Ep 1. Fratello - Siblings

In Gunslinger Girl season 1 episode 1, titled "Fratello - Siblings," viewers are introduced to the world of the Social Welfare Agency, a government institution tasked with fighting terrorism in Italy. The agency employs young girls who have undergone cybernetic and biological enhancements, turning them into highly skilled assassins known as "fratellos." Each fratello consists of a young girl, or "cyborg," and a male handler, or "handler," whose job is to train and supervise their assigned cyborg.

The episode primarily focuses on introducing the main characters of the show: Henrietta, a young girl who has been turned into a cyborg and her handler, Jose. Henrietta is a reserved and traumatized girl who was orphaned and then kidnapped before being taken in by the Social Welfare Agency. Jose is a stoic and experienced handler who is tasked with training and supervising Henrietta.

We see glimpses of Henrietta's cybernetic enhancements, including her enhanced vision and strength, as well as her conditioning to follow her handler's orders without question. Despite her training as an assassin, Henrietta is still a young girl who yearns for love and affection. She becomes attached to Jose and delights in small moments of human connection, such as holding his hand or sitting next to him on the couch.

After a successful mission where Henrietta takes out a high-profile terrorist, she is rewarded by being taken on a shopping trip by Jose. The trip is meant to be a bonding experience between fratello members, but it is cut short when Jose receives a phone call indicating that Henrietta is needed for another mission.

The episode ends with Henrietta being sent to assassinate a man who is believed to be involved in terrorism. We see the toll that her conditioning and training have taken on her as she carries out the mission with ruthless efficiency. However, even as she completes her task, we see flashes of her internal conflict and desire for human connection.

Overall, Gunslinger Girl season 1 episode 1 sets the stage for the series by introducing the concept of the Social Welfare Agency and its use of young girls as assassins. The episode also sets up the central relationship between Henrietta and her handler, Jose, showing the complexities of their bond in a world of violence and brutality.