Unstable — Season 1, Episode 1 Recap

Ellis, our main character in the first episode of Unstable, has been having emotional swings. He'll be sobbing along to a video on YouTube one minute and swaying to the music in his room the next. Ellis promptly reports to work, engaging in idle conversation with his colleagues. After that, he and Sophia, the daughter of one of his workers, have a witty back-and-forth. It is subsequently revealed that Ellis is a pioneer in the biotechnology industry.

Anna, the CFO of the business, is discussing the recent actions with Ellis. Is he okay, she inquires. The next thing she does is tell him he has a board meeting in 15 minutes. We also find out that the business had hired a therapist to check in on him, but that person seems to have vanished without a trace. Anna exits, advising him to arrive on time for their appointment.

Anna walks into Ellis' office while he does not have clothes on and tells him he's late for the meeting. When she inquires about his whereabouts, he replies that he plans to host the upcoming board meeting in the bathhouse. We quickly discover that his beloved wife, Katie passed away a few months ago. This information clarifies his previously puzzling actions. He wants her to depart. He confesses to locking his therapist in the basement, and she assures him that the board meeting will be rescheduled.

Anna departs Ellis' office and shares the news with coworker Malcolm. She requests that he bring his son Jackson from New York to help them rehabilitate Ellis. In the meantime, Jackson is in New York City, instructing a young student on the flute. His conversation with the kid reveals the tension in his relationship with Ellis, who attempts to change him to fit Ellis's ideal.

Jackson accepts Malcolm's supper invitation. During their conversation, Malcolm convinces Jackson to travel to Los Angeles with him so that they can assist Jackson's father in regaining his sanity. After some initial reluctance, he decides to tag along with Malcolm for the next 24 hours after Malcolm explains the gravity of the situation.

Jackson is updated on his father's current projects and the situation when he gets to the office by Anna. In addition, Anna lets Jackson know that Ellis is no longer on the schedule for Tuesdays. Jackson comes across Ellis laboring as a landscaper. Then he makes fun of Jackson's efforts to become a professional flutist. After some debate, Jackson requests Ellis take him to the lab to demonstrate his current work in progress. When Ellis continues to be uncooperative, Jackson leaves, and Ellis soon after. Jackson then goes to the facility with Ellis.

Jackson visits the lab and encounters the scientists, Luna and Ruby, who tell him about his father's new project. Things are going well between Ruby and Jackson, and he even tells her he'll only stay for a day. Ellis quickly afterward asks Jackson to a karaoke session.

Even though he initially said no, he ended up going. Luna and Jackson have reserved personalities, so they decide to wait outside the location and chat while waiting. Ellis and Jackson get into an argument because Ellis is trying to improve but isn't meeting Jackson's standards. When Jackson is about to leave, Ellis tells him how much he loves his late wife. Jackson then shocks his dad by performing at the Karaoke night. After that, Jackson and Ellis open up about Katie's death.

At the end of Unstable, Jackson hears from Anna that his father has locked up his therapist in the cellar. He is understandably taken aback. Ellis says the therapist was blackmailing him, demanding a significant sum of money to keep from reporting negatively on him to the board.

Unstable is now streaming on Netflix.