Ep 1 - This is sort of the pilot and isn't exactly perfect. It's meant to be Tony's episode but it has to juggle introducing all the other characters too and setting the plot moving. The most important thing story wise we learn in this episode is Tony and Sid are best friends, Sid is hopelessly in love with Tony's girlfriend Michelle but he has got no chance. We also learn early on that Tony has some pretty unattractive character traits, despite being handsome, clever, confident and a compelling character he's also narcissistic, manipulative and deep down seems to care little about his mates. They are primarily there as an audience for him, that's why his best friend remains someone who he'll make sure is forever in his shadow. The episode begins as they often do with the main character in bed, about to get up and head into School. Tony's little sister Effy has been out all night partying and is heading home with her parents unaware as R&B music plays. Tony helps make a distraction while she slips in. On the surface it may look like he's being a good older brother here, but in reality he's not, it's a sign of bad a role model he is for her and how bad an influence he's having that he agrees to help her like this. The scene also demonstrates too that Tony enjoys tormenting his dad too, which he continues to do. It's all done in a couple of scenes and is so much more interesting than the parents just sat around the breakfast table complaining about Tony's behaviour and what a poor example he's setting for his sister. Again it might seem like some teen fantasy, tormenting your irate dad and so on, something we're meant to laugh along with but it also hints at a more sadistic side to Tony. He and Effy exchange a knowing look but she stays mostly silent and aloof. Tony's mother seems much smoother and more relaxed than the dad. This opening scene tells you that Tony's main form of entertainment is playing games with people, manipulating them and having fun at their expense. It's an important point which comes up again throughout the season. The next scene has Tony call each of his friends to find out if they are able to come to a party later on, it's a nice clever way to introduce everyone and establish a little their personality and their relationship to Tony. Another funny little clip is Sid looking at pictures of Michelle on a bus journey while the older man behind him peers over. Episode 1 does have it's flaws though. The characters do come across as on the surface pretty shallow, selfish, all they want to do is party, with the exception of Jal. It's not until Episode 2, 3 and 4 that you start to get more into the characters of Cassie, Jal and Chris to find out about their deeper issues and home lives. The episode briefly touches on some kind of social class commentary. There's a firm divide established between our gang and the posh private all-girls school near by. Only Tony seems able to bridge the gap. One girl in particular Abbi seems particularly interested in him. The episode involves them though party crashing, starting a fight, stealing some phones, then stealing a car and driving it into a river. This of course all happens without any consequences for anyone. It's the kind of stuff which makes the critics wag their fingers. As the show goes on you start to realise that actions do have consequences. At this point the adult characters we meet are largely comical, the mad drug dealer, the irate parents, the peevish pompous French teacher at the posh school. The pilot sort of feels like the cast and the writers were still trying to work out what the show was about and how likeable to make the characters.
