The premiere episode of "Apples Never Fall," entitled "The Delaneys," sets the stage for an intense family saga that delves deeply into the intricate tapestry of the Delaney family dynamics. As Joy Delaney (portrayed by Annette Bening) pedals her bike through the bustling cityscape, the episode swiftly engulfs us in a shroud of foreboding when her bike is discovered shattered and smeared with blood, with apples strewn haphazardly across the pavement. This enigmatic prologue serves as the linchpin for the series' core mystery: the inexplicable disappearance of Joy Delaney.
The narrative unfolds with the Delaney offspring—Amy (Alison Brie), Brooke (Essie Randles), Troy (Jake Lacy), and Logan (Conor Merrigan Turner)—voicing their apprehension over their mother's unprecedented silence. Their initial responses span a spectrum from dismissive indifference to anxiety-ridden concern, illuminating the differing levels of emotional bonds and detachments within their familial fold. The tension thickens as they grapple with the harrowing possibility of their mother's absence, each sibling casting their unique fears and suspicions onto the unfolding scenario.
Flashbacks to the Delaney family's past provide crucial insights, unveiling a close-knit unit reveling in their parents' retirement and the transition of the Delaney Tennis Academy into new hands. These memories are tinged with a nostalgic glow and a sense of pride, yet they also whisper hints of latent tensions simmering beneath the surface. Joy's speech, crediting the academy's success to its students, and her willingness to assist in Brooke's wedding planning, underscore a woman deeply engrossed in nurturing her family's happiness and legacy.
The introduction of Savannah (Georgia Flood) weaves an additional intricate thread into the narrative tapestry, as her arrival at the Delaney abode amidst dire straits prompts Joy to offer her refuge. This compassionate gesture triggers a cascade of events that will ultimately steer towards Joy's disappearance and the family's subsequent disintegration. Savannah's presence emerges as a catalyst, uncovering the deeply embedded secrets and concealed violence that have long festered within the Delaney family.
As the episode unfolds, we are privy to the Delaney family's intricate dynamics, both historical and contemporary, laced with emotional minefields that tread perilously close to the surface. Stan (portrayed by Sam Neill) embodies moodiness, while Joy strives to uphold a fragile semblance of normalcy, a stark contrast to their children's burgeoning suspicions and the detectives' relentless probing into Joy's mysterious disappearance. The detectives' unannounced visit to the Delaney residence serves as a pivotal moment, escalating tensions and deepening the enigma with Stan's evasive responses and the unsettling discovery of his wound.
The episode concludes on a cliffhanger, unfurling a cascade of revelations and unresolved queries. The image of a broken bicycle and scattered apples, Joy's failed bids to connect with her children on the fateful day, and the enigmatic Savannah's seamless integration into the family fold, collectively weave a tangled web of deceit and intrigue. "The Delaneys" signs off on a suspenseful note, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating the next chapter in this gripping, limited series.
In essence, "Apples Never Fall: The Delaneys" masterfully crafts the foundation for a family drama that delves equally into the secrets we harbor and those we reveal. The dance between the past and present, the dual personas of the Delaneys in public and private, and the gradual disintegration of their meticulously crafted masks, promise an exhilarating voyage into the core of a family rift by mystery and suspicion.
