At the dawn of The Watcher's first episode, the Brannock family traverses the picturesque vistas of Westfield, embarking on a journey to the suburbs, eager to escape the cacophony and commotion of city life. With Dean, Nora, Carter, and Ellie in tow, they approach a potential new home at 657 Boulevard - a place that could be theirs, if only they find it agreeable and within their budget.
Inside the open house, a man with piercing eyes peers down from the second floor, a figure destined to play a crucial role in the unfolding narrative. Meanwhile, an elderly woman dressed in sombre black and sporting pigtails attempts to coax her mentally challenged brother away from a seemingly ancient dumbwaiter, deemed a national treasure by Pearl, the eccentric President of the local Preservation Society.
Nora bumps into an old acquaintance, Karen, the realtor overseeing the sale of the house. Their paths crossed in art school, and Nora is on the verge of a significant breakthrough with a major gallery exhibition. Dean encounters a gentleman with a dapper bowtie as he explores the upstairs, a face that will soon become ingrained in the family's story.
Ellie remains apprehensive about the relocation, but Dean strives to instill optimism. He encounters the neighbors, Mo and Mitch, who seem to be perpetual observers of the property. After Dean and Nora are smitten with the house, they make an offer. However, the challenge lies in financing the purchase. Steve, the banker, raises concerns about the Brannocks' past bankruptcy, warning of credit risks despite Dean's stable income. Undeterred, Dean decides to liquidate their savings, stocks, IRA, and bonds to fund a substantial down payment and reduce the loan amount.
The move commences, with movers arriving and a mysterious figure watching from afar. To brighten Carter's spirits, they acquire a ferret named Sprinkles. Mo and Mitch exchange grievances over the piano being wheeled in. Nora feels a sense of liberation in the new abode, and the couple enjoys a moment of tranquility. Ellie finds a lipstick in the bathroom and applies it, drawing Dean's disapproval. He finds it difficult to cope with her rapid growth and maturity, a recurring theme throughout the series.
Later, strange music emanating from the attic speakers intrigues Ellie, but it abruptly ceases when they investigate. A lingering silence, punctuated by static, hints at something sinister lurking within the house. To Dean's surprise, Jasper appears, delivering the newspaper. And then, the family receives a bizarre letter from an enigmatic sender known only as "The Watcher," its contents read aloud by Ellie with curiosity and trepidation.
It looms as a covert warning, urging them to vacate the premises. This abode holds a profound place in the watcher's heart, a legacy passed down through generations for over a century. Yet, the imminent renovations in the basement and kitchen have sparked discontent. They sense a lack of transparency from the previous owners, as if secrets were withheld during the sale. The letter's mention of the children is even more ominous, suggesting that youthful spirits are being lured by greed into the watcher's grasp.
Unnerved, Nora and Dean approach the police, but Detective Chamberland brushes off their concerns, citing the town's reputation for safety. He views such incidents as fleeting pranks, but Nora insists on a DNA analysis of the letter, which will take a month to process. Chamberland speculates that Jasper may be the culprit, yet he deems him harmless. Nora is jarred by Chamberland's mention of their financial struggles to afford the home; how did he come to know of their struggles?
Dean confronts Mo and Mitchell as they pluck wild arugula from their garden, a ritual they've upheld for almost two decades. But when Dean challenges them, their demeanor abruptly turns hostile. They depart, vowing to keep a watchful eye on the newcomers.
Nora joins the country club, where she finds respite on the tennis courts with Karen. The realtor, too, exhibits odd behavior, probing Nora about her car and suggesting she deserves all the luxuries life can offer. She even suggests selling the house if Nora feels threatened, a suggestion that foreshadows further turmoil. Karen, a divorcee, inherited her home and wealth from her ex-husband, Rick.
When Carter takes Sprinkles for a ride in the dumbwaiter, he's startled to find Jasper inside. Dean's anger boils over, evicting Jasper from their premises. Before the confrontation, Dean even points out Ellie's "bra strap sticking out," an unexpected yet telling detail.
Pearl rushes to explain that the previous owners allowed Jasper to use the dumbwaiter, but Dean issues a stern warning, forbidding his return. In retaliation, he threatens to dismantle the dumbwaiter. His words enrage Pearl, who degrades them as "yuppies" and screams "unneighborly" as she storms off, vowing to keep them under surveillance.
Dakota, a security specialist from Vanguard, arrives to install surveillance cameras and alarms. On his way out, he encounters Ellie, who is taking a dip in the pool. A flirtatious exchange hints at a budding romance. Dean watches from the window, unaware of the outside observer who continues to keep tabs on them.
In the dead of night, Sprinkles escapes his cage and is found dead in the hallway. Chamberland and his team arrive to investigate the bizarre occurrence, while neighbors peek from afar. Chamberland dismisses the ferret's death and increases police patrols in the area. Mo and Mitchell curse when Ellie's piano melodies fill the air. Dakota completes the installation of cameras and alarms, while Nora probes Karen about the other bids for the house, seeking to unravel the mysteries surrounding her.
A second letter arrives, inciting Dean's rage. Its menacing tone, once again focused on the children, fuels his search for the elusive watcher.
