Central Park Season 1 Episode 1 Episode 1

Central Park is a brand-new animated musical-comedy series that premiered on Apple TV+ on May 29, 2020. The first season of the show consists of ten episodes, each about 25 minutes long, filled to the brim with catchy songs and irreverent humor.

The show's premise centers on the Tillerman family, who live in a small apartment building overlooking New York City's famous Central Park. Owen, the father, is the head park ranger and is passionate about the park's preservation and protection. Paige, his wife, is a journalist at a struggling newspaper, often taking on stories that are too idealistic to be profitable. Their kids, Molly and Cole, are lively and imaginative, finding ways to explore and enjoy the park no matter the season or situation.

The first episode aptly titled "Episode One" introduces audiences to the Tillermans and the uniqueness of their world. Owen runs the park with a solid work ethic and values, understanding the importance of the park to the city and its inhabitants. Paige is passionately dedicated to her work and taking on controversial articles, often at the expense of her comfort. Cole and Molly are vibrant, and the story takes a whimsical turn as they go on a park adventure. The episode's plot focuses on the colorful old woman known as Helen (Kathryn Hahn), who lives in an iconic hotel perched in the park's center and who hates the idea of progress. The city's public works commissioner (Stanley Tucci), who works for a real estate developer, has designs on purchasing her hotel and plans to demolish it to build condos. Through a series of events, Paige gets wind of the scheme and sets out to stop the deal from happening.

The animation in Central Park is stunning and fits perfectly with the tone of the show. The bright and lush park is a character in its own right, always present, and more often than not, keeping the Tillermans on their toes. The musical numbers are brilliantly written, with the first episode alone containing two significant musical sequences that set the show's mood and the character's tone. From the jaunty opening number to the hip-hop stylings of the "Shampoo Song," the songs add a fun and buoyant energy to the storytelling.

The characters are well-rounded and engaging, each with their own specific quirks and traits. Owen's love for the park and nature, Paige's drive to always do the right thing, Cole's fascination with superheroes, and Molly's knack for storytelling all work together to give the show a wholesome and fun family dynamic. Kathryn Hahn as Helen steals the show with her biting wit and idiosyncrasies that add to the vibrant and colorful palette of the show. The rest of the cast, including Josh Gad as Birdie (the narrator) and Leslie Odom Jr. as the singing, dancing park troubadour, are an absolute delight.

In conclusion, Central Park season 1 episode 1 is a fantastic start to what turns out to be a delightful, funny, and heartwarming series. The animation, music, and characters are all top-notch, and the pacing and plot flow smoothly with energy that never seems to dry out. For fans of musical comedies or just those looking for a good family sitcom, Central Park is a must-watch.