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'The Undoing' Episode 1: Fans call Nicole Kidman-Hugh Grant show classist, ask 'why are rich White people like this?'

'The Undoing' Episode 1 has left fans wondering if the show will call out class and white privilege that the characters are steeped in at the moment

'The Undoing' Episode 1 is out and it has fans wondering about how the show will tackle the characters steeped in White privilege and the very visible classist outlook that the main characters have in the show. For instance, the entire conflict between Elena Alves (Matilda De Angelis), a mother of a scholarship student, and the other mothers in the School's Auction Fundraising committee come from the absence of understanding of where Elena comes from and how she is very much different from what the others are capable of understanding. 

The one scene where Elena without qualms, bares her breast to feed her baby in front of all of these women is a way for her to show the other woman that she is not uncomfortable amid their talk of 'art and monies' and that she very much belongs with the others in that room, at that table. It is a show of dissent as much as anything can be; however, at this moment, we are not sure why Elena was pushed to make this move. What made her run away from the auction that she had planned in tears, despite Grace Fraser (Nicole Kidman) attempting to comfort her?

Then there is also the conversation that Jonathan Fraser and his wife Grace have at the auction itself about how hypocritic the entire shebang is. While the organizer attempts to get the rich folks to open up their wallets to ensure that the standard of the school that their children go to remains top of the class, she says she also wants to ensure that the teachers are well-paid. Jonathan, of course, calls this statement out (only to his wife of course), of how the very same teachers were not even invited to the party. The schooling of being it White privilege or class privilege is not really a talking point of the show at the moment, but an afterthought, which is why fans wonder if we can expect the show to address this more seriously. 

One fan, who wrote a thread of reactions to the premiere episode wrote, "Why are rich white people like this?? Cringe. #TheUndoing." She also wondered if Nicole Kidman sang the opening theme song for the show and noted, "Hold up. Hold the f**k up. Is that Nicole singing the theme song?? #TheUndoing."

Another viewer commented, "Feels very classist to me. And I genuinely hope #theundoing explores that... Class, and ofc the New York cultural circuit that is clearly heavily based on status- namely race and wealth." This viewer then added, "I hope the other episodes focus on less plot set up and more character development and exploration. Curious how the book differs from the series. But I'm intrigued and entertained -the show gives me lots to discuss."

Another viewer of the show noted how the scene of the women at the auction committee speaking behind the back of the new entrant to the team Elena or for that matter the gossip as all of them gather at the auction event itself is all real. The viewer noted, "I’ve sat on many event committees and sadly discussions like the one in this women’s auction meeting scene do tend to be this bitchy. A real shame how caddy women can be... #TheUndoing."

New episodes of 'The Undoing' will air on Sundays at 9 pm ET on HBO.