Ep 1. Episode 1

Butterfly is an emotionally charged, family drama television series that aired in the UK in 2018. This engaging series was created by Tony Marchant and explores the challenges faced by a family as they navigate through the gender transition of their 11-year-old son, Max. Episode 1 is the first episode of season 1, and it introduces us to the families of Max and his father, Stephen.

At the beginning of the episode, we see Max's father, Stephen, and Max's mother, Vicky, in the midst of a heated divorce. Despite the turmoil between them, both parents appear to be committed to their son's well-being and happiness. We are also introduced to Max's sister, Lily, who is a teenager. As the episode progresses, we begin to see the struggles faced by each member of the family in the aftermath of Max's decision to transition.

Max has taken on the name of "Maxine," and we watch as his family and classmates adjust to this change. Maxine's mother, Vicky, struggles with the adjustment more than anyone else. She remains conflicted between wanting to support her child and the expectations of society that force her to conform to a more traditional gender binary. Her internal struggle is further complicated by the fact that Vicky is a nurse and has been working with a transgender patient in the hospital. Through Vicky's character, the show explores societal perceptions of gender and the ongoing discussion around what it means to be transgender.

Lily, Maxine's older sister, is also struggling to come to terms with her brother's transition. She is afraid of losing the brother she has always known and is struggling with her own identity. Lily has a crush on a girl in her school, and we see her struggle to come to terms with her own sexuality and the pressure she feels to fit into societal norms.

In contrast to Lily's internal struggle, Maxine's father, Stephen, is a more welcoming figure in his child's life. He is accepting of Maxine's transition and quickly adapts to using her preferred name and pronouns. We see Stephen's inner struggle as he comes to terms with the fact that his son is now his daughter. However, Stephen's unwavering love for Maxine shines through, and he becomes a supportive figure in her life.

The episode is interspersed with flashbacks of Max as a younger child, allowing us to see a glimpse of his past and his joy for life. Throughout the flashbacks, we see that Max loved dressing up and playing with dolls. The flashbacks serve to emphasize the fact that Max's transition is not a phase, but rather a part of who he has always been.

The episode concludes on a hopeful note, despite the struggles faced by each member of the family. Maxine has started to make friends in her new school, and her classmates are beginning to accept her for who she is. Vicky is slowly coming to terms with Maxine's transition, and Stephen remains supportive of his daughter throughout.

Butterfly's first episode offers a powerful and emotional glimpse into the struggles faced by a family navigating through the turbulent waters of gender transition. It tackles issues of identity, prejudice, and acceptance with a sensitivity that is genuine and authentic. The show offers a rare opportunity to explore the complexities of gender identity and offers a hopeful message of acceptance and love.