The Cry Episode 1 Recap

As the episode begins, Joanna (Jenna Coleman) steps outside and is surrounded by journalists. They ask if she did it. She passes by several times over a period of time. Then, she speaks about her experience and everyone judging her. She explains that there are two faces and two Joannas. After the intro, Joanna arrives at the courthouse. The crowd chats Justice for Noah. In a flashback, Alistair (Ewen Leslie) wakes Jo and asks her to check on the baby. When he gets up in the morning, he finds them sleeping on the couch together. He wakes Jo and tells her to go to bed. She does as Alistair leaves.

At work, Alistair is questioned by Henry McCallum (David Elliot) and other journalists. He is asked about one of the party members being dishonest. Henry continues to harass Alistair as his phone rings. It is a call from Jo, who insists she is at the end of her tether. Jo is not happy that Alistair will not come home. Once the call ends, Noah continues crying. In a flashback, we see Jo as a school teacher. Alistair visits the class and meets Jo for the first time. Back in the present, Jo finally gets the baby down. She decides to watch television. The baby cries. Jo turns the television volume up louder.

Then, we see Jo being booked into the local jail. Alistair speaks to his colleague about his speech. Alistair gives him pointers. They speak about the man’s daughter. Alistair insists that what happened could have happened to anyone. With four weeks until the charges are made public, Alistair has a strategy. He insists that they’ll set the agenda and shape the story the way they want to. Alistair returns home that night. The baby is on the floor. Joanna is in bed. Jo is asked about the passports. She promises to get them tomorrow. Jo speaks about the other mothers she sees and how she admires them.

In the past, we see how their relationship developed. Later, Alistair tells Jo about Alexandra (Asher Keddie) taking his daughter Chloe from him. Then, Joanna speaks with a court appointed psychiatrist. She wants to know about Noah’s birth. Jo admits that it was a happy time. Back in the past, Jo runs into Jane from the mother’s group. Jo pretends that everything is fine. She explains that she has been busy. Then, Jo receives a call from Alexandra. They chat about their upcoming meeting. Alex admits she doesn’t have the money to fight Alistair in court, but she doesn’t want to give up her daughter. Alex explains that she took Chloe because she is a mother.

She asks Jo if she could imagine having her daughter taken form her. In the past, Jo tells her friend all about Alistair. Jo says goodbye to her friend as she prepares to travel to Australia. Chloe catches Jo and Alistair making out. Alexandra enters as well. Later, we see Alistair bathe the baby. Jo watches. Jo complains to her friend as she prepares for the flight. That same friend is questioned in court about Jo’s behavior on that day. She explains that Jo seemed happy to be visiting Australia. The woman explains that Jo was amazing at handling the pressure of a new baby.

On the plane, the baby begins to cry. Another passenger tells Jo to try feeding him. In another flashback, Jo finds Alistair crying. It is the day that Alexandra took Chloe to Australia. An air hostess (Kim Adis) checks on Joanna and Noah. Joanna learns that there have been complaints against them. Another a smart comment from another person, Jo lashes out at others. The psychiatrist shows Jo copies of the postnatal screening questions. She admits to lying on the questionnaire about coping well with the baby. She confirms that she often feels like she wants to escape.

Back on the plane, Alistair begins caring for the baby. Jo tells the psychiatrist about her mother dying when she was 15. Another passenger takes the baby for a bit. She gives it back and the baby cries again. Jo finally wakes up as the plane lands in Australia. Alexandra researches Joanna online. Then, she speaks with Chloe. They speak about Chloe’s problems at school. Alistair tells Jo that he didn’t think he would get caught when he took Jo home. We jump back and watch the birth of Noah. Alexandra drops off Chloe. Alexandra tells the nan about Alistair wanting custody of Chloe.

Alistair tells Jo that he believes he deserves time with Chloe. He also doesn’t believe that Alexandra is up to the task. Alexandra buys a shovel, gloves and soil. Alex visits a house and calls out for someone. She goes inside. She runs into the maid. Joanna arrives at the same house. It is now an active crime scene. Alistair calls his father and tells him that they’re a couple hours away. Alex agrees to let Chloe stay the night with Nana. Jo and Alistair are introduced to the maid. Jo gets sick and rushes outside. In court, the maid tells everyone about preparing the cabin for their visit.

One night, Alistair goes into a store. Jo waits outside. She joins him inside. The baby is supposedly sleeping outside. In the present, Jo insists there are few things that could be worse than what happened to her. She tells the psychiatrist that there are none. Alex visits a store as a police car rushes by. Jo explains that two faces began when it happened to Noah. The psychiatrist speaks in court. She confirms that she believes Jo is of sound mind. Alistair finds that Noah is gone. Jo seems surprised. The police are called immediately. Alistair looks all over. Jo seems stunned at first. She eventually begins helping. Makeup is applied to Jo’s face.

Jo and Alistair speak on television about Noah. Jo tells the psychiatrist that the interview is when the freakshow began.

 

The Cry Review

Boy, The Cry has everything going for it. The story could be fascinating. The actors and actresses are fabulous. It is really hard to have a bad show with these actors and actresses. Sadly, the opener was very disappointing. I wholeheartedly agree with the others. The flashbacks and time jumps were over the top. I am hoping it stops that nonsense from here on out. If it does, the show could get really good. Until then, this episode scores a low 6.5 out of 10.