What I’m Watching: Liar

Liar: Season 1, Episode 5 “Checkmate” (B)

I’m still puzzled a bit by the focus of this show, but this episode took things to an irreversible place where both Laura and Vanessa are certain that Andrew raped them and he isn’t doing much to deny it, only to suggest that they’re not going to be able to prove it. Fortunately, Rory didn’t hesitate when Vanessa told him what she suspected, and so hopefully he’ll prove to be just the ally they need when it comes time to try to nail Andrew for his crimes. Laura finding out about Tom and Katy led to a huge blowout for all parties involved, and watching Laura react was particularly harrowing since this is the opposite of what she needs right now, and she’s lost her number one confidante. As soon as she showed up to the bar where Andrew was, I thought to myself that they really shouldn’t be meeting like this. For her to suggest that he give her a ride home was crazy, but not as much as injecting him with the GHB so that she could bring him to a remote location and tie him up. She did make some good points about the specifics of consent before she taunted him and made him think that she was going to kill him, and he wasn’t shy about freely admitting that he dared his wife to kill herself and couldn’t believe she actually went through with it. The fact that Laura has to lie to get people to believe her is truly lamentable, and this show sort of turned into a horror movie when Andrew got loose and told her not to run. Vanessa’s timing was fortuitous, and it’s just a matter of whether Laura’s ill-advised action will now make it impossible for them to take him down. The season is already over in the UK, and I’m pleased to report that it’s been renewed for a second season. Even if I haven’t been sure about this season’s direction, I do think this show is worth watching.