Twisted Truths Unravel in a Thrilling Finale

Spoilers for the Tell Me Lies Season 2 Finale Ahead

A Deeper Dive into the Series

When a crime-centered show like Big Little Lies moves beyond the book that inspired it, there is a temptation to bury another body. But season two of Hulu’s Tell Me Lies, a series based on the eponymous 2018 novel by Carola Lovering, wisely keeps all of its characters’ hearts beating, then breaking, just as series creator Meaghan Oppenheimer intended.

The Second Season

"I felt like a better show to me this season," Oppenheimer tells Vanity Fair in a recent Zoom. "I loved season one, but I felt like Hulu allowed me to take a lot more risks this season. There was a death in season one, the mystery of the dead body, and there’s usually a pressure to have another. I said, ‘How do I avoid that? Because I don’t want another murder.’" Jordan Helman, head of scripted originals at Hulu, had a single directive: "Just don’t bore me."

Oppenheimer listened. The second season of Tell Me Lies, which centers on a group of frenemies in the present day of 2015 and in their college days in 2008, expands beyond the tortured romance of classmates Lucy Albright, and Stephen DeMarco. Lucy tries (and fails) to get over Stephen by dating reformed bad boy Leo, and Stephen torches his rekindled relationship with his increasingly jaded girlfriend, Diana, who later finds love with Pippa, to the dismay of her haunted ex, Wrigley. After learning that her devoted boyfriend, Evan, slept with another woman, Bree falls into the arms of her much older college professor, Oliver, who is married to Bree and Lucy’s English teacher, Marianne.

Creating Complex Characters

After dropping about a dozen bombs, Oppenheimer spoke to VF about writing a teacher-student relationship for the open-marriage era, casting her real-life husband as her show’s dirty professor, and her sixth sense for creating fucked-up characters: "I don’t know how to write something that isn’t a little bit dark."

Lucy’s Decision

Going into the season, you said that a storyline involving Lucy had the potential to get you "canceled." I’m going to guess you were referring to how Lucy handled Pippa being sexually assaulted by Chris, her best friend Lydia’s brother. Lucy falsely claims she was also one of his victims so that he might face some accountability—a decision that totally backfires. Why decide to take the storyline in that direction?

"I knew going into the season that Lucy needed to betray Lydia in some way, sacrificing herself for the sake of one of her friends. I don’t know exactly why I got the idea. It was very late at night. I was in bed and my wheels were turning. Then I just thought, what if she says that the sexual assault happened to her? Because that would be a huge betrayal to Lydia, at least in Lydia’s mind, but she’s doing it for the right reason," Oppenheimer said.

Conclusion

Tell Me Lies, a series that explores the complexities of relationships and the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface, is a testament to Oppenheimer’s skill as a creator. With its intricate characters, unexpected twists, and thought-provoking themes, the show is a must-watch for anyone who’s drawn to the darker side of human nature.

FAQs

Q: What’s the main plot of the second season of Tell Me Lies?
A: The second season of Tell Me Lies centers on a group of frenemies in the present day of 2015 and in their college days in 2008, expanding beyond the tortured romance of classmates Lucy Albright and Stephen DeMarco.

Q: What’s the significance of Lucy’s decision in the second season?
A: Lucy’s decision to falsely claim that she was also a victim of sexual assault by Chris, her best friend Lydia’s brother, is a pivotal moment in the second season. It’s a complex and controversial choice that has far-reaching consequences for the characters.

Q: What’s the tone of the second season of Tell Me Lies?
A: The second season of Tell Me Lies is known for its dark and twisted take on relationships, exploring the complexities of human nature and the consequences of one’s actions.