Intrigue

Will Gander is a stubborn man. Having alienated his ex-wife and cutting ties with his sons, he finds himself alone in his castle. A near terminal heart attack is the wake up call he needs to try to repair the damage that tore his family apart. Gander's Redemption reminds us that family is worth more than material wealth.

Will Gander is bird watching in the park, when he suffers a near fatal heart attack.

After rest and recovery, Will has a consultation with Dr. Hammond where the conversation turns more philosophical than medical. The doctor reminds Will that family is important despite seemingly superficial things like inheritances. Will is convinced that his estrangement from his two sons must end, despite his disappointment in them. After all, Will may not have much time left to live and it may be time to mend relationships and forge new ones.

Will invites his two sons, Brad and Josh, over for coffee at his backyard pool to discuss their lives, their issues and grievances, and their expectations of each other. After inquiring about his health, the sons quickly remember the many reasons that their relationship with their father is strained. Will shows his bullheadedness and narrow-minded notions of each son's problems, when he candidly lectures Josh about his homosexuality and Brad about his alcoholism. The sons are no longer willing to humor Will's antiquated disappointments in them, and want to prove their worth as sons and productive members of society.

Brad and Josh question Will's charitable donations. They accuse Will of being neglectful to their mother, Will's ex-wife, Melissa. They appeal to his sense of family by revealing Josh's finance Tom, and reminding of Brad's children, including the recent news that Jack is in fact a Gander. Will comes to see that his sons are loving, and living, and trying in this world, and he realizes that his stubbornness may actually be to blame for their estrangement. In a fit of joy, Will figuratively embraces his family and offers to not only be active in their lives while he has the chance, but to leave his inheritance wholeheartedly to his sons.

Brad is hanging out at the beach when he builds up the courage to call his dad, Will. Brad's mom Melissa has heard about the heart attack and would like to meet with Will. Brad awkwardly tells his dad the news and gets hung-up on, after Will gets all the info he needs. On the other end of the phone, Brad double checks to see if Will hung up without decorum, like Brad figured was typical for his non-respectful dad.

Melissa shows up at the door of Will's new "down-sized" apartment. Will is clearly trying to impress her by showing of his Africa photos. They go on a walk and reminisce while seriously discussing their marriage and why it failed.

Josh shows up at Will's new apartment to find Will asleep, with the TV on. Josh introduces Will to his fiancé, Tom. Will pretends to be upset, then quickly warms up to Tom. Time passes.

Brad stops by Will's place to see how he's doing. The attending nurse explains that his health is really on the decline. Will reminisces about his life as the bond between father and son grows. Will passes away while Brad comforts him.

Brad thinks back to a time weeks earlier, when he and Will took Brad's son Jack to the park, so grandpa could bond with his grandson. While the trio plays on the swings, Brad's girlfriend Jenny arrives to take Jack home. Brad announces to his dad that he and Jenny will marry. Brad remembers this outing as his last great memory with his now deceased father.

Brad snaps out of his daydream when Jack asks to be pushed on the same swing that started Brad's reminiscing. Brad takes off his hat to give a moment of silence in honor of Will. Will's family is set to lead happy lives and will always remember Will Gander.