Ep 1. Creative Destruction Phenomenon

Marty Kaan is back, but this time he's not working for himself. After the end of his consulting firm in the last season, he takes a job with a top consulting company, Galweather & Stearn. In the first episode of House of Lies season 5, "Creative Destruction Phenomenon," Marty is tasked with saving a clothing company on the brink of financial ruin. He has to rebrand the company and make it appeal to younger consumers.

The episode opens with Marty in a meeting with his new boss, CEO Denna Altshuler. She is brash and confident and makes it clear to Marty that he's not in charge. He's just a consultant, and she wants results. The clothing company they're working for is called Dorset and is run by a man named Skip Galweather. He's the son of the company's founder and is resistant to change.

Marty quickly gets to work, touring the Dorset factory and meeting with Skip. He learns that the company's profits have been declining for years, and they're on the verge of bankruptcy. Marty knows he needs to make some drastic changes to turn things around, but Skip is skeptical. He's been running the company for years and doesn't believe that rebranding and targeting a younger demographic is the right move.

Marty isn't deterred. He knows he needs to get to know Dorset's customers, so he takes a trip to a trendy clothing store. He meets with some of the store's employees and learns that Dorset is seen as an old-fashioned brand. They associate it with their grandparents and don't think it's fashionable. Marty realizes that they need to change their image and come up with a new, edgy brand that appeals to millennials.

Marty comes up with a bold marketing campaign that features young, trendy models wearing Dorset clothing. The tagline is "Dorset: Cool Again." He presents his plan to Skip and Denna, who are both skeptical. They don't think the company can afford such an expensive campaign, and they don't think it will work. Marty is undeterred and convinces them to give it a try.

The campaign is a success. Sales skyrocket, and Dorset becomes one of the hottest clothing brands on the market. Marty's work impresses Denna, who invites him to a company party. While there, Marty meets a beautiful executive named April. They hit it off and have a steamy hook-up in the restroom. Marty thinks he's finally found someone who understands him, but he's in for a surprise.

In the last scene of the episode, Marty is back at work, reviewing Dorset's finances. He discovers that Skip has been embezzling money from the company for years. Marty confronts Skip, who tells him that he did it to help the company stay afloat. Marty is shocked and realizes that he's been played. He thought he was helping a struggling company, but in reality, he was helping a criminal. The episode ends with Marty trying to figure out what to do next.

"Creative Destruction Phenomenon" sets the stage for an exciting season of House of Lies. Marty is back in the game, but he's starting over. He has to prove himself to his new boss, navigate office politics, and deal with the fallout from his romantic exploits. The episode is a reminder of what makes the show great: the fast-paced dialog, the clever cons, and the unexpected twists. House of Lies is back, and it's as fun and entertaining as ever.