Ep 1. The Wedding

The Time Of Our Lives revolves around the Tivolli family, whose members are each struggling with their own personal problems and trying to navigate the complexities of life.

In the first episode, titled The Wedding, we are introduced to the family as they prepare for the wedding of one of their own. Chai Hansen plays the role of Matt, the groom-to-be, while the rest of the cast is made up of Claudia Karvan, Justine Clarke, Stephen Curry, Shane Jacobson, Michelle Vergara Moore, and William McInnes, all playing various family members and close friends.

The episode begins with us seeing glimpses into the lives of each character- we see Matt, nervous and excited about his upcoming nuptials, we see Caroline (played by Claudia Karvan) dealing with the aftermath of a cheating scandal involving her husband, we see Luce (Justine Clarke) juggling the demands of motherhood and a demanding job, we see Herb (William McInnes) struggling with the idea of retirement, and so on. These scenes help set the stage and give us a glimpse into the complicated lives of these characters.

As the episode progresses, we see the family come together in the lead up to the wedding. We see joyous moments like Matt and his groomsmen performing a dance routine, and heartwarming moments like Caroline sharing a sweet conversation with her daughter. But we also see tension and conflict- for example, when Caroline's husband attempts to apologize for his infidelity, she is unable to forgive him, which leads to a confrontation.

The wedding itself is a beautiful and emotional affair, but it's not without its hiccups. One of the most notable things about the Tivolli family is that they are far from perfect- they argue, they make mistakes, and they have a lot of baggage. At the wedding reception, we see some of this come to light- there are arguments, drunken outbursts, and even a little bit of violence. But despite these dark moments, there is also a sense of hope and love present.

By the end of the episode, we see some of the characters start to come to terms with their issues. For example, Caroline realizes that she might be able to forgive her husband eventually, while Herb begins to see the value in retirement. But we also see that some problems are still simmering beneath the surface, and that there is much more to come for these characters.

Overall, The Wedding is a strong start to The Time Of Our Lives. It's well-acted, emotionally charged, and offers a glimpse into the lives of a complex and flawed family. The wedding itself is a beautiful set piece that brings the characters together in a meaningful way, while the various subplots set up interesting storylines for future episodes. If you're a fan of dramas that delve into the messiness of life, this is definitely a show to check out.