Ep 1. Pilot

The show Animal Kingdom season 1 episode 1 is named Pilot. The episode begins with Joshua "J" Cody, a seventeen-year-old teenager, who has just lost his mother to a heroin overdose. After her death, J moves in with his estranged grandmother, Janine "Smurf" Cody, and his uncles, who are all part of a criminal organization in Southern California.

J quickly gets introduced to the family's illegal operations, which are centered around smuggling drugs, armed robberies, and other heinous crimes. He meets his uncles Baz, Pope, Craig, and Deran, who all have their own personalities and agendas. Baz is the level-headed one and the de facto leader of the gang. Pope is more aggressive and unpredictable, but also loyal to the family. Craig is a party animal, a hedonist who likes to enjoy life and all its pleasures. Deran is the youngest uncle, and also the most impulsive and reckless, often getting himself and the rest of the family into trouble.

As J begins to adapt to this new lifestyle, he starts to realize that his family's illegal operations are more complicated and dangerous than he initially thought. He also meets Nicky, his best friend's girlfriend, who takes a liking to him and tries to get him to open up about his family's secrets. J's situation becomes even more complicated when Detective Pearce, a crooked cop with a vendetta against the Cody family, starts investigating their criminal activities.

Throughout the episode, J struggles to find his place in the family, while also trying to come to terms with his mother's death and his new life. He learns that family loyalty is everything, and that the only way to survive in this world is to trust no one except your own blood.

Overall, the Pilot episode of Animal Kingdom sets the tone for the rest of the series, introducing us to a complex and dysfunctional family involved in all sorts of illegal activities. The episode also builds up the tension and danger, as we see Detective Pearce closing in on the family and J trying to navigate his new life while also avoiding the police. The acting is top-notch, with great performances from all the main cast, and the direction and cinematography are excellent, setting up a gritty and dark atmosphere. It's a great start to what promises to be a thrilling and intense series.