Ep 1. Pilot

The show Younger revolves around a 40-year-old single mother named Liza Miller who struggles to find a job in the publishing industry. Despite her experience and qualifications, her age becomes a major hindrance as most of the companies prefer younger employees. On the insistence of her best friend, Maggie, Liza decides to reinvent herself as a 26-year-old to land a job. The first episode of the show is rightly named Pilot where we see Liza going through a major change that is about to turn her life upside down.

The episode begins with Liza living a monotonous, mundane life and struggling to make ends meet as her ex-husband's debt looms over her head. While at a bar with Maggie, they both encounter a group of young people who mistake Liza for being in her twenties. Maggie, who has witnessed Liza's struggles, suggests that she could pretend to be a 26-year-old to land a job in one of the publishing houses. Liza is hesitant at first but eventually gives in to the idea and begins to prepare for her new persona.

We see Liza undergo a drastic makeover, with a new wardrobe, makeup, and haircut to give her a younger look. She adopts a new name, Karine, and creates a fake online profile to give her the ideal 26-year-old persona. Liza's transformation is complete, and she is ready to begin her new job hunt. Her first attempt is at Empirical Press, where she manages to impress the young editor, Kelsey Peters, with her knowledge of books and publishing. Liza is even mistaken for being tech-savvy, and she lands the job with Kelsey, who takes her under her wing.

As Liza starts working at Empirical, she finds herself in a completely new world surrounded by young people who are still figuring out their lives and careers. She initially struggles to fit in, but slowly and steadily, she begins to adapt to her new environment. She soon develops a friendly equation with Kelsey and begins to navigate her way through the complicated publishing world. At the workplace, Liza also meets the charming, young tattoo artist Josh, whom she finds herself drawn to.

Meanwhile, Liza's secret becomes harder to keep when she is invited to a party hosted by her boss, Diana Trout, where she meets her ex-husband, David, and his new, young girlfriend. Liza is successful in avoiding recognition, but her desire for a normal life rekindles. She also has a run-in with an anonymous writer who falsely accuses her of stealing her work. Despite the initial friction, Liza manages to resolve the issue and gain the writer's trust.

The first episode of Younger does an excellent job of introducing the main characters and setting the stage for Liza's story. We see her struggling to come to terms with her age, and the societal pressure to look and act younger. Liza's decision to deceive her way into a job is not validated but is understandable given her situation. The show does not shy away from portraying the challenges and complexities of being a woman in society, especially one who is past her prime. The episode also showcases the budding relationship between Liza and Josh, which is full of potential.

In conclusion, the first episode of Younger is an engaging and entertaining introduction to Liza's world. It brilliantly captures the essence of the show, which is about one woman's journey of self-discovery in a world that values youth and beauty over experience and wisdom. The episode succeeds in hooking the viewers and leaves them wanting more.