Season 1 of The Pretender is a season of discovery of the characters and also for the characters of Jarod, Miss Parker, and (to a lesser extent) Sydney. The episodes are well-crafted and filled with action, adventure and comedy. Miss Parker has some of her best one-liners in these episodes. Season 1 is the season to become ensnared in the mythology of the genius child snatched from his parents and brought into a strange world where he can become everything he wants to be but does not know quite who he is, something which he longs to correct. The role of Jarod is played with perfect precision by Michael T. Weiss as if he was born for it. In Season one we also see Miss Parker's character unfolding as the episodes progress and in this role, Andrea Parker brilliantly portrays a strong woman whom you can't help but feel something for, despite what is her true mission, because there are many facets of her character revealed, starting in this season. Patrick Bauchau in the role of Sydney shines a different light on the action, through his psychiatrist's eyes and proves to be another perfect casting choice. Season one begins a journey that charms viewers and hooks them with the characters and the action so that they must return for more.

Season 1 does the worldbuilding, sets up the character and relationships. The series is about Jarod which has the mental capability to impersonate other peoples mindset to near perfection (=Pretender). This make him the ultimate problem solver. He got abducted by an organization as a child which used him for their (often shady) gains and he escaped as a young adult. The series is about him searching for his family and using his ability to help other people while the organization tries to get him back. The series is a bit like The A-Team. Jarod solves the problem of the week with his abilities and continues. The overarching story arcs are the search for his family, the hunt for him and the many shady secrets of the organization. The character interactions are well done. Because Jarod lived in a sort of glided cage he is quixotic and unfamiliar with many thinks. This is well played by his actor. The supporting cast has his caregiver from the organization which cares for him (they are nearly father and son) but can help him only in secret and his female captor which was his childhood friend and her team. Also the bad guys are interesting. There are lot of plots of gaining more influence in the organization, family relations and secrets of the past that I will not spoil. The stories are well told and you feel satisfied when the bad guys get what they deserve (arrested, not killed with 1 exception = also A-Team style). Season 1 deals with Jarod adapting to normal life he has not experienced while he gets closer to his family. It is a bit like Data from TNG discovering things other see as something everyone knows. Even if the episodes have a similar set up those are interesting and enjoyable enough to not get repetitive. Jarod rights many wrongs in a lot of different jobs and situations. I give this season a 9/10 as it is good start.