Ep 1. Episode 1

Fear Thy Neighbor is a true crime series that focuses on the terrifying encounters between people living in close proximity to one another. The seventh season, Episode 1 of Fear Thy Neighbor takes the viewers on a journey of a peaceful neighborhood in Long Branch, New Jersey, which turns into a nightmare for two neighbors.

The episode, named "Episode 1" opens with the introduction of the Lebron family who are new to the neighborhood. They are a tight-knit family of four - John Lebron, his wife Mary, and their two daughters. The family seems excited to move into their new house, but their excitement is short-lived when they meet their neighbor Kevin Karakelides.

Kevin is a middle-aged man who is described as being very private and keeping to himself. As the Lebron family tries to settle into their new surroundings, Kevin's behavior becomes increasingly strange. In a matter of days, he begins to startle the Lebron family in the most unusual of ways, including trespassing on their property at odd hours of the night, staring at them from his windows, and using an old ship horn to holler obscenities over the fence.

Despite several attempts to reach out to Kevin with kindness, John's approach manages to exacerbate the situation and create a tense atmosphere throughout the neighborhood. Mary feels fearful and worried for her children's safety, and John is adamant to put up a fence line and take further action against Kevin's behavior.

As the feud between the two neighbors builds up tension, the viewers witness Kevin's aggressive pattern of behavior. They see how he creates a nuisance for the Lebrons, such as blasting his music at odd hours of the night, throwing trash on their property, and even vandalizing their yard.

With the help of the town authorities, the Lebrons try to reason with Kevin, but he refuses to dialog or seek any counseling and turns hostile, creating a sense of danger, which escalates into the final confrontation that leaves a lasting impact within the community.

The show, while captivatingly intense, expertly highlights a universal issue regarding unhealthy neighborly relationships. It depicts how intolerable actions and grievances can escalate into terrifying experiences, causing people to take actions they never imagined they would.

Overall, Season 7, Episode 1 of Fear Thy Neighbor offers a chilling insight into one of the most terrifying traits of the human psyche, as we witness the crumbling of a peaceful neighborhood into chaos due to two hostile individuals and their ultimately fatal battle.