Ep 1. Pilot

Pilot is the first episode of Difficult People, a comedy series that premiered on Hulu in August 2015. The show follows two best friends, Julie Kessler (played by Julie Klausner) and Billy Epstein (played by Billy Eichner), as they try to make it in New York City as comedians, while also trying to cope with their personal lives.

The episode opens with a car ride where we are introduced to Julie and Billy, who are both bitter and sarcastic about everything around them. They are on their way to a street performance, where they plan to do a sketch. However, when they arrive, they find that someone else is already performing, so they decide to heckle the performer instead.

After their failed performance, Julie and Billy go to their day jobs. Julie works as a waitress at a coffee shop, while Billy works as a waiter at a restaurant. Both of them are frustrated with their jobs and their bosses. Julie's boss, Marilyn (played by Andrea Martin), is a demanding and clueless woman who doesn't appreciate Julie's hard work. Meanwhile, Billy's boss, Arthur (played by James Urbaniak), is a snobbish and pretentious artist who tries to force his opinions on everyone.

Despite their frustrations, Julie and Billy have each other to lean on. They spend their time together talking about pop culture, making fun of people, and dreaming of making it big. They also have some funny encounters with other people in their lives. For example, Billy tries to pick up a guy at a bar, but ends up embarrassing himself. Julie runs into her ex-boyfriend, who is now a successful children's book author, and can't hide her envy.

As the episode progresses, we start to see some of the struggles that Julie and Billy face in their personal lives. Julie is juggling a part-time job, a failing love life, and a strained relationship with her mom. Billy is dealing with his job, his unrequited love for a straight guy, and his unresolved issues with his estranged father. Despite all of this, they remain determined to make it as comedians, even if it means being difficult and unpopular.

The episode ends with Julie and Billy attending an exclusive party for a magazine launch. They try to sneak in, but are caught by the bouncer. However, they manage to bluff their way in by pretending to be important people. Once inside, they make fun of the pretentious guests and take photos of themselves with the free food. It's a small victory, but it's enough to make them feel like they are on the right path.

Overall, Pilot sets the tone for the rest of the series. It establishes the main characters, introduces their neurotic personalities, and shows us the kind of world they inhabit. It's a show that is both hilarious and poignant, with a strong sense of voice and style. If you enjoy snarky humor, relatable characters, and New York City shenanigans, then this is a show that you shouldn't miss.