Ep 1. Winter in Portlandia

In season 3 of Portlandia, the show kicks off with "Winter in Portlandia." In this episode, the city of Portland is hit with a major snowstorm, causing chaos and unexpected challenges for its residents.

Throughout the episode, we see several different storylines playing out. One features Carrie and Fred, who are snowed in at their home and end up going a little stir crazy. They decide to experiment with making homemade pickles, which ultimately leads to a disaster in their kitchen.

Another storyline focuses on a local bookstore owner, who is trying to keep her business afloat during the storm. She hosts a "blizzard party" in the hopes of bringing in customers, but things don't go quite as planned.

Meanwhile, a couple named Dave and Kath decide to venture out into the snow to go to a fancy restaurant for their anniversary. However, they end up getting lost in the storm and having a somewhat existential conversation about their relationship.

As always, there are also several recurring characters who make appearances in the episode. The feminist bookstore owners, Toni and Candace, are preparing to launch a new venture in the form of a feminist retreat center. They're still their usual quirky selves, but we also get to see a more serious side of their commitment to helping women.

Peter and Nance, the middle-aged couple who love to try new things, are also back in this episode. They're in search of a Christmas tree, but have some trouble finding one that meets their specific, high standards.

Overall, "Winter in Portlandia" is a great start to the third season of the show. It's funny, quirky, and has several memorable moments. While it's often exaggerated for comedic effect, the snowstorm in the episode also feels very true to life for anyone who's lived in a place with harsh winters. Whether you're a longtime fan of the show or just tuning in for the first time, this episode is definitely worth a watch.