Ep 1. Weird

In the first episode of Serial Experiments Lain, titled Weird, we meet Lain Iwakura, an introspective and reserved high school student who has a minimal footprint in the online world. Despite her apparent distance from the virtual world, rumors begin to spread about her amongst her classmates regarding her possible involvement with a recent suicide in their community.

As the episode progresses, we see a variety of strange and unsettling occurrences, including a cryptic email that invites Lain to visit a website called the Wired, the sudden appearance of a person who looks exactly like her, and conversations with seemingly sentient technology. Lain becomes increasingly isolated and confused, as tension and paranoia begin to affect her.

Throughout the episode, it becomes apparent that the concept of the Wired is central to the story, as it seems to be a vast, alternate reality that is accessed primarily through the internet. In this world, it is said that death is no longer an inevitable outcome of life and that physical limitations are virtually absent. Yet, Lain is left grappling with some tough questions such as, 'What is the Wired?' and 'How does it relate to the suicide?"

We also see Lain struggle to come to terms with her own identity, as the appearance of a doppelganger and her interactions with the provocative and vaguely ominous men she meets on the internet seem to be chipping away at her sense of self. It is made very clear that the upcoming episodes likely will be addressing these questions and more.

This episode is a riveting and thought-provoking beginning to the series, with the viewer being drawn in by the suspense and eerie atmosphere it maintains. It is clear from this first installment that Serial Experiments Lain promises to be a show that will challenge and intrigue its audience in an innovative and unconventional way.