Ep 1. Episode 1

Tales of the City: 20th Anniversary Edition is a modern classic drama television series created and produced by American author Armistead Maupin. The series is based on his book series of the same name, and it first debuted on PBS in 1993, with the 20th-anniversary edition featuring new and updated storylines.

Episode 1 sets the stage for the series, introducing the primary characters and conflicts. The episode opens on Mary Ann Singleton, a young woman from Ohio who has arrived in San Francisco, California, in 1976. Mary Ann is seeking adventure and independence, ready to break free from her Ohio roots, and experience the freedom and possibilities of San Francisco.

With her mid-western charm and naive optimism, Mary Ann quickly becomes the focus of attention in her apartment building at 28 Barbary Lane in the fictional San Francisco neighborhood of Russian Hill. Her landlady, Anna Madrigal, is an enigmatic and wise trans woman who becomes a mother figure to Mary Ann. Anna welcomes Mary Ann to the city and invites her to become a part of the community at 28 Barbary Lane, which becomes the central location for many of the stories that unfold throughout the series.

One of the first people Mary Ann meets is Mona, a free-spirited and sexually liberated young woman who becomes Mary Ann's best friend. Mona is involved with a married man named Edgar, and the two of them are part of a larger group of friends and acquaintances who are part of the bohemian and hippie counterculture of San Francisco in the 1970s.

Mary Ann's arrival in San Francisco coincides with the staging of the city's annual Gay Freedom Day Parade, reflecting the increasing visibility and activism of the LGBTQ+ community in the city and throughout the country. Mary Ann is surprised and moved by the display of love and acceptance she sees at the parade, and it becomes a turning point for her as she begins to embrace new values and perspectives.

The first episode also introduces a subplot involving DeDe Halcyon Day, a wealthy socialite married to a prominent San Francisco real estate developer. DeDe discovers that she is unexpectedly pregnant and chooses to explore her options, including the possibility of an abortion. This storyline, which was cutting edge for its time, becomes a powerful and emotional centerpiece of the episode and the series.

Overall, Episode 1 sets the tone and pace for the series, featuring a diverse cast of characters and relationships, bold and provocative storylines, and a unique portrayal of San Francisco's history and culture. With a mix of drama, humor, and romance, Tales of the City guarantees both emotional depth and a fun ride for audiences.