Ep 1. Episode 1

Based on real-life events, Quiz is a new drama series that explores the scandal surrounding infamous British quiz show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? In the first episode, we are introduced to the main characters and the stakes of the game.

The episode begins with the production team of Millionaire nervously preparing for the upcoming episode that has the potential to give away the show's million-pound prize. Meanwhile, Charles Ingram, a former British army major who is struggling with personal finances, is preparing to be a contestant on the show. He is accompanied by his wife Diana Ingram and his friend Tecwen Whittock, a fellow quiz enthusiast.

As the Ingrams take their seats in the contestant's room, we are given glimpses of their personal lives - Charles' frustration with not being able to provide for his family and Diana's nagging him about the bills. When Charles goes on stage, the audience is already tense with anticipation. The charismatic host, Chris Tarrant, begins the game with his usual charm, and Charles quickly starts working his way up the pyramid to reach the million-pound jackpot question.

At this point, the episode starts to reveal the darker side of the story. The show's producers, including the executive producer Paul Smith and the floor manager Nigel, are shown frantically trying to come up with ways to prevent a contestant from winning the top prize. They are concerned that the show is losing money and that viewers are getting bored of the format, so they need to spice things up to keep the audience engaged. The producers debate what would make for good TV: a contestant winning, or a dramatic fall from grace? They decide that the latter is more exciting and outline their plan to stop anyone from winning the top prize.

Meanwhile, Charles Ingram reaches the million-pound question and is shown deliberating intensely. The music swells and the tension is palpable. Suddenly, Charles chooses the answer that would earn him the jackpot, and the audience erupts into cheers. But then, immediately after, everything starts to go awry. Charles is taken away by the security guards, and his wife is shown in tears, roaming the hallway, and unable to get any information about what was happening on stage.

The episode ends on a cliffhanger, with the audience and the Ingrams left in the dark about what's going on. We are left with the question of whether Charles has genuinely won the million-pound jackpot, or if the producers have sabotaged him.

Overall, the first episode of Quiz lays the groundwork for an intriguing and scandalous story. The production values are impressive, and the cast, particularly Michael Sheen, who portrays Chris Tarrant, are excellent. The show manages to capture the excitement and the glamour of an iconic quiz show while also exploring the darker side of the entertainment industry. The suspenseful ending will leave viewers eager to watch the next episode and get answers to the questions raised in this episode.