The premiere episode of "Boy Swallows Universe," titled "Boy Smells Rat," dramatically unfolds with a group of assailants forcefully invading Eli's home and abducting his stepfather, Lyle, demanding an item hidden somewhere by Lyle. The narrative then delicately shifts back six weeks, painting a vivid picture of Lyle's preparations for his driving lessons with Slim, a middle-aged ex-convict who once served time for murder. It is through Slim's guidance that Eli is encouraged to pen daily letters to Alex Bermuda, another inmate serving his sentence. Additionally, Slim acts as a babysitter for Eli and his brother Gus whenever their parents, Frankie and Lyle, are absent.
Eli has a brother, Gus, who, inexplicably, has remained mute since he was seven. Educators speculate that this stemmed from a traumatic experience involving their mother's addiction and the abandonment by their biological father, Robert. However, Gus remains tight-lipped, refusing to divulge any details. Despite his silence, Gus is far from mentally impaired, as evidenced by his stellar academic performance.
Eli consistently writes to Alex Bermuda, sharing the intricacies of his daily life and family dynamics. Bermuda, in a gesture of kindness, reciprocates by enlightening Eli on the realities of prison life and offering sage advice on handling bullies. According to Bermuda, there are two approaches to dealing with bullies: accept your fate and steer clear, or confront them head-on. The peril with the latter option lies in its unpredictable outcome, perhaps explaining why Eli chooses not to expose Darren for stealing lab rats from the school. Consequently, Eli bears a harsh punishment from his teacher but maintains his silence.
As the narrative of the series unfolds, we uncover that despite his prolonged incarceration, Lyle remains entwined in the shadowy world of drug trafficking. Eli harbors a deep dislike for this revelation, as it was Lyle who initially led her mother into the perilous embrace of drugs. Though Eli's mother has maintained sobriety for some time, Eli's fears resurface, fearing that her mother might relapse if she continues her association with Lyle.
Gus guides Eli through a clandestine emergency tunnel to the basement of their house, where a mysterious phone call awaits him. The caller, his voice echoing through the receiver, offers Eli three guesses to identify his name. In an unexpected twist, Lyle discovers them in the tunnel, and when Eli confronts him about the crimson telephone, he dismisses it as a mere relic, disconnected and devoid of purpose.
Eli's conviction that Lyle has resumed his illicit dealings grows stronger, prompting her to trail him one night as he slips out of their abode. She witnesses him engaging with a dubious crowd, and amidst them, she encounters Darren, the school bully who subtly hints that the caller might indeed be Ivan Kroll. Darren's mother, Bich Dang, a notorious drug dealer and Lyle's supplier, commends Eli for not betraying her son and vows to consider her for a job on their next encounter.
When Eli confronts Lyle about his return to trafficking, he responds with a poignant plea—he's doing it for the money, to secure a comfortable life for Frankie, Gus, and Eli, where they won't have to scrape for their next meal. Eli, understanding the gravity of Lyle's reasons, even discusses the possibility of selling drugs with Gus, hoping to earn enough to escape their bleak surroundings. However, Gus, as always, remains silent.
As the episode draws to a close, a enigmatic figure camps outside Eli's house, casting a shadow of suspicion over the narrative. Could it be Ivan Krull, lurking in the darkness? Perhaps he was the one behind the cryptic phone call. Whatever the truth may be, the impending episode promises to shed light on these perplexing mysteries.
