Ep 1. Pilot

An ensemble comedy, LA to Vegas follows the flight crew and passengers of Jackpot Airlines, a budget airline that travels from Los Angeles to Las Vegas every weekend. In episode 1, aptly titled "Pilot," we are introduced to the main characters and their quirky personalities.

The focal point of the show is the crew of Jackpot Airlines. Led by Captain Dave Pratman (played by Dylan McDermott), the crew also comprises co-pilot Alan (Amir Talai) and flight attendants Ronnie (Kim Matula) and Bernard (Nathan Lee Graham). As the episode begins, we see Captain Dave's unorthodox approach to flying, which includes heckling his co-pilot and making inappropriate jokes over the intercom. Alan is the down-to-earth voice of reason on board, while Ronnie and Bernard are feisty and sassy.

The passengers on the inaugural flight to Vegas are a motley crew as well. There's Colin (Ed Weeks), a highly analytical economics professor who is flying to Vegas to attend a conference. Meanwhile, flight attendant Ronnie has her sights set on Colin, who she thinks is a high roller. His seatmate is Nichole (Olivia Macklin), a stripper who immediately catches the eye of Bernard. Rounding out the passengers are Artem (Peter Stormare), who is transporting the body of his mother in the cargo hold, and Artem's cheapskate cousin, who is looking to score free drinks.

Throughout the flight, we see the various personalities collide and interact in humorous and unexpected ways. Captain Dave tries to show off his flying skills by performing a (very bumpy) loop-de-loop, while Alan tries to keep the passengers calm and Nichole tries to cover up her true profession.

At the heart of the episode is the theme of escapism. For the passengers, Vegas represents a chance to let loose and indulge in their desires. Colin, for example, struggles to let go and have fun, while Nichole grapples with the stigma of her profession. Meanwhile, the crew also uses the flight as a chance to escape their everyday lives. Captain Dave, for all his bravado, is revealed to have significant personal and financial troubles that he's ignoring. Ronnie, who dreams of becoming an actress, sees the flight as a stepping stone to her future success.

As the episode comes to a close, the passengers and crew each have their own unique Vegas experiences. Colin discovers the joys of gambling, Nichole opens up to Bernard about her aspirations, and the crew makes their way to a raucous nightclub. But Vegas doesn't solve all their problems, as the characters must face the consequences of their outlandish behavior once they return to reality.

Overall, "Pilot" sets the stage for the off-the-wall humor and quirky characters that make up the world of LA to Vegas. With a strong cast and a humorous take on the classic flight comedy genre, this show is sure to leave viewers chuckling.