Ep 1. The Marathon Begins

The Marathon Begins is the first episode of the first season of Black Ink Crew: Compton. The episode introduces the audience to the cast and the setting for the new series. The show follows the daily lives of the artists and staff at a Compton-based tattoo shop called IAM Compton.

The episode begins by introducing the owner of IAM Compton, KP. KP grew up in Compton and has been a tattoo artist for over a decade. He is dedicated to providing quality work to his clients and building a business that can positively impact the community. We see KP interacting with his employees and discussing his vision for the shop. He wants them to be more than just tattoo artists; he wants them to be role models and leaders in the neighborhood.

The show then introduces the other members of the IAM Compton crew: Lemeir, Nessie, Vudu, Ink Drippin, Snaxx, and Barbie. Each artist has their unique style and personality. The episode gives us a glimpse into their personal lives, showing us their families and hobbies outside of the shop.

One of the main storylines of the episode revolves around KP's plan to run the L.A. Marathon with his crew. KP believes that completing the marathon will be a significant accomplishment for the group and show the community that they are capable of achieving anything they set their minds to. However, not everyone is on board with the idea. Some of the artists are hesitant about committing to such a challenging event.

As the episode progresses, we see the artists working on various tattoo projects. Lemeir, one of the more experienced artists, is busy with several clients and struggling to meet deadlines. Vudu is working on a project that is close to her heart, designing a tattoo in honor of her brother who passed away. Nessie is still getting used to the work environment and struggling to find her footing in the shop.

Amidst the tattoo work, we see the artists experimenting with their personal styles and brainstorming new ideas for the shop. They want IAM Compton to be a place where people can come and express themselves through art. Lemeir suggests throwing an art show at the shop, which everyone loves.

The episode ends with KP finally convincing the group to commit to training for the marathon. He feels that it will bring them together and help them overcome their own personal obstacles. We see the crew begin their training, from jogging around the neighborhood to doing intense workouts at the gym. The episode ends on a hopeful note, with KP and the crew determined to complete the marathon as a team.

Overall, The Marathon Begins is an engaging introduction to the world of Black Ink Crew: Compton. We get a sense of the personalities of the cast members and the overall vibe of the shop. The episode sets up several storylines that will undoubtedly be explored in future episodes, including the group's journey towards completing the marathon and the artists' creative endeavors. Fans of tattoo culture and reality television will surely find something to love in Black Ink Crew: Compton.