Ep 1. Episode 1

Russian Doll season 1 episode 1, titled "Nothing in This World Is Easy," sets the tone for the entire series. The episode starts with Nadia, a game developer, at her 36th birthday party in New York City. The party is being thrown by her best friend Maxine, at her luxurious apartment. Nadia is seen smoking inside the bathroom and taking drugs before going out and enjoying the party. The scene then cuts to Nadia leaving the party and on her way home.

Throughout the episode, we see Nadia has a lot of issues that stem from her grief over the loss of her mother. The audience is given a glimpse of how her mother died and the inner turmoil that Nadia faced after her death. Nadia tries to bury the pain with drugs, smoking, casual sex, and video games, but she eventually realizes that she needs to confront her issues head-on.

As the night progresses, Nadia finds herself stuck in a time loop. She dies in various ways and wakes up back in the bathroom at the start of the party. She meets Alan, a man who is also stuck in a similar time loop of his 36th birthday, and they begin to work together to try and figure out what is happening to them.

Throughout the episode, we see Nadia go through various experiences in the time loop, and each death comes with a new realization or revelation. The episode is full of suspense and a sense of impending doom as we watch Nadia go through the same events over and over again but with slight variations.

The cinematography and music work together seamlessly to create an eerie and spooky atmosphere, which adds to the overall tone of the show. The writing is clever and witty, and the characters are well-developed, making the audience invested in their journey.

All in all, Russian Doll season 1 episode 1 is a compelling start to the series, and it leaves the audience wanting more. The episode examines themes of mortality, grief, and self-discovery in a unique and creative way. The show's use of the time loop concept may seem overdone, but Russian Doll puts a fresh spin on it that keeps the viewers engrossed and hooked.