Ep 1. Pilot

The show Hostages revolves around Dr. Ellen Sanders, a successful surgeon who has been chosen to operate on the President of the United States. However, things take a sudden turn when her family is held hostage by a group of masked men who demand that she botch the operation, thereby killing the President. In the first episode of the series, titled Pilot, we are introduced to Ellen and her family. Ellen's husband, Brian, is a former marine and currently working on his own business. They have two teenage children, Jake and Morgan.

As the day of the surgery approaches, Ellen's family is under tight security as the authorities are aware of the potential danger. However, the real danger arrives when a group of four masked men, led by Duncan Carlisle, break into the Sanders' home and take them hostage. Ellen is threatened that if she does not follow the instructions given by the group, her family will be killed. Duncan reveals that Ellen's family was not specifically targeted, but they were only used as leverage against her. The men want Ellen to botch the surgery so that the President dies on the operating table, thereby facilitating the release of one of their members, who is being held in custody.

The episode portrays the psychological battle between Ellen and the men holding her family hostage. Ellen tries to negotiate with the group, making them aware of the consequences that may follow if the President's surgery isn't successful. However, the group is relentless in their demand. Ellen tries to send a message to the outside world, but her attempts are foiled by the group, who ensure no form of communication is possible.

As the episode progresses, we see Ellen's family also trying to find a way to escape or help Ellen in any way possible. Morgan has her own issues to deal with when she realizes that her boyfriend, who has been unfriendly towards the family, is secretly working for the criminals. Jake, on the other hand, tries to be the man of the house, taking charge and attempting to keep the family together.

Meanwhile, Ellen is struggling to keep the team of doctors and her assistant from suspecting anything unusual about the surgery. However, as she progresses, one Doctor starts to suspect that something may be amiss, causing Ellen to make some risky decisions. The episode is full of tension as we watch Ellen struggling to balance the safety of her family and the success of the surgery.

Overall, the Pilot sets the tone for the series and gives us a glimpse of what to expect in the upcoming episodes. The episode is well-written and keeps the audience at the edge of their seats throughout. The show is an intriguing mix of a family drama and a political thriller. The characters are well-crafted, full of depth and motivation, leaving the viewers interested in the path each individual will take in the upcoming episodes. Additionally, the twist at the end of the episode undeniably creates a cliffhanger, leaving the audience to eagerly await the next episode.