Ep 1. The Itchy Onion

Warrior season 1 episode 1, 'The Funeral' takes the viewers back to San Francisco during the late 19th century. The backdrop of the episode is the brutal gang wars and the city's political upheaval along with the societal prejudices of that time.

The episode introduces us to Ah Sahm (Andrew Koji), a martial arts expert from China who arrives in San Francisco via a ship. Ah Sahm is in search of his sister, who was trafficked and sold into prostitution. As soon as he arrives in the city, Ah Sahm witnesses the discrimination faced by members of his own community. He is eventually forced to answer to a man who questions him due to his appearance. But, through a well-executed fight, Ah Sahm proves his worth and gains respect.

The main plot of the episode is based around the funeral of one of the most influential men in the city's Chinese community, Father Jun (Perry Yung). Father Jun was also involved in the underground operations of the community and his passing leads to the rise of a power struggle between two rival factions. A few members of the Chinese community, led by the honorable and respected Young Jun (Jason Tobin), want to maintain the status quo and are opposed to any sort of violent activities.

On the other hand, the Hop Wei faction, led by the ruthless and no-nonsense Ah Toy (Olivia Cheng), is willing to go to any lengths to gain control over the city's criminal operations. Ah Toy seeks the help of the new-comer Ah Sahm to join her faction as his martial arts skills could come in handy for them.

Apart from this, the episode also sheds light on the city's corrupt political system and how the Chinese community is often made scapegoats for the crimes committed by other groups. One of the main characters of the show, San Francisco Mayor Samuel Blake (Christian McKay), is introduced in the episode. Blake, who is racist at his core, has a plan to eradicate the Chinese from the city.

The acting is top-notch, and the martial arts choreography is mesmerizing, which elevates the episode to another level. Despite the show being set over a century ago, the themes of its narrative are still relevant today. The episode highlights how people were prejudiced against individuals just because of their origin or skin colour, how political leaders often used fear and violence against minorities, and how corrupt powers could manipulate society to maintain their dominance.

The direction of the episode is exceptional, the atmosphere created is authentic, and the use of cinematic techniques enhances the overall experience. The episode ends on a suspenseful note with a big reveal, ensuring to keep the viewer hooked for the next episode.

Overall, Warrior Season 1 Episode 1 'The Funeral' is a brilliantly crafted introduction into the show's world. By the episode's end, the story's main plotline has been established, a few characters are introduced, and the stage is set for explosive events to come.