One of the details I’ve struggled to properly discuss on this show is its relationship with support staff. I’ve made a joke here or there about how the women on the show treat their maids and nannies like background ornaments, but for the most part, I have chosen to let viewers indulge in the fantasy of the bizarre life of these expats. In reality, however, I share a lot more with the support staff than the housewives.
I grew up with a mother who put food on the table by cleaning houses in downtown New York City for years, and I have been one of those background figures in a wealthy person’s life more than a few times. This is all to say that I find it discomforting that the first time any of the maids, nannies, or assistants are really discussed at all is in a criminal proceeding. What Sara has seemingly gone through is horrific — she returned from her Bali trip to discover that a maid was intentionally obscuring cameras and inviting strangers to her house, seemingly with plans to traffic or kidnap her child.
I have no issue with her taking that issue to the proper authorities and protecting her child as needed. As she told the story, I was shocked and appalled right along with the cast, and I hope her sweet son doesn’t take too long to recover from whatever trauma he may have experienced. I would be remiss if I didn’t point out my issues with the conversation that followed.
Much of it was situated around “not knowing who you can trust in your home” and how, .