Ep 1. Ordination

Pure season 1 episode 1, titled Ordination, follows the story of a young woman named Marnie who discovers she has a debilitating form of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) that manifests in her intrusive thoughts and sexually explicit fantasies. Marnie struggles to hide her obsessions from her devoutly religious community and desperately seeks a way to rid herself of them.

Marnie lives in a Mennonite community in rural Canada with her family, including her loving but overbearing mother, father, and younger sister. Though she tries to suppress her sexual thoughts and desires, they persist and become more intense. One day, she accidentally witnesses two men having sex, which triggers her obsessions even more.

As Marnie struggles to keep her thoughts under control and maintain her innocence, she becomes convinced that she must be possessed by a demon. She starts to attend church more frequently, hoping to find guidance and help. But when she confides in her pastor, he misunderstands her and tells her that she is feeling the "fire of God's love."

Feeling lost and alone, Marnie starts to research OCD online and eventually finds a support group in the nearby city. She decides to visit the group and meets a man named Jasper, who tells her about a treatment program in the United States called "The Sanctuary." He gives her the contact information for the program's leader, Pastor Noah Funk.

Marnie reaches out to Pastor Funk and is greeted with skepticism and suspicion. However, after explaining her situation, he agrees to let her come to the program. Marnie's family is initially resistant to the idea, but they eventually agree to let her go after consulting with their church community.

Once at The Sanctuary, Marnie finds a group of people who understand her struggle and who are also searching for a way to overcome their obsessions. She works with Pastor Funk and quickly learns that the program's treatment methods are intense and extreme. Some of the other program members warn her that the treatment has caused them physical and emotional harm. Marnie becomes hesitant, but ultimately decides to follow through with the program, hoping it will help her finally find the peace of mind she has been seeking.

Pure season 1 episode 1, Ordination, sets up the premise of the series as it follows Marnie's journey to overcome her OCD. The episode showcases the depth of her struggle and the lengths she is willing to go through in order to rid herself of her intrusive thoughts. The show highlights the intersection between religion, mental health, and sexuality, and challenges the stigma surrounding OCD and other mental illnesses. The first episode leaves viewers with a sense of unease and anticipation for what is to come, as Marnie embarks on a dangerous and uncertain path to find a solution to her problem.