"Fool Me Once," an intriguing series, begins with an unsettling flashback to 1996, showing high school students performing a mysterious ritual around a campfire, suggesting a foreboding tone for the series.
The narrative then shifts to the present, focusing on Maya Stern, who is attending the funeral of her husband, Joe Burkett. Amidst the somber service, Maya reminisces about their first meeting at a charity gala, their swift romance, and subsequent marriage.
After the funeral, Maya encounters tensions with her mother-in-law, Judith Berkett, who invited Detective Kierce, in charge of Joe’s unsolved murder case, to the funeral. This act disturbs Maya, raising questions about her relationship with Judith and the police investigation. The plot thickens as we learn of Maya's past losses and struggles, including her sister Claire's recent death and Maya's own military experiences.
Maya's friend Eva gives her a digital picture frame with a hidden nanny camera to watch over her daughter Lily. Despite trusting her nanny Izabella, Maya installs the camera in Lily’s room, unaware of the shocking revelation it will soon uncover.
Back at work, Maya's colleague Shane expresses concern for her well-being. Plans for a small gathering at her house seem like a distraction from her grief. However, Maya's life takes an unexpected turn when she sees footage on the nanny cam of her supposedly deceased husband, Joe, causing her to question her reality.
The tension escalates when Maya confronts Izabella about the footage, leading to a physical altercation and Izabella's abrupt departure with crucial evidence. Detective Kierce’s skepticism about Maya's mental state further complicates matters.
As the episode progresses, various characters' stories intertwine, hinting at deeper connections and hidden secrets. Detective Kierce, grappling with mysterious health issues, partners with young Detective Marty McGregor to investigate Joe's murder and explore potential motives. Meanwhile, Maya's visit to her sister Claire’s widowed husband Eddie exposes unresolved grief and family tensions.
Judith’s phone call with Maya about Joe’s death, coupled with Maya’s inability to contact Izabella, raises more questions about their relationship and possible motives. Maya's confrontation with Izabella leads to a dramatic chase and more conflict with Judith.
The episode concludes with multiple cliffhangers: a strange man at Claire's tombstone, a suspicious football coach, and a cryptic flashback to the 1996 ritual. These elements weave a complex web of mysteries, leaving the audience eager for answers.
"Fool Me Once" episode 1 masterfully sets the stage for a captivating mystery, with each character harboring secrets and uncertainties that draw the viewer deeper into the story. The series promises to be a compelling journey through a maze of lies and truths, leaving us eagerly anticipating the unraveling of these mysteries.
