'Big Little Lies 2' episode 4 shows how 'unhinged' Reese Witherspoon's Madeline is after her husband learns she cheated on him
This article contains spoilers for 'Big Little Lies' season 2 episode 4.
In episode 4 of 'Big Little Lies' season 2, Madeline Mackenzie and her husband Ed Mackenzie are no closer to reconciliation since their therapy session and the growing distance between the two and the absence of intimacy in their marriage is taking a toll on Madeline. This is shown in many different ways, the best being when her daughter comes to Madeline with a school project that leaves her shocked.
Chloe is asked to represent opposites through images and she ends up drawing a door on one side and her mother on the other. Initially, Madeline doesn't understand and her daughter explains how while the door is hinged, her mother - not so much. This definitely has Ed bursting out in laughter, a rare moment for him considering he recently learnt his wife cheated on him.
Madeline, of course, doesn't find this all that funny. She is unable to come to terms with how bizarre she has become lately. She is insecure about her husband spending any time with Bonnie Carlson and the disco party that Renata Klein throws for her daughter Emma Bella's birthday doesn't help either. Ed is seen fraternizing with Bonnie and this leaves Madeline further conflicted about their relationship.
Renata, earlier in the episode, also spoke about out how the other half always accepts and moves past the cheating, scheming and lying and this does make her feel guilty. However, she doesn't like that feeling. Every time Ed tries to talk about the problem in their marriage, she tells him their marriage has no problems, it is just her. This is her last ditch attempt at keeping things uncomplicated but definitely doesn't work. Ed is not ready to accept this excuse and it is clear in the way he has distanced himself from Madeline.
Even though she was the one who cheated, she acts out against the fact that he is trying to distance himself from her. She has another outburst and tells Ed he should just leave her already instead of all the confusion. She doesn't like uncertainty in life and that comes across pretty clearly. In the end, it is clear Madeline is no closer to revealing why she cheated on Ed in the first place, and this might break her and Ed apart.
The fifth episode of 'Big Little Lies' season 2 will air on HBO Sunday, July 7 at 9 p.m.
