Ep 1. A Time to Heal

Greenleaf is a drama television series that follows the lives of the Greenleaf family, who are the leaders of a mega-church in Memphis, Tennessee. The series explores their secrets, lies, and scandals while they try to maintain their façade of perfection. In season 1 episode 1, titled "A Time to Heal," viewers are introduced to the family and their struggles.

The series opens with Grace "Gigi" Greenleaf (Merle Dandridge), a pastor who has left the family and her home in Memphis years ago, returning after 20 years to attend her sister's funeral. While there, she discovers that her sister Faith has committed suicide. Faith was known for her pious and religious nature, and her death has the community questioning whether her suicide was truly her own doing, or if there were other factors at play.

The Greenleaf family, who are prominent members of the community, seem to have everything put together on the surface. However, as the episode progresses, it becomes apparent that they are hiding deep family secrets. The most significant secret is the abuse suffered by Faith at the hands of her uncle Mac (GregAlan Williams), the church's head of security. This revelation creates conflicts and divides in the family, exposing their not so perfect private lives.

As the three-day wake leading to Faith's funeral begins, Grace confronts her estranged parents and siblings. She is determined to find out what happened to her sister, as she does not believe Faith would have taken her own life. Her father, Bishop James Greenleaf (Keith David), is a charismatic leader who is clearly hiding something. Lady Mae (Lynn Whitfield), his wife, is equally as captivating and protective of her husband's image. Her sister, Charity (Deborah Joy Winans), is a musical prodigy who has taken on most of the church's musical responsibilities, the “Rock Star” brother, Jacob (Lamman Rucker), is angling to take over his fathers' throne, but he has his own Scandals that may get in the way.

While she is back in Memphis, Grace also reconnects with Noah (Benjamin Patterson), a former flame and reporter who is investigating the church. Noah has his doubts about Faith's death and decides to team up with Grace to uncover the truth. Their investigation yields a clue that leads them to the family's hidden recording studio, where they discover a secret message left by Faith about the abuse she suffered at the hands of her uncle.

The episode ends with Grace sharing the recording with her family, leading to a dramatic confrontation that will shape the events of the upcoming episodes. The revelation throws the family into chaos and forces them to confront their demons, deal with their pasts, and face the challenges that come with keeping up appearances in the public eye.

Overall, Greenleaf season 1 episode 1, "A Time to Heal," sets the stage for this captivating family drama that reveals a more human side of religious leadership and its impact on personal lives. It provides a glimpse into the world of preachers and mega-churches that are often clouded in secrecy and the facade of perfection. The episode offers strong performances, intriguing storylines, and a good setup for future episodes. It's a must- watch for those who enjoy family dramas, character-driven series, and stories that keep you guessing.