Ep 1. Pie-lette

Pushing Daisies is a quirky, whimsical television series with a unique premise. The show centers on Ned, a pie-maker with a special gift: he can bring the dead back to life with a single touch. However, if he touches them again, they return to death permanently. Alongside his childhood sweetheart, Chuck, and a private investigator, Emerson Cod, Ned uses his abilities to solve murders and bring justice to the often-bizarre world around him.

The first episode, titled "Pie-lette," sets the stage for the rest of the series. It introduces us to Ned's gift and how it affects his life, as well as providing a glimpse into the charming and whimsical world that creator Bryan Fuller has created.

The episode starts with a young Ned, who discovers his gift when his mother dies suddenly. After bringing her back to life, he quickly learns the consequences of his abilities and promises to never touch her again. We then jump forward in time to the present day, where we see Ned living a quiet life as a pie-maker, hiding his gift from the world.

That changes when a murder victim named Chuck is found, and Emerson Cod hires Ned to help solve the case. Ned quickly discovers that Chuck was not only the victim but also his long-lost childhood sweetheart. Unable to resist the temptation to touch her, Ned brings Chuck back to life. However, he soon realizes that he cannot touch her again without losing her forever.

With Chuck alive again, the episode takes an amusing turn as we see her adjusting to being alive again after so many years. She quickly learns of Ned's gift and helps him investigate her murder, with Emerson also joining in on their investigation. Along the way, we are introduced to a quirky cast of characters, including Olive Snook, Ned's employee at the pie shop; the eccentric aunts who raised him; and a pair of Norwegian detectives investigating the same case.

Despite the murder investigation at the center of the episode, "Pie-lette" is more about setting up the characters and world of Pushing Daisies than it is about solving the crime. We get a glimpse into the quirky and whimsical tone of the series, with vibrant colors, imaginative camera work, and clever wordplay. The show is at once both dark and full of whimsy.

As the episode builds to its conclusion, Ned, Chuck, and Emerson finally confront the murderer, leading to a surprising twist that sets up the rest of the series. By the end of the episode, we see that Ned's gift will continue to shape his life, both positively and negatively, while the world of Pushing Daisies remains as charming and whimsical as ever.

Overall, "Pie-lette" is a delightful and imaginative start to Pushing Daisies. It introduces us to a cast of charming and quirky characters, sets up the unique world of the show, and hints at the intriguing stories to come. Whether you're a fan of dark comedy or whimsical fantasy, Pushing Daisies is a show that will transport you to a world unlike any other.