Chloe Season 1 Episode 1 Recap

 

The show begins with Becky Green (Erin Doherty) surfing Chloe’s Facebook profile in the dark. Images of food, Chloe Fairbourne (Poppy Gilbert) and her husband, Elliot (Billy Howle), clothing, and Chloe and friends pop up on the screen. Becky smokes a cigarette by the pier before returning to her apartment.

As Becky eats breakfast, her mum, Pam (Lisa Palfrey) enters the kitchen, commenting on her being up late. She informs her that Christine (Estella Daniels) saw her in Bristol yesterday, instead of coming straight home. Becky utilizes the errand excuse to explain her being in Bristol. Pam asks what type of errand. She refuses to talk to her when she acts like this. Pam reminds her that no one else would have her. She walks out the door, but thinks about it, returning to give Pam an apology. Pam asks where she is going. She says work. They hug.

Anish (Akshay Khanna) introduces Becky to Mark Peele (Daniel Betts), with Landgrove and Co. Becky is filling in for her while she is on maternity leave. When Anish reminds him of a charity event scheduled for tonight, Peele informs her that he can’t make it. Anish tells Becky about Maria Peele’s folder, suggesting they inform Georgia Cohen that they cannot make the charity event. As Anish recommends she remind Mark about appointments and et cetera, she spots a woman hanging up her coat.

Becky arrives at the charity event in the woman’s coat from work. She utilizes Maria Peele’s name to gain entrance to the event. She enjoys refreshments while looking around the room. Callum (Orlando James) compliments her coat before introducing himself. She introduces herself as Helena. He asks about her interests. She says nothing but immediately recants, saying podcasts and porn while gulping down champagne. He says what. She likes cats and newborns, claiming to be a doula. She adds I am currently training to help women during birth. He questions how she got involved in the charity. Lying, she claims to be friends with Mark Peele. He tells her about just passing Mark’s wife, Maria. He suggests she say hello to Maria. She refuses the offer, saying Maria isn’t her biggest fan. Josh (Brandon Micheal Hall) approaches to speak with Callum who introduces him to Becky. She asks Callum to get her another glass of champagne.

Josh and Becky have sex. After orgasm, she refuses to continue. He appears disappointed until she offers to give him a hand.

Becky is having breakfast when she has a flashback of having sex with Josh. She imagines Josh describes her behavior as “unhinged.” She discovers that Chloe has died while surfing her social media profile. She appears to be in shock, ignoring Pam’s good morning.

Becky researches Chloe’s death on the Internet at work. When she arrives home, Christine informs her that Pam’s condition was worse today. She recommends not leaving Pam alone so much. Pam says Christine always arrives on time. She informs her that Christine works for the government. Pam comments on her hairstyle, saying it looks like a “weird little man.” Becky joins her on the sofa to watch TV. She asks about her photo albums. Pam promises to look for them.

Becky lies on the sofa surfing social media while Pam watches TV. A phone call from South Avon Police Detective Constable Meghan Roland in regard to Chole’s death. Roland says Chloe tried to call Becky twice on April 12. Becky claims she didn’t know the calls were from Chloe. She has no idea why Chloe would try to call her. Roland refuses to say anything about the investigation. The police are trying to piece together what happened in the final hours of her death. Becky pushes redial to access Chloe’s voicemail. At 2:45am, a call comes in from Chloe.

Becky watches the pallbearers put Chloe’s casket in the hearse.

Becky views Chloe’s social media, where she finds an image of Chloe and her friend, Livia Fulton (Pippa Bennett-Warner.) A social media post shows Livia is to open an art exhibition for David Sidgwick at the Emden Art Gallery tomorrow. Cathy (Alexandra D’sa) calls to speak with Mark from the hospital about an urgent payment. She refuses Becky’s offer to do it. Mark gets up from his desk to shut the door to his office. He can be heard in the background reminding Cathy that he is still paying her. Becky fills a small plastic container with urine. When she returns to her desk, Mark reminds her of a few business cards that need to be filed. She calls the Emden Art Gallery to inform them Livia has childcare problems. She says Livia wants her to add Sasha Miles to the guest list for the Sidgwick exhibition.

Becky arrives at the Emden Art Gallery. She pretends to know a gentleman to get access to Livia. She claims to know Georgia Cohen, an art collector.

At work, Becky views Livia’s social media profile. Livia is a member of the Berkeley Members Club in Bristol. After arriving at the facility, she tampers with a car tire. She walks up to the receptionist (Rose Reade) to ask if she can sign up for yoga. The receptionist asks for her name and membership number. Becky gives her name Maria Peele. When the receptionist starts to ask for what appears to be her ID, she utilizes the excuse of being in a rush. Livia recommends Becky from the art exhibition. She says I haven’t seen you here before. Becky claims to have just relocated and just wanted to check Berkeley out. They continue talking while they exit the facility. Becky tells her she is thinking about events. Livia works for herself organizing events and PR. Livia starts to pull out when she discovers her tire is flat. Becky offers to stay with the car while Livia takes a taxi.

Becky visits Livia’s house. Livia introduces her to Phil (Alexander Eliot) who is a painter. Livia asks what type of medium he utilizes. He utilizes mostly oil paint. She asks to see his work, calling it stunning. They talk a bit about his work before their son, Noah wakes. Becky points to a picture of Chloe and Livia, asking her name. Livia tells her about Chloe’s death, which was by suicide. Becky is stunned, asking how. Her body was found on the coat near the cliffs close to where her parents’ house. Becky has a flashback of walking near water. She tells her about losing a friend. On her way out of the house, she imagines Livia calling her a loser. Livia invites her to the spa at Berkeley Saturday. She refuses to offer.

Becky has a flashback of walking in the dark at night during a bath. Chloe’s voicemail plays. She receives a call from Chloe who cuts off. Someone is standing on the cliffs when Becky frantically sets up in the bathtub. She looks at a photo of Livia and Chloe during breakfast.

 

Becky is with Livia at the Berkeley spa. They talk about matchmaking. After the spa, they go for a cup of coffee, where they encounter Josh. Livia introduces him to Becky as Sasha. He says I woke up and you were gone. She says I had an early morning. He offers her his phone number. Handing her phone back, he says good to see you again Helena. Livia is shocked by his behavior. He immediately apologizes as Becky accepts his apology. When Livia leaves, Josh asks about her aliases. She admits to just having fun. They accuse each other of playing games. She apologizes, but he isn’t having it. When she pulls out her credit card to pay for her order, he sees the name Becky Green.

She follows him into the bathroom, denying the credit card is her friend’s. He tells her it is fine, asking what is happening. She likes to determine how people see her. He says okay. She tells him to back off. Livia agrees to drop her off at Brennan Street. They talk about Josh who is a curator or creative director in New York. Livia refuses to move until Becky calls Josh to set up a date. She calls Chloe’s phone number, which is marked under Josh in her cellphone contacts. She leaves a message to request a meetup one day next week. She asks Livia to drop her off at a store for some vegetables. She refuses her offer to wait, pointing to an apartment across the street, where she claims to live. Before she gets out of the vehicle. Livia receives a call from Elliot. Becky leaves her keys in Livia’s car while she is on the phone with Elliott talking about dinner plans.

Becky tries to call Livia, but her phone goes to voicemail. Livia finally calls. She arrives at Livia’s house to retrieve her keys. She asks if she can utilize the toilet before leaving. Becky reluctantly accepts her offer to stay for dinner. Livia introduces her to Tara (Natasha Atherton), Richard (Jack Farthing), Elliot, and Nish. Nish asks how she knows Livia. She says from yoga. She claims to have completed a Japanese marketing job for an art gallery. Nish and Elliot developed a banking app. Tasha wants to produce songs about heartbreak. Elliot asks for their advice about Graham Brannigan who is currently facing rumors that may end him. Someone approached him about the position, but he believes it is too soon. Tasha asks, “Too soon for what.” Everyone is shocked. Richard tells her about Chloe’s death. Nish suggests it may be something that will help him.

Richard goes off on a tangent about having dinner with two strangers. Raising his voice, he says if they knew Chloe, they would have known what she was going to do. They could have stopped her. Elliot says, “Fu** you.” Livia orders him to stop, telling him to pull it together. She apologizes to Becky and Tasha. Becky apologizes to Elliot about Chloe. Becky tells Livia that her friend’s death blindsided her. Livia tells her about Chloe’s quote, “To die by your side,” The Smith’s.” She has no idea who the quote was written for.

Becky drives to Elliot’s house. She walks up the driveway, stopping to stare in the window. She imagines Chloe waving at her while serving her guests. She returns home to find a box on the kitchen table. She thanks her mum for finding the photo albums. She opens a box with her name on it to find a “The Smith’s” CD and photos of Chloe. She has a flashback of the two of them dancing. She is standing on the cliffs as the episode comes to an end.

 

Chloe Review

The show is a hot mess. There is nothing credible about the plot. It isn’t even remotely possible for someone to pull off so many ridiculous schemes. Even a sociopath couldn’t come up with so this many absurd cons. Becky will never convince the audience to believe anything she does at this rate.

The pacing is too slow, making the episode feel drawn out. There is enough going on to keep your attention, but some scenes seem to repeat themselves.

As a big fan of Jack Farthing, joining the Chloe cast may not have been his best decision. I’m afraid, the role of Richard will not show his true talent. He was fabulous as George Warleggan in Poldark.

Poor lighting in the night scenes renders visibility nearly non-existent.

The episode deserves a 6. Get more Chloe recaps here. Support ReelMockery by clicking the link.