Ep 1. Once Upon a Time in the City of New York

Once Upon a Time in the City of New York is the first episode of the American television series Beauty and the Beast, which aired on October 11, 2012. The series is a reimagining of the 1980s television series with the same title. The series revolves around the story of Catherine Chandler, played by Kristin Kreuk, a homicide detective in the New York Police Department, and Vincent Keller, played by Jay Ryan, a former doctor who was transformed into a beast after a military experiment gone wrong. Set in the vibrant city of New York, the first episode is an introduction to the main characters and the chemistry between them.

The episode begins with Catherine on a date with her boyfriend, Gabe, played by Sendhil Ramamurthy. As they stroll through Central Park, their romantic evening is interrupted by a group of hooded men who attack them. Gabe is beaten up, and Catherine is about to be assaulted when Vincent suddenly appears and saves her. Vincent is seen only in the shadows, and we can't get a clear look at his face, but we can sense that there is something special about him. Catherine is grateful for Vincent's help but is puzzled by his behavior as he quickly disappears. She manages to take a picture of Vincent, which she later uses in an investigation to find out more about him.

The episode then takes us back in time to when Catherine was a young girl and witnessed the murder of her mother. She was rescued by a beast, which she believes to be a figment of her imagination. We learn that Catherine has been haunted by her mother's murder and has devoted her life to finding her mother's killer. Catherine's obsession with her mother's murderer adds layers to her character and gives us an insight into her motivations.

Back in the present day, Catherine starts to investigate the case and stumbles upon a clue that leads her to the warehouse where the hooded men were holding Gabe. She finds out that Gabe is not who he seems to be and works for the group of criminals who attacked them in Central Park. Gabe is part of an underground organization that experiments with drugs and genetic engineering, which leads to the creation of beasts like Vincent.

Catherine confronts Gabe and tells him that she knows about his organization. He reveals that Vincent is one of his experiments and that he only rescued Catherine because he has feelings for her. Catherine is shocked to learn the truth about Vincent and decides to investigate further. She tracks down Vincent's apartment and discovers that he lives in an abandoned warehouse.

Vincent is aware of Catherine's presence and surprises her by appearing out of nowhere. He is shirtless, revealing his beastly features, which causes Catherine to gasp in shock. Vincent quickly explains that he was experimented on by Gabe's organization and that he turns into a beast when he gets angry. He tells Catherine that he wants to help her find her mother's killer and that he saved her in Central Park because he felt a connection with her.

Throughout the episode, Catherine and Vincent's interactions are tense and uneasy, but we can sense that there is a chemistry between them. Their relationship starts to develop when Vincent opens up about his transformation into a beast and Catherine confides in him about her mother's murder. The episode ends with Catherine leaving Vincent's apartment, but not before he gives her a watch that belonged to her mother.

Once Upon a Time in the City of New York is a solid introduction to the Beauty and the Beast series. The first episode sets the stage for the rest of the series and introduces us to the main characters and their motivations. The chemistry between Catherine and Vincent is palpable, and we can't wait to see how their relationship unfolds throughout the rest of the series. The series has a dark and gritty feel to it, which adds to the allure of the show. The first episode is a must-watch for fans of the Beauty and the Beast story and for those who love a good romance with a touch of mystery.