Ep 1. The Crossing

The show Counterpart premiered on December 10, 2017, and has since become a hit among science fiction fans. The show follows the life of Howard Silk, a low-level bureaucrat working in a United Nations-affiliated office in Berlin. However, Howard's life takes a dramatic turn when he discovers the existence of a parallel universe during his morning commute.

Season 1 episode 1, titled The Crossing, begins with Howard and his wife Emily (Olivia Williams) living their mundane life in the current world. Howard works as a clerk for a U.N. agency located in Berlin, handling paperwork and other mundane tasks. Howard's ordinary life is disrupted when he finds out that his wife Emily is in the hospital in a coma. To make matters worse, Howard's work colleagues are behaving strangely around him, and he is soon summoned by his boss, Peter Quail (Harry Lloyd), to attend a meeting in the basement of the building.

In the basement, Howard Silk is confronted with a secret passage which has been hidden from him his whole life by his employers. He is then introduced to his doppelganger, who is from an alternate universe, and he is tasked with a mission that will change his life forever. Howard is informed that the crossing, the passage that connects the two worlds, has been compromised and that someone is trying to destroy it. They ask Howard to make contact with his other self, who is a highly respected member of a secret organization in the alternate universe, and help him neutralize the situation before there is catastrophic damage to the two worlds.

In the alternate universe, Howard's counterpart named Howard Prime (J.K. Simmons) is approached by his superiors, who inform him of the situation. Howard Prime decides to help his other self and contact Howard Silk. He meets with Howard Silk and briefs him on the situation and trains him to become a spy for their side.

As the two Howards get to know each other, Howard Silk is forced to make compromises, and he comes to understand that he is not the only one in his world living a shadow life. He soon discovers a sense of purpose and embarks on a journey of self-discovery and redemption.

The first episode of the show does an excellent job of introducing the audience to the premise of the show and developing the characters. The plot is full of twists and turns, leaving the viewers on the edge of their seats. The show's unique concept of parallel universes is explored in great detail, and the audience is introduced to the different rules and structures of each universe.

Overall, The Crossing was a gripping start to the show, and it set the stage for the rest of the season. The episode was brilliantly written and directed, and the cast was outstanding. It is no surprise that Counterpart has become such a successful show, and it is highly recommended for anyone who loves science fiction or spy dramas.