Remember WENN Season 1 Episode 1 On the Air

Remember WENN is a television series that revolves around the working of a fictional radio station called the WENN in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania during the 1940s. It is a period drama that depicts the era of old Hollywood. The show premiered on AMC in 1996 and ran for four seasons. The first episode, named "On the Air," sets the tone for the rest of the series.

The episode opens with a voice-over storytelling introducing listeners to station WENN, a pivotal fixture in the Pittsburgh radio community in the 1940s. We see an array of characters, including Brian, the diligent and highly efficient station manager, who runs the day-to-day operations, Jeffery, the ever-optimistic writer, writer and drama director Mackie, who oversees the serial radio dramas, Hilary Booth, WENN's on-air leading lady and Victor Comstock, the station's self-important announcer.

As the show starts, behind the curtain, Hilary is nervously pacing and attending to the details of the evening's program. She has an upcoming performance to play the role of Florida Shakespeare in a serial drama show called "As You Are." In the other corner, we see Mackie and Jeffrey furiously working on the new script.

Despite the strict schedule to air the show at 7 pm, the show's transmission experiences unexpected technical difficulties. Meanwhile, Brian has his plate full of other concerns and is trying to handle everything that occurs in the office, including consoling Victor, who believes that he is the star of the station. But then, a surprise reveal is made, and Brian and the rest of the WENN team have to confront the past while also worrying about the future.

The episode unfolds with a sense of urgency and drama, undercut with humor that is quintessentially WENN. The show portrays an era that never shies away from the intense social and political issues of the time. Every episode assiduously addresses a different theme that was prevalent during that era - from the rise of Women's Suffrage to the New Deal. The historical perspective that Remember WENN offers is one of the many things that differentiates it from other shows.

As the series progresses, Remember WENN becomes a show-within-a-show. The fictional radio station's behind-the-scenes workers' interpersonal relationships, increasingly provide the fodder for intriguing and heartwarming stories. The captivating ensemble performance, along with the exquisite period design, transports the audience several decades into the past. The show's attention to detail is exceptional; it's like taking a time machine back to 1940.

The episode "On the Air" encapsulates the world of WENN effectively. Every character is authentic and believable. The viewer is immediately thrown into the world of WENN, where they get to see how Hilliary Booth transforms into a star and how even the minor details can make or break the whole program. Brian's struggle to fix the technical problems shows how important it is to pay attention to little things. The cracks in Victor Comstock's perfectly crafted exterior give the audience insight into a vulnerable yet controlling character.

Remember WENN offers an antidote to the quick-cut, high-tech TV shows of today. It is a leisurely drama that often has slow-paced dialogue, extensive period-specific detail, and character moments that aren't too flashy. However, Remember WENN garners its worthiness from the expert writing, the superb casting, and the attention to historical detail. It is a show that grows on the viewer with every passing episode.

In conclusion, Remember WENN is a show that has aged gracefully. It is the kind of period piece that stands up to scrutiny because it is so well-sketched. "On the Air" is a perfect introduction to the world of WENN, and the episode sets the tone for the next few seasons. Remember WENN is a hidden gem that should not be missed by anyone who enjoys great storytelling, vintage Hollywood glamor, and exceptional characterization.