Upright Season 1 Episode 1 Upright Ep. 1

Upright is an Australian television series that premiered on Foxtel in late 2019. It follows the story of Mus (played by creator Tim Minchin), a cynical and self-destructive musician who returns to his birthplace, Perth, after receiving news that his estranged mother has passed away. Mus is tasked with transporting his mother's upright piano, which has emotional significance to his family, across the country to his sister's house in Sydney.

The first episode, aptly named "Upright Ep. 1," kicks off with Mus in a state of drunkenness, playing a piano in a dimly lit bar. It quickly becomes clear that Mus is a troubled character; he is rude to the bartender, dismissive of his fans, and seemingly lost in his own grief. As the night wears on, Mus receives a phone call from his sister, whom he hasn't spoken to in years. She informs him that their mother has died and requests that he travels across the country to deliver their mother's piano to her.

The prospect of making such a journey seems daunting to Mus; he hasn't driven in years and the idea of being cooped up in a car for days with an instrument he hates - not to mention his own trauma - seems unbearable. Nevertheless, Mus sets off on the journey and immediately runs into trouble. He gets lost, is pulled over by the police, and is nearly robbed. Along the way, he picks up a teenage hitchhiker named Meg (Milly Alcock) who has her own secrets.

Despite the chaotic start to his journey, Mus finds himself drawn to Meg's youthful spirit and her courageousness in the face of danger. As their journey continues, the unlikely pair form an almost father-daughter-like bond, and the piano becomes a symbol of the possibility of redemption, not just for the characters but for their family as a whole.

Throughout the episode, the audience learns about Mus' troubled past, including his strained relationship with his mother and his estrangement from his sister. As he and Meg travel through the vast, beautiful Australian landscape, they encounter both natural beauty and human tragedy. Some of the show's most memorable moments occur when Mus sits down at the piano to play.

"Upright Ep. 1" is a gritty, emotionally charged episode that sets the tone for the entire series. It seamlessly blends comedy, drama, and music into a compelling story that explores themes of family, grief, forgiveness, and redemption. Tim Minchin's performance as Mus is outstanding; he brings a depth of emotion to the character that is both haunting and relatable. Milly Alcock also shines as Meg, a spunky, highly intelligent character who is dealing with her own complicated emotions. Together, they make for a captivating onscreen duo that keeps the audience engaged from the first frame to the last.