Ep 1. Pilot
- TV-14
- October 2, 2019
- 45 min
-
7.4 (165)
Almost Family season 1 episode 1, titled "Pilot," introduces the audience to Julia Bechley, a successful journalist who is the product of artificial insemination and only just discovered that her father, Leon Bechley, used his own genetic material to father at least 100 other children. In light of her newfound siblings, Julia struggles to come to terms with her identity and grapples with her relationships with the various Bechley half-siblings, whom she meets for the first time at her father's funeral.
The series opens with Julia being brought into her father's hospital room, where she is informed by the doctor that he has passed away. In the aftermath of her father's death, Julia learns the truth about her conception and her siblings. At the funeral, she meets the Bechley family for the first time, including her sister Roxy and brothers Edie, Tim, and her former best friend-turned-half-sister Amanda.
As the family attempts to navigate the aftermath of Leon's death, the siblings begin to build a tentative bond with one another. At the same time, Julia grapples with ethical questions regarding her father's actions and worries about the impact this revelation may have on her personal life and career.
Throughout the episode, the audience is introduced to each of the different Bechley siblings and given a glimpse into their complex relationships. Roxy is a free-spirited bartender who wants to escape her dead-end job, while Edie is a successful lawyer who fiercely defends her father's actions. Tim is eager to bond with his new siblings, but faces disapproval from his conservative wife, while Amanda tries to reconnect with Julia despite the pain their past friendship has caused.
As the episode progresses, secrets are revealed and tensions rise, with Julia at the center of it all. When she discovers that her father has left her his Upper East Side mansion, the siblings begin to squabble over shares of the inheritance, causing tensions to boil over. Meanwhile, Julia's mother, who had previously believed her daughter to be an only child, struggles to come to terms with her husband's betrayal.
Despite the initial struggles and conflicts, the siblings are forced to come together in order to navigate the difficult situation they find themselves in. Ultimately, as the episode comes to a close, they agree to try and build a relationship as they confront the truth about their unconventional family, setting the stage for further drama and complex character relationships throughout the first season.
Overall, "Pilot" sets the stage for Almost Family, introducing viewers to a complicated family dynamic and a group of compelling characters as they navigate the fallout of a shocking revelation. The episode effectively sets up several story arcs that will continue throughout the season, while also providing insight into the individual struggles and journeys each of the siblings will undertake as they attempt to build a bond with one another.