It’s weird to think about now, but when the CW announced they were rebooting a 1970s show originally famous for casting a white man in an Asian role, the internet was skeptical. Honestly, people were bracing for a train wreck. But then Kung Fu season 1 episode 1 dropped on April 7, 2021, and it didn't just survive—it thrived. It pulled in the network's best Wednesday viewership in seven years.
The pilot, titled "Pilot" (creative, I know), introduces us to Nicky Shen, played by Olivia Liang. She’s a law school dropout who runs away to a monastery in China. Why? Because her life in San Francisco felt like a pressure cooker. But after three years of training, her mentor is murdered, and Nicky has to head back home. It's a lot.
What Really Happens in Kung Fu Season 1 Episode 1
Most people expect a martial arts show to be all flying kicks and no talking. This episode flips that. We start in the Yunnan Province of China. Nicky has been living at an all-female Shaolin monastery. Her mentor, Pei-Ling (Vanessa Kai), isn't just a teacher; she’s basically the mother figure Nicky needed to escape her real mother’s expectations.
Then things go south. Fast.
A group of raiders led by a woman named Zhilan (Yvonne Chapman) attacks the monastery. They aren't there for the scenery. They want an ancient sword. Zhilan kills Pei-Ling right in front of Nicky. It’s brutal. This isn't just a "fight of the week" setup; it's the foundation for a multi-season blood feud. Nicky tries to fight back, but she’s outmatched. She gets kicked off a ledge, survives (because, TV), and realizes she has to go home to San Francisco.
The transition is jarring. One minute she’s in a peaceful temple, the next she’s in the middle of Chinatown, facing her family who thinks she’s been in a "backpacking trip gone wrong" for three years. Her mom, Mei-Li, is cold. Her dad, Jin, is just happy she’s alive. Her siblings, Althea and Ryan, are somewhere in the middle. It's messy. It's real.
The Dynamics You Might Have Missed
The heart of Kung Fu season 1 episode 1 isn't actually the sword. It’s the dinner table.
If you grew up in a household with high expectations, that first dinner scene hits different. The tension between Nicky and her mother is thick enough to cut with a broadsword. Mei-Li (Kheng Hua Tan) represents that classic trope of the overbearing parent, but the writing gives her layers. She isn't just mean; she's disappointed and scared.
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While Nicky is trying to process her trauma, she gets pulled into a local problem. Her father’s restaurant is being squeezed by a local gang led by a guy named Tony. This is where the "superhero" element of the show starts to peek through. Nicky uses her Shaolin training to protect the neighborhood. It’s low-stakes compared to an ancient magical sword, but it makes her relatable. She’s not just a warrior; she’s a daughter trying to fix her family’s problems.
Why the Action Scenes in the Pilot Matter
We have to talk about the fight choreography. Usually, TV pilots have a massive budget that drops off by episode three. In this episode, the fights feel rhythmic.
The battle at the monastery uses a lot of "wire-fu," which pays homage to the original 70s show and classic Hong Kong cinema. However, the fight in the San Francisco alleyway is grittier. It’s grounded. You see Nicky using her environment. She isn't just punching; she’s redirecting energy.
The show’s stunt coordinator, Algot Enqvist, clearly wanted to differentiate Nicky’s style from her enemies. Zhilan fights with a cold, calculated precision. Nicky fights with a sense of urgency. It’s storytelling through movement. If you watch closely, Nicky’s footwork in the finale of the episode is still a bit shaky—showing she’s still a student, not a master yet.
Breaking Down the Ancient Sword Mythos
In the final act of Kung Fu season 1 episode 1, we learn about the Eight Weapons. These are mythical artifacts that, when brought together, grant immense power.
- The Sword of Liang Daiyu is the one Zhilan stole.
- The weapons are tied to the bloodlines of specific families.
- Nicky discovers she has a connection to this history that she never knew about.
This adds a "Da Vinci Code" layer to the show. It’s not just about stopping a gang; it’s about a secret history of ancient China that has followed Nicky to California. Henry Yan (Eddie Liu), a guy Nicky meets at the library (who happens to be a martial arts history nerd), becomes her guide. Their chemistry is immediate, but it’s mostly there to serve the plot's need for exposition.
The Cultural Impact Nobody Talks About
The 2021 reboot was a massive deal for representation. Aside from Warrior on Max, there weren't many places on TV where you could see an almost entirely Asian American cast in a mainstream action drama.
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It dealt with gentrification in San Francisco's Chinatown. It showed the struggle of small business owners. It touched on the "model minority" myth through Nicky’s siblings—one is a doctor (Ryan) and the other is a tech-savvy socialite (Althea).
The pilot doesn't preach. It just exists in that world. When Nicky walks through the streets, the signs are in Cantonese. The food is authentic. The arguments feel like arguments people actually have. This authenticity is why the show resonated beyond just the "kung fu" crowd.
Was the Pilot Actually Good?
Kinda. It’s a CW show, so it has some of that glossy, teen-drama sheen. The dialogue can be a bit on the nose sometimes. But the performances elevate it. Tzi Ma and Kheng Hua Tan as the parents are the secret weapons of the series. They bring a level of gravitas that makes the supernatural elements feel more believable.
If you’re coming for John Wick levels of violence, you’ll be disappointed. This is a family drama wrapped in a martial arts mystery. The pacing is fast—maybe too fast. We go from a murder in China to a wedding preparation in San Francisco in about fifteen minutes. It’s a lot to digest.
Key Takeaways from the Kung Fu Premiere
The episode ends with a cliffhanger. Nicky realizes she can't just go back to law school. She has to find Zhilan and avenge Pei-Ling. But she also has to protect her community.
The duality of her life is the central theme. She is an American girl and a Shaolin warrior. She is a rebel and a daughter.
What to watch for if you’re rewatching:
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- The specific burn mark on the floor of the monastery. It’s a clue for later.
- The way Mei-Li looks at Nicky’s scars. There’s a moment of unspoken grief there.
- The music. The soundtrack blends traditional Chinese instruments with modern pop, which mirrors Nicky’s identity.
Moving Forward with the Series
If you’ve just finished Kung Fu season 1 episode 1, the next logical step is to track the progression of the "Eight Weapons" lore. It gets complicated quickly.
Don't ignore the side plots with Althea. While the "hacking" scenes are a bit cliché, her character arc regarding her past trauma is actually one of the most well-written parts of the first season.
To get the most out of the show, pay attention to the flashback sequences in episode two and three. They provide the context for why Pei-Ling chose Nicky in the first place. It wasn't an accident.
Actionable Insight for Fans:
If you're interested in the actual history behind the show, look into the legend of the Southern Shaolin Monastery. While the show takes many liberties for the sake of drama, the concept of "warrior monks" and the burning of the temple is rooted in real Chinese folklore and historical accounts from the Qing Dynasty. Understanding the real-world history of the Five Elders makes the rivalry between Nicky and Zhilan much more interesting.
The pilot sets a high bar for the rest of the season. It balances the "case of the week" with an overarching mythological mystery. Most importantly, it gives Nicky a reason to fight that isn't just about "good vs. evil," but about family and belonging.
Next Steps for Your Binge Watch:
Keep an eye on the character of Henry. He’s more than just a love interest; his knowledge of the "Long Zun" and ancient artifacts becomes the backbone of the entire season's mystery. If you want to dive deeper, compare the fight styles of the main cast—they each studied specific disciplines to give their characters a unique "fingerprint" in combat.