No offense, but I hope this is the last season of Big Little Lies we get. It was supposed to be a limited series, so this second one seems sort of forced, and not much really happens throughout the seven episodes. I feel that they ended it in a way where it can be done forever, and based on the lack of awards it’s won this awards season, it could be actually be done.
This second season picks up one year after Celeste’s husband, Perry, dies after “slipping” down a flight of stairs, and the Monterey Five are cracking under the pressure of their lie. And on top of that, they’re dealing with their own self-contained trauma. Madeline’s infidelity is revealed to Ed, who ices her for most of the season. Renata discovers that her husband has bankrupted them, while Bonnie has to deal with a surprise visit from her abusive mother. Celeste is dealing with her vile (and highly annoying) mother-in-law, who decides she should have custody of her children. She also very much suspects that Celeste is responsible for Perry’s death. Jane seems to have a smoother ride this season, with just trying to overcome her intimacy issues with a co-worker, Cory.
While this season tries to pretend it’s not stuck in the past, by making it take place a year in the future, it still seems to be rehashing the same stuff from season one. Celeste can’t move on from Perry’s memory, and even bruises herself. Madeline tries all season to win Ed’s trust back. Can we agree that Ed is curmudgeon? I understand he just found out his wife was unfaithful, but he’s like Grumpy Cat all season. On the flip side, I did find it interesting that they explored that Iggy, Max, and Josh are all brothers. And it was nice seeing the boys get along and defend each other. Renata’s story probably ties as my least favorite because all her character is really there for is yelling. Bonnie’s is equally frustrating because I honestly couldn’t tell if her and her mother were savants or not…strange.
It’s still an HBO show, and the cast is still one of the strongest out there, but I could live without another season of Big Little Lies in my future. Also, watching this straight after the first season of Succession is big shoes to fill, and they just came up a bit short.