My life is actually complete after watching the Big Little Lies grand finale …. It was just everything!
To say this has been one of the most compelling, star-power-stuffed shows on TV for the past six weeks is an understatement.
Friendships, frenemies and a whole lot of F-bombs, it’s been packed with infuriating, complicated women who you can’t abide one minute, only to totally get the next. HBO has delivered a masterclass in how to portray female-driven characters on screen.
And the season climax was no different, delivering explosion after explosion. So,let’s break them down.
The look on Celeste’s (Nicole Kidman) face as it dawned on her that Max’s violent streak could be down to experiencing the abuse in her own household was heart-breaking.
Madeline showed her vulnerability
BLL’s great strength has been digging beneath the privileged characters’ outwardly picture-perfect lives, and Madeline (Reese Witherspoon) was no exception. With a supportive-to-a-fault partner, a giganto-mansion, and smart, articulate kids, and ‘difficult’ personality, she’s not exactly easy to empathise with, but beneath the surface she’s still messed up about her first husband leaving her, ragingly jealous of his new wife, and cheating on second husband Ed – seemingly just because she can. Her showing her insecurity and being overwhelmed by guilt at the fundraiser was a powerful Madeline moment.
The series was all about the women, and the final beach scene showing all the women together as their children happily played, reflected that. But that final shot, as though they were being watched from afar, implies that they’re not completely free.
Which sets us up nicely for season two. Hooooyah!!!!
