Ep 3. Baby Constantin

In episode 3 of The Weekly season 1, titled "Baby Constantin," the New York Times delves into the controversial story of a Ukrainian surrogate mother and the American family who commissioned her to carry their child. The episode follows the journey of the baby, named Constantin, from his birth in Ukraine to his eventual arrival in the United States.

The story begins with an introduction to the couple who longed for a child but were unable to conceive naturally. They turned to surrogacy as a solution, and after much research, they found a surrogacy clinic in Ukraine that seemed to offer everything they were looking for. The clinic promised to provide the couple with an excellent surrogate mother and would help with all the logistics of the process.

The surrogate mother, Tamara Demidenko, is a married woman with children of her own. She agrees to carry the American couple's child, but as the pregnancy advances, she begins to have second thoughts about giving the baby away. Despite the fact that she signed a contract and was paid well for her services, Tamara becomes emotionally attached to the child growing inside her.

Meanwhile, the American couple is eagerly looking forward to the arrival of their new baby. They have been working with the surrogacy clinic, paying their fees, and waiting patiently for the birth of their child. As the due date approaches, they make arrangements to travel to Ukraine to be present for the birth and to bring their baby boy home.

The birth of Constantin is a joyous occasion for everyone involved, but it also marks the beginning of a legal battle. Tamara changes her mind about giving up the child and insists that she wants to keep him. The American couple argues that they have paid for Tamara's services and signed a contract for the child. The situation becomes complicated when the Ukrainian government gets involved and begins to investigate the legality of surrogacy in their country.

The episode explores the emotional and ethical issues surrounding surrogacy, as well as the legal complications that can arise. The New York Times reporters follow the case as it plays out in the Ukrainian courts, and they talk to legal experts about the challenges that surrogacy poses for international law.

Throughout the episode, viewers are given insight into the perspectives of all the parties involved in the case. The American couple's desire for a child is understandable, but so is Tamara's attachment to the baby she carried and gave birth to. The surrogacy clinic is also faced with questions about whether they have acted ethically and legally in their dealings with the American couple and Tamara.

In the end, the case reaches a resolution, but not before raising important questions about the morality and legality of surrogacy. The Weekly episode "Baby Constantin" is a thought-provoking exploration of the tensions that can arise in the complex world of surrogacy and international law.