Ep 1. Pilot

The Peripheral season 1 episode 1, titled "Pilot," introduces viewers to a world in which technology has advanced to the point that people can communicate with the past. Flynne Fisher, a woman from a small rural community, works as a beta tester for a virtual reality game. One day, her brother Burton asks her to step in and do a job for him in the game, as he's been injured and can't do it himself. The job involves manipulating drones in a distant future world called "Londinium," and Flynne agrees to do it.

As Flynne enters the game's world, she learns that it's a hyper-realistic simulation of a future version of London, England, where powerful people control everything and technology has advanced to seemingly miraculous levels. She finds she's not only manipulating drones but also has access to other advanced technologies such as intelligent autonomous vehicles and haptic feedback interfaces. Flynne soon realizes she's unwittingly become tied up in a dangerous game of intrigue, a conflict between powerful government forces and shadowy corporations. Her actions have major implications not just for the future of Londinium and the United Kingdom but the world over.

Meanwhile, in a parallel story, Wilf Netherton is a publicist in the post-collapse remnants of 22nd century London. He's working hard to manage the image of a powerful politician, but maintains a keen interest in the Londinium game world as the past-time of the wealthy and privileged. However, when his former contact Dez contacts him out of the blue to point out some unsettling details regarding the virtual world, Wilf is left shaken and unsure of what to believe.

"Pilot" sets the stage for an intriguing and complex story involving time travel, alternate realities, and mind-bending technologies. The episode introduces the audience to a world in which people can reach across time and space to manipulate events through a virtual interface. Moreover, it sets up a conflict that's not just between powerful forces in a distant world, but between the past and future, as well as two different versions of London. The plot is dense, and the director does an excellent job of keeping the narrative flowing, cutting back and forth between Flynne and Wilf's experiences in their respective realities.

As a series opener, "Pilot" is highly engaging and intriguing. The first act sets up Flynne's world and establishes her and Burton's relationship. The second act, which involves Flynne entering the game world, ramps up the tension and introduces the audience to the game's world and its characters. The final act introduces Wilf Netherton and begins to hint at the greater mysteries surrounding the game world. Each act is well-paced, balanced, and carefully structured to build anticipation and keep the audience wanting more.

Overall, "Pilot" is a great start to The Peripheral's first season. The episode does an excellent job of introducing the series' unique world-building concepts, while building a sense of mystery and danger around them. The audience is introduced to two compelling protagonists, and the promise of a conflict that spans multiple realities is enticing. The acting, direction, and production values are top-notch, and the series has significant potential to be one of the standout sci-fi series of its time.