Big Little Lies season 2 premiere recap: Back to school

Big Little Lies returned to HBO Sunday night, with new characters and new relationships forming. Spoilers ahead!

So, Big Little Lies got off to a bit of a slow start. Happens to most shows.

We’ve waited for two years for new material and to find out what’s going on with the Monterey 5, and we’re finally getting it. After the explosive season 1 finale, we need to ease back into the story, even if it was kind of slow.

It’s been an entire summer since the events of the fundraiser and Perry’s death. The kids are about to enter second grade. This time, Madeline, Celeste, Jane, Bonnie and Renata are besties, much to the curiosity and confusion to the other parents of the school.

And as if we didn’t have enough star power on the HBO series, Meryl Streep has joined the cast, not even in a supporting role. She was in a lot of the episode and left quite a creepy impression. Just hand her an Emmy and let’s move on!

Photo Credit: HBO

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Surprises

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1. Meryl is creepy

No, she seriously creeped me out the entire episode. Does she have some sort of fake teeth? That’s off-putting already.

Then, she seems always to be around when Celeste is having a nightmare. I wouldn’t doubt she’s watching her sleep. She’s also trying to get into Madeline’s head by “sweetly” insulting her, throwing her off her game.

And I get she’s supposed to be playing a grieving mother (Mary Louise), but that grieving cackle scream she bellowed during dinner late in the episode was enough to send chills down my spine. Mary Lousie isn’t playing. She’s psyching everyone out to find out the truth of what happened to her son.

2. Jane exudes joy

And doesn’t she deserve it? She danced quite a few times in this episode because she’s happy. The significant threat of her rapist finding her is now over. She seems to love her new job at an aquarium and may have caught the eye of her coworker, Corey. She also has a great support system through the “Monterey Five.” Hopefully, her dark days are behind her, at least for now.

3. Tori and Ed’s bump-in

Though we didn’t see much of Madeline and Ed together in the premiere, we have to assume that they’re good and Ed still doesn’t know about Madeline’s affair with her coworker, Joseph. But I think Tori does know. So, Tori and her new boobs bump into Ed at the grocery store. The whole encounter was awkward, leaving Ed confused.

4. “Rape money”

We find out that Celeste is giving Jane money for Iggy since he was Perry’s son and is entitled to it. Jane isn’t cashing the checks because she thinks it’s rape money. They have a candid moment, where Jane wonders why Celeste doesn’t hate her for sleeping with her husband. But Celeste understands the circumstances under which it happened and doesn’t hold it against her.

5. Celeste is mourning

Yes, Celeste was going to leave Perry because they were in this horribly toxic relationship. But when someone dies, it’s hard to remember the bad times with them, and she seems only to remember the good times she had with him… until she goes to sleep when she goes back to hating him.

Photo Credit: HBO

Not surprising

1. Bonnie is not O.K.

How could she be? She just killed a guy. And for someone who is so spiritual and in touch with herself, she’s struggling, and it’s clear to everyone. She’s completely shut down, withdrawn, and just M.I.A. in all aspects of life. Nathan is worried-sick and attempts to elicit help from his ex-wife and her husband. Ed is…confused again, to which Nathan calls him a “snide f*@&.” Madeline tried half-assed but is more concerned about other things to really give it her all. I just hope Bonnie doesn’t do anything stupid because…

2. The police are still on their tail

Yes, Perry falling is a little lie that got pretty big. But the police know the Monterey 5 is not telling them the entire story. They just need proof…or a confession. And if Bonnie keeps hanging around the station long enough, they may just get it.

3. Abigail doesn’t want to go to college

Come on, this is the same kid who was willing to sell her virginity last season. Madeline and Nathan’s daughter doesn’t want to be suppressed by college, which she thinks is all about drinking and partying when she could be out doing good in the world. College isn’t for everyone, but Madeline doesn’t want to hear any of it.

Photo Credit: HBO

4. Renata hasn’t changed
The ladies may all be friends now, but Renata is still just as annoying as she was last season. She warns her daughter’s new teacher that no one better bully her sweet, genius Amabelle like last year. She’s also moving on with her life with a glamorous photo shoot, while her husband gets loaded surrounded by his model train set.

Next. Big Little Lies: Quick guide to season 1. dark

5. Perry is back
I knew Perry couldn’t stay away completely. He appeared in a bunch of flashbacks throughout the episode, and I’m sure he will throughout the entire season.

What did you think of the season premiere of Big Little Lies? Watch the next episode next Sunday at 9 p.m. on HBO.

Read a quick guide to Big Little Lies season 1 to refresh your memory.

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