Ep 1. Black Monday: 365

Black Monday is a comedy drama series that is set in Wall Street in the 1980s. The show takes us back to 1987, a time when financial markets were booming, and things were looking up for Wall Street. However, the events that take place in the pilot episode, titled "Black Monday: 365," turn out to be a harbinger of the worst financial crisis in American history.

The episode starts by introducing us to Mo Monroe (Don Cheadle), the head of a small trading firm called the Jammer Group. Mo is a fearless trader who has a love for money, drugs, and rap music. He is joined by his right-hand man, Keith Shankar (Paul Scheer), a socially awkward and inexperienced trader.

The episode then introduces us to Blair Pfaff (Andrew Rannells), a fresh-faced, young trader who, after getting kicked out of Harvard Business School, finds himself drawn into the world of Wall Street. He has a talent for numbers and algorithms, and he quickly catches the attention of Mo.

As the episode progresses, we see Mo and Keith develop a plan to bring down the incumbent Wall Street firm, the Georgina-Cassaday Group. They do this by taking advantage of a legal loophole that allows them to manipulate the stock market without anyone being able to detect it.

Meanwhile, Blair is trying to impress Mo by coming up with a trading algorithm that will revolutionize the industry. He is presented with an opportunity to pitch his idea to Mo and Keith, and he eagerly sets to work on it.

As the plot thickens, we are introduced to Dawn Darcy (Regina Hall), a tough-talking stockbroker and the only woman on the trading floor. Despite facing sexism and discrimination, Dawn is determined to make it in a male-dominated industry.

The episode is fast-paced and action-packed, with the music of the 80s setting the tone for a wild ride. The characters are all unique, quirky, and larger than life, each with their own motivation for being on Wall Street. The writing is sharp, and the comedic timing is on point, with several hilarious moments that had me laughing out loud.

What sets Black Monday apart from other shows set in the world of finance is its willingness to take risks and push the boundaries of what is acceptable. The show is unapologetically bold, with scenes that are both outrageous and shocking. The show also uses its setting and time period to comment on the politics and culture of the 1980s, which adds another layer to its storytelling.

Overall, "Black Monday: 365" is an excellent start to the series. It sets the stage for the drama and comedy that is to come and introduces us to a cast of characters that you can't help but root for. With a fresh premise, solid writing, and a fantastic cast, this is a show that is well worth your time.