Ep 1. The Atheist

Aspiring comedian Pete Holmes is back in the second season of the HBO hit series "Crashing," and in episode one, there's a lot of ground to cover as we catch up with our protagonist.

The episode, titled "The Atheist," opens with Pete struggling to find his footing as a stand-up comic in New York City. After breaking up with his wife in the previous season, Pete is living in a crash pad with other aspiring comics. The living situation is a far cry from what he's used to, but Pete is determined to make the best of it.

The episode centers around Pete's encounters with different characters, all of whom represent different facets of the comedy world. First, we meet John Mulaney, who offers some advice to Pete about working on his craft. Mulaney, a real-life comedian and writer who is known for his critically acclaimed stand-up specials and work on "Saturday Night Live," is a perfect addition to the show, and his cameo is a delight for fans of his work.

Next, Pete encounters a group of comics who hang out at the local comedy club. The group includes a variety of personalities, but one that stands out is an atheist comedian named Billy (played by Bill Burr). Billy is loud, brash, and unapologetically anti-religion. Despite their differences, Pete and Billy form a bond over their shared passion for comedy.

Later in the episode, Pete meets up with Ali (Jamie Lee), a fellow stand-up comedian who he briefly dated in season one. Their conversation is awkward at first, but they eventually find common ground and bond over a shared sense of humor. The encounter with Ali serves as a reminder that Pete is still figuring out his personal life, even as he focuses on his professional goals.

As the episode progresses, we see Pete performing stand-up at various venues. His sets are rough, and he struggles with hecklers and tough crowds. But even when things don't go well, Pete never loses his passion for comedy. He's determined to make it, no matter what it takes.

Throughout the episode, we see Pete's relationships with the people in his life—his fellow comics, his ex-wife, and even strangers on the street—evolving. We also get a glimpse of the gritty, competitive world of stand-up comedy, where success is never guaranteed and failure is always just one bad set away.

Overall, "The Atheist" is a solid start to the second season of "Crashing." The episode is well-written, with plenty of witty one-liners and clever observations about the comedy world. Fans of the show will be happy to see Pete back in action, and new viewers will be able to jump right in without feeling lost.