Ep 1. Born on the Fourth of July

Getting On is a comedy-drama series which follows the staff of a hospital geriatric ward who are tasked with caring for elderly patients who often require complex and sensitive care. The first episode of season one is titled Born on the Fourth of July.

The episode begins with Nurse DiDi (Niecy Nash) arriving to work at the Golden Oaks geriatric ward on a hot summer day. She's greeted by various staff members including Dr. Jenna James (Laurie Metcalf), who is the clinical director and oversees patient care, and the ward's new nurse supervisor, Patsy De La Serda (Mel Rodriguez). Throughout the episode, we see these characters interact with one another and tend to their patients.

One of the patients receiving care is a man named Otto (George Wallace), who is celebrating his 100th birthday on Independence Day. His son, who is also named Otto, is visiting and is dismayed that his father's birthday is not being celebrated more festively. This prompts Dr. James to organize a surprise party for Otto, complete with decorations and a cake. However, the party is interrupted when Otto has a medical emergency and is rushed into surgery.

The staff must also deal with another patient, a woman named Varla (June Squibb), who has a habit of masturbating in public. Dr. James and Patsy try to figure out a way to address her behavior without causing further distress to Varla or other patients. They come up with the idea of placing a curtain around her bed to give her some privacy, which seems to calm her down.

Meanwhile, Nurse DiDi is tasked with caring for a patient who is not responding to treatment. She takes it upon herself to comfort the patient and keep her company, even as her condition worsens. This storyline highlights the emotional toll that caring for elderly patients can take on healthcare workers.

Throughout the episode, we also see glimpses of the various personal lives of the staff members. Dr. James is struggling with her own health issues and begins to feel overwhelmed by her responsibilities at work, while Nurse DiDi is dealing with the fallout of a recent breakup. Patsy's snarky remarks mask a softer side, as he is shown bonding with a patient he initially brushed off.

Overall, Born on the Fourth of July is a strong introduction to the world of Getting On. The show balances humor with pathos and doesn't shy away from the difficult realities of caring for elderly patients. The characters are well-drawn and the performances are uniformly excellent. If the rest of the series is anything like this first episode, it promises to be a captivating and emotionally resonant drama.