Ep 1. The Empty Chair

The Honourable Woman season 1 episode 1, titled "The Empty Chair," is a dramatic thriller that tells the story of a powerful British-Israeli woman named Nessa Stein. Nessa is the daughter of a Zionist arms dealer who devoted his life to the establishment of a free and democratic Israel. The episode begins with the assassination of Nessa's father, leaving Nessa and her brother Ephra to run their father's company, Stein Group Holdings, and continue his legacy. In the aftermath of her father's death, Nessa is determined to use her position to build bridges between Israel and Palestine and bring peace to the Middle East.

The episode jumps forward eight years, and Nessa is now a leading figure in the world of politics and business. She has been awarded a peerage and made a baroness, and she has used her influence to invest in the West Bank and Gaza, creating jobs and opportunities for Palestinians. However, her work has also made her a target of extremist groups who see her as a traitor to their cause.

As the episode progresses, Nessa is preparing to announce a major new investment in the West Bank that she hopes will kick-start the peace process. However, before she can make the announcement, she is confronted by a journalist named Hugh Hayden-Hoyle, who has been investigating her family's business and believes there may be a connection to the assassination of her father.

Meanwhile, Nessa's brother Ephra is struggling with his own demons. He is haunted by the events of their father's assassination and becomes increasingly paranoid and erratic. As Nessa prepares to make her announcement, she must navigate not only the threats from external forces but also the internal turmoil within her own family.

Overall, "The Empty Chair" sets up a complex and compelling world of politics and intrigue, with Nessa at the center of it all. The episode does an excellent job of establishing the stakes and setting up the conflicts that will drive the rest of the season. It also features strong performances from Maggie Gyllenhaal as Nessa and Andrew Buchan as Ephra, who both bring a sense of depth and nuance to their roles. Fans of political dramas and thrillers will likely find much to enjoy in this show.