Big Little Lies

Is it about dwarves?

Is it about men who go on Grindr and lie about their dick size?

Just a few minutes in and I'm already obsessed about it. Reese is so playing a version of her high strung Election character, Tracy Flick. It's so glorious.

To me it's Desperate Housewives meet The Slap (the Australian version, never bothered with the US one).

There's a gay couple played by Larry Sullivan and David Monahan.

I wonder if they young Santa Cruz mom is running from an abusive husband/boyfriend or the consequences of her kid's behavior. (Though the kid might be suffering from PTSD).

There is an incident at school where a girl (the daughter of Laura Dern's character) gets choked and she accuses the new kid in town who denies ever choking her.I wonder if it was one of the twins (parents played by Alexander Sarsgard and Nicole Kidman)? Daddy got pretty rough with mommy and the kids could have picked that up.

I have not read the book, the show is based on, and I don't know if it is considered a spoiler, but one of the extras being interrogated said about James Tupper's character that he WAS a dick and he never really LIKED the guy which makes me assume that he's the victim which has not yet been revealed yet? At some point the female investigator gives a press conference that no suspect has been identified / charged yet so it couldn't be that the extra accused Tupper's character of murder, right?

R3 I agree. It does remind me of the Australian THE SLAP. Liked the first episode. Six more to go.

It's good so far. If you're not familiar with the book, there are some interesting twists coming up. One will be obvious but a couple aren't at all.

Ugh, david kelley is directing it.

Laura Dern is fab in this. Reese is also giving it her all. But there's just so much entitlement drama I can take. There better be a huge greasefire soon or they better show us something to like about these bitches

Would it be too obvious for the characters of Nicole Kidman and Shailene Woodley to hook up later on? The way Nicole looked at Shailene when Shailene called her beautiful gave me some serious lesbo vibes.

Loved it! Finally some drama on the tube to enjoy. Everything Laura Dern does is great but the other women also were well cast. Nicole isn't botoxed and filled so much that she looks like a mannequin.

My guess: The real bully is one or both of Celeste’s twin boys.

You are all shills. This show is a boring piece of shit. The locations are nice, that's about it. Make them menopausal zombies and I'll give it another shot.

[quote]Ugh, david kelley is directing it.

R10, I'm sure you meant writing and executive producing it.

R15 If I was 12 yrs old like you, I too would want them to be zombies as well-youtuber

Laura Dern is so fucking great. I would watch her take a dump.

I wanted to like it but it seemed both shallow and weighted with cliche's. Something about was just stale to me. Like, it probably would've been great in the 80's or 90's. I love the cast. I'd forgotten what a good actress Nicole is. And who can find fault with Laura Dern. Alexander Skarsgaard is hot as hell.

Reese gets on my nerves. A Bossy Miss Fixit, Champion of the Underdog,chatterbox. Wow that doesn't take a lot of imagination. One day they'll finally cast Reese as someone like Amazing Amy in Gone Girl. Except she'd never take a part that was evil as she is.

Clearly the child accused of the bullying incident is not guilty. He's new. Clearly the twins factor in at some point. or else why bother to introduce them to us. Unless it was Chloe being a diabolically clever little rotter.

No matter what Christine says, my harmonies are what MAKE Big Little Lies

I really like it so far and it's nice to see Nicole looking beautiful and normal again. Lay off the Botox, girl. Jesus!

I like Reese and Laura a lot, too. They both thrive in these dark kind of roles. It's especially great to see Reese's return to dark material. I miss her Freeway/Election days.

I agree. Nicole was beautiful. No fillers or Botox. Her face moved.

"I agree. Nicole was beautiful. No fillers or Botox. Her face moved."

It was CGI

Nicole IMHO has never been that beautiful but at least she looks normal in this. She let her lip fillers go too. How old are these women supposed to be? Nicole and Laura Dern are both close to 50. So they're all having children in their mid-40's? Granted Nicole looks younger than her years.

I think Laura Dern Munchhaused the kid.

R15 = Drew Barrymore

This is the first time I'm seeing Shalene Woodley act. From talk show appearances I expected to hate her in this but so far she's pretty good. She's more than keeping up with her A List costars.

I thought it was weird that Reese only produced GONE GIRL--she was who I pictured when I read the book, and she would have been great as Amazing Amy. I guess she was scared to "go there", and now we have weirdo Rosamund Pike as a "star".

Reese was who I pictured as Amy, too, and when she bought the rights I thought "Perfect! She'll be amazing!" and then Fincher didn't cast her. I remember her saying that he sat her down and gave her all the reasons why she wasn't right for the role. I wonder what they were since she seemed pretty perfect to me. Rosamund was fine, but it should have been someone's Kathleen Turner/Body Heat or Sharon Stone/Basic Instinct role and, for one reason or another, it didn't do that for her at all. I think she needed a knowing twinkle in her eye instead of playing it so seriously. Then again, that's how I felt about the film as a whole.

I tried to watch it, i stopped after 20 minutes. White rich suburban fraus and their kids, their helicopter parenting, and a MURDER MYSTERY! TOLD IN FLASHBACK! Oh my, what an original concept! This shit was already old 15 years ago. HBO is in a rut again.

Reese as Amazing Amy? Bitches, please, she's a dog. AA must have an icy, classical beauty to pull all the shit she pulls in Gone Girl.

What is the male skin quotient?

I think Reese lacks subtlety and nuance. The woman who played Amazing Amy was just right. She did a great job. This was not Tracy Flick.

Rosa undo Pike was perfect as Amy. Witherspoon would have been all wrong for the role.

Goddamn auto correct! Rosamund

If you read the book you would see that Reese is playing that character to a tee. She's supposed to be annoying.

Not all television needs to be ground breaking. The first episode reminded me of the pilot for Desperate Housewives, a show that I loved... for a few seasons. It's comfortable. I'm in.

It must be horrible if HBO chose not to promote it.

The pilot didn't grab me. I loathe Reese, so it's probably not the show for me. If I watch again it will only be to see Skarsgard.

Great to see Laura Dern back on HBO. I still miss "Enlightened."

This is also total real-estate porn with gorgeous cinematography that really captures the seaside California light.

Enlightened was a great series. Laura was hard to take but great. Not an easy character to stomach. Nice to see another fan of that show.

I loved Enlightened. One of the few shows that could actually move me to tears. Mary! I am going to give this show a try because I loved the Slap- Aussie version.

DL is probably Enlightened fan central. It was a great show, and absolutely nobody knows it.

Enlightened really was phenomenal. What a gem of a series. I'm really liking this show, too.

I would like this show if it didn't suck.

Dern's character is a grown up Tracy Flick, not Witherspoon's.

Nicole's face looks good -but who eaxactly are they tying to fool with that wig? We all know her hair is very thin and brittle, not the thick, lustrous mop she's rocking in this show.

I really liked it. Never read the book but these characters are fun. All the actresses have been good. Kidman probably has the toughest job.

Love enlightened.

I'm sorry but I watched the first 2 episodes yesterday and loved it. Laura Dern - amazing. Nicole Kidman looks fantastic and is very subtle and risky in this. I usually can't stand Reese but she is perfect in this, and I think most people would find her "acute narcissism" relatable almost.

Interested in watching more -- shame Skarsgard's character is such a slime ball. A hot slime ball though.

I haven't watched yet, and only know it from this thread and the few promos I've seen watching The Young Pope on demand (a show that held my interest but ultimately disappointed).

[quote]I would like this show if it didn't suck.

Haha, Yes, r45, I must say that to myself and others at least three or four times a year, about shows that are hyped as the next big thing.

R50 I'm with you. Just finished the second episode and wow. I'm hooked. This reminds me of the Slap as others have mentioned only with more meat on the bones. Everyone is doing a damn good job so far, even the kids. I'm just waiting for Celeste and Perry to implode/explode. I expect many casualties. Alex and Nicole's performances are pretty near perfect.

LOVE THIS FUCKING SHOW! 50 minutes into first episode. I have hated Reese Witherspoon for a LONG time. Especially after her "Don't You KNOW WHO I AM?" drunk driving episode with her husband. Holy cow, I love her in this. I love the entire cast. I am not going want this show to end. The actresses are all first rate.

I love these character names: Madeline, Celeste, Renata

I didn't want to like it but yeah. Hooked after two episodes.

Tell me lies, tell me big little lies

(Tell me lies, yeah)

Oh no no, you can't disguise

(No you can't disguise)

It's corny but it's nice to know that Reese is a huge fan (and friend) of Dern. She wasn't afraid to be acted off the screen by her.

Second episode was riveting. I am totally hooked as well. Reese is killing it and yeah she is probably playing a version of herself. I love her fight but she is an exhausting character. The others, Kidman, Dern, Adam Scott and Skarsgard area all excellent. I loved that Madeleine called Renata a cunt and keeps saying get fucked.

I love that from a storytelling point it's rather mundane (parents making a big fuss about their kids in first grade). But it's really, more or less, an excuse to get to know these characters a lot more and how they interact with each other. Like with Robert Altman's Gosford Park where the whodunit is almost background noise.

I thought it was ok the first episode but i can't get thru the 2nd one, nicole kidman is just terrible. and who fucks like that? i wonder if she's ever been fucked like that given that all the guys she dated/married were shorter than her, tammy, lenny kravitz, keith urban are all shorties.

I like the social satire of these hideous moms. Nicole Kidman's wig and face are downright creepy though.

The fucking scene was ridiculous but I still liked the episode. These directors watch too much porn.

R61, her wig is so obvious.

She produced this. I assume everyone involved decided she needed a hideous wig for some reason. Or does she think she looks good?

The giant's wife.

It's a glorified soap opera, except without any likable characters. Ziggy's OK, though. He deserves better than this nest of pampered, neurotic, whiny she-devils and their insecure weenie husbands.

Ziggy is so cute. And there is nothing wrong with a good soap R66

r60. you are crazy. Nicole is doing a great job in this, and is always pretty good, whether you like her or not.

Tammy and Keith seem gay to me. Not Lenny though.

I'm watching Ep 2. Those above who say Nicole's face looks good. No. It looks really bad in the car in the opening scenes.

I wanted to like it, but the whole thing feels inauthentic somehow. The young kids are written too old and precocious, and I can never get lost in the characters and stop seeing Reece, Nicole and Lauren playing parts. The husband likes it, so I'll end up watching with him, but I'm completely underwhelmed by it.

The Slap needs rewriting by DLers, as The Vicious Slap. Or perhaps a bar and grill needs to be called that.

Where's the nudity? It's HBO, for Chrissake.

Was Ziggy conceived when Jane was raped? Jane seems pretty freaked out about Ziggy getting into trouble with the girl (first being accused of choking her and then kissing her). And then that "You are not a monster!" freak out.

That scene of Perry and Celeste where they slap each other and it turns into a make out session was so terribly campy (especially the way it transitioned from fighting to making out with Celeste trying to fight off Perry). And that cam session at the end where Celeste turns into a stripper. That was (unintentionally?) hilarious. As Madeline said their relationship seems twisted.

Is anyone else a bit spooked about the little boys (the twins and Ziggy) being shirtless in some scenes? I guess all the pedophilia hysteria made me overly sensitive in that regard.

LOVE the scene of Ed and Nathan getting into an argument and then passive agressively threatening each other in the second episode.

They did the little boys shirtless is a purposefully creepy reference to bourgeois art photography of kids.

Celeste and Perry's sex life (and Nicole's WIG) are not even high camp. I'm guessing that Nicole Kidman doesn't have a lot of taste and we're seeing accidental camp and some Norma Desmondy delusions.

I realise there are gross couples out their first kids in their 40's or up, but an entire school district of 40-50 year old ageless mommies lends a ghoulishness to this, that I am kind of enjoying. Laura - 50, Kidman - 51, Reese 40. Reese is ALMOST playing her age. I think her character is supposed to be more like 35 - the kid is "16" and Madeline had her "really young".

In this show Nicole Kidman reminds me of that ancient Datalounge troll who insists that he can pass as late 20 when he is wearing Abercrombie and Fitch.

Its a pity because if she played her age, such as a 50 something career woman at her peak, or 50 something wife of 60 yo, she could probably be quite chic at it.

I love it. Very stylish, with beautiful cinematography and great music. I hope they release a soundtrack. Plus, I always love getting a peek at how the other half lives. Malibu is fucking gorgeous. It certainly lives up to the hype. Love all of the kids. Very natural but with distinct personalities that manage to avoid the cliches that Hollywood is famous for when it comes to how kids behave. Reese is fantastic. Never watched Shailene Woodley in anything but she's compelling to watch. Neutral about Nicole but Dern is stellar. Zoe Kravitz has no screen presence. Perhaps it's just her milquetoast character but not impressed. Kelly is a good writer. I have a hunch that the little girl who had the choke mark around her neck did it to herself. Perhaps one of her parents has a particular kinky sex secret of his or her own. I love AS but so far he's the least interesting character for me because I see shades of Eric of True Blood here and there but he throws one mean fuck! I like that there is a murder mystery at the center of it. Not getting the 'it's a comedy' vibe like some of the press suggested. HBO is on a roll with this and The Night Of. If CBS would just stop with the bullshit of trying to make CBS a pay to watch premium and offered The Good Fight for FREE on Sundays I would be in hog heaven.

Malibu?

Monterrey, actually.... I watch this and think, Glad To Be Gay!! I would so hate all the school nonsense now if I had kids.

Laura Dern hollering I SAID THANK YOOUU!! nearly made me jump off the couch. I'm sure a comforting hug from a shirtless Skarsgard would make me feel better.

Monterey in California has one r, the one in Mexico has two. I don't like Reese as a person but she is excellent in this. I envy her character having Adam Scott and that house on the beach. She better not fuck it up for herself.

Will rewatch the first episode but I thought it is set in Malibu. Monterey works too. Beautiful scenery no matter where it's filmed. First time I have ever been envious of anyone who lives in California. Well, Carmel is charming too but I didn't want to move there after watching Play Misty For Me. Thanks for the correction.

I read the book which was your basic mommy wars type story. It wasn't a great book but that was obviously meant to be a movie or series. Totally forgettable as a book but maybe HBO worked some magic on this formulaic trash.

In real life Nic is the parent of two young kids.

Lots of women in their 40s have children these days.

This is easily some of Reese's best work in years. I kinda love her character. She's hard edged, but has a lot of vulnerability lurking beneath the surface and I think she really does mean well.

Nicole Kidman is that strange thing of having an (aparently) bland personality and being a great actress. Her character is the most tricky, so far. RW is great in this but appear to be playing herself (with some vulnerability thrown in).

I loved the book. Campy, funny and a total diss on over involved parents.

Reese has that gorgeous beach house (proves are not much cheaper than in LA or SB, are they?) but it reminds me how much I hate the open plan kitchen trend. Everyone eating around a marble slab with the dirty dishes in the background depresses me.

It spreads grease all over apartment, though of course these people have elaborate ventilation perhaps.

Kitchens in homes like that are for show, not work, you sillies. Those bitches never even so much as run a coffee maker, that's why they constantly have a Starbucks in their hand.

Frozen? Ave. Q? Did Bobby Lopez blow the producer or something?

The location is supposed to be Monterey and Carmel, but most of the houses they've been using to shoot are in Malibu.

Well they certainly telegraphed the "big reveal" tonight.

That was not the big reveal...which will undoubtedly be, who was murdered.

R94 were you even surprised in the least bit by that tonight ?

Without being too spoilerish, I think a certain character's reaction was a bit of a red herring as far as the "who" is concerned.

OK, maybe I'm a bit dense, but what's the big reveal you talk about? The thing about how Jane got pregnant, or who most likely turns out to be Ziggy's dad?

I don't think Reese would have been a good Amazing Amy. Theres just something too endearing about her to work in a drama like that.

Me too, R98. Rosamund Pike owned that role.

When nicole's character says she will leave her wife-beating stud, she shouldn't have said it, she should have packed her bags and left.

So what was the big reveal?

Nicole has 3 wigs, R101, slightly different hues and styles.

If anybody feels like being spoiled, you can look at the wiki page for the novel:

R103 we don't know if David E. Kelly wrote the series as per the book. He's been quoted as saying don't expect the same endings, not sure if this is to throw off the book readers or not, but it's possible he could change the ending, or the players. I've not read the book, but accidentally read the wiki page of the book, hoping or thinking I would only be reading a synopsis. So far, I'm hooked, love the intrigue of the back stories, the building of the suspense, the music is perfect, the kids.....adorable, not to mention the CA background scenery. So far, not sure what purpose Renata (Laura Dern's) husband plays, but I think Reese, Nicole & Shaileen are nailing their roles, especially Reese. Zoe Kravitz character is background now for a reason, but I think watch for her character to start coming forward in a big way. I predict this series to be a big Emmy contender, ala what the OJ series did for Ryan Murphy. Just my opinion.

Between Witherspoon, Kidman and Dern on this show and Lange, Sarandon and Davis on Feud, it's gonna be a fabulous Emmy season.

I never thought I would say this but I think Reese is killing it here.

[quote]This is easily some of Reese's best work in years. I kinda love her character. She's hard edged, but has a lot of vulnerability lurking beneath the surface and I think she really does mean well.

THIS. Agree with every word. I loved when she called Laura Dern a cunt and then doubled down and told her to fuck off. I would think a lot of DLers would relate to the Madeline character

The Centrak Coast setting is so compelling. If you've spend time there you understand that the setting (not just the unparalleled scenic beauty but the affluent limousine liberal culture) give these women and the story an extra level of complexity and character. I will give demerits however for any show set in CA that does not have any Latinos as we are the largest ethnic group in CA and more than 40% of the population. Yes we exist, even in Monterey

Lovrd the passive aggressive yoga -- reminds of when I go to yoga in Santa Monica

Does anyone know if the big ocean rock in the opening credits is Bird Rock on 17 mile drive?

Does "limited series" mean this is one and done ?

Why is Nicole wearing a wig, and such an obvious and cheap looking one?

Shallow and pedantic. It insists upon itself.

I didn't read the book or the wiki page and I didn't look up spoilers but is the big reveal, aside from who was murdered, that several of the women have been raped by the same man? And all have stayed quiet because they were either having an affair with him, or in Jane's case, she didn't know he was married but went willingly with him to a hotel? Now who likes to have a hate fuck after roughing up the woman first?......

We saw the back of the guy who raped Jane and it was very clearly not Skaarsgard. Unless that's just how she remembers him, but that seems like a hell of a directorial cheat.

The big reveal is that the detective is none other than Renee Elise Goldsberry from none other than Broadway's Hamilton and she is going to bust out some dope rhymes!

I am not reading the other comments because I don't want to be spoiled, but it looked like Shailene's rapist is Laura Dern's husband.

WHAT?! No way.

Please no spoilers. We go no longer discuss most streaming series bc of they way they are released. Let's not ruin the weekly released episodic series

This is not a spoiler. R115, just speculation.

If I remember correctly from last week, didn't the camera focus on the shoes or shoe prints of Jane's rapist? I'm wondering if that's how she figures his identity out in a future episode.

It seems so, R 117.

R112, incorrect, the detective is played by Merrin Dungey. Look to see REG on HBO in April, she is in The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, playing the title character.

The rapist might not be Skarsgard but the description of an attractive man who is charming, gentlemanly, and romantic but who suddenly turns into an angry, physically aggressive brute, the voice that Jane remembers more distinctly than his face?, and the hazy silhouette of a man who matches his height and physical build, certainly were all red herrings. And I fall for them every damn time. I need to admit to myself that I am no Miss Marple when it comes to these t.v mysteries.

bump

Am i the only one that finds Nathan (James Cupper) hot? Dumb, but hot

So the rapist Jane identified looks like Skarsgard (sp) right?

The theater guy is hit too. Is this him? Don't blame Madeline for getting sine of that over dud Psycho Ed

I'm getting a bit tired of Perry's "Why haven't we discussed this?" line that usually ends up with him manhandling Celeste.

It kind of comes off as role play r123 don't you think?

Ok now I think Ed the psycho (Madeline's husband) is the rapist. It's kind of too obvious, but I am almost sure it's him.

Because we're all used to soap operas we're expecting the rapist will be one of the husbands. Laura Dern's makes the most sense because then Anabel's "abuser" turns out to be her half-brother..... but I'm hoping they don't go that cliched route and it's just some other guy.

I always assumed the kid choking Annabel was one of the twins.

Me too. It's why I put "abuser" in quotes.

Wait -- I'm confused. Didn't Jane ID her rapist as the architect in San Luis Obispo? They even showed a picture and he kind of looked like Perry

He looked as either Perry or Laura Dern's husband.

Dig the credits song

R22 - Don't blame Madeline for getting sine of that over dud Psycho Ed

r112, thats not Renee. This actress played that the wife of Kevin James' best friend on King of Queens. Let me guess you think all black people look alike.

Its sick as fuck, but that rapist's ass was amazing in that scene. i hate myself.

What episode was that t134?

I read the book and I found the climax (victim and killer) underwhelming. I hope they change it. Anyone else agree?

(R134 here): Episode 3. when she "leaves her body" and goes in to the bathroom, they show him pumping on the bed. the ass is incredible!

Can soneone tell us if that's a spoiler at r136 -- I keep crossiing my eyes when I scroll past it

For you r137. I'm pretty sure this is simulated

Marry me, R139!

Reese Witherspoon's achingly hip 6-year-old with her fucking tasteful music and ironic wisecracks is straight from Kelley's Prime Time Dramady playbook.

Awwww I think she's cute r147

Thank you! I agree, if I do say so myself.

My fucking contacts .

Really love the credits song -- there's an 10 minute long version online. Check it out -- it's call Cold Little Heart

Is tonight the last episode?

No I think there's 8

This show not the new DL obsession.

Feud is.

By two more threads.

I'm afraid to enter the FUED threads. Isn't it just a bunch of queens bitching? Too negatibe

R148 What language are you writing in?

Cunty. Same as u:)

R150 haha. Too cute.

So far so good! Love the scenery.

I think the Laura Dern characters daughter is named Amabella for some odd reason and not Annabella.

They made a joke about the name in one of episodes r153

Are we supposed to hate Reese's charachter? Because I don't

Did Perry cum in his pants after grabbing Celeste before she had to take the kids to school and they ran in??? My BF (who hates this stuff) watched with me and said, " he'd change before a meeting". Lol.

R154 "Are we supposed to hate Reese's charachter? Because I don't"

She's mean, she's been very unreasonable at times, and she cheats on her husband. But she's also an extremely loyal friend and will do anything for her kids, (when not using to prove a point).

Reese is doing a tremendous job showing all 3-dimensional sides. So no, you're not supposed to hate her.

The only character you're supposed to hate is the one we haven't met yet, the man who raped Jane. I'd be giving away a spoiler if I mentioned which one of the husband's turns out to be the rapist, but it's not any of them. So is that a spoiler? (I was glad. Too cliched a plotline).

Oh, I found out the ending. Reese's character is the one murdered, but it's discovered she's been using a fake identity. Her real name is Tracy, and the killer turns out to be Matthew Broderick.

R157 I thought by the 3d episode it was obvious.

No spoiler, but just saw tonight's episode. Fucking amazing!

This episode was phenomenal. If this cast/show doesn't get nominated for some major awards, there is something seriously wrong.

I'm usually pretty ambivalent about Kidman's acting, but she is fucking amazing in this. Probably her best work ever. And she manages to do it with that wig or weave, or whatever they have stapled to her head. Dern, on the other hand, who I usually love, is a total caricature.

[quote]Dern, on the other hand, who I usually love, is a total caricature.

Take it back bitch. NOWV

Reese & Nicole on BLL > Jessica & Susan on Feud

Skarsgard in that tennis outfit was absolute sex.

The direction and editing of this last episode were amazing. Just, wow.

[quote] I'd be giving away a spoiler if I mentioned which one of the husband's turns out to be the rapist, but it's not any of them.

Didn't the showrunner say that the show will be different than the book in some way? Is your statement based on the book?

Reese's panties have skid marks.

One thing really stands out to me. This show has the best music. Whoever is responsible for the sound track gets big props.

It's obvious where it's going. The rapist and who gets killed is quite clear.

Can I just give some props to Robin Weigert as Celeste's therapist? She does SO much by just being quiet. A far, far cry from her Calamity Jane in Deadwood.

I loathe Perry, but I love Skarsgard. (And I covet his watch.)

Fuck all. I wanted to hate this but it's damn good. Not sure if it's a good as the Aussie Slap but close. It's just missing Jonathan Lapaglia in a speedo for the win! I love Reese in this. I think Nicole is great, she was great in Lion too and I was seriously down on her for the past few years with all the plastic surgery and desperation. Laura Dern is always amazing.

stunning work by all involved. Laura Dern fucking kills me...here and in anything she touches. Her 10 minutes on screen in WILD literally broke my heart. Kidman is mesmerizing. Reese has really captured the underlying sadness and loneliness that her type A personality produces. Its just a great show!

Really, r170? I haven't got a clue. I'm thinking the rapist is Renata's husband but I don't think he gets shot by Jane. Wasn't he at the firing range the same day as Jane? That means there is a gun in that household. And Renata has major anger management issues. I forget if the police cite the cause of death as a fatal shooting. The reason I think the rapist is Renata's husband is because of the startled look of recognition he gives Jane in the principal's office. She doesn't seem to recognize him but she doesn't go through with her plan to shoot the interior designer because she realizes he's not the guy. I think Renata kills Jane because Jane finally puts two and two together and confronts the husband at the Ball and he admits what he did. He's cuckolded at home so he acts out aggressively with other women who he cheats with. There is a thread throughout all of the women's individual stories of cuckolded, insecure, men who have anger issues and how the women, perhaps unintentionally, exacerbate those feelings of worthlessness.

How many more episodes are there?

2 more episodes

I'm really liking this show, but Laura Dern looks too old to be the mother of a 1st grader. I know technically she's not, but still. C'mon.

There. It had to be said.

That was my first thought, r177. So thank you for saying it.

R177 R178 In my mind, it made perfect sense that Renatta is an older mom. She's someone who is super driven and career-focused. I guess I just assumed she was one of those women who work, work, work and then has a child so they can "have it all" right before it becomes too late.

All of them, minus Shaline of course, look pretty old though.

True, R179 - Kidman and Dern are both 50 in real life, but you have to admit Dern looks much older. I guess it's not that I don't really buy a 50 year-old being the mother of a 6 year-old, it's more that Dern looks much older than her age.

Horrible show with laughable situations and pitiful script. 2 episodes were enough for me.

Nicole's Australian accent was coming out all over the place during the scenes with the therapist in the last episode. It was weird since she's obviously been doing the American accent for years and this is the first time I've ever noticed her struggle with it.

I think Laura Dern is perfectly cast. Do none of you work in corporate America who would understand the archetype she is going for?

I'm not a big Kidman fan but she's fantastic in those therapy scenes

Those therapy scenes are some of Kidman's best work ever. She's clearly been laying off the Botox, because she's using her face and eyes to great effect in these scenes.

The problem is Dern is playing an archetype, not a person.

Agree about Kidman. She was great in Lion too and wasn't all glammed up, she looked like a frau. Points.

Kidman hasn't laid off Botox or fillers. She's surrounded her face with hair, which softens the severe look she'd been going with. If you're going to have a tight face/forehead, the LAST thing you want to do is pull your hair back off your face. Nicole finally laid off the "Croydon facelift" she's been inexplicably sporting for years.

They've been showing her ad for Neutrogena alot and she looks terrible. Why that hairstyle and colour?!

Here's the teaser trailer for the 2004 Stepford Wives. It was an awful movie. But I love the trailer and it validates everything posters have been writing about Nicole.

Dern and Kidman look about the same age, if anything, Kidman looks older.

The kid that plays Izzy is a good little actor and cute as a button

The kid that plays Izzy has theatrical parents and was very famous (in Broadway circles) for giving these cloyingly sweet (and clearly coached) reviews of Broadway and regional shows. I'm shocked he's actually such a natural actor.

Izzy? I think you mean Ziggy. He was named after Ziggy Stardust.

I haven't read the book and never watch next week's previews. Do we know for a fact that Jane didn't shoot the designer? That seemed left open for me. If I had to guess I'd say daddy is abusing Annabella and she's scared to say anything. That actor's roles are usually sleazy. Perry, Nathan and Ed (in that order) are all hot to death in their own ways. I want to wring the teacher's neck.

The designer wasn't the rapist. So Jane did not shoot him.

What if the abuser is a kid no one would suspect like Reese's daughter? Does her mother's hate for Renata color her own feelings about Amabella? Quite possibly the most ridiculous name ever. Is she jealous because Ziggy likes Amabella? Or is it one of the twins who likes Amabella and this is the way he thinks people who like each other behave? Was Amabella told to blame her injuries on Ziggy the outsider because it would be easy to believe the worst about a kid no one really knows?

I highly doubt Jane shot the guy, because it was clear that he didn't smell like the guy who raped her. Her facial reaction after she took a whiff of his perfume that it wasn't a match (though I question the idea that a guy would still wear the same brand of cologne after so many years).

Jane will find her rapist by the shoeprints. It' obvious it's one of the husbands (my money is on Renata's).

So... I heard this show has a gay character, is the gay storyline any good? Does the gay guy actually get to have a love life?

I'm assuming the gay guy is the barista at the coffee place, right?

Yes, you would be correct, r201.

There's also a gay couple with a child in same school as the twins, Chloe, Ziggy, etc.

R193, really? Interesting--may be a case of getting the child away from the bad influence of his parents.

The psychiatrist is a wet noodle. I would never put up with that in a shrink.

I dunno. Maybe I take that back at R205. It must be hard to see patients in Kidman's state and try to get them to talk about spousal abuse. I've never been abused by a bf.

actually Reese wanted to play Amy in Gone Girl but Fincher decided she was't right for the role

'I was always open to doing it,' Reese revealed to The Hollywood Reporter.

'But whenever David Fincher says he wants to do a project, you just sit back and say, "Whatever you want to do."'

'We had a long conversation where he was like, "You're not right for it. And this is why." And I actually completely agreed with him.'

Janis Joplin and Miss Kittin both used perfectly. Very arty hip soundtrack.

No comments on Mr. Skarsgard's enormous, broken prosthetic?

Still in shock R209. 🏸🏸🏸🍆😳😱🤕

They're wrapping this all up next week?

Hard to believe, but yes. The series finale is this coming Sunday. It's going to be hard to top episode 6 though. Tennis rackets, a broken urethra and a dinner party-turned-vomitorium is a mighty tall order to fill. Alex, Nicole, Reese and the therapist (Robin Weigart?) were incredible.

I am not sure if I am still on Celeste's side after she broke that beautiful penis of Perry in two places! Just kidding.

That episode has everything. Great songs (loved Madeline mistaking Sade for Adele as singer of the song she liked), green vomit, (fake) penis!

Regarding the gay content. Am I missing something? There's no actual gay content in the sense of storyline at least so far and the season's finale is next week. Did I miss a scene where the barista came out and has something more to do than serve and say a few lines? He seems awfully keen on jane.

There's only one episode left?? How could they possibly complete all the plots in one more episode???

I hope all of this isn't left hanging. That would be a waste.

Kidman's hair looks like a wig.

The NY Times recently had an article about how Laura Dern and Reese W. are best friends in real life.

Madeline said early on that she "knew" the barista was gay, that she "could tell." So we only have her word on it. And he's never been seen away from the coffee shop. Which is why I kinda sorta think he's the murderer. I've read enough murder mysteries to know that It's Always The Person You Suspect The Least. He's also been in nearly episode, albeit briefly, so we don't forget who he is. (I have no idea as to his motive, though.)

And Jane has seen seen Renata's husband, R199, and didn't flinch so he's not the rapist. The husband she's never seen? Perry, he of the Broken Urethra.

I hope there's some major twist because otherwise Big Little Lies is a pretty boring story

The post-barf scene with Madeline and her elder daughter was great. Reese is very good in this role.

Is the director out of the hospital? Was he at opening night?

R219 You must have not been paying attention. There was a shot of him in the audience in the next aisle. He was seen briefly peeking at Reese. His wife noticed and then glared at Reese when Reese turned her head to look. The wife later confronted Reese after the play ended. We didn't find out how Reese eventually handled it.

Thanks R220. I saw the confrontation scene but missed the director in the audience.

I thought the scene between Renata and Jane was truly wonderful.

R222 So was the scene when Reese confronted her daughter and gave the true definition of "fucking up". That could be Reese's Emmy scene.

Reese admitting that she still loved her ex was heartbreaking.

I was channel surfing, came upon the episode starting, ended up watching the whole thing again. I wish there wasn't a murder mystery. I don't want the series to end.

I'm loving the show, but I wish they'd cast someone other than Shailene Woodley. She's giving a fine performance, but she just reads as too young for the role. I think Jennifer Lawrence or Brie Larson would have been amazing.

They are releasing a soundtrack

Damn those are some supersized refrigerators.

In the book the Jane character was much younger than Madeline and Celeste.

I don't either R225. I'm completely in love with the show and the whole vibe it gives off - I really wish they'd find a way to do 7 episode seasons going forward.

Dern is playing the most thankless role ever on this show. You actually want her to be the one who gets shot. She's absolutely killing it.

R231 I somewhat disagree. Did you watch the last episode? There was a great truce/bonding scene between Dern and Woodley. Dern came off completely sympathetic.

The show's elements and high vibe def. come from the book but a bit darker. The book was light somehow while still covering the issues..

"It takes a powerful stand against domestic violence even as it makes us laugh at the adults whose silly costume party seems more reminiscent of a middle-school dance- ( Carol Memmott of The Washington Post )

Anyone notice how uneven Shailwne's eyes are? She's approaching Shannen Doherty territory.

Who would want to auction off their virginity? You just know the winner would be some rich 80 year old lizard who smells like Polident and death.

R235: w&w, you made me laugh!

[quote] Reese admitting that she still loved her ex was heartbreaking

Except she didn't. She said she still loves her current husband, after telling her daughter about how she cheated.

Does anyone else feel like the role of Celeste should be played by someone younger and prettier?

R238: no.

I can't stand the bearded husband. That guy has always looked like a cross between a comic strip character and a beetle. And he's not a very good actor.

Who is he related to?

Whatchu talking about, Willis?? Adam Scott is great. One of the stronger actors in the cast.

I don't know why, but Madeline having the barista guy get her a drink at the party made me want to cry.

That was a pretty much perfect mini-series. Really impressive.

LOVED this series.

But who's weird voice was coming out of Adam Scott when he was singing?

It sounded like a cartoon character.

Ed singing made me cry. My God Bonnie was so gorgeous in costume. Really good ending to the short series.

That was incredible and I'm actually shocked at just HOW good the ending was. I really, truly think it was going to be like a lame orgasm. Jesus Christ, I'm shaking at how good it was.

R245 agree it was excellent. Wish the series would go on for more than 7 series, would be interesting to see how their lives fall into place now that the person who dies has been revealed . Meaning Jane has realized who her rapist is & Ziggy's father. What happens to Madeline & the theater director? Personally, I felt the ending left some questions, but will omit for those who have yet to see. Thought the acting was great.

Even though it's been obvious for a while who would get killed and why, it was still a nail-biter. Such good direction and performances!

I know over in the FEUD threads they are saying the Emmy will be a battle between Sarandon and Lange, but I think Kidman will take it. Her best work in years, if not ever.

I agree. This was kidman's best work. Reese also gave a great performance.

I'm also pleased that they set it up for a second season.

No second season. It was based on a book and there's no more plot to film.

They clearly set it up for a second season. HBO will not waste an opportunity to make a dime off this. I understand it was based off a book, but this is Hollywood after all. If something is successful and makes money, they'll milk the he'll out of it.

Also, the series strayed from the book, so it is definitely not out of the question.

They set it up with the female detective following the ladies at the cemetery and beach. That likely would be the plot for season two...building a criminal case

Odd that anyone would think Shailene Woodley looked too young for her role, I actually think she's the oldest looking 25 year old I've ever seen, she could pass for 35-40. She's always looked way older than her age.

This series got great reviews, as did The Night Of. HBO will find a way to come up with another series based around the characters.

A few months ago I read that a second season of TNO was in the talking stage, HBO wants both John Turturro and Riz Ahmed back. The article stated HBO execs weren't sure if they'd play the same characters or if there would be a whole new series.

Holy fuck that was a really tense hour of television. I figured who was going to die, but never thought it would be person who was shown to have dealt the death blow. The entire cast in this was uniformly excellent. But really, Kidman deserves about 10 Emmys for this performance. Easily the best work she has ever done.

Kidman was superb and I've never liked her. So were Witherspoon and Shailene and I can't stand them. A lot of credit has to go to the director. He nabbed Oscars for McConaughey and Leto in Dallas Buyers too.

I've been saying Reese for the Emmy all the way. Now I don't know. Between Reese, Nicole, Jessica and Susan....they'll probably give the Emmy to Oprah.

The female detective was on "King of Queens", she played Deacon's wife, actress Merrin Dungey. She actually started out as a stand-up comic!

SO disappointing in its climax:

In the end a whole lot of male bashing.

And once again, women as the abused.

Easy targets all around.

Cheap and confusing ending.

How in the HELL wouldnt Shaline's character NEVER HAD SEEN Nichole's husband in such a small community??? WTF?!

JUST TERRIBLE. I thought she was just superimposing her rape experience upon HIM and goin crazy!

Bottom line: If a man is to be killed and the WHOLE SHOW CULMINATES WITH HIS MURDER-

shouldnt we know something more about his darkness than some cliched lines about inadequacy in a therapists office?

I enjoyed it for the actresses but in the end it will be as forgotten as the abuser was.

No WONDER there are rumors Nichole didnt promote it!

and please--if you're going to respond to my post please state your sex

Kidman is definitely going to be part of the Emmy conversation, and I think she may take it. I think it's her best work. She's said in interviews it's the deepest she's ever gone and the hardest work she's done. I would agree. She's literally and figuratively naked throughout the entire series. It's an extremely impressive performance for someone usually known as a gorgeous ice queen.

She was also in Alias and was in one of the best fight scenes ever filmed R257.

I knew I had seen her somewhere else. She was so good in Alias.

Wonderful series. Beautiful from beginning to end. I love, love, love the quick cuts sequence of what transpired and the push! For me that really came out of nowhere. I love the ending with the women and the children at the beach.

I'm surprised Kidman can evoke facial expressions at all with all that botox. But I have to admit that was a stunning performance. Her work with Skarsgaard was superb. Very scary, very believable co-dependent abusive relationship.

The posters above who think they've set up a second season are on to something. They leave you wondering who is watching them through binoculars and why? And wondering whether the police would really just let it go. They also don't reveal why Bonnie intervened and why the women all agreed to cover it up--they could devote at least a couple episodes to that subplot. And the aftermath of Jane learning who her rapist was and Celeste learning even more about how violent her husband was. And whether Madeline will confess to her husband. And so on.

Whether all these actresses will commit is a whole other issue. For them to do this as a one-off was prestigious, but to turn it into a recurring series is something else.

Please God don't let this have a second season. It was a perfect little work of art and should be left alone. Not everything has to become a franchise.

[quote]They leave you wondering who is watching them through binoculars and why?

They made it clear who it was by the sound of the lighter clicking that it was the female detective and they showed earlier she was suspicious Perry was pushed.

One of the best endings in television. An incredible hour. Everything was done so well. And I loved party. Who would have thought of a theme of Audrey Hepburn and Elvis Presley. But what fun! I would love to go to that party!

Apparently, Reese said if the ratings were good they would come back for a Season 2. I wonder who would write it.

Lots of Emmy noms from Big Little Lies. But do they just knock each other out? But Nicole and Reese had the toughest jobs and they both knocked it out of the park.

Kidman was good but this series just showed off how terrible Kidman's facial surgery is, She doesn't even look human

I dint know -- I can't see any prosecutor prosecuting. It was pretty clear that Celeste had the shit beat out her Bonnie pushed perry not even with intention of killing him but to get him off of Celeste. Not even sure why they lied.

I thought Nicole looked absolutely beautiful -- have no idea what r269 is talking about

R270, lots of abused women get prosecuted for fighting back.

R267, but it's not clear whether the beach bonding session took place after the investigation was basically done and the police concluded they couldn't prove anything. That the women are being watched leaves you wondering if it's the police trying to gather evidence, or maybe that officer is going rogue.

We saw all those interviews of all the other catty parents throughout the season? That had to take time.

[quote]They also don't reveal why Bonnie intervened and why the women all agreed to cover it up--they could devote at least a couple episodes to that subplot.

The book does get into that (Bonnie's own mother was abused by her father and she acted out impulsively) so that is indeed confusing in the show.

R274, yes my point was it was deliberately left out. Maybe to be deployed in season 2?

I wish they had included it though. It gives Bonnie a lot more depth and shows her to be more than just a usurping cool hippie stepmom. She has wisdom borne out of a terrible experience. On the show you see Bonnie observing Celeste and her husband, and something about their interaction catches her eye which leads to her following them and then of course the fight. It seems like a silly plot device, unless you know she's recognizing a very familiar dynamic and reacting to it.

I think Nicole looks prettier than she has in years and her face looked natural and expressive. With the exception of Zoe, who is ethereally beautiful, she is the one I couldn't take my eyes off of. Even the red wig worked for me because red is Nicole's natural hair color and she has always looked better as a redhead. I feel for Skarsgard. It took a lot of courage to play a character who was totally devoid of any redeeming qualities. He not only abused his wife but looked for more victims on his many business trips. He was the monster he was always telling his kids about. Those scenes of marital brutality were harrowing and mostly improvised. Great work. Nicole must have gone home with real bruises after those scenes. Even as Eric Northman, Skarsgard was at times portrayed as a sympathetic character, capable of love. I hope they don't forget him at Emmy nomination time because the rest of the men in the cast, except for the guy who played Ed, where pretty unremarkable. The one surprise was that the kids knew all along who was abusing Amabella but didn't tell due to a misguided notion that they were protecting her. Did Skye confess to her mother who pushed her down the stairs and Chloe put two and two together that Perry was a bad guy before the incident at the Ball?

Whoops, meant Bonnie not Chloe.

Nicole's botox didn't bother me as much, and this is why: From what we know of Celeste, that she based her whole self-image on how everybody sees her, it definitely would be in character for Celeste to have botox. She did have the money for it. The only thing left out would be the gossip of the other moms criticizing her for it.

It was surprisingly good. I gave it a chance but had expected something along the lines of "Gone Girl" i.e. a schlocky frau thriller. In the end, it wasn't really about the murder mystery, but the prison your inner demons can keep you in. And the acting was top notch. Kidman's performance is arguably better than anything rewarded by the Leading Actress Oscar in the past 5 years, if not longer than that. And I say that as someone who really didn't care for her at all in the past.

The kind of brought to mind Bonnies dinner party vomit scene.

Have any posters seen Nicole in the movie Birth? It's kind of obscure, very disturbing. But it's my very favorite of all Nic's performances. Until BLL, maybe. I found it interesting, coincidentally, that both movies end with Nicole on the beach. And in each, spiritually, they kind of represent her character finally being cleansed.

I don't understand why anyone thinks Bonnie needs any motivation for pushing Perry other than she witnessed him beating the shit out of Celeste and fighting off the other women.

r282 and that's exactly what Jean-Marc Vallee said as to why he didn't include Bonnie's abusive father backstory. Why does there have to be some demented motive behind that sudden reaction other than a woman seeing a man beating another woman in plain sight?

I think it was less about Bonnie pushing Perry and more about why she was determined to follow him in the first place.

Exactly, R284. Without the backstory it just seems like an unlikely but convenient plot device. It also gives Bonnie more depth and strengthens the bond she develops with Celeste.

Well, his kid pushed her kid down a flight of stairs at school and most people who witness a couple having a marital spat at a party are not going to follow them to see what happens next. I don't see why you think I'm some kind of monster for suggesting that she had a motivation for her actions that was triggered by seeing another woman being abused. Which r283 confirms was left out of the script for the t.v. adaptation of the book. I'm not saying she was wrong. But, why did the women lie about how he died?

They lie to protect Bonnie, in large part because of her past. Again, without her backstory she's a very thin character.

Even though it turned out to be a positive that Bonnie rushed did anyone find Bonnie to be totally nosey at the party. All up in everybodies business.

Somebody suggested you are monster?

But I agree with you. I don't think these women would have lied here because I don't think any of them would think Bonnie did anything wrong. I think they would all think what she was a hero for what she did. That she saved lives. And I think police in the wealthy community would agree that Bonnie actied reasonably under the circumstances.

I don't think Bonjes past is relevant to that. And with respect, in the universe of the TV show, that is not necessarily Bonnie's past

Meant

They would think she was a hero for what she did

1.) Was that party at the school? Where the fuck was it? There were hundreds and hundreds of people

2.) Why were women wearing tiaras and men were dressed as Elvis?

3.) That party would have taken the same amount of planning as an Oscar telecast. I live in the Hamptons and galas aren't that well coordinated. Plus, people just kept arriving all night. The men are singing (was it a contest?) and after they finished, scores more people are seen arriving and going into the party. Was it a staggered invitation event?

4.) WTF did any of that have to do with trivia? Trivia night is usually held at a pub or a bingo hall with nobody in costume.

5} Celeste's therapist deserves a smack in the head for not telling her to get a fucking flip phone for the realtor and hiding it with the ringtone and vibration feature turned off. She knows how dangerous Celeste's husband is and could have gotten her killed. And how did Celeste get the car door open after Perry locked it?

6.) I thought the ending was too rushed. Silent movie, then...the end. Let's go walk on the beach. Meanwhile, there is never any reason given for Bonnie going all Avenger on Perry.

7.) They had no right -- nobody does -- to change an iconically bluesy song into what sounded like a nursery rhyme being recited by a retarded girl

8) Yes, I was high when I watched it.

9) No, I didn't see the first episode because for some reason I get free premium tv in my bedroom, but it doesn't include On Demand, so I can't go back and watch earlier episodes..

I don't want to get too deep into this but Bonnie follows Perry because something about his behavior alarms her but she doesn't get one of the other husbands to talk to him to defuse the situation or yells for help when she sees him beating Celeste and the other women, just bum rushes him, all 90 pounds of her although two of the women are taller, two are more athletic, and one has a fucking GUN and she manages to push him in just the right spot to end it once and for all. And all because she can't abide a bully and couldn't stand the sight of women being beaten. No other motivation AT ALL. And then they all lied to cover for her heroic actions. As stated in previous posts, without a backstory for Bonnie, this just all seems like a lame plot device.

"They had no right -- nobody does -- to change an iconically bluesy song into what sounded like a nursery rhyme being recited by a retarded girl"

I gather you are talking about the horribly rendered Rolling Stones "You Can't Always Get What You Want" used during the end credits? What an truly AWFUL version. Sometimes the original version should not be messed with.

The Stones original version of "You Can't Always Get What You Want" was used to great effect for a season finale of "Californication". It was used as Duchovny's character got in his car and rode down a winding highway as the camera zoomed upwards to get the great expanse of the scene. What a fantastic use of that song.

It was Chekov's stairs. If you had been paying attention that dangerous stairs was featured prominently throughout the series. Perry was beating Celeste while fighting off the other woman. Bonnie didn't need any more motivation than that to push Perry. She wasn't trying to push him down the stairs. Did the other women' need backstories too the help fight off Perry? And there's no evidence Jane had her gun. The gun was a red herring.

The only thing that doesn't make sense is that they would lie (or even have time to come up with an agreed-upon story.

R292, Jane didn't have a gun, it was simply her finding out Perry was her rapist and imagining having a gun.

Was Perry the Rapist or was she just imagining he could have been? It would have been the coincidence of the century that Jane just happen to settle in the same town as her rapist.

Why did Jane look so fat in that last outfit?

[quote] Did the other women' need backstories too the help fight off Perry?

We knew their backstories

Jane was a fat thin girl. You all know what I mean.

Coincidences happen all the time in fiction.

So you all think that Bonnie sees Perry beating the shit out of Celeste while she's on the ground while he's fighting off the other woman but needs EXTRA MOTIVATION to run and push him?

Perry was definitely the rapist.

Too many mystery/police procedural shows have what sounds like anemic, retarded, childish females warbling some stupid theme song. It's a requirement for UK and European tv. The Affair used a mature sounding retarded girl howling a ridiculous song, so it's at least a change over the ones with baby voices.

There was really no reason for Bonnie to follow Perry, especially when she just had a drink poured on her. Why not stay and try to diffuse the Ed/Nathan situation?

Perry looked so iintense and Celeste so scared that I think it made total sense that Bonnie followed them. It did not look like an ordinary spat. I would have followed in the circumstances presented

"Was Perry the Rapist or was she just imagining he could have been? It would have been the coincidence of the century that Jane just happen to settle in the same town as her rapist."

Guess I have to re-watch the series. I thought Jane was raped AFTER she moved into that town. If not, I assumed, since Perry traveled a lot for work, it wouldn't have been far-fetched that he raped her while she was living in another city where he happened to be for business. I assumed Perry also traveled to nearby places like LA, he seemed to travel with great frequency. I forgot where Jane said she lived before Monterey.

Apparently in the book it was explained that Bonnie's father had been abusive and violent, also a reason she chose a safe older man for a husband.

R304 she had lived in a nearby town. Perry's traveling takes on an added element with the revelation he was a serial rapist, probably as much amusing himself as doing business.

Jean-Marc Vallée says NO to a Season 2.

[quote] I thought Jane was raped AFTER she moved into that town.

That would make no sense given that Izzy is the result of said rape.

Perry being the rapist was so obvious from the beginning I was hoping they weren't going to go in such a cliched direction.

[QUOTE] I thought Jane was raped AFTER she moved into that town.

Stick to Days of Our Lives, hon.

[quote]Jean-Marc Vallée says NO to a Season 2.

He has already moved on co-producing another women heavy show for HBO: Sharp Objects

Jane lived in Santa Cruz before Monterey -- about 40 minutes away

"Stick to Days of Our Lives, hon."

No reason to be rude, I DID state, I'd have to re-watch the series. I wasn't paying full attention to the series. To be honest the shallow lives of rich housewives in upscale areas of the US, wasn't something I was interested in. I basically watched the series because of the performers involved. Some of the dialog was laughable, it only clarified how shallow these women's lives were.

Plus, so many of these series seemed to be filmed in the dark, half the time, most viewers do have to re-watch, it's easy to miss a lot of what's going on.

I also prefer to binge watch, I watched the second "The Missing" series a few weeks ago.

It was dark?

Yes, the entire series seemed to be filmed in the dark, not all the scenes. Reese's house was bright and airy, but most scenes were dark. Others have mentioned this upthread. I assure you nothing is wrong with my HD TV.

The other series I watch on HBO on Sunday nights have normal lighting, this series was literally dark.

Could this BI be about Big Little Lies?

This article explains a lot...

This article explains a lot.

Clearly they left a second season a possibility with the binocular shot at the end

I agree - second season is likely. It doesn't matter if there's a book or not.

I'm ok with a second season -- I just don't think it should be about a criminal investigation as there was no crime

I mean, look at the picture that was chosen to accompany that Blind Item. One redhead (Kidman), one blonde (Witherspoon) and a one brunette (Woodley). It's obviously about this show.

Is Shailene the one who thinks it's time to move on?

R320 - well, unless Skarsgard got jiggy with Kravitz.

BTW, how how is Skarsgard dressed in black leather? The man is walking sex.

The show could survive without Jane. Easy to explain. But they would need a new mystery.

I'd actually say the "No" is Zoe K. Simply because she knows she's a bit player and she really does have a lot of big projects coming up.

Yeah Jane is the lease interesting of the ladies . But her kid is half-brother to Celeste s boys

I though Skarsgard was a bit weak on the acting side. A better acton could have humanized Perry a little more. And his line readings are pretty bad.

Zoe is very pretty but as limited of an actress as her mom.

Maybe Perry also raped Zoe's character? He was sure a vicious messed-up bastard, I would not be surprised if he raped other women over the years. Perry seemed to equate violence with sex. Almost every time he beat the shit out of Nicole, they fucked.

The rape of Zoe's character might have occurred many years ago, when she was much younger. The character seemed to married awhile to Reese's ex, Zoe's kid with Reese's ex wasn't exactly a baby.

You just know Perry did it with guys, too.

I find Alexander Skarsgård extremely hot, but very limited as an actor. It's clear he gets work because he's very attractive not for his Shakespearean level acting, that's for sure!

[quote] watched the second "The Missing" series a few weeks ago.

Was Lydia from Breaking Bad pregnant AGAIN by the Governor from Walking Dead? I missed the first few episodes and had a hell of a time trying to figure out wtf was going on due to all the jumping around with chronology. Plus, I couldn't understand why they were saying the false Alice was dead when they kept showing her again in present day. It wasn't until Claire Foy's husband explained about Lena Garber that i understood that part

Its a real pain when On Demand isn't available.

Who cares how he acts. As long as he's brave enough to show schlong. That's real talent.

[quot] It's clear he gets work because he's very attractive not for his Shakespearean level acting, that's for sure!

His father is a famous actor in Europe who also appears in US productions. I'm sure there's a bit of nepotism in there.

It's clear people were waiting to post about this show until after it was over to avoid spoilers

"His father is a famous actor in Europe who also appears in US productions. I'm sure there's a bit of nepotism in there."

I am quite aware 'who' his father is. One of his brothers is also an actor, he's in a short video dancing with Riz Ahmed at some Euro awards photo shoot. They made a cute couple.

"Was Lydia from Breaking Bad pregnant AGAIN by the Governor from Walking Dead?"

Huh? I was talking about "The Missing", it's a series on Starz, it starred Tchéky Karyo as the retired detective who comes out of retirement to help two couples whose children went missing. There were two different series, they were excellent. Frances O'Connor was great in the first series, as was James Nesbitt, so were Kelley Hawes and David Morrissey as the second couple.

"The Missing", both series, are still available OnDemand, on Spectrum. Since TWC was sold to Spectrum, most of the premium channels have now added their past series to the OnDemand line-up.

OP here. I have been avoiding this thread because I didn't want anything spoiled. BUT WHAT A FABULOUS, LOW KEY RIDE! Great, great television here. Whoever cast this show should be recognized for their out-of-box, even off-the-wall, choices. Every single choice ended up being perfect.

One of the best choices was choosing Monterey as the location as the gorgeous scenery was like another charachter

Another in that didn't make sense was that any of these people would oppose a local production of Aevenie Q

OP, you're easily impressed. This was solid B television but its chick lit origin was never going to elevate it to the status of great. Nicole Kidman was fantastic, though.

[quote]One of his brothers is also an actor,

He has two brothers who are actors. Bill Skarsgård (Hemlock Grove and he's Pennywise in the new Stephen King IT) and Gustaf Skarsgård (Patrik 1.5 and Floki on Vikings).

So presumably Alexander Skarsgard was behind the decision for Celeste to shop at IKEA, right?

Watched all seven episodes. I totally regret not wanting to judge this without seeing it. It was so slow and each episode amounted to nothing. It could have been two hours and reached the same conclusions.

Does Alexander Skarsgård ping with anyone?

"He has two brothers who are actors. Bill Skarsgård (Hemlock Grove and he's Pennywise in the new Stephen King IT) and Gustaf Skarsgård (Patrik 1.5 and Floki on Vikings).

I am aware of that too, just wasn't sure if both of Alexander's brothers were well known in the US.

Here's a short clip of Bill Skarsgard and Riz Ahmed dancing. There's a longer version out there. This was from one of the Shooting Stars photo shoots in Berlin, from 2012.

Honestly I didn't like any of these actresses before - Reese, Nicole, Shailene - don't even like Laura Dern. But they were all incredibly good in this show. Even Zoe Kravitz who basically can't act was fantastic in the last episode. She got all antsy when she saw Nicole and Alexander and it was like her antennae went up and she just knew what was coming off. Great performances all around.

OP - in total agreement about the casting. Even the kids were each perfectly cast.

Even having not seen whatever else is coming out, I find it hard to believe if BLL does not win Best Miniseries. The direction, writing, photography, music especially, all amazing. And then there are the performances!!!!

I absolutely wanted this series to continue. For there to be a season 2. But the ending was so perfect, I now think they should leave it alone.

There's no way Big Little Lies will beat Feud.

No he doesn't R341.

Not even in the slightest.

The penultimate scene, leading up to Perry's demise was fucking brilliant. Every one of those actresses were on top of their game. Not one word was spoken, but every reaction and action was perfectly clear. Jane's recognition of Perry, Madeline's getting that recognition almost instantly, Renata just knowing evil was afoot, Bonnie's rage leading to his demise, and all of them realizing Celeste's perfect marriage was a horrific lie was perfectly telegraphed in complete silence. Sadly for them (and Jessica Lange, Susan Sarandon, and yes, Jackie Hoffman) only 2 female acting Emmys are available in their categories.

R349, it's very sad there are not enough Emmys for everyone.

"Does Alexander Skarsgård ping with anyone?"

"No he doesn't [R341]. Not even in the slightest."

Oddly enough, this has been a topic on and off at DL for many years. Especially when he was seen hanging out with Ellen Page. Many thought they were bearding for each other.

R347 No way will Feud beat BLL. Feud's amusing and well-done schlock. That's it. Lange is good, Sarandon's lousy.

HBO is making a series out of Sharp Objects? The book was demented.

R353 and it's Jean-Marc Vallee who is directing. Could be fantastic.

I loved it even though Perry being the rapist was such an obvious choice..I didn't even consider him as a suspect because it was just too obvious.

I think most of the credit for the success of BLL should go to the director, who did ALL of the episodes. He got such great performances out of everyone, including the kids.

Great use of cinematography as a character too. The houses reflected the personalities of their women. And the coastal scenes were fantastic. Score to boot; this series got all the tech aspects correct. Maybe it'll pick up some Emmys there?

It's funny reading this thread in a whirl after binge-watching the show.

So many of you were so dead wrong on so many plot points! Hilarious.

This is one of the only intelligent comments:

"It was Chekov's stairs. If you had been paying attention that dangerous stairs [were] featured prominently throughout the series"

The first time I saw those, I knew somebody would die there. I mean, really, YELLOW CAUTION tape.

[quote]The first time I saw those, I knew somebody would die there. I mean, really, YELLOW CAUTION tape.

Duh. From the beginning it was shown to be the crime scene with the cops going there to check out the body. The only thing that wasn't completely clear was who was dead.

I find Nathan really sexy. Is that his real singing voice?

I loathed Adam Scott's singing. I actually cringed.

No, both Nathan and Ed's singing voices were dubbed, and very badly at that. An odd misstep for an otherwise technically well handled show.

I was high when watching this and Ed's singing had me doubled over. Wtf?

[quote] I don't know why, but Madeline having the barista guy get her a drink at the party made me want to cry.

Keep taking your meds

That party has to be the best party ever! I can't imagine pulling that whole thing off.

Where was the party? I didn't quite catch it. I know it was a charity event, but what charity? Or was it for the school district?

And why was it called Trivia Night? What did it have to do with Trivia? I've seen trivia nights at community centers and churches, but they don't involve costumes or singing. More like the quiz nights on Midsomer Murders.

I think it was a fundraiser for the school, and it was held at the school as well.

I think the principal was asking trivia questions in between the songs, but why they called it trivia night when there was barely any trivia, I have no idea.

A school served alcohol on the premises? Wow.

Wasn't it at the community center where the party was held? The deadly stairs were always a prominent part of Madeline's (Reese Witherspoon) way when checking up on the play she was volunteering for and when she wanted to talk with the director she had an affair with.

I would probably kill myself if I had to watch this show with R366. Are you the same idiot who thought that Jane's rape happened AFTER she got to Monterey?

r370 I love you ! You old grumpy thing you !

[quote] Are you the same idiot who thought that Jane's rape happened AFTER she got to Monterey?

Nope.

If you're so smart, why don't you answer the questions?

Wtf did trivia have to do with a bunch of drunk adults dressed like Elvis Presley, singing in terrible voices?

Where was the "trivia night" held?

Someone's OCD is kicking in. Who gives a shit. It was party for rich people probably planned by a bunch of bored wealthy pta ladies.

I just watched the finale again. The last sequence was phenomenal.

One issue I had after the first viewing I think I solved after the second. I think I now understand why they didn't let Bonnie take the fall for the murder.

There wasn't a murder

Yes, but it was self defense.

[quote] I think I now understand why they didn't let Bonnie take the fall for the murder.

Isn't it obvious??

[QUOTE]I think I now understand why they didn't let Bonnie take the fall for the murder.

Oh, wow. Are you in MENSA?

[quote] I think I now understand why they didn't let Bonnie take the fall for the murder.

You must have been at the top of the bottom of your class!

Perry was the one who "took the fall." Literally.

What was that sticking out Perry's neck? A wooden stake?

Since the season has ended I am wondering if things have been changed from the books? Was it Perry in the book as well?

Why not look up-thread at 317, who provided a link that clearly and extensively explains the differences between the book and the series.

It's astounding how many complete cement-heads this show has attracted. The inability to recognize major plot points, foreshadow, flash-forwards and other clever cinematic and script details elude the soap opera frau-mind.

Totally, R383. That question could be answered by a simple Wikipedia search in less than a minute.

[QUOTE][R370] I love you ! You old grumpy thing you !

Love you too!

How odd, there is no r317. I guess I must have put that particular poster on ignore. But thanks anyway r383.

[quote]It's astounding how many complete cement-heads this show has attracted. The inability to recognize major plot points, foreshadow, flash-forwards and other clever cinematic and script details elude the soap opera frau-mind.

Oh, shut the fuck up. It's not like this shit was Proust. Stop patting yourself on the back because you understand something that you mistakenly believe is "sophisticated." It's not high art, and you are not Jackie Onassis during her book editor phase, either.

Dipshit.

Explaining basic storytelling techniques is not sophisticated, you bleeding cunt dripping, R386.

Who the fuck are you quoting, you hyena, R386? The voices in your head, you shrieking harpy, R386?

We know what this bitch-pansy's morning routine in: scour DataLounge to attack stray people like a true psychotic, which R386 is.

Go back to a Feud thread. You're obviously on of those deranged Faye Dunaway fan-phags.

R385 blocks someone who provides a factual linked article

R386 whips herself into a frenzy when called out and accurately described.

Both prove my point about this show strangely attracting cement-heads and smart people alike!

r388, you forgot the show also attracts basic cunts like you who think they can attack others for some cheap thrill.

I'm not R388, but R389, hon, you don't exactly sound like a brain trust.

R389, you forgot to look in the mirror when you typed that.

Thiat's enough! All of yous! STOP

R381 It was rebar that was being used to fix the cement steps.

I love whoever called them "Chekov's Stairs." Brill.

I so hope Nicole Kidman wins the Emmy, because it will make some Jessica Lange fantards' heads explode. Clearly they lurk in here thinking dissing the show and other posters will sway the Emmy voters (LOL!).

I happen to think Reese, Nicole and Jess are all brilliant and deserve to win. I prefer Jessica because I think that show and her performance are already iconic and FUED is an instant classic. Frankly r395 you sound a little too emotionally invested in some kind of rivalry with anonymous queens on the internet.

Yay! The psychotic 'Feud' fans have invaded! (eyeroll)

I hope R386 falls down some stairs soon. It would be so meta-theater.

I don't know a single person talking bout Feud other than the deranged trolls on DL.

Well, it's time to befriend a few homosexuals, R398. They're quite entertaining.

I don't get the accolades for this series, it was OK. It definitely wasn't as 'deep' as some here keep going on about.

[quote]Frankly [R395] you sound a little too emotionally invested in some kind of rivalry with anonymous queens on the internet.

Eat sawdust for a change. The shit, you usually eat, is leaking into your brain.

Psycho alert at R387. Goes into an obscenity laced rage over a tv show about haus frauen.

Also thinks everyone she is arguing with is a slut, a whore and is sexually harassing her.

R401

Has the Restaurant Loon made her way to DL?

I have a feeling that Nicole Kidman will be winning the Emmy. She was astounding in this. Easily the best work of her career. And if I recall correctly, she doesn't have an Emmy yet.

So when was Shailene's character raped?

When she was in a South American jungle with her evil twin in search of a hidden emerald, R406.

OK THX! Thought she was raped during a Scissor Sisters tour!

[quote]So when was Shailene's character raped?

It better damn well NOT have happened in Manhattan!

It actually happened in Olivia Benson's station house!

So many of your so breathless about this.

Good performances not great. A lot of camp and kitsch. Kitschy script and treacly finale. A number of the characters acting in ways that are 20 IQ points below their characters are set up. Or maybe they are schizophrenic? Women forced untrue characterisations into this series.

Zoe Kravitz is Lenny and Lisa Bonet's daughter??? Wow!

Was this show expected to be a series or limited ?

They look like sisters!

Even though Zoe has two black parents, she's half white. That's neither here nor there but just struck me. I think Lisa is more beautiful.

R413 Limited. It's based on a book, and they covered the whole story of the book in this series.

Reese is saying that, if the author agrees to write a sequel, there will be a season 2.

I know the "smart beyond her years" child is a tired trope, but I just love the character of Reese's daughter in this (forgot her name). So cute. The actress is great too.

R415, both Lisa and Lenny have a black and white parent.

Zoe really hit the genetic lottery.

[quote]Zoe really hit the genetic lottery.

Really??? I think she's pretty ordinary looking.

R418 I dislike most kids in movies and tv. But I thought they did a great job casting the kids in this. My favorite was Annabella.

r420 that's ordinary? I think she looks pretty there.

" a slut, a whore "

Butcha are, R402. Ya are a slut and a whore.

Lisa Bonet was prettier than Zoe. Their bone structure is almost identical but Lisa's eyes are huge whereas Zoe's are small and hooded.

[quote]My favorite was Annabella.

AMABELLA. The pretentiousness of the name spoke volumes about Renata.

And speaking of names: Celeste, Madeline, Renata .... and JANE? Clearly an attempt to differentiate between the women's statuses.

"Perry" sounds very queeny to me. I wonder if he raped any men as well.

Renata has become the adjective to use in our house for something clueless, overwrought, or pretentious. Amabella is such a Renata name.

I agree that Lisa is prettier than Zoe, but Zoe is no slouch.

Plain Jane

I liked how Renata sort of came to Celeste's rescue at the end. Who knows what would have happened if she and her husband had not come to the car window to say hello to Perry and Celeste before the party. I think Celeste also used her phone to call her nanny to move the children to her safe house (although I could have just imagined that). She came through when it counted.

The little kid who played Reese's daughter got interviewed by Vulture. She spilled a lot of gossip (guess that's TEA these days on the DL..)

The rape occurred in the drawing room, with a candlestick.

Has Lisa Bonet had drug problems? I think she's attractive, but she's looked sickly for a long time.

Zoe is very pretty. I recently saw her on Fallon, or Seth Meyers, she joked about growing up with bohemian parents and that she craved a normal life. She talked about Lisa and Lenny throwing her a party, it ended up being a party where most of the guests got pierced.

What happened to Lisa Bonet? Her career totally disappeared.

R433, wasn't she on an episode of "Girls" last season or something?

She's been making guest appearances. I saw her last season on an episode of Girls.

Lisa needs to gain about 20 pounds, she looks very ill.

[quote]"Perry" sounds very queeny to me. I wonder if he raped any men as well.

I'd have gladly volunteered to be a victim.

Gays love BLL!

Beyond being hot and sexy as hell, I don't get Alexander's appeal. You can just look at someone for so long. He's not much of an actor.

I need my actors to have talent as well as a certain IT factor, Alexander is pure surface, not much else.

Agree r439. I better actor could have humanized Perry a bit more

The music overkill is really annoying.

Let me correct that for you, the BAD music was overkill, especially the 'singer' who ruined "You Can't Always Get What You Want". It sounded like a drunken child.

Why do these shows insist on using bad re-makes of great songs? They couldn't get clearance from the original musicians?

Skaarsgard is a so-so actor and not much to look at.

Watching again and I think the actor who played Nathan is the stealth hottie

"I think Nicole looks prettier than she has in years and her face looked natural and expressive."

Hahahaha, you must be insane.

Nicole looked lovely. In the kid's interview the girl who played Chloe said that Nicole let them all put on her wig and run around! Some of you are so fucking old and bitter. Witherspoon has a face full of artfully done botox but y'all are observant about that?

Sexy ass James Tupper (Nathan) is Anne Heche's partner for the last 10 years btw. They met on Men in Trees and she left her husband for him. Not Ellen.

Cold Little Heart

It's a really great song

Disagree with R439. Skarsgard was so good in this. The way he used his body and facial expressions was just incredible. He could be relaxed and charming in one second and brutally vicious in the next. You could see the subtlest of changes to his expression, and it was as if the temperature dropped 30 deg. and the tension shot to a15 on a scale from 1-10. Kidman didn't do that in a vacuum. He brings that same level of nuance to all his roles. I've noticed that most reviews of his performances comment on his ability to bring 2-D characters to life, and he's getting the same buzz for his performance in BLL. My take is he held his own and then some with much more seasoned actors. No weak links detected here. It takes more than just a pretty face to get me interested too. Otherwise, Bomer and Cavill would have grabbed my attention a long time ago.

Agreed, R449. BLL was Skarsgard's best work since Generation Kill, I thought. He was chilling and creeped me out every time he appeared, even when Perry was being nice, er, "nice."

Another vote for phenomenal acting from Skarsgard.

Skarsgaard (or however you spell his name) was excellent in this. Haven't seen him in anything else. He's the son of Stellan S (however you spell it?)

He worked really well with Kidman. I think that's the first time I've seen on film how an abusive relationship can seduce somebody, how somebody inside one can interpret it as passionate not just abusive. He was great when he'd turn from hitting Kidman to being all jovial, loving Daddy to his sons. Kidman always towers over her co-stars so he must be exceptionally tall which meant that you could believe he could beat her up. Most of her tiny leading men, you'd think she'd just wallop them.

I'd gone off Kidman a long time ago but I have to admit she was fantastic in this and despite the botoxy frozen face managed to convey an extraordinary range of emotions with her eyes. They had great chemistry together too.

Robin Weigert as Nicole's therapist also deserves Emmy attention (although I fear that her work will be passed over). I thought she was exceptional.

1) This should have been a late summer series. It is LURID. It reminds me of A Place in the Sun, a movie I really enjoy watching in the August heat.

2) A week after finishing it I'm thinking the wife beating story arc was the best. Jane and Renata child drama, rape, class critique, that was the 2nd best. Madeline's love life pales, as the the 3rd story arc.

[QUOTE]1) This should have been a late summer series. It is LURID. It reminds me of A Place in the Sun, a movie I really enjoy watching in the August heat.

I disagree. I think it was more powerful in a post-Trump world to show this particular community of women ultimately banding together to overcome male aggression and abuse.

The ending actually sort of reminded me of a 1917 short story called "A Jury of Her Peers" by Susan Glaspell. In it, two women decide to keep another woman's crime a secret while the male police officers are bumbling around completely clueless about who the real culprit is.

Vogue had an article suggesting other books that should be adapted. Anybody read any of these?

The end of Big Little Lies—in all of its sexy, psychotic glory—has left a glaring hole in our prestige television regimens. What will become of Sunday nights? Thankfully, a spate of juicy, epic, and brilliant best-sellers may be headed to the screen soon enough. Paging Reese Witherspoon, queen of the Hollywood book adaptation—we’re waiting . . .

The Mothers

Brit Bennett’s The New York Times best-selling debut novel about a love triangle and a mother’s dark past in a small, God-fearing Southern California town is not only slated for big-screen treatment courtesy of Warner Bros., but also has Kerry Washington signed on to produce. If fans are lucky, she’ll cast herself as the mysterious mother of the main character, Nadia Turner.

Where’d You Go, Bernadette?

Like Big Little Lies, Maria Semple’s 2012 novel is teeming with tiger moms and mystery. Now, everyone’s go-to smart, snappy vacation book recommendation is heading to the silver screen, with director Richard Linklater, Cate Blanchett as the titular missing mother, and Kristen Wiig in talks to play her neighborhood nemesis. Though Hollywood is notorious for optioning books but never making them (The Secret History starring Gwyneth Paltrow, we hardly knew ye), Bernadette could actually happen, thanks to the presence of super-producer Megan Ellison.

The Girls

Emma Cline’s moving novel about a group of teens sucked into a fictionalized Manson cult is begging for the Sofia Coppola treatment, whether as a movie or a highly addictive, BLL-style miniseries. If anyone can and will execute it, it’s Oscar heavyweight Scott Rudin, who has already bought the film rights. (Our two cents? Matthew McConaughey is the natural choice for the magnetic cult leader, Russell.)

Fates and the Furies

The National Book Award finalist (and one of President Obama’s favorites) has beautiful yuppies, a dysfunctional marriage, and plenty of seaside scenes—everything HBO could dream of! Note to the powers that be: Tap Paltrow as the elegant, seemingly perfect wife, Mathilde.

All the Light We Cannot See

The heartrending World War II epic by Anthony Doerr already has a Pulitzer Prize. Now it just needs Steven Spielberg behind the camera—and let the Oscars roll in.

There are tons of Anthony Doerr stories that would make great adaptions. I'm amazed there haven't been any.

Here's the crazy thing about the Emmys.

If Big Little Lies wins Best Miniseries and Dern wins for supporting and Sarandon wins Actress, then this September all four women would be first time Emmy winners because of producing credits.

Susan Sarandon, Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman and Laura Dern would all walk away winners.

Jessica Lange already has 3 Emmys, so this would be a nice way to reward everyone.

R458, not everyone who participates needs or deserves a trophy. Feud and Jessica Lange deserve to win, although Kidman did a fantastic job. I'd be fine with Dern winning for Supporting.

I hated Zoe Kravitz' character until literally the last three minutes of the show when suddenly she became likable when she pushed that creep down the stairs. I wouldn't mind having her return and her character expand.

I can't imagine there won't be a sequel. A previously unknown author is hardly going to ignore the requests of major Hollywood powerhouse actresses and HBO.

Threes is no way Sarandon is winning the Emmy.

No one is beating Kidman. She pretty much bared all.

I'm betting Kidman puts herself up for supporting.

Sarandon's not winning anything. She just played Susan Sarandon as usual. No comparison with the work of Kidman or even Witherspoon and Shailene. Dern seems like a lock for Supporting. Skarsgard will at least get a nomination.

[quote]I can't imagine there won't be a sequel. A previously unknown author is hardly going to ignore the requests of major Hollywood powerhouse actresses and HBO.

I don't know if HBO is really that eager to deal with an author to push out a new book ready so it can be filmed after George R. R. Martin and his Game of Thrones saga.

With the Vogue book suggestions I wonder if this could become a new Anthology series?

Feud is fun and the performances are good to great, but Kidman deserves Lead and Dern should get Supporting.

That said, I wouldn't mind Allison Wright win Supporting for Feud, but she's really only had one great episode, while Dern impressed throughout all of BLL.

That finale part of BLL when all the women realize what's happening, with no dialogue, was an instantly iconic TV moment. It should win just for that.

Stevie, it is my song and no, your harmonies weren't that vital.

BLL is FrauTV, a Lifetime series with HBO production values.

Nah R469. I'm a gay man and I loved it. Best performances any of those actresses have ever given, probably largely due to Jean-Marc Vallee's direction. He's a great actor's director (Dallas Buyers Club, Wild).

R462 Based on what we've seen, probably not. But the word is she does her best work in the last two episodes, (Bette getting revenge on Joan)....

So the verdict is still out...

Kidman is getting deserved praise and a full career reappraisal. She deserves it. Big Little Lies was not frau TV, what a dumb thing to say. Feud is ANCIENT FAG TV by that cheap standard. Some Jessica Lange fans are a bit loony. BLL reminds us there are more surprising actresses in the game, always ready to rise to good work.

From Time Magazine:

"Big Little Lies has a core of unapologetic "genre" to it—which is to say that it is pulpy enough to use death, sex, and outsized emotionality to make its points. But the treatment of the series as a revival of Desperate Housewives with A-listers has been frankly a bit mystifying; those same elements have been at the center of more or less every serious TV drama of the past decade, from The Americans to The Leftovers to Mad Men.

Big Little Lies provided actresses with opportunities to do serious, great work—it's been gratifying in particular to see Kidman, one of the finest performers working today, get the level of praise that's eluded her, somewhat, in recent film work. That said work begins with a "mystery" takes nothing away from it, but it's all the more gratifying that the show both provided an answer and dismissed the need for one.

Big Little Lies is well-made enough to provide satisfaction, and sophisticated enough to know that pleasures can come not just from following old narrative beats but from crafting wholly new ones. A solution to a mystery is easy enough; depicting the coming-together of an unlikely community, and making us feel for each member, is hard and worthwhile."

R458 - "this would be a nice way to reward everyone. "

Emmy awards aren't like a grade school soccer game, where everyone gets a pat on the head and a trophy for participation.

I'd bet the majority of industry voters are straight white men who are inwardly misogynists and feel guilty about it, so they'll vote for an actress who played a character abused by a man.

[quote]Emmy awards aren't like a grade school soccer game, where everyone gets a pat on the head and a trophy for participation.

Now you tell me.

It could definitely get best ensemble as some of the other award shows. I really liked BLL but one thing that bugged me were all the interviews from minor characters. They weren't necessary and didn't tell us anything we didn't know already. They weren't an effective plot device. I also hate Sarah Burns, she always plays a cunt.

As for Ed, Reese should've dumped him. What a pathetic shlub he was. The theater director was a doll. Maybe in season 2 Reese can get with him again. You know she wanted to.

I will miss the Zigster. That's all.

Can't believe the accolades for this series. It doesn't hold a candle to The Night Of! I found TNO more believable than this series about shallow wealthy Californians and all their self-created 'dramas'.

I'm not putting down the acting, it was top notch, I simply didn't care about the subject matter. It's unfortunate so many TV series and films are about very wealthy shallow people.

R456 I would add a Gentleman in Moscow to that list. What a wonderful book, perfect for a mini-series.

I hope Laura Dern wins the Emmy. If she loses she'll be 0/6. I love Eileen Atkins, but Dern should have won for playing Harris in Recount!

Robin Weigert is underused and appreciated as an actress. She should get a big break like being cast as a detective in True Detective or something on that order.

Just read True Detective and The Night Of are coming back.

I agree that The Night Of was better than Big Little Lies.

I just looked Dern up on IMDB. She's been nominated 5 times for the Emmy but has never one. I thought she had one at least two. Knowing that, I think she might be a lock.

WON sorry

I am not a fan of Cate Blanchett. She ruins just about every movie she is in.

Cate Blanchett has got to be one of today's most overrated actresses. I also don't get why she's constantly lauded as some sort of fashion icon and why designers flock to her. She looks like any other bland white woman passing on the street. Putting very expensive clothing on a plain woman, doesn't make her a fashion icon!

Hi Goop at R485! Isn't it time for your colonic or vag steaming?

Shhhh. Please do not disturb Ms. Paltrow. She's making preparations for anal sex.

[quote]I will miss the Zigster. That's all.

You won't be missing him for long. He's playing the lead role (young Sheldon) in the "Big Bang Theory" spinoff.

I was about to ask what happened with that sapphic glance between Celeste and Jane in the first or second episode and then I realized that wasn't a lustful glance, it was a knowing one.

Laura Dern should have won an Emmy for Elnightened. She was brilliant.

It's criminal that Laura Dern didn't win an Emmy for Recount or Enlightened, Lisa Kudrow lost both times for The Comeback, and Kim Cattrall lost 5 Emmys for SATC.

Meanwhile Doris Roberts won 4 Emmys for Raymond.

Er, that went into the wrong topic.. something screwed up on the DL today. Russki trolls?

I enjoyed it. Thought the acting was excellent.

But I guessed the "big reveal" several episodes too soon.

And the music was suited for the writer, not the cast, who were, at least a decade and, in many cases, decades younger.

A two hour story dragged out to showcase real estate porn. Which, if you enjoy real estate porn, isn't so bad. If not....eh.

Oh.... makeup does not cover bruises, btw. And if Kidman had been as brutalized as they showed, she would have trouble standing up straight and walking.

One of the best lines in this was:

"0h, Jesus....It's one thing should he kill you but God forbid you miss a party? You know, your husband is ill, Celeste...but so are you."

[/quote]And the music was suited for the writer, not the cast, who were, at least a decade and, in many cases, decades younger.

Yeah, this really bothered me and people don't bring it up because they think it's cute. Precocious kids with incredibly mature taste in music, who are even learning the lyrics and recreating the music videos of those songs? That's not adorable, it's just fucking gross and shows the writer couldn't restrain himself from masturbating all over the script.

Alexander Skarsgard did a Sag-Aftra interview it uploaded recently. What a bore. I think this mini series is highly overrated.

I'm watching it now, and I'm just stunned that Nicole Kidman has been getting so much praise for this. She's (under)playing yet another enigmatic emotionally stunted woman who has kinky sex with her husband. I think the only reason she's received praise for this performance is because she's playing a battered wife.

It also seems unbelievable no one could get Amabella to tell them who was bullying her.

[quote] I can't imagine there won't be a sequel. A previously unknown author is hardly going to ignore the requests of major Hollywood powerhouse actresses and HBO.

Who does she think she is, anyway? She is THEIRS to COMMAND!!!

The description of it being like Desperate Housewives with A-listers is pretty accurate.

I loved that the girl was named (ridiculously) Amabella, and that the day of the "assault" the teacher or administrator started talking about what Annabella, oh sorry I mean "Amabella," told us today...

We can all foresee that poor girl having to correct the spelling and pronunciation of her name until she is old enough to legally change it, if she's smart enough to do so.

Sorry, mother, it was cute, but you do realize that an m looks like two n's and that makes it worse! My passport was done wrong twice! I'm sick of the hassle and just want to live a normal life.

I loved it. I'm no detective but I pegged Perry as Jane's rapist early on and one of the twins as Amabella's bully. I figured Jane was gonna shoot him at the party. I'm hoping there's a second season and Dean wins supporting and Reese and Nicole tie for best actress.

[quote] Dean wins supporting

Dean who?

Meant Dern

[quote]The description of it being like Desperate Housewives with A-listers is pretty accurate.

But Desperate Housewives was already with A-listers.

[quote]The description of it being like Desperate Housewives with A-listers is pretty accurate.

HBO has completely lost its fucking edge.

Injustice if Kidman loses!

Eh, I think the Emmy will go to Jessica Lange for her Joan Crawford. Kidman was great in Big Little Lies, apart from a few lapses into her Australian accent, and would make a worthy winner in most years. But I doubt voters will be able to resist Lange giving a tour de force as a notorious, larger-than-life celebrity with a tragic emotional arc and big age span, lots of quotable sass, lots of crying and shouting... It's Emmy catnip.

Plus Emmy adores Lange.

i just finished binged wacthing this and loved it!!

Nicole will win the Emmy by a nip.

I am not a fan of Reese (don't you know who I am) Witherspoon or Nicole (I won an Oscar for wearing a fake nose) Kidman (plus that ODD clapping) but I have to say they were both fantastic in this and I'd hand the Emmy to Nicole over Jessica L, but I do think Jess will win for that last episode where Joan was frail and alone.

Im just now watching this show- been binge watching all day. One episode to go so no spoilers.

Ok so i finally just finished. Excellent show and I love the soundtrack. I really enjoyed Zoe's preformance and presence. My only issue is, why did they have to cover up about the big death? It was an accident with multiple witnesses so why hide the truth? Did anyone read the book?

Because we need another lie to hide in S2.

Wtf! When I posted my thread barely anyone replied. So done with this.

[quote]As for Ed, Reese should've dumped him. What a pathetic shlub he was. The theater director was a doll. Maybe in season 2 Reese can get with him again. You know she wanted to.

I hated Ed throughout the series. Adam Scott and Reese Witherspoon had zero chemistry. I liked Scott on Parks and Rec. But, he sucks in drama shows.

I think the lack of chemistry was the point r517. The theater director might have made her naughty bits tingle, but could not have provided her with the lifestyle sh had grown accustomed to. She settled for the magnificent house on the cliff and the luxury SUV.

Skarsgard is the rapist. Max did the choking.

This does not need a sequel. The characters in and of themselves are not interesting.

No one cares about Zoe's relationship with her abusive father or how Nicole gave up her career to have a family.

Let it go. Reunite the cast adapting another book, sure, but this is done. And speaking of letting it go, none of those rich liberals would give a fuck about Avenue Q.

I agree, why a sequel? Unless there's another mystery to be solved, who cares.

The series has been over-hyped anyway, it was good, not great at all.

Another mystery will be a Broadchurch Series 2 drop in quality.

bump

nobody picked up that Kidman's therapist is played by DL icon Robin Weigert?

Actually a few have. Why is she an icon?

well, we had a thread about her and it was quite vicious, i seem to remember. that's the only reason i know who she is, actually. I'm finishing watching the show, i hope the editors got paid a lot: the cast is great, but this really is a triumph of form over substance. It's the jumpy cuts that keep you on edge. Told in a more conventional way this is a snoozfest out of the 90s.

I have 2 episodes left to see of the over-rated clap trap Lifetime movie---when does it get started? And all this bullshit about Nicole Kidman turning in a fabulous performance is just that--bullshit. This is what Hollywood hype buys you in America.

do rich people really have those "school benefits" with a theme and play dress up? that sounds beyond retarded. I'm not a rich californian parent, please tell me it's pure fiction.

Absolutely r528. Private school galas are very much a real thing

but the one in the show is a public school, they repeat that a few times during the whole series

the ending was awful, sorry. Rushed, totally unbelievable (so it happens Perry raped Jane too? OK), and the real culprit is a minor character nobody gave a shit about for 90% of the story. and the identities of the dead and the bully were so clear since episode 2 that i couldn't believe there was not some majot twist at the end. Meh.

I'm in the Hamptons and one of the private schools has a weekly farmer's market. Much of the produce comes from vegetable gardens that landscapers put in for $100k a pop at the estates of the rich. The landscapers design the gardens, maintain them and hire people to pick the produce. (Guess who started this trend of gardening by the rich? DL fave Ina Garten. Most of the 1% who want vegetable gardens say, "I want one like the Barefoot Contessa has")

But when I lived in the city my son's public school - which looked like a turn of the (19th to 20th) century minimum security prison-- had lots and lots of auctions, bake sales, performances, chess championships, etc. And every class was assigned to bring in snacks for the cafeteria that could be sold for 50 cents each, once a month. I made cupcakes, but some parents just went to costco and got big sacks of popcorn and put them in small plastic bags. No initiative.

Many of the public school mommies were corporate lawyers and investment bankers who had too much time on their hands since they decided to be a stay at home mom for little Violet, Dasheill and Taigan. It was funny because their kids went to school with ShyAnn, Keisha, Ti Hua and Hue. There are just so many private schools in NYC and there aren't going to be any new ones because real estate is so damned expensive. In fact, there are far fewer private schools in NYC than there were in the 70s and 80s. Which means many kids have to go to public schools. So, the mommies on Madison Ave made PS 6 a public school that is much like a private school and the other UES mommies did the same for their schools. Lots of ghetto and Chinatown kids go to school with the up-and-coming 1% who didn't have enough connections to get into a private school. You can't believe the homework kids were given. Written assignments in kindergarten.

[quote]nobody picked up that Kidman's therapist is played by DL icon Robin Weigert?

I did! She's got an in with HBO, no? I first saw her in Angels in America and know she had a prominent role in Deadwood, though I've only seen YouTube compilations of her performance. I think she's really captivating, and part of the reason why those therapy scenes are so riveting.

I can't hear hate about Kidman's performance. I haven't been impressed with her in years and she honestly blew me away. As did Alexander Skarsgaard though. It really is a joint performance. I'm glad both of them won Emmys. I'm also glad Laura Dern won her first Emmy!

While I love the show, I'll agree to an extent with the user who said that it's more form over substance. I've noticed this with Jean Marc Vallee's films. I didn't think Dallas Buyers Club was all that interesting, but I did notice the way it was shot. I actually really enjoy Wild, but again, it's the way Vallee crafts scenes that really work for me. It helps that he populates his projects with stellar actors.

OP here.

OK OK, the last episode and the big reveal brought all 7 episodes together in harmony. I liked this show. It was worth the time spent to watch it.

But I don't understand why none of us considered Reese Witherspoon as a contender for the Emmy. She was terrific in this film. And Laura Dern?---what was that Emmy for?

"more form over substance"

I disagree. Episode 6, in particular, had three beautifully written and constructed scenes. I was shocked it won every major Emmy except writing.

What won writing?

The Black Mirror episode. I'll have to see if I can find it on line.

OKI remember, I liked that one.

Absolute crap fest. Unrealistic situations. Soap opera with cheesy dialog. Don't get me wrong the show was a great escape. Laura Dern & Nicole Kidman did NOT deserve Emmys. Awards are fucking rigged. There were other performances in the categories way superior. I hope Emmys collapse is near.

I watched it his week, I loved it!

R539 Jessica Lange Troll?

[quote]And Laura Dern?---what was that Emmy for?

For being Laura Dern. In all honesty, she was flawless in a role that could have easily been mono-dimensionalized into the old, uppity bitch we all assumed she'd be, but there's so much more to the character. Despite her grating demeanor, you can understand where she's coming from as a mother who wants her daughter to be safe. You also see how unfairly she's perceived as a woman in power and the sacrifices she's made to get there. It's just a well realized performance from one of our most reliable actresses.

Also this scene:

[quote] Reese's house was bright and airy, but most scenes were dark

I just watched the marathon last night. Nothing looked dark to me. Not even when it was supposed to be night time.

I hated the precocious kids who talked like adults and knew 50 year old music.

R543, I hate that too.

Exactly R543! And that wasn't the only annoying thing. Even the adult characters were so badly written like a typical soap. It was like watching Days of our lives or When the World Turns with A list actors.

Dern won the Emmy for that scene in her husband's office where she talks about how she has to be a bitch. Reese was great, but it really was Tracy Flick 2.o. It wasn't new. Kidman revealed new depths to her acting that she hasn't shown before. She won for the scenes with her therapist. Those were masterful.

There was problems with BLL but it ended very well with the women some who hated each other banded together to fight the evil man.

I love Nicole and she deserves all the awards but Reece was very good also playing a not so nice character like she did early in her career.

Reece did something similar in Wild. I still think that chipper demeanor shines through, but I admire her not just for taking more chances, but providing opportunities for more women to take chances. I remember years ago Reece mentioned producing her own material... this might have been one of those roundtables. I didn't think much of it at the time, but if Wild and Big Little Lies are anything to go by, we've got some good stuff ahead.

Season 2 begins filming in LA in March.

that's good news, r549....I think.

but I'll miss >>>

So what will the 2nd season be about?

One of the housewife getting killed and then we have to guess the whole season who killed her?

Season 2 is said to focus on Adam Scott, James Tupper and the theater guy. After all the drama with their wives, they head off for a man's weekend in the woods and discover they were lying to themselves.

Will the little kid who's now Young Sheldon be back?