Ep 1. Tirana

Describing the show Claws, Season 1, Episode 1 named Tirana is a perfect way to set the tone for the whole series. Claws follows the life of Desna (Niecy Nash), a woman who owns a nail salon in Manatee County, Florida. Although her nail salon looks innocent, she runs a money-laundering business for an illegal dealership involving her brother Dean (Harold Perrineau) and his partner Roller (Jack Kesy). But, as the first season begins, Desna is determined to go straight, mainly for her brother Dean, who has autism and lives with her.

The episode starts with Desna and her crew - Polly (Carrie Preston), Jen (Jenn Lyon), and Quiet Ann (Judy Reyes) - providing nail art services and participating in a beauty pageant. These scenes are genuinely hilarious and highlight the bonds among the girls in the salon. However, the scene intensifies after Desna gets an unexpected call from Roller. Roller forces her to visit him in his strip club, Palmetto, where he attempts to convince Desna to handle the drugs coming from his business.

Desna refuses to go back to the illegal business, which then triggers Roller to threaten her. This scene shows the ruthless nature of Roller and the complexities of their relationship. Things start getting more complicated as we see the dark side of the other characters. Desna's best friend, Polly, has a strange obsession with her time in prison, claiming that she killed her rich husband but cannot remember anything about doing so.

Moreover, the owner of Palmetto, Uncle Daddy (Dean Norris), Roller's uncle, is a man with a notorious reputation, but also suffering from low esteem. In one of the scenes, he speaks with his transgender girlfriend, Juanda (Dale Dickey), about how people often underestimate him. But, it is evident in this episode that he is not to be messed with. Desna is caught in the middle of all these characters, which has developed an engaging storyline for the show.

As if Desna did not have enough on her mind with Roller and Uncle Daddy, she has to deal with financial issues that stem from her salon business. Furthermore, Desna also has to handle her brother Dean's autism. The show tastefully and respectfully portrays Dean's character, highlighting how challenging it can be to provide care to someone with autism.

Overall, Claws season one, episode one, is the perfect starting point. It introduces the primary characters, storyline, and relationships between characters. It also gives a good insight into each character's personality, making it memorable for viewers. Whether you are a fan of comedic or dark shows, this series has a bit of both. The first episode's plot is well written and acted, leaving viewers hooked and eagerly anticipating the next episode.