The Baldwins Is Grimmer Than You Imagined

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The premiere episode of TLC’s latest reality series, “The Baldwins“, presents an unusually grim and peculiar hour of television, reminiscent of recent memory. Its style and tone seem like a fusion of “The Osbournes” and TLC reality shows from the 2010s, characterized by their intrigue over families with large numbers of children, such as “16 Kids and Counting” and “Jon & Kate Plus 8“. This similarity raises concerns: A quick glance at the history of families on these shows might lead one to believe that participating in one is akin to placing your foot in a chipper.

What’s particularly distressing about the situation with the Baldwins is that it’s not merely about Alec and Hilaria, their seven children, and eight pets sharing a five-bedroom apartment in Manhattan. Nor is it solely about Hilaria’s previous scandal involving cultural appropriation and misrepresentation. Additionally, it encompasses the ongoing manslaughter case against Alec following an incident where he unintentionally discharged a prop gun on the set of the film “Rust,” resulting in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

Is it possible that the show titled “The Baldwins” is merely an ill-advised attempt to win back public empathy, or perhaps even a misguided effort to replicate the formula of previous reality shows like those of the Gosselin and Osbourne families? Indeed, this seems plausible. But then again, the nuances are always important. Could it be that “The Baldwins” is in fact a sensitive portrayal of these intricate issues? Perhaps it’s an introspective examination of the fragility and unpredictability of human life. Or maybe it’s just what it appears to be: an attempt to manipulate public opinion by appearing honest. Let’s scrutinize the pilot episode of “The Baldwins” to see how effectively it carries out its various objectives. Could it be that this show is not as bad as it seems?

The Baldwin family’s home is always bustling with energy due to their seven children and eight pets. They reside in a spacious Manhattan apartment with five bedrooms. Life for them is filled with unpredictable moments, such as kids climbing chandeliers, swinging from doorframes, or popping out of corners like the orphans in Annie. To give us a glimpse of this chaos, the episode begins with shots of their chaotic lifestyle. Expect cats darting around, children shouting, and Alec Baldwin playfully encouraging his toddler to jump while a toddler blissfully ignores him. A child is asked what they’re doing with a bone as another sprints past. It’s all accompanied by lively big-band jazz music, making it fun, frenetic, and familiar. The Baldwins want us to feel connected to their hectic life, so they share it all with us!

To ensure you don’t lose sight of who the focus is on, the camera gets closer to Alec, capturing his expression that speaks volumes – a mix of frustration and empathy, much like a moment from “The Office” sitcom!

The Baldwins have seven children, all of whom are given distinct names except for their youngest, who is simply known as Baby. For instance, Alec exclaims, “No, no, no, Baby, no, no!” and Hilaria playfully refers to the child as a “monster.” There seems to be a possibility that the family has forgotten or confused Baby’s actual name, which is Ilaria, or they may believe that Baby is a supernatural being, such as a ghost/fairy, living among them and draining Alec Baldwin’s energy. Alternatively, this theory suggests that Baby could be an hallucination, similar to the baby from the television show Ally McBeal.

Gathering around the kitchen counter, everyone tries their hand at frosting a colorful birthday cake. However, the bright-pink and blue frosting proves tricky; it slips and slides everywhere, and Baby accidentally pokes holes in the side with a spatula. “This cake was looking fantastic for about 20 seconds,” Alec comments. The birthday child looks at the cake and asks in disbelief, “What on earth happened to my cake?

Alec humorously admits that he dragged Hilaria into his troublesome world, suggesting she may not be as content since they faced challenging circumstances. Following this, there’s a scene with a cake, then an abrupt switch to Alec receiving news about needing to attend a trial. The mood quickly shifts from lightheartedness to gravity as the tragic events surrounding the Rust movie are discussed, including footage of Alec learning about Halyna Hutchins’ death. Despite the show being primarily about their large family, it also delves into Alec’s manslaughter trial, making the portrayal of a woman’s passing within this context… quite somber and distressing.

In a more casual yet eloquent manner, one could say: On The Baldwins, Alec Baldwin comes off as a seasoned gentleman, reminiscent of Methuselah. He’s got a charm that makes him relatable and lovable, despite the signs of his many years showing, such as the bags under his eyes large enough to store golf clubs and the peculiar shape of his hair from naps he might have taken. It’s important to remember that Alec Baldwin is not only energetic in his acting roles but also sweet and gentle off-screen, contrary to any rumors you may have heard about him on The Baldwins. (Just a quick note: the show doesn’t allow for final edits by the Baldwins themselves.)

Taking a moment for grief, yet emphasizing that the Baldwins understand they are not the victims in this situation, Hilaria expresses her feelings about Alec’s pain, stating, “Watching Alec grieve… it doesn’t lessen Halyna’s loss or her son’s sorrow of losing his mother. It tears my heart apart.” Alec adds, “The past year has been incredibly difficult. It was so tough, especially with the children,” and then the focus shifts back to their daughter’s birthday celebration as Alec calls out, “Come here, Sweetheart. Come here, dear,” while Hilaria brings out the birthday cake.

It’s been shared that Alec Baldwin has Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). This is supported by his own actions, such as cleaning the lid of a trash can and organizing toys, and further confirmed by Hilaria’s statement that his condition has worsened since his trial in New Mexico.

Alec and Hilaria take their boys for summer haircuts in New York City. “It’s great to just be outside here,” Hilaria shares, as they stroll across a pedestrian crossing. This quote from Real Housewives could benefit from some additional refinement.

A more relaxed conversation between Alec and Hilaria unfolds, as they find themselves debating a sensitive topic. “Slow down,” Alec advises Hilaria, “You speak English with a Spanish rhythm, which can be tricky for me.” The scene then shifts to the overblown social media uproar surrounding Hilaria’s choice to sometimes present herself as a woman of Spanish origin in public. A series of news headlines are displayed, showing the controversy. “I adore English,” Hilaria explains. “I also cherish Spanish. And when I blend the two languages, it doesn’t make me inauthentic; rather, it makes me ordinary.

In another instance where The Baldwins find themselves embroiled in contentious issues such as cultural appropriation scrutiny or legal trials, the show often revert to its core theme – their large family. One may ponder, why do The Baldwins have so many children? Their eldest, a 10-year-old girl, frequently sports an untidy topknot. Alec can’t help but question her decision to style her hair in that manner. Meanwhile, their pets dart about the scene, occasionally venturing into a small acrylic enclosure to relieve themselves on puppy pads.

Is it not the case that Alec Baldwin has a child from a different marriage, as I recall? However, The Baldwins state otherwise.

Oh dear! The Baldwins’ summer journey to the Hamptons turns out to be quite an adventure! With their numerous children and eight pets, not to mention two nannies, finding enough room in the vehicle can be quite a challenge. And even with a well-planned seating arrangement (as illustrated by Hilaria’s chart), it seems the family members are not always sticking to the plan!

Alec Baldwin, often perceived as the most weary man in existence, resides in the Hamptons and is currently dealing with PTSD. However, it’s important to note that he is not a victim in this situation. Despite appearing visibly affected by his mental health struggles, there’s no need for sympathy. Nevertheless, the distressing events portrayed in this episode warrant some empathy, but not necessarily guilt. Indeed, his tired eyes are a testament to the challenges he faces.

It’s clear that Alec Baldwin deeply cherishes his children, as he confessed during their show. In a somewhat poignant moment, he admitted that they might have had so many kids because they were his source of strength during tough times. However, it appears that the Baldwin children may unknowingly take on more than just their roles as family members, potentially shouldering their parents’ emotions and struggles. Hilaria seems to understand this, expressing gratitude for their children’s presence while acknowledging the importance of ensuring they don’t feel burdened by their roles. As for Baby, who continues to intrigue us, there are speculations that question whether this child is a real-life entity or an extraordinary on-camera illusion.

It’s important not to overlook the fact that Hilaria, who was the focus of an episode called “Along Came Hilaria,” has experienced a challenging year as well. Alec expresses his concern, stating, “Your struggle is weighing heavier on me than my own. I can’t help but think about the impact it’s had on you and how much it hurts you.

But sweet Jesus, there are so many kids? 
Really can’t emphasize it enough.

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2025-02-21 21:56