Ep 1. Step 1

In the opening episode of Maron's Season 4, titled Step 1, the show picks up right where it left off at the end of Season 3, with Marc Maron having just proposed to his girlfriend, Jen. The episode starts with the two of them getting ready to host a barbecue for Jen's family, the first time Marc will be meeting them.

As they prepare for the event, Marc is struggling to come to terms with the idea of being engaged and starting a new chapter in his life. Despite his reservations, he is determined to make a good impression on Jen's family and starts to prepare the food for the barbecue.

The tension rises when one of the guests, Tracy, arrives with her new boyfriend, a younger man who happens to be a recovering drug addict. Marc is immediately skeptical of the guy and starts to grill him, much to the annoyance of Jen and her family.

The episode takes on a serious tone when the younger man starts to share how his addiction affected his life and how he's trying to turn things around. Marc, who has struggled with addiction himself, starts to see things from a different perspective and begins to soften towards the young man.

The barbecue continues to unfold, but Marc can't seem to shake his unease about the engagement and the direction his life is taking. He confides in Jen's brother, who helps him realize that he needs to take things one step at a time and not overthink everything.

As the episode comes to a close, Marc steps back and takes in the scene around him. He sees the support of family, the love of his girlfriend, and the potential for a new life. He realizes that he can take the first step in any direction he chooses, and that he doesn't have to have everything figured out right now.

Overall, Step 1 is a grounded and introspective episode that sets the stage for the rest of the season. With its honest portrayal of addiction and the struggles of starting a new chapter in life, it's a great reminder that life is messy and that we all need to take things one step at a time.