The series is set in Ocean Beach, San Diego and focuses on ex-cop and recovering alcoholic Hank Dolworth (Donal Logue) and his best friend, former criminal Britt Pollack (Michael Raymond-James), who both decide to open an unlicensed private investigation business.
In the episode, Hank needs money to pay for his mortgage and accepts a case where a man accuses his wife of infidelity.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 0.568 million household viewers and gained a 0.2/1 ratings share among adults aged 18–49.
Struggling to find a bank to approve a loan for his mortgage, Hank is approached by Armand Foster (Shawn Doyle), the head of the latest lending company he meets with.
When Britt returns home to Katie (Laura Allen), he finds an old friend from his burglary days, Ray (Maximiliano Hernández), is visiting.
She explains that Armand, who her psychiatry patient before she fell for him, is demanding she cheat on him as the humiliation excites him; so far, she has just lied to placate him.
Hank finds his suicide note, which reads “I only meant to hurt myself.” Using Armand’s papers, he forges the missing signature and leaves his office.
Hank visits Miriam at her house and tells her she can't feel guilty for her husband's death.
Club gave the episode an "A−" grade and wrote, "Carrying the theme of change and recidivism even further, 'Change Partners' delivers a huge chunk of the Britt and Hank origin story (something that, after last week's tease, I'd assumed would be trickling out over the rest of the season).
"[3] Alan Sepinwall of HitFix wrote, "Just a fantastic episode, and I'm hopeful the show's creative bonafides will convince FX to consider a second season in spite of some very bad ratings thus far.
"[5] Cory Barker of TV Overmind wrote, "'Change Partners' is not only an informative episode because of its revelations about Britt's past or how dirty Hank can get, but also a highly intense story that starts off goofy but quickly turns bleak.