Critic’s Rating: 4 / 5.0
4
Mama, the straights are not okay because these kids on Tell Me Lies are wildin’ out with Nick Cannon and have got me plucked! Listen, I am all about the drama, but these children are mess, mess, messy!
If you had told me a year ago that I would be this invested in a show about the most extra and dramatic college kids ever, I would’ve said you’d never catch me watching a single frame.
Well, we will call this growth something that the characters on Tell Me Lies desperately need. Even the adult characters who should know better seem just as childish. It is pettiness to the max, and I love it!
I have embraced my toxic relationship with this series. But don’t worry because I can quit this show anytime I want — right?
Tell Me Lies Is All About The Journey, And Not The Destination
Now that we’re at the back half of Tell Me Lies Season 2, the series is ready to start laying the groundwork for a volatile finale. In previous reviews, I dinged the series for wasting screen time on nothing actually happening. Now things are moving into high gear because A LOT happened in this episode.
I have to praise Tell Me Lies for using flash-forwards to the characters in the future. There’s none of that “Will this character be who so and so ends up marrying?” We already know the answer to that question and many more. Tell Me Lies is all about the journey, not the destination.
That has its drawbacks, too, though. The writers will have to prioritize continuity, which might explain why it’s been a few episodes since we had a flash-forward.
It’s unbelievable to think that after everything Stephen (Jackson White) has done, he and Lucy could be in the same room together at Bree’s wedding in the future. At least we’re finally seeing the start of a couple that we know are endgame.
Not Every Couple On Tell Me Lies Is Headed Down A Toxic Road
We’ve known for a few episodes now that Diana and Pippa will be a couple. It looks like we’re seeing where the sparks started flying between these two lovely young ladies. Did you see the way Pippa admired Diana from behind? That was charged with glorious sapphic energy!
Pippa and Diana have natural chemistry, unlike the other couples in Tell Me Lies. They are my favorite couple, not just because they are the only LGBT characters in Tell Me Lies Season 2.
I would like to confirm, as a man who went to college at the same time as these characters, that there were gay people. Lots of them, too, because we were flying out of the closet between 2007-2008! To be fair, that generation of gay guys mostly became doctors and lawyers, so they’re probably too busy studying.
Anyway, back to Diana (Alicia Crowder). In the flash forward with Pippa and Diana together, we also found out that despite the years passing, she’s uncomfortable being around her classmates. What do these people end up doing to this poor girl?!
Watching her walking around in her Marie Antoinette costume while fighting back tears was something I never thought I would find heartbreaking.
And why was she crying? Because she failed her LSAT. And why did she fail? Because she was stressed. And why – just kidding! Her head was in a spinout from finding out about Stephen’s involvement in Macy’s death.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll continue to say it: Stephen is the devil, and he brings out the worst in everyone around him. However, it seems like those closest to him are starting to see the truth.
Wrigley Is The MVP Of Tell Me Lies Season 2 Episode 5
Was anyone else as surprised as me when Wrigley was the one to put Stephen on the spot about being a good friend? I. Was. Plucked!
Wrigley (Spencer House) has been bugging the crap out of me all of Tell Me Lies Season 2 with how obnoxious he is. So, imagine my surprise when he turned out to be one of the best parts of the episode!
I genuinely liked Wrigley in this episode. He wasn’t loud or in anyone’s face. He was on the screen just long enough to have a sweet scene with Pippa and then low-key read Stephen.
I was ready to give Wrigley a parade when he told Stephen that he should be okay with him, Wrigley, hanging out with Pippa since he’s alright with it. You know, like how normal friends support one another.
I am man enough to eat my words and say I may have been wrong about Wigley. That, or his goofy charm and handsome face, is finally getting to me. Both can be true. Does anyone know if Wrigley is dating anyone? I’m asking for a friend.
Honestly, anyone is better than Oliver, the most boring person to have an affair with.
Bree And Oliver Are Lowering The Standards Of What Defines An Affair
Look, I am a die-hard Tom Ellis fan. I think Lucifer was a masterpiece in its own right. And sure, Tom is still keeping it tight. His butt still looks as great, and his abs made me want to do cardio. However, the character is completely underwhelming.
Bree and Oliver have no passion. Even during their argument at the bar, they barely spoke louder than a mouse. Tell Me Lies is the wrong show for those two. Maybe the writers were trying to diversify the couple dynamics, but I’m sorry, Bree and Oliver are snooze city.
Ironically, that’s mostly what they did in this episode. They spent the weekend in a hotel together, and all we know is that they woke up together. Maybe it’s a cliche, but don’t people get into affairs because they can’t keep their hands off each other?
Shouldn’t the connection between Bree (Catherine Missal) and Oliver be palpable and uncontrollable? Maybe restraint is their kink, and they are just taking Tell Me Lies Season 2 to edge each other until the finale. I don’t know, but if I am missing something there, please let me know. I’m trying to make excuses for Tom, but this will not be a career-defining performance.
It’s bad when I’d rather watch Lucy and Stephen go at each other with the fury and heat of a thousand suns.
Tell Me Lies Is Putting Everything In Place For An Explosive Ending
Is anyone reading this a psychologist? If so, can you please tell everyone who watches Tell Me Lies and me what in the hell is wrong with Stephen? He’s a textbook narcissist, sure, but it has to be more than that. I keep waiting for his eyes to turn demonic red.
No one seems to understand that Lucy is trying to keep her distance from Stephen. Not even her best friend, Lydia, who didn’t hesitate to read Stephen for filth at the Halloween party. You know, the girl Stehen is with in the future. That friendship between Lucy and Lydia clearly didn’t stand the test of time.
With everything involving Chris, the rift between Lucy (Grace Van Patten) and Lydia will grow even more. Can you believe Season 2 took five episodes to finally throw a real spotlight on that issue? I get that the writers were trying to flesh out Pippa’s trauma, but it felt more like sweeping it under the rug.
And after Lucy told Stephen’s little sister about how he really is, the next few episodes will likely focus on Stephen’s vengeance against Lucy. I’m not sure why he would since he only has himself to blame. That idiot left a voicemail, or as I call it, evidence. I applauded Lucy when she sent it to Stephen’s sister. Let him dig his own damn grave!
I want Lucy and Leo to have more screen time. They are such a fun couple, and they continue to be cute and dot with each other at the Halloween party.
I love that the character was introduced with an anger problem yet has been the sweetest guy ever to Lucy. Unless Leo (Thomas Doherty) goes off the deep end, I can’t imagine why he and Lucy aren’t together in the future.
All in all, Tell Me Lies is putting everything in place for an explosive ending to Season 2. Hopefully no one ends up dead by the end. And if Stephen doesn’t get what’s coming to him in one form or another, I will be livid. These kids really should focus more on their schoolwork.
Do you think Lucy went too far talking to Stephen’s sister?
How do you think Stephen will retaliate about the voicemail?
Please drop a comment below to let me know what you liked about this or any other show, and join me again when I review the next episode of Tell Me Lies!
Watch Tell Me Lies Online