Ep 3. Brother

In Crowded season 1 episode 3 titled "Brother," we see the family deal with some unexpected visitors. The episode kicks off with Mike surprising Martina with a visit from his half-brother, Rusty. Rusty is nothing like Mike and it is clear from the beginning that he is a bit of a wild card. He is a part of the one percent and lives his life in a completely different way than the rest of the family. He is confident, charming, and has an adventurous lifestyle that quickly entrances Stella.

While Rusty might be charming, his presence causes a great deal of stress for the entire family. Martina is uncomfortable with Rusty's wealth and the lavish lifestyle that he lives. Alice, on the other hand, is immediately smitten with Rusty and is incredibly impressed by his social status. Bob, however, is not so pleased with Rusty's arrival, and his overprotective nature comes out. This leads to some tension and disagreements between the two brothers.

As the episode progresses, we see that Rusty's presence is causing more problems than it is worth. Martina starts to feel inadequate in comparison to Rusty's success, Bob is constantly annoyed by his behavior and Alice becomes disillusioned when Rusty doesn't live up to her expectations. Meanwhile, Stella is completely taken with Rusty and it becomes a little troubling to watch her idolize him.

At one point, Rusty invites the family to a fancy party hosted by his wealthy friends. Mike tries to bond with Rusty, but it quickly turns sour, and it is revealed that Rusty gets Mike involved in some shady activity. This leads to a confrontation between the brothers and creates more tension in the episode.

Overall, "Brother" is an episode that delves into family dynamics and social status. The contrast between Rusty's extravagant lifestyle and the rest of the family's normality causes tension and highlights the importance of family bonds. The episode also touches on themes of masculinity and the bonds between brothers. It is a well-rounded episode that provides a comedic look at family relationships while also delving into more serious subjects.