Thicker Than Water Season 1 Episode 1 Family Ties

Thicker Than Water season 1 episode 1, titled "Family Ties," introduces viewers to the Tankard family. The Tankards are a prominent African-American family residing in the affluent Nashville suburb of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. The family patriarch, Ben Tankard, is a former professional basketball player turned gospel jazz musician who has earned a considerable fortune. He is married to Jewel, a licensed nurse practitioner. The couple shares five adult children: Marcus, Brooklyn, Benji, Britney, and Cyrene.

The episode begins with a glimpse into the Tankards' opulent lifestyle. The family has a 27,000 square foot mansion fitted with a recording studio, a movie theater, a basketball court, and a pool. They also have a fleet of luxury cars, including a Lamborghini and a Rolls-Royce. The Tankards enjoy the luxurious things in life, and it shows.

Despite their wealth, the Tankards' household is not without its problems. Marcus, the eldest Tankard, is struggling to balance his commitments as a pastor and his own family. His wife, Tish, is pregnant with their second child, and they are navigating the challenges of raising a toddler while still finding time to nurture their marriage. Marcus has also recently joined his father in the music business, and he is under pressure to expand his congregation while also managing his budding music career.

Meanwhile, Benji, the youngest Tankard, is feeling stunted in his life. He is considering going back to school to finish his degree, but he is also interested in pursuing a music career. However, he is facing pushback from his father, who is not keen on Benji following in his footsteps. Britney, the only daughter of the Tankard family, is trying to find her place in the world. She is currently working as a real estate agent, but she is wrestling with fulfilling her desire to become a singer.

As the episode progresses, tensions begin to surface among the Tankard family members. Marcus has a heart-to-heart conversation with his father, expressing his feelings of being burdened by the expectations placed on him. Benji confronts his father about his refusal to support his musical aspirations. Britney shares her desire to pursue a singing career with her mother, Jewel, who is supportive but also cautions her about the cutthroat nature of the music industry.

At the end of the episode, the Tankards come together for a family dinner, where they discuss their individual struggles. They open up about their feelings of inadequacy and frustration, and they find solidarity in their shared experiences. The dinner ends on a heartwarming note, with the family members reaffirming their love and support for one another.

Overall, Thicker Than Water season 1 episode 1 is a compelling introduction to the Tankard family. The episode seamlessly weaves together glimpses of their lavish lifestyle with the challenges they face as a family. Through the individual struggles of each family member, the episode touches upon themes of identity, ambition, and family dynamics. The episode sets the stage for an engaging exploration of the Tankards' lives and promises to deliver a captivating season of reality television.