Faithless Series 1 Episode 1 Recap

As the episode opens, Mrs. Sink (Helen Norton) informs Sam (Baz Ashmawy) and Tracy (Dawn Bradfield) that Layla (Noor Salem) played pornography in the new media class. Stunned, Tracy makes sure she heard correctly that Layla was showing her classmates porn. Sink describes the pornography as “horrendous.” Tracy denies expecting such behavior from Tracy. Shocked as well, Sam finally chimes in by asking her to explain “horrendous.” Tracy gives him to look that means to shut up. Ignoring her, he asks if it entailed animals. Sink confirms it was not animals. Relieved, he grabs a mint and asks if it is better or worse than animals. Tracy orders him to shut up. He starts to talk but thinks better of it before crunching away on his mint. A short time later, Tracy races out of the school with Sam in tow. She scolds him for questioning the porn genre and says the only thing that matters is it was a “massive cock” being shown to 12-year-olds. He assures her that she is not alone. She reminds him of all the things that he doesn’t do, including having sex. She says it is over. As she walks away, he vows to never mess up again. When she stops to flip him the bird, an ice cream truck mows her down.

Sam reluctantly enters the house to be met by a distraught Layla. Mo (Raad Rawi) emerges from a nearby room as Sam tells the girls that Tracy was involved in an accident and is in the hospital. Lina (Suzie Seweify) expresses relief that Tracy is still alive. Nancy (Carmen Rose Youssef) suggests making her a get-well card. Sam says Tracy’s body is at the hospital but she is dead. Nancy asks if he is positive. Layla scolds him for telling them that Tracy is alive. Everyone walks away leaving Sam alone.

Sam is dressing for Tracy’s wake a taxi pulls up and Zein (Amir El-Masry) emerges. Grabbing his cufflinks, he goes how to greet him. While helping Sam with his cufflinks, Zein introduces him to Zu (Danaja Wass). Sam asks if they met on the flight. Zein confirms with a nod. Sam slips cash into Zein’s hand for the taxi. Zu asks if Tracy was chasing the ice cream truck. He tells her that Tracy was 44 years old. She explains how ice cream trucks tend to speed up when they see people and calls Azula’s boyfriend, an ice cream peddler, a “mother fu**er.” Sam pulls Zein off to the side and demands he get rid of Zu who is busy taking selfies. Zein is reluctant to get rid of her.

Sam’s brother, Zein talks to Tracy’s corpse in a coffin. Zu helps herself to some wine. Cormac (Art Campion) taps his glass to get everyone’s attention. Dympna (Eleanor Methven) urges him to not do it. Ignoring her, he says his sister, Tracy would want them to be happy before playing a rap song that she liked. Zein is standing over Tracy’s casket when Zu approaches and kisses him. He pushes her away. She assures him that “Ruby” won’t care. He says her name is Tracy and pushes her arms away, knocking a glass of red wine into the casket. She suggests shutting the lid. He tells her to shut up while he thinks.

Dympna and Mrs. Tilly (Billie Traynor) discuss the accident that claimed Tracy’s life. Zein draws Tilly’s attention. Dympna says he is an actor living in London but denies knowing Zu. Taking a seat next to Tracy’s casket, Sam admits to hating Tilly and hopes she chokes on her food. He says the family doesn’t work with her and turns to see she is wearing a scarf. Stunned, he utilizes the scarf to wipe the bright red lipstick from her lips when her eye pops open. Dympna knocks on the door. He places his sunglasses on Tracy and shuts the casket lid.

Three Months Later – Sam is awakened by the alarm clock. As he emerges from his room, Lina complains about there being no milk and asks for some money. He assures her that he is not made of money. Layla calls from downstairs that there are no eggs. Lina rolls her eyes as he descends the steps. A short time later, Sam juggles getting the girls off to school and administering Nancy’s medicine. Layla reminds him of her impending school ski trip. He agrees to deduct it from her college fund. Outside, he remembers Nancy’s lunch. She tells him that she made it earlier. While he examines the messy jelly sandwich, she urges him to not give up. He asks if he is a bad daddy. She assures him that he is the best daddy, not a good mommy. He apologizes and asks how long she plans to wear her Christmas hat. She says until she dies.

Walking to school, Layla complains about Nancy’s way of coping with Tracy’s death. Elsewhere, Sam receives confirmation that Virgin Media rejected his submission. Mo confesses to missing Sam who thought he had cancer. Sam warns him against carrying a backpack as he is a Muslim man. Mo accuses him of ignoring his phone calls for the last three months and pleads with him to talk about it. Sam admits to missing Tracy. Mo says he initially hated her but over time, he began to love her and breaks down sobbing. Patrons in the diner stare at them. Cormac and Dympna arrive with a plant, pretending to be unaware of Sam being there.

At Tracy’s gravesite, Lina complains about how Sam is handling things since her death. Layla assures her that he is doing his best. Lina blames him for Nancy’s odd behavior. Layla admits to feeling bad about not telling him of their plans. Lina says this is about Tracy and criticizes Sam’s many failures.

While Cormac annoying enjoys his milkshake, Sam asks Dympna about her plant. She says it is for Layla who is still wearing a hijab. As Sam announces his departure, she assures him that it is not an intervention. Mo expresses concern for him and the girls. Cormac claims they were worried about Sam being suicidal. Dympna denies the allegation. Cormac accuses them of trying to ambush him for leaving. A short time later, Sam breaks a key off in the lock at his house. Holding up an empty milk jug, Tilly yells at him from across the road. Angry, he retrieves the empty jug and starts across the street when she calls him back to take his trash can. Pulling the trash can across the road, it hits a bump and scatters the contents on the ground. She suggests he is falling apart and orders him to pick up the trash. He slings the trash can around, kicks the trash, and thumps his head with the empty milk jug. She continues to criticize him. Lifting up the trash can, he dumps the contents over his head and breaks down sobbing. Zein comes out to tell him that there is no milk as the episode ends.

 

Faithless Synopsis

So-called inspiring writer, Sam has not one single published piece. After the sudden death of his wife, Tracy, he becomes the sole provider and caretaker of his three daughters. His failings are immediately apparent. Nancy and Layla are supportive of him while Lina is his biggest critic.

Sam drops all contact with his family. Mo arranges an intervention to persuade him to let his family in. On top of everything else, unemployed Zein lands in Sam’s lap.

 

Faithless Review

The series makes light of serious topics like the hijab and Muslims carrying backpacks. The success of the series will depend solely on the viewer’s response. Some may find it enlightening while others find it appalling. The social issues aside, the show isn’t too terrible and can easily produce a laugh.

The cinematography is good. The cast does a great job bringing their characters to life. Even the young Carmen Rose Youssef is enjoyable to watch.

The pilot deserves a 5.8 out of 10. Get more Faithless recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by donating. Learn how advertising with us can help build your brand awareness. Join our newly established forum to discuss the latest TV shows and film releases, crime, and much more.