Ep 1. Elka's Choice

Elka's Choice is the first episode of the third season of the popular TV show Hot in Cleveland. The episode opens with a rather dramatic sequence as Elka Ostrovsky, played by the renowned actress Betty White, is rushed to the hospital after an accident. The rest of the episode revolves around how her friends, Melanie (Valerie Bertinelli), Victoria (Wendie Malick), and Joy (Jane Leeves), rally around her and try to make her feel better.

As the episode progresses, we get to see a lot of Elka's internal struggle as she tries to come to terms with her own mortality. She is particularly worried about what will happen to her beloved dog, Pierre, after she is gone. While her friends are all trying to convince her that she will be okay, Elka is understandably distraught. She even contemplates putting Pierre down and is convinced that he will never forgive her if she does.

Meanwhile, Melanie is struggling with her own problems. Her ex-husband, who she thought was out of her life forever, suddenly shows up and gives her the impression that he wants to reconcile. Melanie is torn between her feelings for him and the fact that he had cheated on her when they were married. As she grapples with these emotions, she ends up confiding in Elka, which leads to another touching scene between the two women.

In the other part of town, Joy and Victoria are also busy with their own drama. Joy is dating a guy who she thought was perfect, but is now realizing that perhaps he is not as perfect as she thought he was. Meanwhile, Victoria is facing her own insecurities when she gets turned down for a role in a new TV show. And although she puts up a brave front, we can tell that it has affected her deeply.

As the episode progresses, we get to see how all these different plotlines intersect with each other. And while there are some moments of tension, overall the episode has a light-hearted and humorous tone to it. There are several scenes that will make you laugh out loud, such as when the women are trying to find a way to cheer Elka up and end up doing a terrible job of it.

One of the things that stand out about this episode is how well the cast works together. Despite the fact that there are several different storylines going on, it never feels like any one character is dominating the screen time. The women all have their own unique personalities and quirks, but they all play off each other really well.

Another highlight of the episode is the character development. Although we have known these women for a while now, we get to see different sides of them in this episode. For instance, we get a glimpse into Elka's fears and insecurities, which is not something we have seen before. Similarly, Melanie's struggles with her ex-husband add another layer to her character.

Overall, Elka's Choice is a great season opener for Hot In Cleveland. It's full of lighthearted humor, heartwarming moments, and real emotion. It sets up the season nicely and leaves you wanting more.