Episode 1 of "The Better Sister" unfolds with Chloe exiting a lively party, her footsteps echoing her departure as she makes her way to her serene beach house. Upon arrival, she encounters an ominous scene: a vase lying upside down, its contents spilled carelessly across the floor. Her gaze then falls upon her husband, Adam, a figure eternally still, stabbed to death. In a rush of panic, Chloe dials 911, the dispatcher's voice guiding her to flee outside, unaware that a knife now clutches her trembling hand. She stumbles, falling hard onto the gravel driveway, the sharp stones cutting into her skin.
Thirty-six hours prior, Chloe Taylor's life painted a picture of domestic bliss and professional triumph. As the chief editor of "Real Thing," she stood at the helm of her career, until a contentious and politically charged feature sparked a digital inferno. Online trolls unmasked her personal details, unleashing a torrent of hate and death threats, culminating in the receipt of a chilling snuff film DVD.
The narrative shifts to a glitzy gala honoring Chloe, where amidst friends who adore her son, Ethan, whispers circulate about her overworked lawyer husband, Adam. The evening concludes with a party, Adam notably absent, while Ethan spends the night at Kevin's—a small-time dealer in illicit substances whom Adam disapproves of, a sentiment Kevin reciprocates with venom.
Chloe ventures home, her instincts pricking with the sensation of being tailed. She pulls over, allowing the mysterious vehicle to pass, the tension mounting in the ensuing silence. The scene cuts abruptly to the present, where Detectives Nancy and Matt scrutinize Chloe, her gravel-inflicted wounds raising their suspicions. They puzzle over her twenty-minute pause after the car incident, her explanation a vague reference to scrolling through her phone amidst texted pleas to Adam that went unanswered.
Flashbacks reveal Chloe texting Adam in vain, her concern growing. She then reaches for her burner phone, tapping out a message, anxiety evident in every tap. Arriving home, she arms herself with a knife, a precaution against the unseen dangers lurking in the shadows.
Currently, the policemen are delving deep into her past. She has been married for a decade, and although they were high school sweethearts, their history is intertwined with complexities. Furthermore, the detectives find it odd that she didn't activate the home security system after receiving the threats. However, they empathize with her as she ponders whether the murderer intended to target her.
Ethan is utterly devastated by the news. Yet, Nancy observes his subdued reaction and suspects he might have had a hand in Adam's demise. She then proceeds to scrutinize the crime scene and concludes that the killer meticulously staged it. The assailant entered through the office and encountered Adam in the living room, but the scenario doesn't fit the profile of a botched burglary.
As everyone scrambles to address the situation, Chloe discreetly dumps the burner phone at the beach. Her friend Catherine arrives to offer solace, insisting that they must shape the narrative before the media implicates Chloe. In a moment of solitude, Catherine whispers, "Good riddance," to an unseen figure.
As per standard procedure, Ethan's legal guardian must be notified, and the officers are astonished to discover that it's not Chloe but his biological mother, Nicole. The scene shifts to Nicole, swallowing pills while attending to an elderly woman.
Returning to the initial stages of the investigation, Nancy interrogates Ethan, who claims his Gucci shoes and headphones are missing. Additionally, she notices a scratch on his forearm. Meanwhile, Matt requests the DVD. While handing it over, Chloe spots the knife she dropped during her fall and swiftly conceals it in her car. Matt inadvertently reveals that Ethan needs to stay with Nicky, despite his reluctance. Chloe is distressed, stating they never altered the guardianship because Nicky is an addict who might harm herself in retaliation. Adam had even filed a restraining order against her.
Flashbacks unveil a dramatic scene as Nicky, unannounced, crashes young Ethan's birthday celebration. Ethan, struck with fear, witnesses Nicky stirring chaos around him. Amidst the tumult, Adam offers solace to Chloe, who stands stunned to learn that Nicky is none other than her sister. An unexpected twist unfurls as Adam is revealed to be Nicky's former spouse. In a fit of anger, Nicky accuses Chloe of betraying her by sleeping with her ex and stakes her claim on Ethan, declaring him hers.
Present-day, Nicky materializes at Chloe's NYC apartment, having befriended a stranger at the airport for a lift and assistance with her luggage. Initially, she adopts a charming, contrite demeanor, embracing Chloe warmly and inquiring about Ethan. She further asserts her newfound sobriety, marking five years clean.
However, her mask of sweetness soon slips, revealing a possessive streak towards Ethan, who responds with a mix of awkwardness and civility. Nicky's meddling extends to poring over Adam's medication and appropriating his perfume, actions that grate on Chloe. As Chloe attempts to usher Nicky out, the latter reminds her of her legal custody over Ethan, hinting that Chloe would have to leave too if she insisted on Nicky's departure. A bitter spat ensues, with Nicky branding Chloe a control freak.
Elsewhere, the police close in on Kevin, intimidating him until he spills the beans about abandoning Ethan near the beach house while brokering a deal. Autopsy revelations add another layer to the mystery, uncovering Ethan's DNA beneath Adam's fingernails.
The Better Sister Episode 1 concludes with Chloe puffing on a cigarette as she heads indoors. Meanwhile, Nicky, smoking too, keeps a watchful eye on her from afar, the air thick with unresolved tensions and simmering emotions.
