Ep 1. Birthday Black Bears - The One 20

The One is a dramatic sci-fi series that explores the possibilities and consequences of a world where a simple DNA test can match individuals with their one true soulmate. The show focuses on the lives of several characters as they navigate the complications and mysteries surrounding this revolutionary discovery.

In season 4, episode 1, titled "Birthday Black Bears - The One 20," we return to a world where humans have been given the power to find their one true match through a simple genetic test. The episode opens with a birthday celebration for one of the main characters, Hannah, who has recently turned 30. Despite being matched with her soulmate, Mark, for years, her life has been anything but perfect. Mark has been battling an illness for some time now, and Hannah has been struggling to keep their relationship afloat while also dealing with the stresses of work.

As the party continues, we are introduced to several new characters, including a woman named Maya who claims to have found her soulmate through an unconventional means. This discovery raises questions about the DNA matching process and whether the system is truly infallible. Meanwhile, tensions between Hannah and Mark come to a head when Mark reveals that he has been secretly undergoing experimental treatments for his illness, causing Hannah to question everything she thought she knew about their relationship.

The episode also introduces a subplot involving a pair of black bears who have wandered into a residential area. While the bears are initially seen as a nuisance, their presence ultimately leads to unexpected connections between several of the characters. A science teacher named Ben, who has struggled with finding his soulmate, becomes fascinated by the bears and enlists the help of a local animal control officer named Victor to track their movements. Through their interactions, Ben and Victor form an unexpected bond and begin to question the limitations of the one true match system.

As the episode comes to a close, we are left with several cliffhangers that set up the season's overarching themes. Hannah must grapple with the possibility that her soulmate may not be who she thought he was, while Maya's unconventional discovery raises important questions about the science of the DNA matching process. The appearance of the black bears, and the connections they have forged between characters, hint at a deeper message about the power of chance encounters and the ways in which we find connections beyond the constraints of scientific algorithms.

Overall, "Birthday Black Bears - The One 20" sets up a season filled with mystery, drama, and unexpected connections. As the characters continue to navigate the complexities of their relationships and the science that governs their lives, the audience is left questioning whether true love can truly be found through DNA testing or whether there are other forces at work shaping our destinies.