Ep 1. Brooklyn, 2020

Grand Army is a Netflix series that portrays the lives of five high school students. Season 1, Episode 1 is called "Brooklyn, 2020" and introduces the viewers to the world of Grand Army.

The episode begins with a group of high school students on their way to school. The first student we meet is Joey Del Marco, a white boy who is a part of the school's swim team. He seems to have a complicated relationship with his girlfriend and a rivalry with his teammate.

The second student is Leila Kwan Zimmer, an Indian-American girl, who tries to ignore the racism she faces in her school and the city. She is part of the debate team and has a crush on one of her classmates, Siddharth Pakam.

Siddharth is the third student. He is a first-generation Indian-American who is trying to balance his religion, culture, and American identity. Siddharth is interested in Leila, but his parents are trying to arrange a marriage for him.

The fourth student is Jayson Jackson, a black boy who is passionate about music and hopes to attend a prestigious music school after graduation. Jayson's mother is a single mom who struggles to pay the bills, and he is often the one who takes on the responsibility of taking care of his younger sister.

The fifth and final student we meet is Dom Pierre, a black boy who wants to become a basketball player. Dom is also dealing with his sexuality and is trying to come to terms with it.

Throughout the episode, we see the different struggles each of the students has to face. Joey gets caught up in a scandal while trying to impress his teammates. Leila is forced to confront the racism she faces when a video of her goes viral. Siddharth struggles with his parents' expectations and his own desires. Jayson is dealing with both financial struggles and the pressure to succeed. Dom, on the other hand, is dealing with his sexuality and the societal pressure to conform.

The episode ends with a protest against police brutality and racism, which brings all five students together. The protest is organized by Joey's sister, who is a member of the Black Student Union. The students are joined by their classmates as they take a stand against the injustices that they face every day.

Overall, the first episode of Grand Army does an excellent job of setting up the various storylines that will be explored throughout the series. Each student is relatable in their own way, and viewers will undoubtedly find themselves becoming invested in their lives. Although the episode tackles some heavy issues such as racism and homophobia, it does so in a way that is both honest and nuanced. The final protest scene is particularly powerful and serves as a reminder of the importance of standing up for what is right.