5 things to expect from the ‘I Am Cait’ premiere

The clock reads 4:32 a.m. when Caitlyn Jenner, donning a robe and with somber eyes, appears in the opening shot of the E! network’s upcoming docu-series “I Am Cait.”

It’s just Jenner and the camera -- and her stated mission for the media blitz that began with the much-talked-about Diane Sawyer interview, in which Jenner went public about her transition, and now brings us to this docu-series.

“I don’t want people dying over this,” Jenner says, referring to the community of trans people struggling with navigating societal norms and their true identity.

“What a responsibility I have -- I just hope I get it right,” Jenner says of sharing her story. “I hope I get it right.”

“I Am Cait,” which premieres Sunday, is produced by “Kardashian” artisans Bunim/Murray Productions. The eight-part series follows the 65-year-old, formerly known to the world as Bruce Jenner, as she navigates her life now as a woman. The series is to air in 154 countries and in 24 languages.

The first episode was screened for the media Tuesday afternoon in West Hollywood, and without giving too much away, we thought we’d brief you on what you can expect if/when you tune in.

--The series feels less Kardashian-y in style: Much has been made about whether “I Am Cait” would borrow the same circus-like feel of reality-TV kingpin “Keeping Up with the Kardashians.” But “I Am Cait” is less zany antics and tabloid-winking -- at least now -- and more educational and astute. The camera sometimes focuses on Jenner’s anxious ticks -- like the hand-tapping Caityln does on a chair in anticipation of her mother Esther seeing her as her for the first time.

--Firsts: The show will obviously document a lot of firsts for the newly minted Caitlyn. The premiere spotlights a few of them, including the aforementioned first introduction to her mother and sisters Pam and Lisa, and the unexpected debut she made with daughter Kylie Jenner over, of all things, FaceTime. Even Caitlyn’s first time signing a birthday card is there for us to see.

--Family matters: The bulk of the premiere involves Caitlyn making her introduction to her mother and sisters -- and the varying feelings that materialize from that. Esther, despite her receptiveness and words of encouragement of Caitlyn’s new look, initially struggles with making sense of it all. She bungles using the correct pronouns at times and wrestles with understanding how gender dysphoria goes with or against Bible verses. But it was evident she’s making an effort to understand.

--Paying it forward: As Caitlyn notes at the top of the hour, she hopes to do some public good in telling her story. And the trailer for the series has made it known that Caitlyn will make the rounds at various youth organizations that are havens for trans youth. In the premiere, she visits the family of transgender teen Kyler Prescott, who killed himself earlier this year. Caitlyn sits down with Prescott’s mother to talk over what could have caused him to take his life.

--Kim and Kanye: We know you’re not surprised. But you might not expect Kanye West to serve as comedic relief on the otherwise sincere hour by bestowing the value of not lacing up sneakers. That’s not to say West didn’t get deep: “I think this is one of the strongest things that has happened in our human existence,” he says of Jenner’s public transition.

** honorable mention** Rob Kardashian: The phantom Kardashian family member, who has been MIA in recent seasons of “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” makes an appearance in the first episode of “I Am Cait” -- or, at least, his voice does. Kardashian phones Jenner to congratulate her on her Vanity Fair cover.

I tweet about TV (and other things) here: @villarrealy

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