Ep 1. Quilty Pleasures

Close Enough season 1 episode 1, titled "Quilty Pleasures", is a comedic and relatable exploration of the everyday struggles of a couple struggling to balance work, love, children, and friendships in a modern-day world. The episode follows the adventures of Josh and Emily as they break down under the pressures of their busy lives, leading them to question their decisions and seek out new ways to reconnect with each other and rediscover what it means to be truly happy.

The story kicks off with Josh and Emily taking a night off from parenting to indulge in some long-overdue alone time. Things quickly spiral out of control as they realize the restaurant they had planned on going to was closed, and they end up stranded on the streets with no clear plan of what to do. The situation only gets worse when a series of mishaps, including a stolen phone and a run-in with some party-crazy college-aged kids, lead to them getting into a massive fight.

As the couple navigates their way through this rough patch, we see glimpses into the deeper issues plaguing their relationship. Josh constantly feels stifled and unsupported by Emily's ambition, while Emily struggles to balance her career and family, often feeling like she's pulled in too many directions at once. The episode also touches on their respective insecurities, fears, and dreams, making it easy for the audience to connect with and empathize with both characters.

The humor in "Quilty Pleasures" is used expertly to balance out the more serious moments. For example, there's a hilarious subplot involving their friends Alex and Bridgette, as they attempt to get their baby, Candice, to sleep through the night. Their methods range from humorous to outright bizarre – including using a "baby whisperer" service and resorting to sleeping pills – all the while adding a touch of levity to the episode's more intense moments.

Overall, "Quilty Pleasures" is a fantastic introduction to Close Enough. It sets the stage for future episodes with its perfect blend of humor, relatable characters, and genuine emotional depth. The animation style adds a reprieve during the episode's heavier moments, while the witty dialogue by creator J.G. Quintel and his team helps to ground the characters even further. By the end of the episode, it's easy to see why critics and audiences alike were raving about the show, and why it's quickly becoming a fan-favorite on streaming platforms.