Ep 1. Season 1, Episode 1

Tracey Ullman's State of the Union is a sketch comedy show that explores the state of America through the perspective of various characters. In the first episode of the first season, we are introduced to several diverse characters, each with their unique stories and personalities.

The episode starts with a sketch featuring Tracey Ullman as Kay Clark, the conservative host of a talk show named "The Woman." In this sketch, Kay Clark interviews a panel of men to discuss women's issues, but it quickly becomes apparent that Kay doesn't really care about what they have to say. She interrupts them constantly, talks over them, and ultimately dismisses their opinions entirely. It's a scathing satire of the way many conservative commentators approach discussions of gender politics.

In the next sketch, we meet a couple named Marcy and Mark, played by Ullman and Jason Alexander. They're preparing to go on a trip to Paris, but as they go through their pre-flight checklist, it becomes clear that they're deeply unhappy with each other. They bicker constantly and are passive-aggressive to the extreme, but they're also resigned to the fact that they're stuck with each other. It's a bleakly comic commentary on marriage and the compromises we make to keep relationships going.

The next sketch is a parody of the home renovation show genre, featuring Ullman as a perky host named Genevieve who oversees an incredibly intense makeover of a family's home. The family is played by a trio of actors who don't speak English, and Genevieve keeps insisting that they're grateful for the changes being made to their home, even as it becomes more and more absurd (at one point, they install a bowling alley in the living room).

The final sketch of the episode features Ullman as Chaunte, a young woman who has accidentally fallen into the gig economy and is trying to make ends meet by driving for various ride-sharing services. The sketch is a brilliant commentary on how difficult it can be to make a living in the modern economy, as Chaunte has to deal with entitled passengers, a broken-down car, and the constant threat of getting a bad rating that will impact her ability to earn money. It's a darkly comic portrait of how hard it can be to survive in America today.

Overall, "Season 1, Episode 1" is a strong introduction to Tracey Ullman's State of the Union. The sketches are varied and insightful, and Ullman's range as an actress is on full display. It's a show that takes a critical look at America, but it does so with a sense of humor that makes it both entertaining and thought-provoking. Anyone interested in sketch comedy or political commentary will find plenty to enjoy here.