EPISODIC REVIEW: "The Baby" Episodes 1-3; A Twisted and Funny Look At Motherhood
10/12 ForReel Score | 4/5 Stars
Imagine a baby fell out of the sky and landed in your arms. What would you be thinking? That is how the audience enters HBO’s latest show The Baby. The initial shock immediately hooks the viewer and then to be soothed into relief as it is revealed to be a horror comedy. It’s an adorable little baby, how much trouble can he be?
The story follows Natasha, Michelle de Swarte (The Duchess), an accomplished chef in her mid thirties who’s in search of life’s purpose as her friends begin to settle down and have kids. She has never wanted a child, but this baby has fallen into her lap and become quite attached. No matter her efforts, she can’t seem to rid herself of him. The baby grows into an even larger burden for Natasha as people begin to drop dead around her.
The baby is not depicted traditionally when thinking about a demonic toddler. He doesn’t sprout horns or speak in tongue, just giggles and cries like the run of the mill infant. His wicked abilities are only suggested by his intense stare or slight smirk. The deaths can be obsenley over the top, like being crushed by a giant boulder, but always plausible enough to be ruled an accident.
Co-creators Sian Robins-Grace (Sex Education) and Lucy Gaymer (Fleabag) developed the idea to explore their ambivalence to the idea of becoming parents. The major theme hones in on the standard society deems how you are supposed to love someone versus the reality of how people actually treat one another. Exploring that through the avenues of sisterhood, family, community, and motherhood. Natasha is not an easy person. She is blunt, crass, and slightly self absorbed. Her sister Bobbi, Shvorne Marks (Trigonometry), is more of a bubbly people pleaser. Their personalities are continually at odds with each other.
The baby is the monster of the show, but he’s also just a cute little baby. Production struggled with casting, most parents being uncomfortable with the source material. Luckily through Instagram the team discovered twins Albie and Arthur Hills. They are so captivating and sweet, but also quite villainous. Gaymer was very particular about wanting twins for the role since they were only allotted so many hours per day of filming with the infants.
For added safety, Albie and Arthur were 3D scanned, copied digitally for CGI, as well as replicated as jelly dolls for more dangerous scenes. This helped heighten the level of storytelling by seamlessly replacing a face, body, and controlling certain micromovements. As well as the addition of stand ins, at times there would be up to six or seven babies on set. Natasha was very particular about how she would interact with them since they’re infants and cannot understand the concept of acting. After finishing a scene where she would be annoyed with them she would be extremely playful to balance the emotion.
Bringing another life into this world is not all rainbows and sunshine, it is heavy and scary. The responsibility can destroy your sanity, relationships, and your purpose. The Baby is a compassionate, funny, scary, dark, and enlightening look at motherhood. It will make you laugh and frightened within the same beat. A must see for any young people thinking of taking on the responsibility of parenthood, especially in these trying times.
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Acting and Casting - 2 | Visual Effects and Editing - 1 | Story and Message - 2 | Entertainment Value - 1 | Music Score and Soundtrack - 2 | Reviewer's Preference - 2 | What does this mean?