Ep 1. Part 1

In the first episode of The Women of Brewster Place, titled "Part 1," viewers are introduced to a vibrant group of women living in a rundown housing project in a poverty-stricken neighborhood. The central focus of the episode is on the character of Mattie Michael, portrayed by Oprah Winfrey in her first acting role.

Mattie is a strong-willed and independent woman who has recently moved to Brewster Place after the death of her mother. She befriends her neighbor, Etta Mae Johnson, who is struggling to support her children after her husband leaves her. Etta Mae is in danger of losing her kids to the welfare system, and Mattie offers her support and encouragement in her fight to keep them.

Through flashback sequences, viewers get a glimpse into Mattie's past, including her tumultuous relationship with her ex-husband, Basil, who abandoned her and their children. Mattie's struggle as a single mother is juxtaposed against the present-day struggles of the other women living in Brewster Place. Like Mattie, each of the women has faced their own set of challenges - from infidelity to drug addiction to poverty.

As the episode progresses, tensions in Brewster Place begin to boil over. A black male resident, Butch Fuller, is facing harassment from the white police officers who patrol the neighborhood. The women rally together to support Butch and demand justice.

In the final scenes of the episode, Mattie discovers that her daughter, Ciel, has run away from home. She frantically searches for her, and the other women in Brewster Place come together to help. The episode ends on a poignant note, highlighting the close bonds and unwavering support that the women of Brewster Place provide for each other even in the face of adversity.

Overall, "Part 1" serves as a powerful introduction to the world of Brewster Place and the strong, complex women who inhabit it. Viewers are sure to be moved by the struggles and triumphs of these characters and eager to see what comes next for them as the series progresses.