Episode 1 of "A Nearly Normal Family" kicks off with an edge of unease as Stella fidgets nervously, her fingers unconsciously scratching at a tattoo etched on her arm, amidst a therapist's gentle inquiry. The scene shifts abruptly to a poignant flashback, casting light on a pivotal moment in her adolescence. At 15, fresh from a spirited handball match, Stella indulges in a swim with Robin, her assistant coach, where flirtation blooms into a kiss, but quickly sours. Robin's advances turn menacing, disregarding her pleas to stop, ultimately culminating in a violation that's abruptly disrupted.
Braving the aftermath, Stella confides in her parents, seeking validation and justice. The medical examination, however, becomes a turning point, with the doctor's mid-course reversal planting seeds of doubt. Ulrika, a formidable lawyer, inadvertently fuels the fire, grilling Stella until she begins to question her own narrative, wondering if she had been unequivocal enough with Robin. Adam, her father, a steadfast priest, is resolute in pursuing legal recourse, but Ulrika's pragmatism prevails, fearing the legal battle's inevitable backlash and Stella's potential victimization. Overhearing their conversation, Stella's heart sinks, burdened by a sense of betrayal.
Four years later, the occasion of Stella's 19th birthday arrives, marked by a gift that falls short of her expectations – a moped intended to facilitate her commute. Disappointment lingers as her parents' gift seems oblivious to her true desires, and Adam's reproach for her employment-evading lies only adds insult to injury.
That evening, Stella escapes the suffocating atmosphere, joining her high school confidante, Amina, at a pulsating club. Their evening takes an unexpected turn when Amina's law school acquaintances interrupt, inadvertently revealing Stella's status as a dropout. As Amina gets pulled into academic discussions, Stella finds herself adrift, her boredom leading her to strike up a conversation with a dapperly dressed gentleman, Chris. Embellishing the truth, she feigns a shared destination, and to his amusement, they embark on an impromptu adventure to an art gallery in Copenhagen's vibrant heart.
Chris's charm proves captivating as they traverse the gallery's halls, their bond deepening over shared interests. The night crescendos in a bustling club, where they dance the night away, lost in each other's company. Finally, Chris escorts her home, leaving Stella with a glimmer of hope amidst the shadows of her past.
The present day unfolds six weeks after a tranquil Friday evening, where Adam diligently prepares a familial feast, only to find Stella absent and Ulrika engrossed in her work duties. As he tidies up, he stumbles upon Ulrika's forgotten ID card, prompting incessant concerns over Stella's whereabouts amidst unanswered calls and messages.
The tranquility of the night is shattered at 1:54 AM, as the sound of water cascading in the sauna rouses Adam from his slumber. Stella emerges, her clothing marred by crimson stains, yet she remains eerily aloof to his inquiries.
The following dawn brings forth a heated exchange between mother and daughter, centered around Stella's vanished phone. As Adam ventures out, he notes the ID card's mysterious disappearance. His fleeting attempt at intimacy with Ulrika is swiftly halted by the urgency of their departure. In the sauna's steamy confines, he discovers Stella's phone, a perplexing clue amidst the mounting mysteries.
Their day proceeds with a game of tennis amidst Amina's amicable parents, a respite from the turmoil within their own household. As Adam departs for work, fate leads him to a grim discovery—a murder scene, a stark contrast to the morning's leisurely activities.
Switching perspectives, we delve into Ulrika's nocturnal escapades: a clandestine affair with Mikael, her colleague. Returning home a mere fifty minutes before Stella, her thoughts are a tangled web of deceit and longing. The next morning, she covertly retrieves the ID card, followed by a confrontation with Stella that echoes with resentment and disappointment.
The scene shifts to a brunch gathering with Amina's mother, where Ulrika's envy for Amina's academic achievements shines through, casting a shadow over her own daughter's struggles. Back at their abode, Mikael's call shatters the illusion of normalcy—Stella has been accused of Chris's murder. With steely resolve, Ulrika instructs Mikael to defend her daughter and embarks on a frantic search, ultimately concealing the incriminating bloodstained clothes within her bag.
The relentless knock of the police at the door heralds the arrival of an arrest warrant, swiftly escorting Ulrika to the precinct for questioning. As Episode 1 of "A Nearly Normal Family" draws to a close, Stella's fate is sealed behind bars, leaving the audience to ponder the intricate web of secrets and deceit that binds this family together.
