Tuesday, July 23, 2019

What I’m Watching: Big Little Lies (Season Finale)

Big Little Lies: Season 2, Episode 7 “I Want to Know” (B+)

We were promised a showdown at the end of last week’s episode, and it didn’t disappoint. Celeste didn’t hold back during her questioning of Mary Louise, and bringing up how Perry’s brother died was an effective technique that threw her mother-in-law off and got her to reveal her true colors. Alleging that Perry was the victim rather than either Celeste or Jane was harsh, and it felt even more horrific when Celeste showed the video her sons took of her being beaten by Perry. Celeste getting to keep full custody of the boys was a relief, and Mary Louise definitely had a hard time accepting the reality of what her son had become. After Ed spent most of the episode punching a bag Madeline thought was meant to be her, he shared a surprising wish for what should next for their marriage. I like how Madeline immediately thought about a big party for the renewal of their vows and he responded right away that it needed to be something small with just the four of them. Bonnie was rather blunt with Nathan about how she’s always felt about him, and maybe being free of a lackluster relationship will be good for her. Gordon is truly an idiot, celebrating that he gets to keep his train set when he’s lost everything else of his and Renata’s, and let’s just hope that hitting him with a baseball bat doesn’t implicate her in another accidental death. Jane might have found happiness, with her son providing a ringing endorsement for the guy who seems not to be giving up on their relationship. That closing shot of the Monterey Five going into the police station together is a great teaser for a theoretical third season that would only happen if the whole cast decides to come back, and it’s also a fitting ending to a second season that I found to be very much superior to the first.

Season grade: B+
Season MVP: Laura Dern as Renata

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