Ep 1. Pilot

Casual is a dark comedy series that was created by Zander Lehmann, and it premiered on Hulu on October 7, 2015. The show follows the lives of Alex Cole, his sister, Valerie, and her daughter, Laura, as they navigate the complexities of dating and relationships while dealing with their own personal issues.

Season 1, Episode 1, which is titled "Pilot," sets the stage for the rest of the season by introducing the main characters and their situations. The episode opens with Alex, played by Tommy Dewey, waking up in bed next to a woman he doesn't remember sleeping with. He gets dressed, grabs a used condom from the floor, and rushes out of the apartment without saying goodbye.

The scene then shifts to Valerie, played by Michaela Watkins, who is a therapist going through a difficult divorce from her husband Drew. Valerie is shown struggling to move on from her marriage while also trying to connect with her teenage daughter, Laura, played by Tara Lynne Barr. Laura is shown dealing with her own issues of insecurity and rebellion, which are compounded by her recent expulsion from school.

The three characters are shown dealing with their issues independently until they connect in a family therapy session. The session is awkward and tense, but it serves as a catalyst for bringing the characters together as they each start to rely on each other more.

The rest of the episode follows Alex on a series of bad dates while Valerie and Laura bond over weed and pizza. Alex is shown as a womanizing and shallow character who uses his charm to manipulate women into sleeping with him. Valerie is depicted as a caring but emotionally volatile woman who is struggling to make sense of her failed marriage. Laura is the typical rebellious teenager, but underneath the surface, she is shown to be struggling with issues of self-worth and identity.

As the episode progresses, the characters' paths intersect and they start to rely on each other for support. Alex turns to Valerie for advice on his dating problems, and she starts to rely on him for help with her divorce. Laura connects with Alex over their shared love of music and starts to confide in him about her issues with school and her sexuality.

The episode ends with the three characters sitting together on the couch in Valerie's living room, smoking weed and watching a movie. Alex comments that they make a strange family, to which Valerie replies that they are not a family, they're just "casual."

Overall, the pilot episode of Casual introduces the characters and sets the tone for the rest of the series. The show is a poignant exploration of modern relationships and the complexities of love, family, and identity. The writing is smart and witty, and the performances by the cast are engaging and charming. Casual is a must-see for anyone looking for a fresh take on the romantic comedy genre.