Ep 1. The Trail

The show Secrets and Lies centers around the character of Ben Crawford, a family man and contractor who finds the body of a young boy in the woods while out for a morning run. The first episode, titled "The Trail," introduces us to Ben and his seemingly idyllic life with his wife Christy and their two daughters. As he sets out on his run, Ben stumbles upon what appears to be a crime scene - a small boy lying face down in a pile of leaves.

From the beginning, it's clear that Ben is a sympathetic character. He's polite to the first police officer on the scene, and it's obvious that he's rattled by what he's witnessed. But as the investigation begins, things quickly start to unravel. The lead detective on the case, Detective Andrea Cornell, is a tough, no-nonsense woman who seems to have it out for Ben from the start. She questions him aggressively, and it's clear that she doesn't believe his story.

As the investigation progresses, we see glimpses of Ben's life before the murder - his relationship with his wife, his strained interactions with his neighbors, and his job as a contractor. We also meet his best friend, Dave, who becomes an important ally as the investigation heats up. But despite his best efforts to clear his name, Ben finds himself at the center of a media frenzy, with his face plastered all over the news and rumors swirling about his involvement in the crime.

Despite the high stakes and tense atmosphere, the show does an excellent job of building suspense and keeping the viewer guessing. We're given small clues and tantalizing glimpses of the truth, but the full picture remains elusive. Throughout the episode, we see flashbacks to the day of the murder - snippets of other characters' interactions with the victim, brief glimpses of a shadowy figure who may or may not be the killer. As the episode draws to a close, it's clear that things are only going to get more complicated.

Overall, "The Trail" is a gripping introduction to Secrets and Lies. The show sets up an intriguing mystery and introduces us to a likable protagonist who is clearly in way over his head. The acting is top-notch, with Ryan Phillippe giving a nuanced performance as Ben and Juliette Lewis stealing the show as the tough-as-nails Detective Cornell. The pacing is just right - not too slow, but not too rushed either - and the writing is sharp and engaging. There's plenty of drama and tension to keep viewers hooked, and the final scene is a tantalizing cliffhanger that leaves us wanting more. If the rest of season one is anything like this episode, Secrets and Lies is poised to be a must-watch series.