Ep 1. The End

Grace and Frankie is a comedy series that follows two women who initially have nothing in common, but are brought together as their husbands reveal they are in love with each other and plan to get married. Season 1, episode 1 "The End" introduces us to Grace Hanson (Jane Fonda) and Frankie Bergstein (Lily Tomlin) who are both married to Robert and Sol, respectively, who are business partners and divorce lawyers.

The episode begins with an unsettling news for Grace - her husband, Robert, wants to divorce her after 40 years of marriage, citing reasons that he's gay and in love with Sol. On the other hand, Frankie is feeling uneasy about Sol, her husband, who is acting a bit strange. She is hopeful of having sex with him but instead, he breaks the news that he's in love with Robert, and they're planning to get married. The husbands have been having an affair for years, and now they wish to start a new chapter in their lives with each other.

Grace is in denial, angry and hurt that Robert had kept such a big secret for so long. She's deceived and confused since they have been an essential part of each other’s lives for over 40 years. Frankie, too, is bewildered and heartbroken but is willing to try to work out something with Sol. The episode also sees a dramatic change in the relationship dynamics among Grace and Frankie. It's amusing to watch them navigate through life, trying to adjust to a new normal.

As Grace and Frankie come to terms with the news, they both feel like they have lost everything and are, therefore, out of options. The two women couldn't be more different from each other - Grace is an uptight, highly-regarded businesswoman, while Frankie is a free-spirited, artistic hippie, who regularly participates in protests. After their husbands reveal their secret, Grace and Frankie have no choice but to make a fresh start. Moving on together seems to be their only option since they both feel abandoned and with nowhere to go.

For Grace, moving on means finding a new routine. She is determined to prioritize appearance and maintain an appearance of normalcy, despite the circumstances, while Frankie attempts to cope with the situation by taking control and planning out everything. During the course of the episode, they both try to find solace with their children. Grace’s uptight daughter, Brianna (June Diane Raphael), is fiercely independent and has a job in her father's law firm. Frankie's children, Bud (Baron Vaughn) and Mallory (Brooklyn Decker), don't have the same close-knit relationship with their mother and are caught off guard by the news about their father.

The episode takes the viewers through a roller coaster of emotions. The characters go through a myriad of feelings, ranging from disbelief, anger, pain, regret to a sense of optimism and hope. The first episode sets the stage for an interesting and emotional journey of Grace and Frankie. The two women bond over their shared pain, and as they begin to navigate this new chapter of their lives, they slowly begin to chart out a new future for themselves.

Overall, the first episode of Grace and Frankie offers a glimpse into the tumultuous lives of the two main characters as they come to grips with an unforeseen turn of events. It is a well-woven tale that brings out the best in the talented cast. While some might find the premise of the show a bit absurd, the performances of the actors are praiseworthy. They add depth and authenticity to the characters, making them relatable and lovable. The humor in the show is quirky and situational, adding to the overall charm of the series. The first episode successfully hooks the audience, building anticipation for new episodes that follow.