Ep 1. Pool

PEN15 season 2 episode 1 titled "Pool" sees the return of Maya Ishii-Peters and Anna Kone, the show's adolescent protagonists. The show, set in the year 2000, features the two best friends navigating the rocky terrain of middle school and puberty.

In the Pilot episode, Maya and Anna are about to start seventh grade and are excited about the possibilities that the new school year holds. The two spend their summer working on their moms' CPR dummy business as a way to earn some extra cash. Throughout the episode, Maya and Anna make plans for the coming school year, including a new school crush and the prospect of pool parties and girls-only sleepovers.

Maya is keen to reinvent herself for the new year and is torn between being her true self and being someone she thinks her crush likes. Anna, on the other hand, is struggling with the idea of her parents’ pending divorce. She confides in Maya about her fears of the future and growing up in a broken family. The two friends use their insecurities and worries to connect with each other and bond over their shared experiences.

The episode has some hilarious and awkward moments as the girls navigate their way through their first pool party of the season. Maya is attempting to impress her crush, but things quickly go awry when she realizes she has forgotten to shave her legs. Meanwhile, Anna finds herself in the deep end of the pool, struggling to stay afloat. Despite these difficulties, the two girls manage to have a good time, letting loose and enjoying the moment.

The show doesn't shy away from the realities of adolescence, and the season opener is fraught with teenage angst and uncertainty. Maya and Anna's relationship is further tested as they vie for the attention of their crushes. They start to realize the complexities of teenage relationships and the high drama and intense emotions that come with them.

As the episode comes to a close, Maya and Anna have a heart to heart conversation about the coming year and what it means for their future. They reaffirm their friendship and their commitment to each other, promising to always be there for one another, no matter what.

"Pool" is a fantastic starting point for season 2 as it gives us a glimpse into the world of Maya and Anna while highlighting the complexities of adolescence. The episode features fantastic performances from the show's two leads, who manage to capture the awkwardness and confusion of teenage years perfectly. It is an excellent showcase for the show's vision and promises more fantastic episodes to come.