The Resort: Season 1/ Episode 1 “The Disappointment of Time” [Premiere] – Recap/ Review (with Spoilers)

Two couples, separated by 15 years, find themselves at the potential end of their relationship. However, a murder mystery might be able to save one of them.

Aired (Peacock)	7/28/2022
Created or Developed By	Andy Siara
Director(s)	Ben Sinclair
Writer(s)	Andy Siara
Genre	Crime, Drama, Mystery, Romance, Young Adult
Introduced This Episode
Emma	Cristin Milioti
Noah	William Jackson Harper
Hanna	Debby Ryan
Sam	Skyler Gisondo
Violet	Nina Bloomgarden

This content contains pertinent spoilers.

Summary

The marriage between Emma and Noah and the relationship between Hanna and Sam are on the ropes. After ten years, Emma seems bored of Noah and has seemingly lost herself in staying in that relationship. On the other hand, Sam finds himself the boyfriend who takes Hanna on family vacations while she is screwing her professor.

Neither Emma nor Sam seem ready to pull the trigger, but they are contemplating it. But, unlike Sam, Emma is alive in modern times, and since Sam died under mysterious circumstances, as did a girl named Violet, Emma finding Sam’s phone is a boon. Mind you, not only for her boredom and feeling stagnant, but potentially her marriage as Noah gets invested in the mystery as well.

But, considering this is a 15-year cold case, with most of the evidence washed away in a once-in-a-century storm, and that phone is the only thing connecting Sam, Violet, and who knows what else? Could what has the ability to bring Emma and Noah together lead them to end up like Violet and Sam?

Things To Note

• Unexpected Content Advisory: Cursing (Throughout), Violence (animal with head chopped off), Sexual Content (Dick picture), Miscellaneous (Excessive drinking)

Question(s) Left Unanswered

1. What was with the hotel manager and housekeeper?
2. Why is Hanna cheating on Sam? Does she think he is gay like his dad does?
3. Who was that third body that showed up?
4. Could Sam and Violet simply be missing? Did they maybe kill someone and go on the run?
5. Are Hanna and Sam sharing the same room?

What Could Happen Next

1. The mystery bringing Emma and Noah together and having us peer into how their relationship started to become stale
2. More background on Sam and seeing him flirt and try to date Violet – maybe with her knowing about Hanna, or after Sam makes it clear it is over with Hannah

Review

Highlights

Excellent Casting

When it comes to chemistry between characters, while they may not romantically get you invested, there is no denying each pair, from the two prominent relationships to Sam’s parents, are well cast. Everyone seems to play off each other well, and it is always nice to see Cristin Milioti get to play the comic to someone’s straight man, and at this point, William Jackson Harper has mastered that type of role.

But, outside of those two, there is something interesting about Sam. Not just in how he died, but who he is as a person. With the way “The Resort” is shot, with us often seeing what looks like someone’s eyes, it makes seeing Sam up close and Sam Gisondo having a sad puppy look, make you care about him, and his potential happiness with Violet.

And any show that can get you emotionally invested from episode one is off to a good start in our book.

Wanting To See the Mystery Unfold

So, as of now, Sam appears to be dead, Violet too, and unbeknownst to most, those two knew each other and, at minimum, were texting and hanging out. Also, a third body, which is unrecognizable at this point, died, and because of a storm that happened within days of everyone arriving at the Oceana Vista, there is no evidence beyond Sam’s phone.

This is both a lot and so little. It’s a lot since there is the two weird hotel staff members, a random third body, and with Sam and Violet being noted as missing, per Emma’s search, and their bodies not found, so comes the question of what did they do and why? Yet, there is so little here since the only thing there is to move the story forward is an old flip phone with texts and pictures.

Now, of course, we’ll get information Emma and Noah won’t, but how much beyond their scope is hard to say. Either way, with them being in Cancun, there isn’t a need to hightail it to Mexico, so depending on what went down, you can imagine someone has spent 15 years in hiding and may not appreciate Emma trying to stir up old trouble.

On The Fence

Good Scene Chemistry But Meh Romantic Chemistry

While everyone has a great scene partner, as for your investment in their relationships? Sadly, the romantic chemistry isn’t there. Which may seem appropriate considering Noah and Emma are ten years in, and Emma is considering a divorce. Also, Hanna is clearly cheating on Sam for a reason, possibly beyond sex, thus their lack of romantic chemistry.

But, there is a wonder, in the long term, can anyone find a romantic match? Can Noah and Emma’s relationship heal, or the idea with them is, while romantically not a butterfly-inducing match, as friends, they are solid. Followed by Sam, while having a trash relationship, maybe Violet could renew his faith in love. Never mind shut his dad up with his ignorant comments?

Initial Impression

“The Resort” reminds you of why half-hour shows are so great. They don’t overstay their welcome. They pack so much in that can hook you, and with the cast and mystery written into “The Resort,” it makes keeping a Peacock subscription seem like a good investment. If not a benefit to having Comcast (even if they are the only game in town).

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