Rita Season 1 Episode 1 The Idealist

Rita is a Danish dramedy that premiered in 2012. It follows the life of a brash, unconventional, and unapologetic schoolteacher named Rita. The show tackles a wide range of social and political issues such as sexual liberation, gender identity, economic inequality, and immigration. It also delves into the dynamics of family, friendship, and romance.

Season 1 Episode 1, titled "The Idealist," sets the tone for the series by introducing us to Rita, a single mother of three and a teacher at a public school in Denmark. We see her interacting with her children, her colleagues, and her love interest in a way that showcases her unconventional personality and her chaotic world.

The episode begins with Rita waking up in bed with her married lover, Rasmus. She gets dressed and leaves for work but not before telling Rasmus to stay away from her school and her kids. We then see her drop off her kids at school and arrive at her workplace where she teaches English and Drama. She immediately clashes with her colleague, Helle, who is the senior teacher and appears to be more conventional than Rita.

Rita's students are a diverse group of teenagers, including a Muslim girl named Sanne who struggles with her sexuality. Rita's unconventional approach to teaching, which includes listening to loud music, dancing, and improvising, initially rubs some of the students the wrong way. But over time, they start to appreciate her heartfelt dedication to their learning.

During class, Rita receives a call from her teenage son, Jeppe, who has gotten into a fight at school. She rushes to the scene to take him home and confronts his bully. We see Rita's fierce protective instincts for her children throughout the episode.

We are also introduced to Rita's best friend, Hjørdis, who is a fellow teacher and a free-spirited woman with a sharp tongue. Hjørdis is supportive of Rita's unconventional approach to teaching and agrees to help her with a school play. Together, they come up with a controversial and thought-provoking play that challenges the norms of gender, sexuality, and religion.

In the final scene of the episode, we see Rita at home with her children, having dinner and watching a movie. Her mother, who is an alcoholic and estranged from the family, shows up unannounced and disturbs the otherwise peaceful family gathering.

"The Idealist" is a captivating and entertaining episode that sets up the characters and themes of the show. It depicts Rita as a flawed but endearing woman who is doing her best to navigate the challenges of motherhood, teaching, and personal relationships. The episode also hints at the underlying tension and conflicts that will arise throughout the season, making it a promising start to a compelling series.