Summary
The “Pilot” is an effective opener that sets up many intriguing mysteries. The series is however bursting with cliches and over-the-top elements. This trashy show definitely has the potential to be an entertaining binge watch, but it also feels like it could veer off wildly in the other direction as well.
Here is our recap of the 2023 Prime Video series Harlan Coben’s Shelter Season 1 Episode 1, which contains significant spoilers.
Mystery drama series Harlan Coben’s Shelter begins its eight-episode run with “Pilot.”
In the opening installment, student Mickey Bolitar (Jaden Michael) starts his first day of school in a new, strange neighborhood. He’s introduced to his fellow students, the welcoming teaching staff, and a creepy haunted mansion a few blocks away, which is somehow linked to his dead father.
Harlan Coben’s Shelter Season 1 Episode 1 Recap
The premiere opens in 1998, New Jersey, inside this creepy house, which is later revealed to be owned by a woman known simply as Bat Lady. The police show up, and Bat Lady ushers a group of children into an underground shelter. The eldest, put in charge of this gang, is called Brad.
This happens to be the lead character, Mickey’s father. In the present, Brad and his family have moved to Santa Monica.
They drive through the city streets at night, singing along to their favorite song. A lorry suddenly comes out of nowhere and collides with Brad’s car.
What happened after the car crash?
Four months later, Mickey moved in with his Aunt Shira. His mother is recovering in hospital, but his father sadly died after the car crash. Mickey is clearly grieving this painful loss and is a little cold towards his aunt. The student then starts his first day at Kasselton High.
He is greeted on his doorstep by Arthur Spindell, a geeky but outgoing individual. Mickey manages to shake off Arthur’s intense friendliness and walks to school alone.
On his way, he passes the creepy mansion, hearing the very same song that was playing during the car crash. He then sees the creepy old lady in the upstairs window.
READ: Will there be a Harlan Coben’s Shelter Season 2?
At school, Mickey reunites with Arthur, whose dad is the school janitor. It’s not long before he’s introduced to the basketball captain and school bully Troy, his girlfriend Rachel, the head cheerleader, and then the shy new girl Ashley.
The new girl seems to have an instant attraction to Mickey. They talk by her locker. It seems that they share the same classes, and Ashley informs Mickey that her father is also dead.
The duo hit it off straight away, swapping digits and organizing a date for that night. Ominously, Ashley keeps a gun hidden in her bag, though.
Why does Mickey not like basketball anymore?
Mickey finds himself joining in with basketball practice later that day, and Ashley tries out for the cheerleading team. It is then revealed that Mickey loves basketball, but he finds it hard to enjoy it anymore, as it reminds him of his father. This has put him off trying out for the high school team.
On his way home, Mickey hears that same haunting music once again and is drawn to the Bat Lady’s house. She speaks to Mickey, knowing him by name.
Then Bat Lady says that Mickey’s dad is still alive. Mickey is disturbed by this statement. That night he waits at the diner, but Ashley never shows.
Why is Mickey arrested?
Angered by this rejection and Bat Lady’s sinister words, he heads back to the haunted house, banging on her front door. This alerts the police, who swiftly arrest Mickey for trespassing and disturbing the peace. Aunt Shira picks him up from the station. She tells Mickey that his father once went inside the haunted house as well. This building is intrinsically linked to both Brad and Mickey somehow.
The next day, Ashley is missing from class. Arthur is given the nickname Spoon, because he carries a spoon, and Mickey is introduced to Ema, another geeky outcast.
This new trio of friends are next reunited outside Bat Lady’s house. Here, Mickey confesses to the truth, explaining what actually happened with the creepy woman.
They decide to break into the spooky mansion that night. Mickey is desperate for answers. He wanders the house, finding a record player who is playing that same song over and over.
He then finds one of Ashley’s belongings, a hippo magnet.
After escaping the house, Mickey and Spoon race over to Ashley’s home. They are too late, though. The police are outside, and a person is being carted away on a stretcher.
The police officer, who arrested Mickey previously, Ken, arrests Mickey once again. And Spoon for good measure.
Harlan Coben’s Shelter Season 1 Episode 1 Ending Explained
While they are being pinned to the ground, a woman walks by. Mickey believes this is Ashley Kent’s mom, but the woman says that she doesn’t have a daughter. We are then shown a montage of shots that drip-feed further mysteries.
Ema has a hidden butterfly tattoo that resembles the cover of the LP that is always playing. Cheerleader Rachel has Ashley’s gun. The bald guy who was sent to find Ashley speaks with Bat Lady, but he is then shot dead by a man in sunglasses. And Bat Lady holds a photograph of Mickey and his parents. The plot thickens!
What did you think of the 2023 Prime Video series Harlan Coben’s Shelter Season 1 Episode 1? Comment below.
