Ep 1. Eldon Chance

Eldon Chance is the first episode of the first season of the gripping psychological thriller series, Chance. The episode sets the stage for the entire series as it introduces us to the main character, Dr. Eldon Chance, a neuropsychiatrist based in San Francisco. The show is based on the book of the same name by Kem Nunn.

In the opening scene, we see Dr. Chance, played by Hugh Laurie, conducting an assessment of a young woman named Jaclyn Blackstone, played by Gretchen Mol. Jaclyn is a desperate and wounded woman who appears to be suffering from dissociative identity disorder. As Dr. Chance delves deeper into her case, he finds himself becoming entangled in a dangerous web of deceit and betrayal.

Dr. Chance is a brilliant yet damaged man, struggling to come to terms with the breakdown of his marriage, and dealing with the daily challenges of raising his daughter, Nicole. Making matters worse, Dr. Chance is facing financial troubles, as his ex-wife is seeking more money in their divorce settlement. The stress of his personal life is further compounded by his increasingly difficult patients, of which Jaclyn is the most challenging.

As the episode progresses, we see Dr. Chance's interest in Jaclyn start to develop into something more than just professional curiosity. He finds himself drawn to her, and as he tries to help her, he becomes increasingly involved in her troubled world. He discovers that Jaclyn is being emotionally and physically abused by her cop husband, Raymond, played by Paul Adelstein. Chance begins to wonder how he can help her escape this abusive situation, which quickly spirals out of control.

While dealing with the Jaclyn situation, we also see Dr. Chance navigate several other complex relationships. He develops an intriguing dynamic with a retired detective by the name of Hynes, played by Clarke Peters. Hynes has a troubled past, and his story arc is also fascinating. He provides valuable insights into Chance's dilemmas throughout the episode.

Meanwhile, Chance is also struggling with his relationship with his daughter, Nicole, played by Stefania LaVie Owen. In the aftermath of his divorce, Nicole has been struggling to deal with the changes in her life. She lashes out at her dad constantly, refusing to communicate with him, and staying up late to talk to strangers online. Dr. Chance is finding it increasingly difficult to connect with her.

Eldon Chance is an intricate and compelling introduction to the world of Dr. Chance, setting up a suspenseful narrative with a fascinating cast of characters. The episode sets the tone of the entire series- dark, gritty, and filled with suspense. Audiences can expect to be kept on the edge of their seat throughout the show, navigating the complex and often dangerous world of a brilliant yet troubled medical professional.