The opening scenes of The Get Down paint a violent, decrepit portrait of the South Bronx in the spring of 1977, which is also the backdrop for a teenage love story. Zeke is a high school student living with his aunt and boyfriend. In spite of his apparent creative talents in the classroom, Zeke fails to apply himself out of pride.
Mylene is an aspiring singer whose goals are shunned by overtly religious father Giancarlo Esposito, who is genuinely frightening. He forbids her from attending the local disco club, expecting his daughter to be turned out like a prostitute.
When Zeke overhears Mylene's plan to go to the disco one day at school, he plans to surprise her on the dance floor with a favorite record. Things seem to go according to plan until local politics get in the way of Zeke's intentions, and he is turned away at the door.
He meets Puma-clad Shaolin Fantastic, the mysterious Samurai-like presence who appears at the least expected. Fantastic happens to want the same record Zeke has stolen for Mylene, and they make a deal outside of the disco so that Zeke can get into the club.
Inside the disco club we get candid, eye-filling arrays of butterfly collars, cocaine, and guns. Plentiful disco music and dancing. When gang violence breaks outZeke escorts Mylene to safety, where he is treated to a hurtful rejection. But what starts as a conclusive letdown brings us to a satisfying ending at the Get Down, a secret hip hop party.
The drama flows, as do the bell bottoms. Just when you think there's enough another layer of plot comes out of the woodwork to introduce itself. An excellent first episode with stellar performances all around.