The Baldwins Season 1 Episode 1

The Baldwins is an American reality television series that premiered on TLC on February 23, 2025. It stars Alec Baldwin, Hilaria Baldwin, and their seven children: Carmen Gabriela (10), Rafael Thomas (8), Leonardo Ángel Charles (7), Romeo Alejandro David (5), Eduardo “Edu” Pao Lucas (3), María Lucía Victoria (3), and Ilaria Catalina Irena (19 months). Alec also has a daughter, Ireland (28), from his previous marriage to Kim Basinger.

The series, set in the aftermath of the 2021 Rust shooting incident, aims to provide an unfiltered look into the Baldwin family’s chaotic life in their Manhattan apartment and East Hampton summer home. Episode 1, titled “Along Came Hilaria,” introduces the family dynamics, addresses the Rust tragedy, and sets the tone for the season, while raising questions about the show’s intent and future trajectory.

The episode opens with a frenetic depiction of the Baldwin family’s life in their five-bedroom Manhattan apartment, filled with seven children and eight pets (four dogs and four cats). The scene is underscored by big-band jazz music, emphasizing the chaotic yet curated energy. Shots of kids screaming, climbing, and running, paired with Alec’s exasperated direct-to-camera glances, aim to portray a relatable, if overwhelming, family dynamic. Hilaria is shown attempting to manage the chaos. She is notably saying “wait, wait, wait” repeatedly, highlighting her struggle to maintain control. The episode also features a birthday celebration for Rafael, with scenes of frosting a cake and singing. The focus remains on the disorder.

A significant portion of the episode addresses the 2021 Rust shooting, where Alec, as a producer and actor, was involved in the accidental death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. The show includes footage of Alec learning of Hutchins’ death. This decision critics have called tasteless and exploitative. Hilaria mentions Hutchins’ son and acknowledges that their pain cannot compare to the bereaved family’s pain. The focus quickly shifts to Alec’s emotional toll, including his diagnosis of PTSD and struggles with OCD. Alec expresses being “happier asleep than awake” and credits his family for helping him cope. He omits mention of his daughter, Ireland, which drew viewer criticism. This narrative frames Alec as a sympathetic figure, but the inclusion of such sensitive footage risks alienating audiences.

Hilaria, born Hillary Lynn Hayward-Thomas, is presented as the emotional anchor of the family. Her past controversy of misrepresenting herself as Spanish is briefly acknowledged. The episode references her “cucumber fame,” where she claimed to forget the English word for cucumber. This is tied to her fabricated Spanish persona. While she now speaks with an American accent, the show does not delve deeply into this scandal. However, it may resurface as a point of contention in future episodes. Hilaria’s interactions with the children (often in a scolding tone) and her focus on Alec’s suffering show her as both a caretaker and a polarizing figure.

The episode highlights the children’s rambunctious behavior. For instance, one child eating two lollipops at once and another telling their parents they “suck at driving.” The presence of two nannies is briefly mentioned. This addresses the practicalities of raising seven children. But also, it reinforces perceptions of privilege. Critics have described the children’s behavior as “out of control” or “unhinged.” This leads to viewers and others raising concerns and talking about the ethics of the children’s exposure to cameras. A notable moment includes Carmen (age 10) wearing heavy makeup and cropped clothing. This sparked a lot of viewer discourse about whether it was appropriate or not. These elements may fuel ongoing debates about the Baldwins’ parenting choices.

The episode transitions to the family’s summer relocation to East Hampton. It showcased the logistical challenge of transporting seven children and eight pets. Scenes of beach trips and haircuts for the boys aim for lightheartedness but are overshadowed by the looming Rust trial. Alec references the trial as a source of stress. This move sets up a dual setting for the season. It contrasted urban chaos with suburban excess, and hints at future episodes focusing on the trial’s impact.

The premiere received overwhelmingly negative reviews. Critics labeled it “strange,” “inauthentic,” and “dreadful.” Variety described it as “being trapped on a vacation with someone else’s family,” while The Guardian called it “a new low for television,” criticizing its handling of the Rust tragedy as exploitative. On Reddit’s r/HilariaBaldwin, viewers expressed outrage. They called the show a “PR spin” to rehabilitate Alec’s image post-trial. The children’s exposure and Hilaria’s past cultural appropriation were also points of contention. However, others admitted to being drawn to the “trainwreck” appeal, suggesting a niche audience for hate-watching.

The episode’s heavy focus on the Rust tragedy has already sparked significant backlash. This could lead to declining viewership if audiences find the approach exploitative. The show continues to address the trial in subsequent episodes (e.g., Episode 2, “It’s Really Complicated,” delves deeper into the family’s suffering). However, the “trainwreck” allure may retain a small, dedicated audience, potentially sustaining the show through controversy. The negative critical reception may also prompt TLC to adjust future episodes to focus more on family antics and less on the trial.

The prominent featuring of the Baldwin children, particularly their unfiltered behavior and Carmen’s appearance, has raised ethical questions about their exposure to public scrutiny. Social media discussions, particularly on Reddit, suggest viewers are uncomfortable with the children being used as part of an apparent image-rehabilitation strategy. This could lead to increased criticism in future episodes. It could potentially force the Baldwins to limit their children’s screen time or address parenting critiques directly. Child welfare advocates may also weigh in, impacting the show’s production or public perception.

The show appears to be designed to restore Alec’s public image following the Rust incident. This is shown in Episode 1 by emphasizing his emotional struggles and family devotion. By Episode 8, Alec is noted to be returning to Saturday Night Live and has five projects in production. This suggests the show may succeed in reintroducing him to Hollywood. However, the overt focus on his victimhood risks alienating audiences who feel the show minimizes Hutchins’ death. Future episodes, including therapy sessions and appearances by figures like Caroline Rhea and Ireland Baldwin, may attempt to balance this narrative. The failure to address public skepticism could undermine Alec’s comeback.

Hilaria’s brief acknowledgment of her “cucumber” scandal in Episode 1 may not satisfy critics. Future episodes could face pressure to address this more directly, particularly as Hilaria’s role as the family’s “anchor” is central to the show. Her book project may also draw scrutiny if it’s perceived as capitalizing on the show’s platform.

TLC’s decision to greenlight the show after a competitive bidding war in 2024 reflects confidence in its potential. The network’s chief creative officer, Howard Lee, stated the Baldwins “needed this show,” suggesting a strategic investment in their story. However, the poor critical response and viewer pushback could jeopardize a second season unless ratings improve. The show’s ability to pivot toward lighter, family-focused content (e.g., dentist trips, pet mishaps) in later episodes may determine its longevity.

Episode 1 of The Baldwins sets a controversial tone by blending chaotic family life with the heavy shadow of the Rust shooting. It aims to humanize Alec and Hilaria while showcasing their parenting challenges. The storylines establish a narrative that critics argue prioritizes image rehabilitation over authenticity. The episode’s reception highlights significant risks for the show’s future. While the show’s “trainwreck” appeal may retain some viewers, its long-term success depends on addressing these criticisms and shifting focus to less contentious content in the remaining seven episodes.