Ep 1. Pilot

Better Off Ted is an American sitcom, created by Victor Fresco. The show is characterized as a satirical comedy and was a hit with audiences for its irreverent, sometimes absurdist, take on corporate culture and modern science. Season 1 of the show premiered on March 18, 2009, and ran for 13 episodes.

Episode 1, titled "Pilot," sets up the main premise of the show. The episode begins with Ted Crisp (Jay Harrington) introducing himself as the head of research and development at Veridian Dynamics, a massive corporation dedicated to developing cutting-edge technology. Ted is charismatic, well-spoken, and very good at his job, but he quickly finds himself at odds with his boss, Veronica (Portia de Rossi), who is ruthless, cold, and frequently uses unethical methods to achieve her goals.

Ted's job is to manage a team of scientists and engineers who work on projects that range from the mundane (improving office lighting) to the bizarre (developing a fancy pumpkin that can be used as a weapon). His staff includes Linda (Andrea Anders), a neurotic scientist who has a crush on Ted; Phil (Jonathan Slavin), a brilliant but socially awkward physicist; and Lem (Malcolm Barrett), a sweet-natured biologist who sometimes struggles to stand up for himself.

In the first episode, Ted is tasked with presenting a project that Veridian is developing to the board of directors. The project is called "The Cow Without a Face," and it involves genetically engineering a cow that produces more meat than a normal cow. The catch is that the cow has no face, which means it doesn't feel pain when it's slaughtered. Ted is uncomfortable with the idea, but Veronica pressures him to present the project anyway.

Meanwhile, Linda accidentally ingests an experimental substance that causes her to speak her mind without any filter. This leads to some hilarious scenes, such as when she tells Ted she wants to have his babies in the middle of a meeting. Phil and Lem try to find an antidote to the substance, but they're not having much luck.

As the episode progresses, Ted becomes increasingly upset about the Cow Without a Face project. He tries to get Veronica to cancel the project, but she refuses. In the end, he decides to bring the cow to the board of directors, hoping to shock them into seeing the project for what it is: cruel and unethical. The board members are initially shocked, but Veronica successfully spins the situation, and the project is given the green light.

The episode ends with Ted feeling defeated but vowing to keep fighting for what he believes is right. Meanwhile, Linda's filter has returned, and she's mortified by everything she said while under the influence. Phil and Lem are still working on the antidote, with mixed results.

Overall, "Pilot" does a great job of introducing the main characters and the show's central themes. The humor is sharp and often dark, but the show is also capable of moments of genuine heart and sincerity. The episode sets the stage for what will be a hilarious and thought-provoking season of television.