Ep 1. The Universe Had Different Plans

The highly anticipated season 4 of Welcome to Plathville is finally here, and it starts off with a bang. In The Universe Had Different Plans, we see the Plath family struggling to come to terms with the events of the past year, including the fallout from the explosive season 3 finale.

As the episode opens, we are reintroduced to the main players: parents Barry and Kim, and their nine children, most of whom are now young adults and on their own. However, tensions are already running high as the family members start to discuss the elephant in the room - the departure of the eldest Plath son, Ethan, and his wife Olivia. The couple has been noticeably absent from family events, and nobody seems to know what the future holds for them.

While the Plaths are dealing with this significant change, they are also trying to navigate the impact of COVID-19 on their lives. During a family meeting, they discuss their plans for the upcoming holidays and how they will handle the pandemic restrictions. It's evident that everyone is feeling the strain, especially since they are already a tight-knit, insular family who don't socialize outside of their immediate circle.

The episode takes a dramatic turn when we see more of Moriah, the Plaths' second-oldest daughter, who is now living on her own with two roommates. She has been enjoying her newfound freedom and exploring her identity, much to her parents' chagrin. Moriah's relationship with her siblings is strained, as they disapprove of her lifestyle choices and the fact that she has distanced herself from the family. In a poignant moment, she reveals how much she misses her older brother, Ethan, who was the one person she felt close to before he left.

Meanwhile, Kim and Barry are trying to keep the family businesses afloat during the pandemic. They run a farm and a music studio, but both have been impacted by the crisis. Kim is particularly stressed out, and we see her breaking down in tears as she worries about the future and the safety of her family.

The episode ends on a cliffhanger, as tensions between Olivia and Barry come to a head. It's evident that there is still a lot of animosity between the two, stemming from the previous season's drama. Is there any hope for reconciliation, or will the rift between them continue to widen?

Overall, The Universe Had Different Plans is an emotional start to what promises to be an intense season. We see the Plath family struggling to adapt to changes, both within their family and in the wider world. With so many unanswered questions and unresolved conflicts, viewers will undoubtedly be tuning in eagerly for the next episode.