Five episodes into HBO’s limited series “Big Little Lies,” we know that this show is deeper than a glorified soap opera about after-school pick up politics.
The show (based off Liane Moriarty’s novel of the same name), explores the violence of affluent malaise. We’ve seen Chekov’s gun — over and over again — and we’re waiting for it to go off. There is excitement in the way the show uses the looming threat and fantasy of gun violence to propel the plot forward, but there is also a denser, dark conversation lingering beneath the surface.
Perhaps the biggest conversation to come out of “Big Little Lies” is about the complicated relationship between Celeste and Perry Wright, played by Nicole Kidman and Alexander Skarsgård. Their therapy sessions reveal an abuser who puts on an act of wanting to change, while Kidman’s character refuses to admit that she is truly a victim of domestic violence.
Viewers have also been exposed to the trauma of rape through Shailene Woodley’s character Jane Chapman. Jane exhibits all of the characteristics of a sexual assault victim experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder. Jane took years to admit she was raped, and tells Madeline Mackenzie (Reese Witherspoon) she is the first to whom she’s ever told the truth. She constantly daydreams about getting revenge on her assailant, and wakes up in the middle of the night clutching a hand gun in response to nightmares about a faceless intruder.
These are all symptoms of PTSD: repeated thoughts of the assault, difficulty sleeping and nightmares, according to ptsd.va.gov. Jane hasn’t been identified as a threat by a psychotherapist, so she is fully and legally allowed to own a gun, an issue more topical than ever in the world in which we live. Although most people with PTSD have never engaged in violence, the disorder is associated with an increased risk of it, and Jane is exhibiting worrisome behavior — specially in last night’s episode, when she wakes up next to Ziggy holding her gun.
Research has showed accidental homicide or suicide is more likely to occur in homes with guns, and that even when parents think their children don’t handle or know about the guns, the children do. With constant nagging by the first-grade teacher and principal to Jane about whether Ziggy has violent tendencies or a violent past, knowing that Jane keeps a gun so close to her son would certainly cause an great concern.
Ziggy is the outcome of Jane’s violent rape; by now, we know that. But the questions from the school administration about Ziggy’s potential violence paired with her trauma is a cocktail for tragedy. The upcoming Elvis/”Breakfast at Tiffany’s”-themed trivia night at school — the scene of many of the flash-forwards about the murder – has all the makings of a disaster waiting to happen.
Jane is constantly being interrupted from her runs by calls from the school, and even Madeline’s attempt to help by suggesting a “road trip” to search for her assailant are just additional triggers. Her gun possession is ostensibly for self-protection, but she displays increasingly reckless behavior, like when she drives solo to San Luis Obispo to see if a certain interior designer is the man who raped her… and her gun is at her side during the journey. It still hasn’t gone off, but more and more clues suggest something unfortunate is imminent.
But Jane isn’t the only one dealing with the threat of gun violence. In a solo session, Celeste’s marriage counselor asks her if weapons are present in the home and if she has ever feared for her life. Celeste scoffs at the question, but Dr. Reisman (Robin Weigert) is right to ask, as one in three women living in shelters in California have been threatened or harmed with a gun by their abuser.
Though Celeste denies that there are weapons in their house — and also that the violence between her and Perry affects their children – she doesn’t let on that her twin sons play with toy guns and listen to violent bedtime stories from Perry. The boys also tore the leg off of the class stuffed animal, marking behavior that is a stark contrast to their docile classmate Ziggy.
While the murder mystery set in beautiful Monterey is an entertaining backdrop, there is more to the presence of gun violence in this story than a plot point. It speaks to the dangers of assuming guns are safe, even in the hands of people who seem to have no reason not to own one.
'Big Little Lies': Who's Dead and Who's the Murderer? (Photos)
The central plot of HBO's "Big Little Lies" revolves around someone's murder, but the show plays coy with the details, including the identities of both the murder and the victim. The series is a fairly straightforward adaptation of Liane Moriarty's 2014 novel -- at least so far -- but here's a rundown of possible scenarios.
HBO
Madeline (Reese Witherspoon)
Why she might be dead: It would be pretty surprising if any of the three main women turned out to be the victim, but Madeline clearly isn't afraid to make enemies. Who probably killed her: The violent incident with Renata's daughter seems to be setting up a rivalry between the moms, but Renata (Laura Dern) doesn't seem like the type to get her hands dirty. Perhaps her "best friend" Harper?
HBO
Madeline (Reese Witherspoon)
Why she might be the killer: Witherspoon brilliantly plays Madeline like a rubber band ready to snap at any minute, so it wouldn't be a huge surprise if she were pushed to murder. Who she probably killed: Though much is made of her contentious relationship with Bonnie (Zoe Kravitz), the brunt of Madeline's resentment seems to be aimed at Nathan (James Tupper).
HBO
Celeste (Nicole Kidman)
Why she might be dead: Celeste and her husband, Perry (Alexander Skargard), are portrayed as the perfect couple, but what happens behind closed doors tells a different story. Who probably killed her: Perry has a proven aggressive side, and has already gotten physical with Celeste once.
HBO
Celeste (Nicole Kidman)
Why she might be the killer: We don't know much about Celeste after one episode, but Kidman's performance hints at much more happening below the surface. Bottled resentment seems to be a recurring theme on this show. Who she probably killed: Perry.
HBO
Jane (Shailene Woodley)
Why she might be dead: The circumstances of Jane's move to Monterey are shrouded in mystery, but sleeping with a gun under her pillow seems more like the behavior of a murder victim than murderer. Who probably killed her: Whoever prompted her to get that gun to protect herself.
HBO
Jane (Shailene Woodley)
Why she might be the killer: If the person she's hiding from were to show up, we already know Jane's prepared to deal with that threat. Who she probably killed: Could Ziggy's father be a bigger part of the picture than she let on?
HBO
Perry (Alexander Skarsgard)
Why he might be dead: Who wouldn't want to kill this guy? Who probably killed him: Celeste probably wants to kill him more than anyone else.
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Perry (Alexander Skarsgard)
Why he might be the killer: A good rule of thumb for TV watching is if the show has a Skarsgard, he will most likely turn out to be a murderer. Who he probably killed: Most likely Celeste, but it could be anyone, really.
HBO
Nathan (James Tupper)
Why he might be dead: "Revenge" fans will remember Tupper as David Clarke, the father who died not once, but twice, on the ABC primetime soap. So there's precedent for his death serving as the inciting incident on a show about rich white people. Who probably killed him: Madeline seems like the obvious choice here since she's his ex, but let's not rule out the possibility of second wife Bonnie -- or even Madeline's second husband, Ed -- doing something crazy.
HBO
Nathan (James Tupper)
Why he might be the killer: The first episode doesn't reveal much about Nathan, but all of the men are a little bit suspicious, aren't they? Who he probably killed: Madeline.
HBO
Renata (Laura Dern)
Why she might be dead: Renata is rightfully upset about her daughter's injury, but she refuses to let the incident go by without making someone pay for it, and all of the mothers seem willing to go to extreme lengths to protect their kids. Who probably killed her: Jane's son Ziggy becomes Renata's patsy, and we already know that Jane owns a gun.
HBO
Renata (Laura Dern)
Why she might be the killer: Again, mothers will do anything to protect their children. Who she probably killed: Jane, or the mother of whichever kid actually tried to strangle her daughter.
HBO
Ed (Adam Scott)
Why he might be dead: Would anyone really miss him? Not even Madeline seems to like her new husband very much. Who probably killed him: Who cares?
HBO
Ed (Adam Scott)
Why he might be the killer: The fact that Adam Scott grew a beard for the role is pretty suspicious. Who he probably killed: Of the adults on the show, Madeline is the only one he has any connection to so far.
HBO
Bonnie (Zoe Kravitz)
Why she might be dead: Of all the mothers on the show, Bonnie seems like she fits in the least. If something were to go sideways, at least Jane has Madeline and Celeste to stand up for her. Who probably killed her: Maybe Madeline?
HBO
Bonnie (Zoe Kravitz)
Why she might be the killer: The yoga teacher who objects to foul language turning out to be a murderer would be a pretty good twist. Who she probably killed: Nathan or Madeline.
HBO
Ms. Barnes (Virginia Kull)
Why she might be dead: The first grade teacher handled the incident with Renata's daughter exceptionally poorly. Who probably killed her: Any of the parents.
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Ms. Barnes (Virginia Kull)
Why she might be the killer: She probably isn't, but anything is possible! Who she probably killed: An overbearing parent like Renata is any teacher's nightmare.
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Putting aside Liane Moriarty’s novel on which the HBO show is based, let’s engage in some wild speculation
The central plot of HBO's "Big Little Lies" revolves around someone's murder, but the show plays coy with the details, including the identities of both the murder and the victim. The series is a fairly straightforward adaptation of Liane Moriarty's 2014 novel -- at least so far -- but here's a rundown of possible scenarios.