The Undoing is a psychological thriller miniseries that is based on the 2014 novel You Should Have Known by Jean Hanff Korelitz. The series is written and produced by David E. Kelley and directed by Susanne Bier. The series stars Nicole Kidman, Hugh Grant, Noah Jupe, Lily Rabe and others.
The Undoing episode 1 review:
The Undoing episode 1 starts off with Grace Fraser, a successful therapist, who has everything that she wants – a great life, a loving husband and a son who goes to a private school. However, all of that comes tumbling down when an acquaintance mysteriously dies and her husband vanishes.
The Undoing episode 1 is equal parts thrilling and dramatic. First episodes always have a lot of introductions in them where you get to meet the people you’re supposed to be following for the next god-knows how many more episodes. In that respect, The Undoing does a good job; it doesn’t feel boring or overdrawn and delivers exactly the right amount of suspense to keep you guessing.
The mystery aspect of it is delivered one after the other in the last 13 minutes of the show, and before that, you get a look into Grace’s life. Her husband Jonathan is doting, humorous and an oncologist. Her son also seems a good enough young boy. However, you can feel that her life’s too perfect and that something’s going to come down on her soon. And you wouldn’t be wrong in that judgement. That trouble comes in the form of Elena, a new recruit in their fundraising circle, who seems a bit disturbed, and, in Grace’s words, a little sad.
However, Grace is nice to her and understands her problems. They don’t seem to be well-off financially unlike the Fraser family, and Grace is very well aware of their own privilege. So, the question is, what happened to Elena? And does that have anything to do with Jonathan’s sudden disappearance?
The Undoing episode 1 paints all of its characters and their mannerisms clearly. Nicole Kidman as Grace Fraser is clearly the hero we’re supposed to follow. Kidman is someone who hardly ever disappoints, and she is anything other than stellar here. Along with her, we have Hugh Grant, who is charming and dripping with dark humour, and I am left here wondering where you get men like him. He’s loving, funny and is up for some naughty fun during the fundraiser that he so despises.
Also, can I just mention that costume design for the show is absolutely stunning? Grace’s rich, sophisticated lifestyle is so well-portrayed through her dark and jewel-toned wardrobe. Whether it be her going to work or to a party – Grace looks absolutely stunning and Kidman portrays her role such that she knows it.
The Undoing episode 1 essentially reminds us that we might not know the ones who are closest to us. It’s a neat thing that we have seen time and again, but it’s probably the stunning execution of the idea that drives it home. We all want to believe that Jonathan is a nice guy – I mean, the guy treats little kids, for god’s sake! However, in our heart of hearts, we know that something’s very amiss, even if we don’t want to acknowledge it.
The show seems promising, and although the first episode invariable ends on a cliff-hanger, it makes us wonder how Grace will get out of this mess that she probably could’ve (?) seen if she paid enough attention.
The Undoing episode 1 is streaming on Disney+ Hotstar and HBO Max.
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