Previously: Episode 1 (Nathaniel) Episode 2 (Spencer) Episode 3 (Lynn) Episode 4 (Nathaniel) Episode 5 (Eric)
by Chris Feil
... So.
By now I’m sure you all have seen the reports about what has gone on behind the scenes of Big Little Lies: director Andrea Arnold was removed from the show in post-production, a planned usurping by original season one director Jean-Marc Vallée once he completed Sharp Objects. Despite the free reign she had been given, a major lack of communication resulted in the show being snatched from her creative hands.
What a fiasco that’s only resulted in a somewhat disjointed season - looks like the blame for what hasn’t been working goes to producers for putting the show through a meat grinder. But what has been working can be easily ascribed to Arnold’s approach: the attention to character detail, a complex thematic landscape marinating hard-to-reconcile truths, the weight of suppressed feelings brimming over. Aren’t those things Big Little Lie’s fans would use to define the show and their love for it, not just its structural or aesthetic attributes?
Despite the timing and our allegiance to Arnold, Big Little Lies turned in what had to be its most thrilling episode yet this season, one that builds a huge sense of momentum leading into next week’s finale. Let’s look at this episode...
Top Ten MVPs of Big Little Lies, Episode 2.6 "The Bad Mother"
10 Madeline and Ed stop fighting sort of
While Ed indulges the idea of a revenge affair with Tori Bachman in a Starbucks, Madeline’s all nostalgic in her wedding dress. I’ve found their storyline to be a bit of a nonstart this season, but if Madeline’s need to be honest about Perry’s death is what reunites them like this episode hints at, it will be a surprising full-circle moment. Also "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" is kind of a rad wedding song.
9 Bonnie and her Depression Sweaters
You’ve heard of “hot girl summer”? Well honeys, she’s serving you “cold girl summer”. Look, I hate an obvious Look How Sad This Character Is costume choice as much as anyone, but I adore each and everyone of these cozy duvet covers.
8 Laura Dern’s F-bomb tirade
Discovering that Gordon had also payrolled their nanny for sexual favors is certainly the last straw for us as viewers, if any of us still had a glimmer of fondness. If it eventually proves to be Renata’s as well, thankfully (or: naturally) she gave him the tongue lashing he deserves before. A satisfying finale demands she kicks his ass to the curb!
7 Mary Louise at peace with the screaming
That cathartic sigh may seem like she’s shutting Jane out as she serves Mary Louise the business, but the terrifying suggestion here is that Mary Louise is somewhat soothed by it instead. SHUDDERS
6 That reflection shot
But this show’s favorite ominous notes are ones of surveillance. If we needed final confirmation that Detective Quinlan was aiding Mary Louise, we have it in one effective shot.
5 “We’re not family, Mary Louise!”
Get her, Celeste!
4 Becky Ann Baker’s empathic judge
Like an extension of Robin Weigert’s therapist, Baker does so much with her silences and measuring of the intention behind her neutral words. These scenes would be unbearable (not to mention look much worse for Celeste) if not for her diplomatic, empathic balancing of the truths before her.
3 Finally a good cliffhanger!
It’s not just the square-peg-round-hole editing (now with post-production explanation) that has been bothersome this season - David E. Kelley just hasn’t really written a season with much narrative momentum. Even if last season’s murder mystery felt obvious all along, it gave the show the feeling of building to something calamitous. But this ending promises a major showdown between Celeste and Mary Louise and we want it nownowNOW! Bonus points to Meryl’s closing expression, the epitome of her uncomfortably hilarious, eternally unshaken evil.
2 Zoë Kravitz’s resentment monologue
While the season hasn’t really featured Bonnie as much as it thinks it has, Zoë Kravitz’s performance has been a subtle knockout every episode. Instead of doing a lot with the little she has been given, here the actress was finally given a true spotlight, turning what could be a corny monologue into something that spells only more pain to come. Her initial warmth fades into a blur of past trauma making for a confusing present, Kravitz playing it as unleashing everything that’s coiled her but heartbreakingly without catharsis.
1 Celeste taking the stand, Nicole taking another Emmy?
Kidman’s courtroom scenes presented a one-two punch of retreat and confessional, unleashing all of Celeste’s conflicting interiority in a flurry of trauma, regret, shame, rage, and yes even love. That she returns to court donning Mary Louise’s signature armor of a blue cardigan is just one external sign that Celeste is declaring war at the same time she is intentionally letting her guard fall. The rest is all in the emotions coming to life in Kidman’s physically rigorous work, perhaps her best moment on the series thus far. Now for that epic battle to come...