MovieChat Forums > Big Little Lies (2017) Discussion > So How Good is the Show?

So How Good is the Show?

posted 8 years ago by R_Kane (15828)
9 replies | jump to latest

I've seen two episodes and, barring something really stupid happening, I'm in for the duration. I found myself talking to the TV in the second episode, because I couldn't believe how stupid and destructive the things I was seeing were. I already hate Maddy (symbolic name) Mackenzie. My guess as of now is she's the murder victim and the perp is the school traffic guy, probably abetted by half the town. That's just the main example of stupidity and destructiveness; there are MANY others. Then it hit me exactly what BLL is about: These are all people (except for Ziggy and his Mom) to whom NOBODY says "No." They all are used to having their own way, or at least they want you to think they are. However, "some pigs are more equal than others." We have an old rhyme in my city: "This is Boston, Massachusetts/The home of the bean and the cod/Where Lowells speak only to Cabots/And Cabots speak only to God." So maybe it turns out that they all die! What kind of a c😊nt tries to ruin a little girl's birthday party to spite the girl's mother? One final thing, about the characters' contention that "everybody fights." That is true, but there are two ways to fight: constructively and destructively. Constructive fighting is done with respect and even love, and the goal is to RESOLVE the conflict so that all concerned parties can move on and strengthen their relationship. Destructive fighting is done to show that you're right and everybody else involved is wrong and to hurt those people. This kind of fight never ends anything (unless you kill someone) because the conflict is never actually resolved. This is the kind of fighting we're seeing in BLL. I am hopeful that David E. Kelly has written us an amazing train wreck.

[–] Adster (262) 8 years ago

I like it, not sure if I like the quick flash forwards though I think they are unnecessary, they should just tell the story without flash forwards it ruins the flow of the show.

[–] MinaVladimir (4081) 8 years ago

So far Mackenzie is my favourite character. I get your points about her. She is brash and reactionary, and those aren’t qualities that help in resolving conflicts, but I think her heart is in the right place (for things that count, not yelling at that poor guy for doing his job). So far she’s one of the only ones that seem (to me) to have common sense. Especially about the whole kiss incident. It’s beyond me how you could label a child’s natural inclination to express affection as a sexual assault. Though I understand Renata’s need to protect her little girl.

What I really like is the way that the characters are written. As complex people, with positive and negative aspects to their personality.

I agree about them being the kind of people who aren’t used to being told “No”. Wealthy, successful people, who are used to getting their old way, definitely make for the ingredients of a powder keg. That first day of school was the spark that lit the wick and now we’re waiting for it to reach the dynamite.

I also agree that it’s wrong to use the children to resolve conflicts that the parents have. They shouldn’t suffer, just because one mother has a problem with another mother. But c'est la vie and all that.

I’m not that interested in the murder mystery aspect of it. I’m much more invested in Celeste’s story. Is she just now beginning to realize her husband is aggressive and controlling? And just generally how that story line is going to be developed.

And Jane and Ziggy’s story is a nice mini mystery for me. I’m beginning to suspect that she was assaulted and that’s why the father was never in the picture. That’ll also explain her reaction when Ziggy asked if he was monster.

I'm definitely hooked, and I'd be tuning in to see how things develop.

[–] R_Kane (15828) 8 years ago

I just re-watched the most recent ep, and I have to say that I never thought I'd see Eric Northman masturbate! More seriously, I think Skarsgard is doing a great job with the role. It's hard to express rage effectively as quietly as he does. I imagine Christine has always sensed the anger inside him, telling herself it was passion. If Maddy is "a ticking time bomb" he is, too.

I understand why you like Maddy as a character. She is charming! She is also self-deluded, not seeing the personal issues she has hidden under her altruism.

Probably the all the major players are, at base, delusional. That's what the show's title means. I think the series finale will look like the ending to The Lord of the Flies, with better writing. I enjoyed your post.

[–] MinaVladimir (4081) 8 years ago

That's what you get for marrying a viking vampire, I guess :D But I agree, he's doing a very good job. And he's a charming man, which makes the menace even more effective in my view. And that's probably why she might have overlooked his anger issues.

With it being a miniseries, they can really build up the tension for the finale, without worrying about setting up a second season. And give up plenty to discuss and get angry over while they're doing it :)

[–] R_Kane (15828) 8 years ago

Speaking as a Norselander myself, let me ask you please to capitalize Viking😁! After seeing Skarsgard in this and The Legend of Tarzan, I think the guy can act, which shocks me in regard to someone from the cast of True Blood. I also think the young actror playing Ziggy deserves recognition. I think that Jane is secretly concerned that he might BE a monster and is trying to deny it to everyone, especially to herself.

[–] MinaVladimir (4081) 8 years ago

I apologize! I still forget to capitalize in English sometimes.

I haven't seen The Legend of Tarzan, but I saw him in Hidden, and he did a good job there. You never know who's going to surprise you from one of these shows.

She's definitely scared that her child might turn out like his dad (if my theory is correct). And the little boy is doing a great job. They've cast the show really well.

[–] R_Kane (15828) 8 years ago

Your English is great. I'd like to say more, but I'm being squeezed to death!

[–] MinaVladimir (4081) 8 years ago

Thanks! The space really is getting smaller and smaller!

[–] [email protected] (1357) 8 years ago

Love this show. Flawed characters just like all of us. Every one of us. Its a series I would want to binge watch. I have finished all 3 episodes and its written and done really well. I didnt know this was based on the book, which I will plan on reading.
Great casting. Just love it.