Ep 1. Mary With Children

As the fourth season of "Return to Amish" begins, the focus is primarily on Mary, a young Amish woman who has decided to leave her community and start a new life on her own terms. Mary has been living in the outside world for a while now, and has even started a relationship with a non-Amish man named Caleb. However, Mary has been struggling to find her place in the world, and is feeling increasingly disconnected from the people and values she grew up with.

The episode begins with Mary and Caleb moving into a new apartment together. While Caleb seems excited about the move, Mary is clearly anxious and uncertain. She's worried about being too "worldly" and losing touch with her Amish roots. Caleb tries to reassure her, but it's clear that Mary is deeply conflicted about her life choices.

Meanwhile, back in Mary's former Amish community, her family and friends are also struggling with the changes in their lives. Sabrina, a close friend of Mary's, has recently given birth to a baby boy named Zekiah. However, because Sabrina is not married, she's facing censure from the church and is struggling to find a way to raise her son in a way that's consistent with her Amish beliefs.

At the same time, Mary's brother Andrew is dealing with his own issues. Andrew has recently come out as gay, and is struggling to reconcile his sexual orientation with his Amish faith. He's faced harsh criticism and condemnation from his family and friends, and is now living with his boyfriend in the outside world.

As Mary and Caleb settle into their new home, Mary starts to feel increasingly isolated and alone. She misses her family and her previous way of life, and is finding it hard to adjust to the fast pace and impersonal nature of the outside world. Caleb does his best to support her, but it's clear that Mary is still struggling to find her place in the world.

Meanwhile, back in the Amish community, Sabrina is facing the prospect of possibly losing custody of her son. She's been struggling to make ends meet, and is worried that she won't be able to provide for Zekiah in the way that the church expects. Sabrina's mother tries to comfort her, but it's clear that things are looking bleak for Sabrina and her son.

As the episode draws to a close, we see Mary and Caleb struggling to reconcile their relationship with their respective Amish and non-Amish backgrounds. They both deeply care for each other, but it's clear that their differences are causing tension and conflict between them. Mary is torn between her desire to be with Caleb and her longing for her old way of life, while Caleb is struggling to understand and accept Mary's Amish background.

Overall, the first episode of "Return to Amish" season 4 is an emotional and poignant exploration of the challenges facing those who choose to leave the Amish community behind. The show skillfully explores complex issues of identity, family, culture, and tradition, and offers a nuanced and insightful look at the lives of those who are caught between two worlds. Whether you're a fan of the show or new to it, this episode is well worth watching.