Ep 1. Episode 1

Panic is a thrilling young-adult series on Amazon Prime Video that follows a group of high school seniors living in a small Texas town. Desperate to escape their mundane lives, they participate in a dangerous game called Panic. The winner will receive a cash prize of $50,000, but the game itself is full of extreme challenges that test the players' courage, physical abilities, and intelligence. In the first episode of the series, we are introduced to the main characters and the world of Panic.

The episode opens with Heather (played by Olivia Welch), a smart and introverted girl who dreams of leaving her small town behind. We learn that she comes from a broken family and lives with her mother, who is struggling with addiction. Despite her hardships, Heather is determined to graduate and move on to bigger and better things. Her best friend, Natalie (played by Jessica Sula), is the complete opposite of Heather. She's confident, outgoing, and rebellious; a girl who doesn't take crap from anyone. Natalie is dating Ray (played by Ray Nicholson), a handsome and charismatic boy who hangs out with the town's rowdy crowd.

As the school year comes to an end, the graduating seniors are invited to participate in Panic, a game that has been played in the town for years but has only recently become more dangerous. Every year, the game's rules and challenges change. This time around, the players must face tasks such as jumping off cliffs, dodging bulls, and riding a motorcycle across a tightrope. As the challenges progress, the players are eliminated one by one until only one winner remains. Panic has earned a reputation for being wild, unpredictable, and sometimes deadly. But for the town's teenagers, it's a chance to prove themselves and escape their mundane lives.

Heather is hesitant to participate in Panic at first, but Natalie convinces her to come along. Ray is also planning to play the game, and Heather is secretly in love with him. As they sign up for the game, they meet Dodge (played by Mike Faist), a mysterious and enigmatic boy who seems to know everything about Panic. Dodge has a dark past and a secret agenda that only he knows about. He warns the players that Panic is not a game to be taken lightly, but they ignore his warnings and dive headfirst into the challenges.

The first challenge is a terrifying high dive, and the players must jump off a tall tower into a small pool of water. Heather is terrified and almost quits, but Natalie convinces her to jump. Ray goes next and does a showy flip off the tower, impressing the crowd. As the challenges progress, the players find themselves facing increasingly dangerous situations. Heather struggles to keep up with the more athletic and aggressive players, while Dodge seems to have a strategy for every challenge. As the players get eliminated one by one, tensions rise within the group, and alliances are formed and broken.

Episode 1 of Panic sets the stage for a thrilling and suspenseful series. We get to know the main characters and their motivations for playing Panic. We also learn about the game's history and the dangers it poses to its players. The episode is shot beautifully, with stunning landscapes and atmospheric lighting that capture the small town's eerie ambiance. The young cast delivers impressive performances, especially Olivia Welch, who shines as the relatable and sympathetic Heather. The episode ends on a cliffhanger, leaving viewers wanting more and eager to find out who will be the ultimate winner of Panic.

In conclusion, Panic is a riveting and addictive series that explores the darker side of teenage life. The first episode sets the tone for the rest of the series, introducing us to a world of danger, adrenaline, and high stakes. With its excellent writing, direction, and acting, Panic is a must-watch for anyone who loves a good coming-of-age story with a twist.