Ep 1. Dinner Party Introduction

Them season 1 episode 1, "Dinner Party Introduction," begins with a Black family moving into a predominantly white neighborhood in 1950s Los Angeles. The Emory family consists of Henry, a WWII veteran and engineer, his wife Lucky, a stay-at-home mom, and their two daughters Ruby and Gracie.

Right away, it's clear that the family is experiencing racial tension and discrimination from their new neighbors. The opening scene shows a group of white men in the middle of the street, watching the Emorys move in and muttering racist comments under their breath. As the Emorys drive up to their new home, Lucky looks out the window and sees a little girl across the street who appears to be staring at her in a creepy way.

Once they're moved in, Lucky attends a neighborhood women's meeting and is met with passive-aggressive comments and stares from the other women. One woman asks her how she likes the neighborhood so far, and Lucky tells the truth: that they've experienced some unwelcome behavior. The group dismisses her concerns and tells her that she's just imagining things.

Henry, meanwhile, is dealing with some work stress at home. He's working on a top secret government project and is afraid he's going to be called into the office at any moment. This tension only adds to the already palpable anxiety the family feels about their new living situation.

The episode's title comes from a dinner party the Emorys throw in an attempt to make nice with their neighbors. Lucky spends days preparing the perfect meal, but as soon as the white guests arrive, it's clear that they aren't interested in socializing with the Emorys. They make a point of excluding Henry from conversations about work, and one woman even uses a racial slur in casual conversation. Lucky is forced to put on a brave face and play hostess, but she's clearly uncomfortable and feeling isolated.

Throughout the episode, there are also hints that there's something supernatural going on in the Emorys' new home. Ruby hears strange noises and voices coming from the upstairs hallway, and the family's dog is spooked by something in the basement. These frightening occurrences only add to the overall tension and unease of the episode.

Overall, "Dinner Party Introduction" sets up Them to be a show about the ways that racism and fear impact a family in the 1950s. It's a tense and uncomfortable episode, but one that draws the viewer in and leaves them wanting to know more about the Emorys and their new neighborhood.