Ep 3. Living the Dream

In the third episode of Big Little Lies, titled Living the Dream, the women of Monterey continue to navigate their complicated lives. Madeline's personal life is in turmoil as she struggles to keep her affair a secret from her husband Ed. She also finds herself in the middle of a school controversy when a play portraying domestic violence causes uproar among parents. Meanwhile, Celeste and Perry seem to be the perfect couple, but cracks begin to show in their seemingly perfect facade. Jane tries to move on from her traumatic past by befriending Renata's daughter Amabella, but Renata isn't keen on having Jane around her child. The episode ends with a shocking incident that leaves the women reeling.

Living the Dream is a pivotal episode in the series, as it begins to reveal the darker underbelly of the seemingly idyllic town of Monterey. The tension between the characters continues to build as each woman grapples with their own insecurities and secrets. The episode explores themes of domestic violence, infidelity, and parent-child relationships, diving deeper into the complex dynamics between the characters.

One of the main storylines in this episode is the controversy surrounding the school play, which depicts the violent death of a young woman at the hands of her husband. Madeline finds herself defending the play, while also dealing with the fallout of her own infidelity. Her character arc takes a sharp turn as she begins to confront the consequences of her actions, both at home and at school. Her scenes with Ed are particularly poignant, as they struggle to communicate with each other and keep their family intact.

The other women are also dealing with their own issues. Celeste and Perry's relationship is explored in more detail, as we see glimpses of his abusive behavior towards her. The tension between Jane and Renata begins to escalate, and we get a closer look at the strained relationship between Renata and her daughter Amabella.

One of the strengths of this episode is the way it interweaves the different storylines together, creating a seamless narrative that keeps the audience engaged. The pacing is excellent, with tension building steadily throughout the episode until it reaches a shocking climactic ending. The show does an excellent job of balancing moments of levity with more serious themes, creating a fully-realized world that feels both grounded and dramatic.

Overall, Living the Dream is an excellent episode of Big Little Lies that lays the groundwork for the rest of the series. It's a tense, suspenseful episode that keeps the audience on edge from start to finish. The characters continue to be complex and nuanced, and the writing and direction are top-notch. It's a must-watch for fans of the show and for anyone who loves a well-crafted drama with complex characters and tense storytelling.