English Teacher (2024) – Season 1 Episode 1 Recap & Review

Episode 1

Episode 1 of English Teacher begins with Evan Marquez’s morning routine before he goes to work — a high school where he teaches English. Over the course of the lunch break, we are introduced to the other teachers: Gwen, Rick, and Mark, the gym teacher. They discuss the new physics teacher who recently joined the school.

In the middle of lunch, Evan is pulled aside by Principal Grant. Apparently, a student’s mother, Linda Harrisson, has made a complaint about Evan kissing his boyfriend (who was also a teacher back then) in front of the student who, by the way, has already graduated. As a result, Evan is being investigated and he must draft a defence statement. Evan knows that the student himself is gay now and thinks Linda blames him for turning her son gay.

Later, Evan speaks with his now ex-boyfriend Malcolm suggests Evan leave the school, like he did. But Evan wants to stay and make change in conservative areas like this. He and Malcolm then end up hooking up.

At night, Evan is working on his ‘statement’ for the investigation when Gwen calls. They talk about how Gwen’s partner Nick, has just lost his job and has dived into DIY meals instead.

A flashback then shows the aforementioned kiss and we see that it was more than just a quick peck. We also see a shot of the student who watched Evan and Malcolm kiss.  

Later at school, Mark is overseeing his book club when the students reveal that they know he’s being investigated. They tell him to use his half-Hispanic, gay identity to get out of the situation. A bunch of identity politics continues and eventually, somebody asks Evan why he’s still here at this job. Evan says he likes watching the kids grow.

After lunch, Mark calls Evan to speak to his students because they want to know about being non-binary. But it all turns out to be a prank they meant to play on Mark, as they wanted to record him saying problematic things.  

Evan then submits his defence statement only to find that Linda Harrison dropped the case. Principal Grant says that Mark spoke to Linda and convinced her to drop the case. The catch? Evan is strictly forbidden from dating faculty.

Evan asks Mark what he said to her. Mark reveals that he threatened to reveal Linda’s son is gay to the members of her elite club and that’s why she dropped the case. Evan gets mad and goes on about ideals and ethics but Mark hits back that he saved his job because Evan is a friend. Evan realises his error and thanks him for it.

Later, Rick introduces Evan to Harry, the new physics teacher. He’s from Louisiana. They make small talk and smile and Harry tells Evan that he likes his shirt at the end of English Teacher Episode 1. Looks like somebody’s in trouble.

The Episode Review

English Teacher Episode 1 is a fabulous pilot. It’s short and quick and sets up this world of high school in a clear-cut way. Despite what Evan might say, there are no binaries here. There’s no black and white or right and wrong. Teachers are flawed humans and students are the same, if slightly more terrifying.

The subject matter is very relevant to where we are in 2024 as a society and it’s interesting to see casual conversations have such a nuanced take on what is generally considered sensitive subjects. And all with a healthy dose of humour and fun.

The episode highlights a bunch of quirky characters who will be the show’s leading force and the incident with Evan’s investigation does well to show us what kind of a person he is. All in all, this sets the tone for a light-hearted and fun series that isn’t afraid to broach difficult subjects.