Ep 1. Part 1

Grace Marks is a teenage immigrant from Ireland who has been convicted of murder in 1840s Canada. She is serving a life sentence for the murder of her employer and his housekeeper. She has been residing in the Kingston Penitentiary, and at the request of a well-known psychiatrist, Dr. Simon Jordan, she goes to assist him in his research into criminal psychology. Jordan hopes that by talking to Grace about her life, he can find a way to prove her innocence.

The episode starts with Dr. Jordan travelling to meet with the Governor of the penitentiary, where he is introduced to Grace Marks. Grace is a young woman who has suffered a lot in her life and is now serving a life sentence for a crime she may or may not have committed. The Governor warns Dr. Jordan that talking to Grace may prove useless, as she has been reluctant to speak to anyone about the crime.

Dr. Jordan starts to interview Grace, and she is initially hesitant to speak about the crime. However, she opens up about her abusive father, her mother's death, and her time working for Thomas Kinnear, the man she supposedly killed. Grace describes her experience of working at his home as a housekeeper, where she shares a room with Mary Whitney, her fellow servant.

As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Kinnear was in love with Grace, and she had begun to reciprocate his feelings. However, their relationship was fraught with tension, as Kinnear kept Grace on standby, never really committing to her. Grace talks about Nancy Montgomery, Kinnear's housekeeper, who was spiteful and jealous of Grace and her relationship with Kinnear.

Grace recounts the events leading up to the murder, which she claims to not remember clearly. She remembers finding Kinnear dead on the floor and seeing Montgomery's body outside, but beyond that, she cannot remember anything. Grace recalls being interrogated and tried, asserting her innocence to the point of denial.

Dr. Jordan is left confused and intrigued by Grace's story, and he struggles to understand why a young, seemingly innocent girl would commit such a heinous crime. As the episode progresses, we see flashbacks to Grace's childhood and her traumatic experiences, which suggest she may have mental health issues. Dr. Jordan becomes more determined to help Grace and find evidence that would prove her innocence.

Overall, the first episode of Alias Grace is a gripping and intense introduction to the story. The performances by Sarah Gadon as Grace and Edward Holcroft as Dr. Jordan are excellent, drawing the viewer into the story and the characters. The cinematography and costumes are stunning, giving an accurate portrayal of the 19th century Canada. The episode sets the tone for the rest of the series, which promises to be a fascinating exploration of criminal psychology and the justice system of the time.