Ep 1. The Peculiar Second Marriage of Archie Jones

The episode "The Peculiar Second Marriage of Archie Jones" is the first episode of the British television series White Teeth, based on the novel of the same name by Zadie Smith. The story revolves around the lives of two families – the Joneses and the Iqbals – and their experiences as immigrants living in London.

The episode begins with Archie Jones, a middle-aged man who is about to commit suicide. He is a World War II veteran who has been married twice and has no children. As he prepares to hang himself in his flat, he has a change of heart and decides to live.

We are then introduced to the Iqbal family, who are immigrants from Bangladesh. Samad Iqbal is a waiter in a restaurant and his wife, Alsana, is a homemaker. They have twin boys named Millat and Magid who are turning 18 soon. While Millat is outgoing and rebellious, Magid is reserved and intellectual. The Iqbals have lived in London for a few years now and they are struggling to assimilate into the culture.

Archie Jones has been friends with Samad Iqbal for years, ever since they fought together in World War II. They have a tradition where they meet at a pub called The O'Connell's every New Year's Eve. However, this year Samad is unable to make it due to his wife's demands. She wants him to attend the Bengali New Year celebrations instead. This causes some tension between the couple as Samad is torn between his loyalty to his friend and his duties as a husband.

Meanwhile, we learn more about Archie's past. He had married a Jamaican woman named Clara but their marriage ended due to personal issues. He then married a white woman named Ophelia but their marriage also ended in divorce. Archie is now alone and struggling to find meaning in his life.

As the episode progresses, we also see the struggles of the Iqbal twins. Millat wants to fit in with the British kids at school and starts smoking and drinking. Magid, on the other hand, is more interested in his studies and wants to pursue a career in science. Their father Samad is disappointed with Magid's lack of interest in his cultural heritage and tries to force him to attend the Bengali New Year celebrations.

The episode ends with Archie meeting Clara once again, after many years. She is now married to a successful man and has a daughter but she still holds a special place in Archie's heart. As they catch up, Archie realizes that he still has feelings for her.

Overall, "The Peculiar Second Marriage of Archie Jones" sets the stage for the rest of the series by introducing us to the main characters and their struggles. It highlights the cultural differences between the immigrants and the locals and how it affects their relationships. The episode is a mixture of drama, humor, and nostalgia and sets the tone for a captivating and thought-provoking series.