Ep 1. Ben 10 Returns (1)

In the first episode of Ben 10: Alien Force season 1, titled "Ben 10 Returns (1)", we are reunited with our beloved hero Ben Tennyson five years after we last saw him. The episode takes off from where the original Ben 10 series ended, where Ben, now 15 years old and a little bit taller, is still concealing his secret identity as a superhero from the rest of the world, including his parents.

Ben 10 is back to his town, Bellwood, and for someone who was once a savior of the world, he is quite an underdog now. What follows next is a reunion with Grandpa Max and his cousin Gwen, where they talk about their respective lives over the past five years. As it turns out, Ben no longer possesses the Omnitrix, the device that once gave him incredible alien powers, and has retired from superhero life after feeling the burden of it for so long.

Things take a turn when the Omnitrix, which was thought to have disappeared from the face of the earth, mysteriously reappears on Ben's wrist. However, this new Omnitrix is different from its predecessor and Ben has no idea what it is capable of doing. Interestingly, the device seems to have a mind of its own and keeps shifting Ben into different alien forms without his consent, making him feel powerless and out of control.

The episode takes an interesting turn when a group of alien bounty hunters, led by a nefarious criminal named SixSix, suddenly appears in Bellwood, hell-bent on capturing Ben and the Omnitrix. It is then revealed that the Omnitrix is not just an ordinary alien weapon, but a sought-after device coveted by many evil aliens who seek to use its powers for their own gain.

As the hunters close in, Ben finds himself using the Omnitrix in ways he never thought possible, morphing into different forms and unleashing new and powerful abilities. With the help of his cousin Gwen and his old pal Kevin Levin, who has since turned over a new leaf, Ben puts up a fierce fight against the bounty hunters but ultimately fails to stop them from stealing the Omnitrix.

The episode ends on a cliffhanger with Ben being left with more questions than answers about the new Omnitrix and the implications of its powers. It sets up an intriguing tone for the rest of the season, leaving fans eager to see what adventures and dangers lie ahead for Ben and his friends.

In conclusion, the first episode of Ben 10: Alien Force season 1, "Ben 10 Returns (1)", successfully crosses over from the original series into an exciting new chapter, setting the stage for a thrilling new season of superhero action, adventure, and intrigue. The episode is an exciting must-watch for fans of the franchise and a great jumping-off point for newcomers looking to dive into the world of Ben 10.