Ep 1. The Undoing

The Undoing is a new psychological thriller/drama series on HBO, starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant. The show is based on a novel, You Should Have Known, by Jean Hanff Korelitz. The story is about a successful therapist, Grace (Nicole Kidman), who tries to balance her work and her personal life while facing unexpected circumstances and a murder trial.

Episode 1, titled "The Undoing," introduces us to Grace, a wealthy therapist living in New York City. Grace lives a seemingly perfect life with her husband, Jonathan (Hugh Grant), and their son, Henry (Noah Jupe). Grace's life is full of wealth, privilege, and luxury.

Grace is preparing for a fundraiser at her son's school, which is being hosted at their home. The fundraiser is to raise money for the school's scholarship program, and Grace is heavily involved in planning it. At the same time, Grace's new patient, Elena Alves (Matilda De Angelis), arrives for her first therapy session. Elena is a young, beautiful artist who appears to be struggling emotionally.

As Grace goes about her day, we see flashbacks of her and Jonathan's seemingly perfect life. However, we also see some hints that suggest things might not be as perfect as they seem. Grace and Jonathan have a few disagreements, and Grace's father, Franklin (Donald Sutherland), appears to have some concerns about Jonathan.

Later that day, Elena visits Grace at her office to talk about her husband, Fernando (Ismael Cruz Cordova), who is also a patient of Grace's. Elena reveals that Fernando has been physically violent towards her and that she fears for her life. Grace offers her support and tells her to leave Fernando.

That night, the fundraiser takes place at Grace and Jonathan's home. The event is a huge success, and everyone seems to be having a great time. However, just as Grace and Jonathan are about to leave the party, they receive some shocking news. Elena has been found murdered, and Jonathan is the prime suspect.

The rest of the episode revolves around the aftermath of Elena's murder. The police begin to investigate, and Jonathan is taken in for questioning. Grace is left to deal with the fallout of the murder investigation, as well as the doubts and questions she now has about her seemingly perfect life with Jonathan.

"The Undoing" sets up a compelling mystery that will keep viewers guessing throughout the series. The episode introduces us to an intriguing cast of characters, all of whom appear to be hiding secrets. The show also beautifully captures the extravagant, privileged lifestyle of New York's elite, and the cracks that lie just beneath the surface. The twists and turns of the episode make for a gripping first installment, and the performances by Kidman and Grant are excellent. Overall, "The Undoing" is a promising start to what looks to be a thrilling series.