Go On Season 1 Episode 1
Go On
Season 1

Ep 1. Pilot

  • TV-14
  • August 8, 2012
  • 23 min
  • 8.0  (461)

Ryan King is a sportscaster for K-BAL in Los Angeles. His beloved wife, Janie, died recently in a car accident, and he is having a tough time dealing with it. Ryan is avoiding treatment, and his boss sends him to see a therapist, Lauren Schneider. Lauren is going to handle a grief group and is inspiring Ryan to attend. He is later invited to the group and shows no care towards interacting with the people there.

Ryan meets Sonia, who recently lost her brother and seems to be dealing with her grief and moving on. Steven, who lost his partner, Terrell, some years ago but still misses him, is also in the group and trying to help others deal with their grief.

Faith, who has lost her sight, and Anne, who has anger issues and lost her husband, are also in the group, among others.

Ryan initially didn't like the group, but as the group comes together and discusses their grief, Ryan becomes more interested and begins to deal with his own loss. He decides to attend a group outing at the end of the episode, where they all share a good time, and Ryan sees some hope for his future. The show does an excellent job of dealing with complicated issues in a straightforward way, making it more accessible for viewers.

Overall, Go On's first season debut episode 'Pilot' is a well-told story that introduces the show's central theme of dealing with grief and moving on. Matthew Perry's portrayal of a sportscaster who seemed to have it all but is struggling to find meaning in his life after the death of his wife is convincing and relatable. The episode sets up the premise of the show while also providing glimpses of the different characters' personalities.

As Ryan begins attending the group, viewers get a better sense of the types of people he is dealing with and what they're going through. From Sonia's healthy coping mechanisms to Anne's anger management struggles, the show packs a punch in terms of the variety of grief struggles that exist. To this end, the show does an excellent job of presenting these struggles and dealing with them without resorting to stereotypes or clichés.

The episode also lays the groundwork for Ryan's journey towards getting help for his grief. Throughout the episode, Ryan is dismissive of therapy and the group, but by the end of the episode, he is willing to take a chance on getting help. The show presents grief and mental health struggles in a way that is both honest and affirming, which makes it a compelling watch.

The supporting cast is excellent in their roles, with Julie White's portrayal of Lauren Schneider being particularly noteworthy. Lauren is the therapist that Ryan initially meets, and she serves as a sort of guiding light for Ryan's journey. Her nuanced performance of the character is one of the highlights of the episode, and it's clear why Ryan is so drawn to her and her approach.

Overall, the first episode of Go On is an excellent start to the series. It sets up the central themes and the characters' different personalities and struggles well, and it presents these themes in a way that is both engaging and affirming. Matthew Perry's portrayal of Ryan is compelling and relatable, and the show's focus on grief and mental health is refreshing. Fans of good dramatic comedy and character-driven storytelling are sure to enjoy the series.

Description
Watch Go On - Pilot (s1 e1) Online - Watch online anytime: Buy, Rent
Go On, Season 1 Episode 1, is available to watch and stream on NBC. You can also buy, rent Go On on demand at Peacock Premium, Amazon, Vudu, Google Play, Apple TV online.
  • First Aired
    August 8, 2012
  • Content Rating
    TV-14
  • Runtime
    23 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    8.0  (461)