‘Big Little Lies’ season 2 utilizes the psychiatrist's couch to let the main characters examine themselves
'Big Little Lies' season 2 introduces us to an interesting set up where the lead characters - Celeste Wright (Nicole Kidman), Madeline Mackenzie (Reese Witherspoon) - reveal their deepest, darkest secrets and we cannot wait to see if Bonnie Carlson (Zoe Kravitz), Renata Klein (Laura Dern) and Jane Chapman (Shailene Woodley) make it to the room for a moment of contemplation including self-evaluation.
All of them need it and it would be interesting to see how things play out psychologically for these characters with whom we have travelled so far.
Celeste introduced us to Dr Amanda Reisman (Robin Weigert), and in season 2 we see her reveal some very important things about where she is after the death of her husband Perry Wright (Alexander Skarsgård).
The man abused her physically and mentally the time they were married, but despite this Celeste reveals how conflicted she feels about not taking the blame for his death. Especially, considering how his death was a result of self-defence. Now, she is also dealing with the fact that all the good times that she had experienced with Perry is marred by the way she was treated throughout the marriage. This contention is most apparent when she faces her therapist who sits there and asks all the right questions. Questions that reveal the problematic influence that guilt has over Celeste.
We also saw Madeline and her husband Ed Mackenzie go for a couple's therapy session after he learns of her infidelity. At this time, Madeline is forced to face the fact that she is extremely affected by not having a college education. While previous episodes alluded to this, the therapist nails it by stating how this has influenced her parenting. The scene brings out in the open Madeline's inferiority complex about not having a college education, enough to make her blurt out that there is no future without it. What one must understand is that Madeline has a successful career in real estate, yet she is not confident about her academic background.
This is just the beginning, as we also see Dr Reisman call out Ed for being indifferent towards Madeline. It is fascinating to see layers being peeled off of these characters with every conversation they have with the doctor and we cannot wait to see more.
The one session that we are hoping will come soon is that of Renata, who is facing what could probably be the biggest problem in her life - losing her wealth. We have seen her burst out in anger, simmer down in frustration but we haven't seen her break down completely like Madeline and Celeste. When it comes to Jane and Bonnie, we get a look at the state of their psyches through their conversations with their family.
Jane struggles when it comes to dating, and this throws light on her struggle with intimacy. Considering her past, it is enlightening to see how she navigates her new relationship. Bonnie's internal struggle with guilt is clear from the beginning, but her conversations with her mother are equivalent to that of the ones that the therapist has with Celeste and Madeline. The unravelling of these characters is what makes the second season the most interesting, made more interesting by the stunning performances by the actresses playing them.
The next episode of 'Big Little Lies' season 2 will air on Sunday at 9 pm on HBO.
