Episode 1 of "Ripley" kicks off with an intriguing flashforward to Rome in 1961, where Tom Ripley is seen dragging a lifeless body down a flight of stairs. The real narrative, however, begins six months prior in the bustling city of New York.
Tom Ripley is a small-time con artist, dabbling in petty crimes like crafting bogus receipts. His sights are set on a wealthy individual named Reddington, but his plan is thwarted when the teller becomes suspicious, forcing Tom to flee before he can cash the forged cheque.
Suddenly, an unexpected offer lands on Tom's doorstep. Herbert Greenleaf, a powerful shipping tycoon, extends an invitation to meet. With the looming shadow of an investigator hot on his trail for fraud, Tom decides to hear out Greenleaf.
Through a series of well-placed name-drops, Herbert Greenleaf mistakenly assumes that Tom is acquainted with his rebellious son, Dickie, who is currently frolicking in Italy. Dickie is in Atrani, enjoying the company of his girlfriend Marge, while Greenleaf desperately wants his son to return home and take over the family business. With a generous offer of compensation, Tom agrees to take on the task.
Upon meeting with the Greenleaf family prior to his departure, Herbert casually mentioned his belief that Tom had attended an elite university and that his parents had perished in his infancy. Our Tom, as always, chose to remain silent and play along. He tidied up his dingy apartment and embarked on a stylish journey to Italy. Along the way, he penned a letter to his Aunt Dottie, who, despite her dissatisfaction with him, had dutifully sent him money. In the letter, he liberated her from any further obligation towards him.
Once in Italy, Tom found himself in a foreign land where English was a rarity and everyone seemed to be in a perpetual rush. He spent a long, lonely night at the bus stop, only to be rewarded with a rickety and reckless bus ride along the Riviera. His troubles were far from over as he had to navigate a labyrinth of stairs before finally arriving at Dickie's villa. However, his relief was short-lived as the maid informed him that Dickie was at the beach, forcing Tom to descend the stairs once again. Were those stairs really worth all that money, Tom wondered?
Of course, a trip to the beach meant appropriate attire was necessary. With limited options available, Tom settled for a pair of tiny swimming trunks. Finally, he located Dickie and Marge, who were polite but reserved. They invited him for a swim, but Tom's fear of drowning made the prospect unappealing. The first encounter was a disappointment as Marge observed him closely while Dickie maintained a formal but distant demeanor.
Tom's interest in a Picasso painting prompted Dickie to discuss other artists, but the conversation soon fizzled out. After lunch, Tom was dismissed, feeling frustrated and exhausted from climbing the endless stairs. He checked into a hotel, where from the balcony of his room, he spied Dickie and Marge on their yacht. As Ripley's first episode drew to a close, Tom retreated to the bathroom mirror, practicing his imitation of Dickie's voice, determined to fit into his new world.
