Episode 1 of "Beef" kicks off with a fiery altercation between Amy and Danny, painting a vivid picture of their conflicting emotions. Danny's day is already clouded with misfortune, as he's fuming over the lost receipts for his pricey purchases from Forsters, rendering his cherished items unreturnable. His mood darkens further when he narrowly escapes a collision in the parking lot, only to be confronted by an obnoxious driver who honks loudly and flips him the bird.
Fed up with the harassment, Danny decides to give chase, igniting a frantic pursuit that ends abruptly when Amy, her truck skidding dangerously close to Danny's, intervenes. Amy retreats to her lavish abode, where we're introduced to her husband, George. Jordana has invited Amy to her new flagship store and for dinner at her house, but Amy is at her breaking point after enduring countless calls and meetings without any offers in the past two years.
Before she can vent her frustration, George interrupts, urging her to focus on the positive and resume their gratitude journals. Their daughter, Junie, completes the picture, while Amy struggles to secure a bid for her plant art store with Forsters.
Danny, who resides with his brother Paul, vents about the altercation, revealing a deeper existential crisis beneath his anger. His parents pressure him to find a suitable Korean bride and settle down, but Danny is distracted by Paul's gambling habits in the crypto world. Danny's family history is fraught with tragedy; they lost their motel due to their cousin Isaac's shady dealings, selling counterfeit baby powder. This forced Danny to embark on a career as a contractor, despite his limitations in handling large, complex projects.
Mia, an employee at Amy's store, Kōyōhaus, shares a mutual admiration for the works of George's father, the renowned artist Haru Nakai. She struggles to maintain a cheery demeanor amidst the demands of her job, including posing for photos with customers. Amy, too, seems to share Danny's mental exhaustion, as their lives are filled with challenges and unfulfilled dreams.
George's mother, Fumi, is critical of Junie's artwork, pushing for a more structured approach despite Junie's anxiety and the solace she finds in painting. The tension between Amy and Fumi is palpable. Danny's encounter with Isaac ends in a tense exchange, but Isaac reluctantly agrees to lend him money. Later, while trimming a tall tree, Danny's luck runs out; startled by honking and the sight of a car resembling Amy's, he nearly falls to his death. His employer, horrified by the spectacle, promptly fires him, leaving Danny dangling precariously from the tree and facing an uncertain future.
Amy and George were forced to endure Jordana Forsters' maddening mushroom rant during dinner. Danny, on the other hand, was intent on buying back the motel using the money Isaac had bestowed upon him. He had cleverly invested the funds through Paul's crypto account, but despite enjoying a profitable day, the coin unexpectedly collapsed.
Jordana finally alleviated Amy's tension by revealing that they were preparing an offer for Kōyōhaus. However, that evening, Amy stumbled upon a video posted online, depicting her and Danny's explosive road rage incident. Frustratingly, the car plates were obscured, leaving her perplexed. Unable to shake off the uneasiness, she struggled to sleep, attempting to pry open George's locker but failing miserably. Suddenly, she heard June's frantic screams, which she managed to soothe. Memories of June's birth flooded her mind, reminding her of the pure joy and peace she once knew. Tears streamed down her face as she longed to return to those simpler days.
Danny, in a moment of despair, attempted to end his life with carbon monoxide but repeatedly faltered, unable to complete the act. Instead, he set his sights on tracking down the number plate.
The following morning, Amy proposed opening the safe, insisting that she knew the combination. George, however, refused to budge. Unbeknownst to Amy, Danny had already discovered their address and was making his way towards them. Just as Danny neared their location, Amy managed to crack open the safe. She toyed with the gun in a seductive manner, feeling a rush of excitement, but her high was abruptly shattered by Danny's arrival. He mentioned a problem with the house, specifically mentioning remodelling, which piqued Amy's interest. She invited him inside, asking him to inspect the roof. Danny also expressed interest in seeing her garage.
As they discussed the issues with the roof and garage, Amy and Danny discovered unexpected similarities between them. However, when Danny inquired about the car, Amy revealed that she drove it and offered to let him use it. Little did she know that Danny had urinated all over it. She chased after him in anger but was unable to catch him. As he fled, she noted his number plate with a sinister smile playing on her lips.
