Ep 1. Abby

Ray Donovan is a television series that follows the life of a celebrity fixer based in Los Angeles. The show is created by Ann Biderman and has been a famous TV drama since it first aired in 2013. Season 5 of the series premiered on August 6, 2017, with the first episode titled "Abby."

The season 5 premiere episode is an emotional and intense one, focusing on the aftermath of the death of Ray Donovan's wife, Abby, who lost her life to cancer at the end of the fourth season. This episode is also the first to feature Paula Malcomson's Abby as a ghost, who appears to Ray and talks to him throughout the hour.

The episode begins with Ray Donovan, played by Liev Schreiber, sitting beside Abby's grave, talking to her as if she's still alive. The camera focuses on Ray's face as he remembers the final moments of her life, the time she spent fighting cancer, and the times they spent together as a family. Throughout the episode, the viewers get to know how she always held the family together, even with her disease.

As the episode progresses, we see Ray trying to put his life back together after losing his wife. He is trying to find a way to deal with his grief. There are many times that the character is seen in tears as the weight of his loss comes crashing down on him. However, he still has to pretend everything is okay as he continues with his work fixing problems for Hollywood's elite.

In this episode, we also get to meet a new character, a dynamic and ruthless studio head named Samantha Winslow, played by Susan Sarandon. Winslow hires Ray to help her with a problem, which sends him down a dangerous and murky path that leads to an encounter with two corrupt NYPD cops.

The episode ends with Ray in a state of despair, sitting alone in his apartment, drinking his pain away. However, it is Abby's ghost that appears to him once again, reminding him of his family and imploring him to let go of his anger and hatred. The ending is very emotional, leaving the viewers on the edge of their seats, waiting to see what will happen in the next episode.

Overall, Ray Donovan season 5 episode 1 is a powerful, emotional, and intense episode that sets the tone for the entire season. The episode is a fitting tribute to Abby's loving character, who is missed by everyone in the show. It gives the audience an understanding of how a family can still carry on even after the loss of a loved one. With the introduction of new characters and the continuation of past storylines, Ray Donovan season 5 promises to be a rollercoaster ride of drama and action.