Ep 1. The Dolls

Elena Greco and Lila Cerullo are two young girls growing up in a poor neighborhood in Naples, Italy in the 1950s. In the first episode of My Brilliant Friend, "The Dolls," viewers are immediately thrust into the intense and sometimes violent world of these two friends. Despite coming from drastically different backgrounds – Elena's family is more educated and middle class, while Lila's is working class and often abusive – the two girls are inseparable, often seen wandering the streets of their neighborhood together.

One day, Lila introduces Elena to a new kind of doll – one made entirely out of rags. The two girls are fascinated by the doll and decide to create one of their own. Using scraps of fabric and other materials they find, they spend hours creating "Lilu," as they affectionately name her. The doll becomes a symbol of their friendship and their ability to create something beautiful out of the dirt and poverty of their surroundings.

However, the episode isn't all lighthearted doll-making. Throughout the episode, both Elena and Lila are exposed to the harsh realities of their world. Elena is constantly reminded that, as a girl, her future is limited. She watches as her mother and aunt, both highly educated women, are relegated to domestic duties and never allowed to fully realize their potential. Lila, on the other hand, is constantly dealing with the abuse and neglect of her home life. Her father is a violent and angry man who takes out his frustrations on his wife and children.

As the episode progresses, viewers see how these experiences shape the two girls. Elena becomes more and more aware of the limitations placed on her as a woman, and begins to feel the weight of expectations placed on her by her family and society at large. Lila, meanwhile, is forced to grow up quickly and learn how to navigate a world that can be cruel and unforgiving. The episode ends with both girls in a state of flux – unsure of what the future holds, but still holding tight to their bond of friendship.

"The Dolls" is a powerful start to My Brilliant Friend, introducing viewers to a rich and complex world that is both beautiful and heartbreaking. The episode sets the stage for the rest of the series, showing us the strengths and weaknesses of its two main characters and leaving us eager to see how their stories will unfold.