Episode 1 of Hollywood begins in a post-World War II world with Hollywood itself bursting into life. Jack arrives at Ace Studios fresh from the war, eager to make an impression and get on the big screen.

When he misses the cut for the extras on a mainstream picture, he tries to persuade the lady in charge to give him a shot but she’s having none of it; the first of many rejections in Tinseltown for our plucky protagonist.

Hollywood is not going to be a show for everyone. Much like the gates at Ace Studios during this opening episode, only a select crowd will enjoy this and if you’re not in the demographic this is clearly shooting for, Hollywood is likely to give the illusion of it being pretentious, preachy and self-righteous.

It’s a shame too because this opening episode looks absolutely stunning and already has some tried and tested (but effective nonetheless) ideas about the glitzy facade of Hollywood peeling away to show something far darker lurking in the shadows.

Jack heads to the bank with his wife and tries to get a loan but thanks to Jack’s choice of career, and a lack of work and money coming in, they’re rejected. After a string of rejections at the studio lot, Jack’s offered a job by Ernie at a local Gas Station that’s actually a front for offering more than gas. Although reluctant at first to indulge in sex work, when he finds out how much is paid he decides to take the dive and begins this line of work.

He takes a mature woman back to a hotel where they have a meaningful conversation about her desire to be loved and presented to the world with far more to give. By comparison, Jack tells her about the impact movies have had on him.

After a touching conversation, he sleeps with the lady and heads back to the gas station for his pay cheque. Once there Ernie offers him another job – this time pleasuring national treasure Cole Porter. This is where Jack draws the line there though and he refuses to do this and quits.