she barely registers each one before the next appears. Beneath these are words she doesn’t quite catch, hovering at the edge of awareness. She promises to meet them next time. Aaron’s chanting practice culminates on a Saturday when he completes a full 16 rounds for the first time, losing track of time as he continues chanting for over two hours.