Summary
Very enjoyable. A decent opener for the limited series that will allow the audience to clearly understand the style and tone that Roar sets out for the rest of the season. With strong performances from the core cast, the audience will both be horrified yet familiar with the story of “The Woman Who Disappeared”.
This recap of Roar season 1, episode 1, “The Woman Who Disappeared” contains spoilers. You can check out our spoiler-free season review by clicking these words.
Roar season 1, episode 1 recap
Wanda (Issa Rae) walks through an airport and pauses for a moment to watch an ad that reads “we stand against racism”. After small chit-chat outside, Wanda gets greeted by Blake. Once Wanda says that she thought he would be white, he reveals that he changed his name as it would be less of a headache. Wanda is more than aware of such feelings, as, during the promotion of her memoir, the team tried to airbrush her into becoming more white.
Problems for Wanda start almost immediately as her hotel reservation gets a mansion ace that the studio is paying for. Later that night, whilst on the phone with her friend, Wanda learns that she is staying in a $15 million mansion. Although Wanda works on potential movie ideas for her book, her friend tells Wanda to enjoy the moment. And so she does so by dancing in the pool. The next day when gaining a visitors pass, there are image problems and, therefore, Wanda becomes N/A. After Wanda gains a “who’s who” of the company, she gets introduced to three white men who want to work on her memoir.
At first, they heavily praise her. So, will they help her? Yet, when Wanda goes to discuss her own outlines for the movie, they decline her ideas and say they’re bringing VR into the concept. Their reason? They want people to be able to walk a day in the shoes of a black woman. Wanda hates the idea and says that racism works. But they don’t hear her. Literally. Whilst Wanda speaks it appears that no one can hear her at all.
The Ending
And that’s not all. She appears to become invisible. Not only does a white male almost sit on her, but her reflection also fades away and people cut past her in queues. After almost being run over, Wanda’s phone dies and Blake fails to hear her shouting for him.
Ultimately, Wanda still goes to the demo testing. However, like before, no one can see or hear her. (Not that they care). As the others try on the VR set, so does Wanda. She relives her father’s violent arrest that caused Wanda to have a panic attack as a child. Wanda becomes very upset by the ordeal. But, luckily, Blake sees her. As she sobs, she claims to not know what she is. Blake, however, reminds her that she does. And shortly afterward, Wanda decides to “f**k this”.
What did you think of Apple TV’s Roar season 1, episode 1? Comment below.
