Ep 1. Apertus

In the pilot episode of Reverie, we are introduced to Mara Kint, a former hostage negotiator turned college professor. Mara is approached by her former boss, Charlie Ventana, who has started a new company called Onira-Tech. Onira-Tech has developed a cutting-edge virtual reality program called Reverie, which allows users to live out their wildest fantasies in a hyper-realistic dream state. However, some users have become trapped in the virtual world and are unable to wake up, a phenomenon known as Reverie Syndrome. Charlie recruits Mara to join Onira-Tech as a consultant, hoping that her skills as a negotiator will help her retrieve those trapped in Reverie.

Mara is resistant at first, but after learning that her niece, who suffers from a terminal illness, has been using Reverie to escape reality, she reluctantly agrees to take the job. Her first case involves a young woman named Alexis Barrett who became trapped in Reverie when she used the program to reconnect with her deceased boyfriend. Mara is joined on the mission by venture capitalist Paul Hammond and Onira-Tech technician, Oliver Hill. The trio enters Reverie to bring Alexis back to reality, but they quickly realize that the virtual world is not as harmless as they thought.

As they navigate through Reverie, they must deal with unexpected challenges and obstacles, including security systems and Alexis' own unwillingness to leave. Mara discovers that a malicious hacker has infiltrated Reverie and is holding the trapped users hostage. The hacker demands that Onira-Tech pay a ransom or the users will be trapped forever. Mara and her team work to find the hacker and rescue the trapped users before it's too late.

Throughout the episode, we are given glimpses into Mara's past, including a traumatic event that led to her leaving the FBI. These flashbacks add depth to the character and give viewers a glimpse into the emotional stakes at play. We also see Mara's personal struggles as she grapples with her own guilt and grief, making her a compelling protagonist.

The episode concludes with Mara successfully rescuing Alexis, but she realizes that her work is far from over. The threat of Reverie Syndrome still looms, and Mara is determined to continue working with Onira-Tech to prevent more users from becoming trapped. The stage is set for a thrilling series as Mara and her team work to balance the dangers of the virtual world with the very real consequences of their actions.

Overall, the pilot episode of Reverie introduces viewers to a compelling concept and a strong protagonist. The virtual world of Reverie is both fascinating and terrifying, and the show promises to explore the potential pitfalls of technology and escapism. With Mara Kint at the helm, viewers can expect a thought-provoking and action-packed ride.