Hannah Young

If you follow Reese Witherspoon, Shailene Woodley, Zoë Kravitz, or Nicole Kidman on Instagram, you’ve probably seen quite a few behind-the-scenes snapshots of Big Little Lies’ second season.  The popular HBO series was originally planned to run for just one season, but its fan support has set additional episodes in motion.  Season two will premiere in 2019, so there’s plenty of time to catch up on the first seven episodes.  And catch up you should! Big Little Lies is a beautiful, powerful, feminist show that breaks down the stereotypical 'mom drama' TV cliché and instead emphasizes the important narrative of women uniting.

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Watch Big Little Lies here!

The story, based on the novel of the same name by Liane Moriarty, takes place in Monterey, California.  The cinematography takes advantage of the stunning ocean views, weaving these images into metaphors for the tumultuous lives of the main characters.  The soundtrack throughout the series includes oldies and new favorites alike — it’s like a great Spotify playlist you just discovered.  You won’t be tempted to skip the opening sequence before each episode, either, since it combines a haunting-yet-soothing theme song with beach shots, and, of course, the credits.  

And the credits are truly where the show shines.  The main characters are all played by highly experienced and skilled actors who pour their hearts and souls into each scene.  For instance, Reese Witherspoon delivers a relatable performance as Madeline, a good-intentioned, loyal, distracted, and remarried mother of two.  Shailene Woodley breaks out of her stereotype of playing only teenagers (think Divergent and The Fault in our Stars) as newcomer Jane, a troubled yet hilarious single mother.  Nicole Kidman stars in some of the most poignant and disturbing moments of the series, showcasing remarkable grit and perseverance as Celeste, especially when opposite her husband Perry (portrayed by Alexander Skarsgard) and her twin boys.  Finally, Zoë Kravitz excels in a love-to-hate-her role as Bonnie, a holistic yoga teacher who also happens to be married to Madeline’s ex-husband.

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 In the era of #MeToo, it’s essential to see women standing together and fighting misogynistic and abusive figures.

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It sounds like a complicated premise, and it can feel a little overwhelming to keep track of in the first couple of episodes.  But the drama will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat — there’s plenty of stress, parenting, sex, lies, and everything else you would expect in an HBO series.  Yet the show also delves into tougher subjects, including rape, domestic abuse, and murder.  Through these intense trials and tribulations, you’ll find yourself becoming deeply attached to the characters and caring for them like your own best friends.

But then again, that description could really apply to many classic drama series.  Where Big Little Lies truly breaks away and becomes so unique is with its female leads.  It’s been a while since I’ve seen a show that so deeply develops relationships between adult women — it portrays them forming unbreakable bonds without being cheesy or unrealistic.  The end of the first season contains scenes that will shock you and that you’ll re-watch over and over.  I’m especially referring to one do-or-die scene where Madeline, Jane, and Celeste share meaningful looks in the span of about ten seconds and immediately all realize a truth previously unknown to them.  It’s such a beautiful moment that’s impossible to forget.  And in the era of #MeToo, it’s essential to see women standing up together and fighting misogynistic and abusive figures.  The characters aren’t perfect, but they’re still role models.  In fact, their imperfections make them all the more relatable.  Overall, the modern message that Big Little Lies brings to the table is one of unity, feminism, strength, and love, and I highly recommend it to anyone!

 

Hannah is a student studying sociology at Hamilton College.  You can usually find her powerlifting at the gym, enjoying picnics in Central Park with her friends, or doing an excessive amount of online shopping.

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