Ep 1. The Hood Maker

The Hood Maker, the first episode of Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams, takes place in a dystopian future where telepaths, or "Teeps," are a part of society. The episode begins with Agent Ross (Richard Madden), a "normal," escorting a Hood Maker named Honor (Holliday Grainger) through the streets. Hood Makers are people who can create hoods that shield telepaths from their own abilities. As they navigate through the city, a group of Teeps protest and throw things at them.

Ross takes Honor to the precinct for questioning, as he believes that someone is targeting Teeps. During the interrogation, Honor shows Ross what she can do with her hood. When she puts it on Ross, he cannot get a read on her emotions or thoughts. This proves to be a problem for him because he cannot use her against her will by manipulating her emotions like he usually would with Teeps.

Ross' partner, Mary (Anneika Rose), is a Teep. She and Ross have a bit of a contentious relationship due to varying opinions on Teeps in society. Mary calls Ross out for not being able to handle Honor without his manipulative tactics and tells him to handle the investigation like an adult.

Meanwhile, a woman named Jane (Jorja Smith), who is also a Teep, is in hiding from the government. She is able to control people's thoughts and emotions to an extreme degree and has been dubbed a "Level 8." The government is trying to track her down because they believe she is behind the attacks on other Teeps.

As Ross and Mary continue to investigate the attacks, they encounter a group of Teeps who are planning a revolution. They believe that they should not have to live in hiding and that they should be able to use their abilities freely. Ross tries to use his manipulative tactics on them, but they are able to sense it and easily turn the tables on him.

Ross eventually realizes that the true mastermind behind the attacks is Jane, and she has been using the attack as a way to unify the Teeps. She believed that if they all banded together and showed their strength, they could become a larger part of society. Ross and Mary track her down, but she is able to control them both until Honor arrives with her hood to block Jane's abilities.

The episode's climax takes place in a tense standoff with all of the main characters present. Jane is pleading with the Teeps to join her in her revolution while Ross and Honor try to reason with her. In the end, a heartbreaking decision needs to be made, one that provides an interesting commentary on the morality of the situation.

Overall, The Hood Maker is a strong opener for Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams. The episode deals with themes of government control, prejudice, and morality, while still keeping the viewer engaged in the mystery of who is behind the attacks. Richard Madden and Holliday Grainger both give dynamic performances and the world-building is intriguing and well thought out.