Ep 1. Pilot

In the first episode of Free Agents, titled "Pilot," we are introduced to the two main characters, Alex and Helen, who work at an advertising agency and have just gone through recent breakups. Alex is played by Hank Azaria, and he is still recovering from the loss of his wife, who recently left him for a 19-year-old. Helen is played by Kathryn Hahn, and she is trying to move on after still being in love with her ex-fiance who recently got engaged.

The episode starts with Alex and Helen being set up on a blind date, but it doesn't quite work out. We see Alex being very anxious and nervous, whereas Helen is more comfortable in the situation, which is completely different from how these two characters behave at work. At the office, Alex is confident and seems to have things under control, whereas Helen is a bit more scatterbrained. This contrast sets the tone for the entire show and provides some much-needed levity without going too much overboard with it.

As they both come to work the next day, it is clear that they aren't over their breakups like they thought they were. They try to be professional, but it doesn't stop them from talking about their respective exes and the reasons things didn't work out. They even start to overcompensate, trying to appear happier than they are, which leads to some awkward situations.

The main plot of the episode revolves around a new client that the advertising agency just landed, an athletic shoe company that wants a comprehensive campaign designed around its new running shoes. Alex and Helen are tasked with working together on this project, and the first meeting with the client goes poorly. They can't seem to get on the same page, and their personal problems start to intrude on their professional lives.

Throughout the episode, we see glimpses of Alex's past life with his wife, which helps us understand why he is so emotional and hesitant to move on. We also see that Helen is struggling to find a new direction in her life, especially since her ex is now engaged and moving on without her.

Despite all of this, both of them manage to work together to come up with an excellent campaign for the shoe company. This is where the show really shines as we get to see two people who have a lot of baggage and personal issues come together and work towards a common goal. It's a heartwarming sight to see these two people who have just met only a few days ago support each other and do something great together.

The episode ends with Alex and Helen leaving work for the day, and we see them both getting a glimmer of hope that maybe they can move on from their past and start enjoying life again. We also see Alex running, which is something we see him do multiple times throughout the show and is a metaphor for him moving forward.

Overall, the first episode of Free Agents does an excellent job of introducing us to the main characters and their struggles while also providing us with some humor and some touching moments. It's a great start to the series, and it leaves us wanting to see more of Alex and Helen's journeys.