Ep 1. Episode One

In episode one of Cloudstreet, we are introduced to two vastly different families who are forced to share the same house after both experiencing traumatic events. The Lambs are a working-class family from the city who move to Perth seeking a fresh start after a tragedy befalls them. Meanwhile, the Pickles are a quirky, eccentric family who have inherited the dilapidated house in question and are down on their luck.

As the two families move into the sprawling, ramshackle house on Cloud Street, they begin to clash and bicker almost immediately. The Lambs are hardworking and no-nonsense, while the Pickles are carefree and impulsive. Fish, the youngest member of the Pickles family, is particularly eccentric - he stands in the bathtub, unresponsive and staring off into the distance for long periods of time. The Lambs are immediately put off by the strange boy and his family's odd behavior.

Over time, the tensions between the two families begin to simmer down as they go about their daily lives, despite their differences. The Lambs find work at a nearby factory while the Pickles run a fish and chip shop out of the house. As the families settle in, they start to learn more about each other and form unexpected bonds.

One of the central conflicts in the episode involves the Lambs' daughter Rose, who is struggling to come to terms with the trauma that forced her family to move to Perth. She feels out of place in their new surroundings and is resentful of her family for leaving their old life behind. However, her boredom leads her to explore the neighborhood and meet a young man named Quick, who introduces her to a new way of thinking about the world.

Meanwhile, Lester, the patriarch of the Pickles family, is dealing with his own demons. He is haunted by a past experience and struggles to cope with the loss of his wife. His young son Fish, who seems to be perpetually in his own world, somehow senses Lester's sadness and finds a way to comfort him.

As the episode comes to a close, tensions between the two families reach a boiling point after a tragic accident involving Fish threatens to tear them apart. However, the event also brings them closer together in unexpected ways, as they realize how much they rely on each other for support.

Overall, episode one of Cloudstreet sets the stage for a heartfelt, character-driven drama that explores themes of family, trauma, and the search for meaning in life. The interactions between the Lambs and the Pickles are often humorous but also poignant, and the show succeeds in building a rich, organic world that draws the viewer in and keeps them invested in the characters' lives.