Physical Season 1 Episode 1 Let's Do This Thing

In the first episode of the dark comedy series Physical, we meet Sheila Rubin (played by Emmy-nominated actress Rose Byrne), a reserved and downtrodden housewife living in 1980s San Diego. Sheila's life seems mundane and unfulfilling at first glance - she spends her days cleaning, cooking, and silently taking care of her young daughter, all while her husband, Danny (Rory Scovel), pursues his own dreams of running for local office.

However, we soon learn that Sheila's inner life is far from peaceful. She struggles with depression and a severe body image complex, exacerbated by the constant pressure to look perfect in her husband's public eye. To cope with her emotional pain, Sheila secretly binge-eats junk food in her car, then purges it all in shame.

One day, fate brings Sheila to a local aerobics class, and her life is forever changed. The energetic and free-spirited Bunny (Dierdre Friel) leads the class, which is filled with women of all ages, shapes, and sizes. Sheila is initially hesitant to join in, but Bunny's encouragement and the class's infectious energy draws her in.

As Sheila begins to move her body and feel the burn of exercise, she experiences a sense of liberation she's never felt before. Her body starts to feel strong and alive, and her mind is filled with possibility. Bunny sees Sheila's potential right away, and encourages her to become an instructor herself.

Despite her lifelong belief that she's "nothing special," Sheila takes a leap of faith and starts to teach aerobics to a group of elderly ladies at a local community center. She's nervous at first, but quickly learns that she has a knack for motivational speaking and guiding others to feel empowered in their own bodies.

However, as Sheila starts to find success in her new venture, she also finds herself facing new challenges. Danny is skeptical of her new hobby and doesn't see it as anything more than a fad. Sheila's new friends within the aerobics community are lively and accepting, but not without their own judgments and insecurities. And Sheila herself is still plagued by her own demons, feeling like a fraud when she's trying to motivate others to love themselves.

Throughout the episode, the audience is taken on a journey through Sheila's internal struggle. We see flashbacks to her abusive childhood, where her mother constantly belittled her weight and appearance. We see her navigating her strained marriage with Danny, and trying to hold onto her fading sense of self-worth. And we see the glimmers of hope that the aerobics class provides, as she starts to see the potential for a new life filled with purpose and meaning.

The episode ends with Sheila's first aerobics class going off with a bang, as she pumps up her students and herself with a playlist filled with iconic 80s hits. She's exhilarated, but still unsure of what lies ahead. As she leaves the community center, Bunny reminds her that the key to success is simply to "show up and be present, every single day."

Overall, Let's Do This Thing sets up Physical as a poignant and wryly funny exploration of one woman's journey towards self-acceptance and empowerment. With Rose Byrne's layered performance at its center, the show promises to be an insightful and entertaining take on both the struggles and joys of trying to find oneself.