Summary
Episode 1 reduced this critic to a blubbering mess, although it does tread a very fine line between over-sentimentality and the superb. It may not hit home for all, but the filmmakers are clearly pushing for an emotive introduction, and this drama will definitely move many to tears.
We recap the Apple TV+ series Dear Edward Season 1 Episode 1, “Pilot,” which contains spoilers.
If you have a fear of flying, then this Apple Original will probably not be for you. The “Pilot” episode of Dear Edward sets the scene for a tragic event to come, and spoiler alert, that tragic event is a devastating plane crash, shown in painful detail during the gripping final third of this debut installment. The premiere introduces viewers to the ill-fated passengers who are to board this doomed flight and the unfortunate family members on the ground, who will soon discover the disturbing news. Get the tissues at the ready and prepare to ugly-cry hard, because this is one hell of a tearjerker.
Dear Edward Season 1 Episode 1 Recap
Before the flight takes off, we are introduced to Edward ‘Eddie’ Adler (Colin O’Brien) and his family. There’s older brother Jordan (Maxwell Jenkins), who is jealous of his younger sibling’s boundless intelligence and piano playing skills. Their father is a teacher that home schools both sons, whilst their mother is a writer. The gang are moving from New York to Los Angeles to support their mother’s writing career. Eddie just wants things to stay the same though and is wholeheartedly against the move. Whereas teen Jordan believes this fresh start means new opportunities, and he wants to enroll in public schooling as soon as they land.
Who are the passengers’ friends and family?
We are shown snippets of the other passengers too. There’s Congresswoman Rose Washington, a loved-up young man saying goodbye to his girlfriend, a Ghanaian actress, and a businessman named Charles. These all board the plane in the standard hectic fashion, alongside the Adler family. This is all then inter-cut with scenes of the passenger’s family member counterparts. Congresswoman Washington’s granddaughter and agent, Adriana (Anna Uzele) hands in her notice just before the flight takes off. Whilst Charles’ wife and daughter go on a birthday shopping spree, where they happen to discuss Charles’ possible infidelity.
Eddie’s family member on the ground is Aunt Lacey, played by Taylor Schilling (Orange Is the New Black). Lacey is going through a traumatic time herself, along with her partner John. She is desperate to get pregnant and keeps having miscarriages. The stress of it all is affecting her mental well-being. John suggests looking into adoption and Lacey just flips.
Why does Adriana quit her job?
Flashbacks delve a little deeper into Adriana and Rose’s relationship. Adriana is frustrated by the housing system and attempts to get a suicidal man called Byron a new home. She begs her grandmother to use her power to make it happen and eventually Byron gets his placement. Tragically, Byron commits suicide before hearing the good news though. This twisted storyline causes Adriana to lose faith in the system. Rose practically offers her the Congresswoman job, but Adriana turns it down.
READ: Will there be a Dear Edward Season 2?
Back at the airport, the passengers settle down for their flight, but they are heading into the middle of a storm. Eddie’s mother, Jane, is all the way up in first class, situated next to Congresswoman Washington, while the males are hunched together in the economy seats. Jordan casually addresses a bombshell; he’s ditching Eddie for public school. Eddie is hurt by the news and storms off to tell his mom. The flight attendant urges Eddie to sit back down as they prepare for turbulence, but Jane manages to persuade them to give her one minute.
How do the passengers say their goodbyes?
Eddie and his mother discuss the changes. Jane tries to explain to Eddie that Jordan wants his independence, but the son isn’t having it. He’s upset that they are moving because of work and everything is changing too fast. He is ushered back to his seat but manages to tell his mother that he hates her before leaving. The attendants demonstrate the brace position as another thunderclap reverberates throughout the cabin. The passengers start to panic. Charles messages his wife Dee Dee (Connie Britton) that he loves her and that he is sorry. Jane messages her sister Lacey the same.
Dear Edward Season 1 Episode 1 Ending
It’s an emotional finale as the passengers prepare for impact. Jane ignores the warnings and rushes over to her family but is forced to sit back down. The Captain announces an emergency landing, they have dual engine failure at this point. Each passenger braces, thinking back to previous memories. Jane remembers giving birth, and the boys reminisce about being at the beach one day. It’s a tearful montage as the plane crashes toward land.
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The scene cuts to a dingy home, and a man smoking drugs gets a call about the crash. He’s one of the first rescue workers on the scene. The unnamed man roams the wreckage, finding dead bodies and burnt limbs. This inter-cuts with family members hearing or seeing the news of the plane crash. Dee Dee breaks down in a train station, Adriana is at Byron’s funeral, while Lacey catches the breaking news on a TV screen at a gas station. The rescue worker finds a piece of the wreckage isolated from the rest, then he hears a voice. There is a survivor. He rushes over and finds Eddie still alive, badly injured in the wreckage. It looks like he may be the lone survivor of this devastating tragedy.
What did you think of Dear Edward Season 1 Episode 1? Comment below.
