Ep 1. Pilot

Set in the heart of one of Los Angeles' predominantly Latinx neighborhoods, "Vida" follows two sisters, Emma and Lyn, who have been estranged for years, as they reunite for the funeral of their mother. Emma, a successful businesswoman in Chicago, struggles with returning to her roots and coming to terms with her identity as a queer woman, while Lyn discovers the secrets her mother kept from her and tries to find her place in the family business.

In the pilot episode, we see Emma and Lyn both struggling in their respective lives. Emma receives a phone call at work informing her that their mother has died. She decides to go back to her childhood home in East Los Angeles, though she is hesitant to return since she has not spoken to her mother or sister in years. By contrast, Lyn is already in East LA when she hears of her mother's death. She is living in a shady motel with her tattoo-artist boyfriend, and seems to be adrift and unsure of what direction her life is taking.

Back in East LA, Emma and Lyn confront their pasts, their strained relationship, and their mother's secrets. They learn that their mother was married to a woman, Eddy, whom they knew nothing about. They also discover that their mother left her bar, the family business, to them in her will. Emma is hesitant to take on the responsibility, as she has built a successful career in a different city, but Lyn wants to stay and work in East LA, and thinks they should fix up the bar and make it a success.

While Emma is in East LA, she connects with Cruz, who works at the bar. The two women hit it off, and Emma begins to question her identity and sexuality. Meanwhile, Lyn reconnects with her childhood friend, Johnny, who has feelings for her. She is also attracted to a stranger, Mari, whom she meets at the hotel pool. Throughout the episode, the sisters struggle to connect with each other and find common ground, but they are both forced to confront the realities of their mother's life and legacy.

The pilot episode does an excellent job of setting up the characters and the world of "Vida." It tackles issues of identity, sexuality, familial relationships, and gentrification, all within the context of a Latinx neighborhood in Los Angeles. The acting is strong, with Melissa Barrera and Mishel Prada shining as the two sisters. They have a believable chemistry and convey the complications of their relationship effectively. The supporting cast is also impressive, particularly Ser Anzoategui as Eddy, the woman who was married to the sisters' mother, and Carlos Miranda as Johnny, Lyn's childhood friend.

Overall, the pilot episode of "Vida" is a promising start to the series. It sets up a complex and nuanced world full of interesting characters, and leaves the audience eager to see where the story will go next. It manages to tackle heavy themes with grace and nuance, making it a show worth watching for anyone interested in character-driven drama.