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Conversations With Friends: Episode 1 Recap

Scene from Conversations With Friends Episode 1 to illustrate recap

Conversations With Friends is a Hulu Original series based on Sally Rooney’s novel of the same name. The story follows two best friends, Frances (Alison Oliver) and Bobbi (Sasha Lane), whose lives changed when they get romantically involved with a married couple, Melissa Baines (Jemima Kirke) and Nick Conway (Joe Alwyn). Read the summary of the Episode 1 down below.

Streaming on Hulu

Conversations With Friends- Episode 1 Summary & Recap

First meeting

The story takes place in Dublin. Frances and Bobbi are two best friends who were previously in a relationship, but still continue to maintain their friendship afterwards. At night, Frances and Bobbi performed a spoken word poem about female empowerment in front of a live audience. After the performance, they met Melissa Baines, a well-known author who praised them for their poem. Melissa soon learnt the nature of Frances and Bobbi’s relationship and that Frances was the author of the poem. Bobbi was quite flirtatious throughout their conversation and ultimately took Melissa’s number when Melissa suggested that the three of them continue the conversation some other time. At night, Frances did a quick internet search on Melissa and found out that she has a husband, Nick Conway who is an actor. Frances sent Nick’s photo over to Bobbi, calling him a “trophy husband”.

Scene from Conversations With Friends Episode 1 to illustrate recap
Bobbi chatted with Melissa after the performance. Photo: Hulu

Meeting Nick

Frances and Bobbi eventually met up with Melissa again, this time to have a swim in the sea before they head back to Melissa’s place. When both Melissa and Bobbi had their quick showers, Frances took this opportunity and explored the house, looking into the study room. Then, Nick returned from walking the dog and he met Frances, and eventually Bobbi. 

The four of them then had some food on the dining table, where Bobbi tried to start a conversation with Nick considering he studied English and French, while Frances studied English. However, Nick’s replies were rather short. Melissa also tried to understand Frances’ point of view regarding the permanence of her writing, but Frances had a difficult time explaining her thoughts. Bobbi eventually had to butt in and tell them that Frances is a communist. Then, Bobbi and Melissa went out to have a smoke where they had a more natural and light-hearted conversation.

With only Frances and Nick on the dining table, they both tried to have a conversation and surprisingly, their conversation flowed better with just the two of them. Nick revealed that he is now in a play called “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” and Frances asked if she could go watch him as she loved the play when she first read it. Wary, Nick asked her if she was just being polite, but the Frances told him she really wanted to go and Nick arranged for the tickets. The two then continue with their more comfortable conversation.

Scene from Conversations With Friends Episode 1 to illustrate recap
Nick having a much more comfortable conversation with Frances. Photo: Hulu

Confession

One day, in the college library, Bobbi told Frances that she thinks that it’s weird that Nick and Melissa are married as Melissa is smart and interesting, while Nick barely opened his mouth. Bobbi also confessed that she has a crush on Melissa, while Frances told Bobbi that she found Nick interesting.

When the day arrived, Frances went to see Nick’s play. She waited for him after the play, but when she saw him greeted by more important people, she left and sent him a text instead, telling him that he was great in the play. Nick replied late that night and asked when she’s performing next, to which Frances teased him if he was being polite.

Scene from Conversations With Friends Episode 1 to illustrate recap
Nick performing in a play. Photo: Hulu

They met again

When Frances and Bobbi were about to perform their next spoken word performance, Frances was anxious as she looked around the crowd for signs of Nick. Although she was initially disappointed not to see him there, Frances was eventually relieved when she saw him coming in with Melissa. After the performance, the four of them had a drink. Frances reiterated that she though Nick was great in his play, but Bobbi confronted him on whether he feel conflicted playing a gay character when he himself is straight. When Nick told her he interpreted the character as bisexual, Bobbi called him out for making bisexuality sound like a pit stop towards coming out as gay. She even revealed that Frances is bisexual and might feel offended by that. 

After the intense conversation, Bobbi brushed it off in a casual way before proceeding to lead Melissa elsewhere to introduce her to her other friend, Phillip. Again, Nick and Frances were left alone together. This time, Nick took this opportunity to apologize for being late and told Frances that he really liked her performance. Frances got very shy as Nick said that he did not know how to articulate his feelings and will instead write her an email full of compliments. The two enjoyed each other’s company.

Scene from Conversations With Friends Episode 1 to illustrate recap
Frances blushed after receiving compliments from Nick. Photo: Hulu

Additional Observations From Episode 1

  • Nick and Melissa had been in Dublin for six years.
  • Bobbi moved to Dublin from New York.
  • When Frances experienced horrible period pain, Bobbi helped Frances with painkillers and stayed the night.

More recaps from Conversations With Friends

Conversations With Friends- Episode 2 Recap

Conversations With Friends- Episode 3 Recap

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