Ep 1. First Day

PEN15 is a comedy web series set in the early 2000s that revolves around two middle school girls – Maya and Anna – as they navigate through the ups and downs of adolescence. The show is primarily targeted towards those who grew up during that time period as it takes a lot of inspiration from the cultural touchstones of that era. The first episode of PEN15 season 1 is called "First Day" and it perfectly encapsulates the awkwardness and anxiety that comes with starting a new school year.

The episode starts with Maya and Anna getting ready for their first day of seventh grade. The girls are excited to finally be classified as "seventh graders," which they believe is a significant upgrade from "sixth graders." However, as they are getting dressed, they start to worry about whether they have the right outfits and whether they'll be able to fit in with the cool kids.

When they finally arrive at school, they are greeted with a newfound sense of freedom and independence. They no longer have their parents to guide them through the halls and instead must rely on themselves to navigate the social hierarchy of middle school. As Maya and Anna make their way to their lockers, they run into several other students, including the popular girl Brandt who makes a snide remark about Maya's backpack.

Although they are initially ecstatic to see each other after a long summer, Maya and Anna start to drift apart as they interact with different people throughout the day. Anna is befriended by the resident cool girl, Becca, and is invited to sit with her at lunch. Meanwhile, Maya struggles to make friends and ends up sitting alone. She even considers joining the school's anime club to make connections.

As the day progresses, Maya and Anna's insecurities and anxieties start to bubble up to the surface. Maya becomes self-conscious about her glasses and is convinced that they are the reason that she doesn't fit in. Anna, on the other hand, worries that her newfound friendship with Becca is insincere and that she is only using her to get closer to Maya.

The episode culminates in a dramatic scene at the end of the school day when Maya confronts Brandt about her rude comment earlier in the day. The confrontation doesn't go as well as Maya hoped, and she ends up getting humiliated in front of the entire school. Anna tries to console her friend, but she is still dealing with her own issues and isn't able to offer much comfort.

Overall, the first episode of PEN15 season 1 does an excellent job of setting the tone for what is to come throughout the rest of the series. It perfectly captures the awkwardness and anxiety that comes with being a preteen and highlights the profound impact that even the smallest social interactions can have on a person's self-esteem. The show is hilarious, relatable, and incredibly nostalgic, making it a must-watch for anyone who grew up during the early 2000s.