'The Last Thing He Told Me' Episode 1 Takeaway: Apple TV+ series introduces us to knotty familial ties
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Apple TV+ just dropped their latest horror miniseries titled 'The Last Thing He Told Me', adapted from the best-selling novel of the same name by Laura Dave and Josh Singer. Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine has become synonymous with quality book-to-screen adaptations, and their latest venture, 'The Last Thing He Told Me', is no exception. Their impressive portfolio includes hits such as 'Gone Girl', 'Big Little Lies', 'Little Fires Everywhere', and 'Where the Crawdads Sing'.
Recently, the company has been involved in the production of three book-to-series adaptations, including the well-received 'Daisy Jones & the Six' on Prime Video and the Hulu series 'Tiny Beautiful Things', which stars Kathryn Hahn. Additionally, Apple TV+ has joined forces with Hello Sunshine to bring Laura Dave's best-selling novel, 'The Last Thing He Told Me', to the small screen, with Jennifer Garner taking on the lead role in the thriller series.
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'The Last Thing He Told Me' revolves around the relationship between stepmother Hannah and stepdaughter Bailey. The first episode starts with Hannah smashing her phone in a hotel bathroom while staring at a picture of her and a man named Owen, Bailey's biological father and Hannah's husband. After regaining her composure, Hannah sets out to find Bailey, who is nowhere to be found.
Without her phone, she is unable to contact her stepdaughter and is faced with the difficult decision of searching for her on the streets or waiting for her to return to the hotel. Upon returning to her room, she finds an unknown individual standing there, leaving her stunned. The story then rewinds four days, and we are taken on a journey leading up to this mysterious moment. Therefore, let's take a look at the highlights of the first episode.
Hanna smells trouble at The Shop
Hannah possesses a remarkable talent for woodturning, an art she inherited from her grandfather. Meanwhile, Owen, a gifted coder, holds a crucial position at The Shop, a tech company. As their 14-month anniversary approaches, it's evident that the couple has been happily married for over a year. They call the vibrant floating city of Sausalito, California, their home. Bailey shares a warm bond with Owen but harbors no fondness for Hannah. During a leisurely stroll back to their abode, they are shadowed by an enigmatic bald man. However, since none of them seems to take notice of the stranger, they continue their walk unperturbed. The following day, Owen leaves to drop Bailey off at school while Hannah carries on with her day.
Later, she receives a strange phone call asking for someone named Michael. The call abruptly ends, leaving her perplexed. During a conversation with Jules, Hannah's old friend and a journalist, we learn that Jules is in a relationship with Max, who works at the San Francisco Chronicle. After some casual chitchat, the plot picks up pace as Hannah receives a note from Owen titled "Protect Her" through a student at Bailey's school. Unable to decipher the message's meaning, Hannah races to The Shop, only to find it teeming with FBI agents.
Jules reveals The Shop's truth to Hannah
With Owen missing, Hannah rushes to Bailey's school to collect her. As she watches Bailey sing, Hannah has a moment of clarity, realizing that if she doesn't find Owen, she'll be stuck with Bailey's company. Meanwhile, Bailey is unaware of the scandal surrounding The Shop's CEO, Avett, who's been accused of embezzlement. She's preoccupied with her boyfriend, Bobby. Knowing that Bailey is in danger, Hannah summons her to the parking lot, where she discovers a duffel bag in her locker.
Bailey arrives looking anxious, revealing the contents of the bag - a large sum of cash and a note from Owen, stating that he cannot explain the situation but wants her to know how important she is to him. The note is vague, and Hannah struggles to make sense of it. However, Jules arrives, providing some clarity on The Shop's illegal activities, and how Owen might be implicated in it. Although, Hannah is skeptical and doesn't believe that Owen could be involved in such fraudulent dealings as she thinks she knows him too well.
US Marshall Grady Bradford visits Hanna
Hannah receives an unexpected visit from US Marshall Grady Bradford, who arrives at her doorstep with a cup of oat milk prepared exactly the way she likes it. However, Hannah finds his gesture highly suspicious. Grady claims that he wants to safeguard Owen, but Hannah is not convinced. Like any normal person, she suspects that Grady is trying to obtain any information on Owen to capture him.
Grady senses Hannah's skepticism and quickly departs after leaving his number, urging her to contact him if Owen reaches out through a burner phone. Before he leaves, Grady ominously suggests that Owen may not be the person Hannah thinks he is, hinting at his connection with the company or some secret from his past that Grady seems to know. If the latter is the case, Grady may be the only person who can assist Hannah and Bailey in navigating this complicated situation.
'The Last Thing He Told Me' is available on exclusively to watch on Apple TV+ now!