The opening chapter of "Based on a True Story" unfolds with the dreaded motif of murder, setting the tone for the entire series. Centering around Ava and Nathan Bartlett, the show offers a whimsical spin on our insatiable appetite for true-crime narratives. Ava, played by the pregnant Kaley Cuoco, is a realtor, while Nathan, once a tennis prodigy, now serves as the Director of Tennis at a neighborhood club, his promising career in junior tennis truncated by a knee injury.
The couple's financial woes have put a damper on their once vibrant marriage, leaving it stagnant and burdened with anxiety. Adding insult to injury, Nathan's job loss and Ava's failed "big sale" — the silver bullet that would have rescued them from their rut — only exacerbate their situation. To top it off, their toilet overflows, and they must embark on a mission to procure a new one. In the midst of this ordeal, Nathan senses Ava's disappointment in him, and a heated argument erupts before they retire to bed. Nathan, seeking respite, ventures out alone to "clear his head."
The following morning, they summon a plumber, Matt, to address the toilet issue. As they chat, Matt reveals his passion for tennis and recognizes Nathan as the fallen star who couldn't quite reach the summit. Despite Matt's efforts to fix the toilet, he discovers a leaking pipe that necessitates a complete replacement of the entire setup — a costly endeavor. Nathan offers a bargain: free tennis lessons, twice a week, in exchange for Matt's services. Soon, Matt is swinging his racket on the court.
After the lesson, Mason, the young coach who usurped Nathan's position, approaches him and mentions a "coach emeritus" role, which incites Nathan's ire. In a fit of anger, he grasps the steel mesh beside him, only to inflict a painful injury on his hand.
Meanwhile, Ava hosts her true-crime enthusiast friends for a wine-fueled discussion on the "West Side Ripper," the murderer who presumably killed the young girl at the show's inception. Her younger sister, Tori, is out on a romantic rendezvous, oblivious to the gloomy conversations about gruesome murders that echo through the living room, as the group sits on their couches, sipping wine, and delving into the dark recesses of humanity.
But that fleeting silence was soon shattered by their chatter once again. As Matt spoke of his failed marriage, Nathan's thoughts wandered to his own troubled situation. He found himself flirting with the bartender, unaware that she was the same girl who would soon be found dead. This was the night before the fateful murder. Ava was stunned when her friends confessed their extramarital affairs, believing it to be commonplace. Matt reluctantly escorted a drunken Nathan home.
Later, Nathan encountered the bartender again, but this time, she lay lifeless, her murder a brutal reality. Was Nathan the culprit? The mystery hung in the air. Ava stumbled upon Chloe Lake's Instagram profile on Nathan's laptop, and next to it, a news report detailing her gruesome death. She grilled Nathan about his whereabouts the previous night, her curiosity piqued by the Westside Ripper, as the media had linked this murder to the infamous serial killer.
Ava, her heart racing, rushed home, finding Matt hard at work with Nathan by his side. She pulled Nathan aside, showing him the news. Police had discovered a pair of blue boots in an alley behind the building, similar to the ones Matt wore for work. Ava suspected Matt, noticing the scratches on his arms that he claimed were from his cat, but Nathan revealed he didn't have one, fueling their suspicions even more.
Nathan recalled Matt's words about relocating from Pomona to LA due to an attack in his building. After further investigation, the fingers pointed squarely at Matt. What would the couple do? They managed to restrain themselves from confronting Matt as he departed. Nathan dialed 911, but Ava swiftly ended the call. She had a plan. She proposed creating a podcast with Nathan, featuring Matt as a guest. His case would gain widespread attention, and they could capitalize on the opportunity.
Nathan pondered Matt's choice if given the ultimatum of jail or a podcast. Though he deemed Ava's simplification flawed, he decided to proceed with her plan. On the deserted beach, Nathan presented his "proposition" to Matt, while Ava watched intently, eager to see Matt's reaction.
