As a seasoned observer of human behavior and a connoisseur of complex characters, I must say that Wrigley, the Cringe Clown, is a spectacle to behold. His antics are as predictable as they are exhausting, but there’s a certain tragicomic appeal to his chaotic existence. It’s like watching a trainwreck in slow motion, and you can’t look away.
The series “Tell Me Lies“ revolves around a duo of students at an imaginary college named Baird College, situated in Upstate New York during 2007. Conceived by Meaghan Oppenheimer, this American drama television production is adapted from Carola Lovering’s 2018 novel. The narrative primarily explores the tumultuous and harmful relationship between freshman Lucy Albright and junior Stephen DeMarco, portrayed by Grace Van Patten and Jackson White, over the span of eight years.
The main focus of the series revolves around an intense, all-consuming relationship. Yet, the diverse group of characters in the ensemble manages to create even more dramatic situations than a typical college campus might experience. Betrayals, infidelity, deceit, dishonesty, and scandals are simply part of their regular routine on this intriguing set of characters.
In this series, you won’t find any heroes to speak of. Instead, there isn’t anyone particularly likable, with perhaps an exception for the admissions office, as one can only hope it accepts students who are more pleasant and less likely to drive you to distraction by wanting to yell into a pillow. Without further delay, here are the characters that will most likely make you want to shout in dismay.
10 Pippa
Portrayed by Sonia Mena
In my opinion, Sonia Mena’s portrayal of Pippa exudes an undeniable toughness that I find truly captivating. Among Lucy’s friends, Pippa stands out as someone who unwaveringly follows her own path. At times, she may appear aloof and reserved, but this is simply a reflection of her self-assurance and discernment about what she values and deserves. Among the group, she is the least grating character due to her unyielding courage in defending herself and her friends. A reliable friend indeed, Pippa’s vocal advocacy makes her an indispensable ally. Moreover, in a world filled with deceit, Pippa’s honesty is a breath of fresh air.
The Obstinate Headcase
Due to the fact that Pippa exists on a unique emotional frequency compared to her peers, she may sometimes appear haughty or arrogant. Unlike them, she has never allowed her emotions, particularly in relationships with men, to dictate her self-worth. This independence partially stems from her past deception in her relationship with Wrigley and could possibly indicate a preference for women. As a result, Pippa struggles to empathize with her friends’ romantic issues. Known for her strong opinions and patronizing tone, Pippa remains infinitely less irritating than others due to her authenticity in embracing her true self.
9 Bree
Portrayed by Catherine Missal
In the series, Bree initially portrays a character who has never had sexual experiences. The role of this character, Catherine Missal, is that of a sweet, modest, and endearing virgin. Originating from New Jersey, Bree appears to have the most conventional college life among the female characters at first glance. However, as she embraces her sexuality more assertively, she begins to make choices that raise eyebrows. From stripping naked for an art class to engaging in a relationship with a professor, Bree’s journey of self-discovery can be challenging to watch… unless you enjoy watching characters navigate through difficult situations, much like observing someone bravely entering a burning building.
The Naive Newbie
The young, naive student not only immersed herself completely in university life but found herself swiftly entangled in a passionate relationship with Oliver, the professor’s spouse and fellow faculty member, in a manner that seems almost commonplace to some.
It’s adorable yet exasperating to see Bree feigning smoking habits in a bid to win favor from the attractive teacher for extra points. Her actions seem fraught with potential trouble, especially considering her escalating infatuation with his wife. What makes it worse is that she confides in Lucy about the affair, given that the wife is one of Lucy’s mentors and highly respected by her. It’s not right. Moreover, this secret now binds them, creating a rift within their trio – the gang we’ve grown fond of. The knowledge that this story will likely end in tears makes Bree’s current bliss bothersome, as she seems to be living on cloud nine rather than on Earth.
8 Max
Portrayed by Edmund Donovan
Max, whom Lucy encounters during an evening out drinking with Bree, is a bartender they later spend the night together with. However, Lucy is still struggling with the aftermath of her breakup from her high school boyfriend, leading her to attempt a swift exit without any farewell. He notices this and they eventually start dating briefly, but Lucy’s emotional turmoil ultimately disrupts their relationship.
In the 2015 flash-forward at Bree and Evan’s wedding in Season 2, it looks like these two characters are reunited, making us eager to see how they reconnect. Max is not very engaging as a character because we don’t know much about him yet. As a result, he seems flat and rather dull. Here’s hoping his story develops more in the future.
The Bland Rebound
Poor Max, played skillfully by Edmund Donovan, unfortunately, doesn’t have a rich background story in this show, primarily serving as a tool for Lucy to either distance herself from Stephen or provoke his jealousy. Max stands in stark contrast to Stephen, embodying calmness, understanding, and stability where Stephen often lacks these qualities.
It’s evident that Lucy lacks the skills necessary for a healthy relationship, as she remains fixated on Stephen, a past relationship that leaves many puzzled. Some speculate that his emotional manipulation has left her with an unrecognized form of Stockholm Syndrome. Max, on the other hand, seems to be far too exceptional for Lucy. It would be prudent for him to flee. It’s baffling that someone as discerning as Max hasn’t noticed Lucy’s lingering affection for her damaged ex-boyfriend. Her constant gazing at him is a glaring indication. However, it’s possible that Max has a visual impairment, which could shed light on his actions. Time will reveal the truth.
7 Diana
Portrayed by Alicia Crowder
Diana is Stephen’s intermittent girlfriend who is deeply active on campus and has her sights set on a career in law, emulating her father. She is clean, ambitious, and detail-oriented to an almost annoying extent. In addition, she is part of an a cappella group. Portrayed by Alicia Crowder, she embodies perfection. Her voice of reason makes her a compelling character, despite her seemingly superior demeanor. It’s surprising that someone as intelligent as her associates with such fools.
The Smartest Dummy
Diana’s significant flaw lies in her relationship with Stephen, a source of frustration for her and many others, including her father. Her performance on the LSAT is affected due to the distress caused by Stephen when she unearths compromising photos of him and a freshman who was found dead, stored on his computer. It seems as though Stephen wields some kind of power because Diana removes these incriminating photos effortlessly, despite her knowledge of law school’s strict regulations. Fortunately, it appears that she may have ended things with Stephen for good, which could make her less irritating. Let’s hope for the best.
6 Evan
Portrayed by Branden Cook
In the initial season, Branden Cook’s character, Evan, shares a residence with Stephen. Initially, Evan appears as someone who embodies kindness and honesty, attempting to protect Lucy from Stephen’s influence while being helpful towards Bree. It’s evident that he dislikes Stephen’s infidelity and the need for him to conceal it. This leads viewers to believe that he is one of the morally upstanding characters.
It appears that he’s just like everyone else, self-centered. He has an affair with Lucy, and when he feels remorseful, he confesses his infidelity to Bree by admitting he cheated on her with a stranger. However, he is taken aback when Bree is upset. Regularly, he sleeps with another woman whom he seems not to care about. When she leaves for Thanksgiving, he throws a party just so he can invite Bree over. But his strategy backfires when he learns that Bree is dating a 45-year-old man, and he becomes fiercely jealous, accusing the man of manipulating Bree because she lacks a father figure in her life. That’s quite a blow.
The Hopeless Romantic (Emphasis on Hopeless)
In my perspective, I find myself finding it challenging to cheer for Evan due to his constant whining and melancholic demeanor. What’s more, his decision to be involved romantically with his girlfriend’s closest friend leaves me baffled. It appears that Evan may not have given much thought to the potential consequences of his actions, as he didn’t seem to consider the possibility of a break-up before confessing his indiscretions. This bold move on his part seems rather questionable to me.
Life without Bree seems devoid of purpose, and a simple smile exchanged between them on a stairwell during a break in classes leaves him believing she might want to reconcile. It’s troubling to witness his distress over a girl, when he appears unwilling to make an effort to rekindle their relationship or fight for her. Instead, he clings to any hint of meaning in their interactions.
Even though Evan attempts to discover who she’s dating on Facebook, it’s futile, Evan. Not a chance. What makes this all the more irritating is that Evan bears responsibility for Bree’s affair with Oliver. If he hadn’t been unfaithful to Bree with Lucy and presented her with those thoughtless earrings as a birthday gift, she would have never crossed paths with Oliver outside the bar. Ultimately, you are accountable for your actions, Evan.
5 Oliver
Portrayed by Tom Ellis
In the second season of “Tell Me Lies,” viewers are introduced to Oliver, a professor at Baird College portrayed by Tom Ellis. A British man with a penchant for smoking, Oliver’s first wife has passed away, and he avoids any discussion about her. He is currently married to fellow professor Marianne (played by Gabriella Pession), but their relationship takes an unexpected turn when one of her students, Bree, attends a gathering at their home. The two embark on a clandestine affair, spending weekends together, sharing secret kisses in his office, and even sneaking romantic encounters in the laundry room of his house during a holiday party. While it appears that there are no issues in his current marriage to justify his behavior, the second season is yet to unfold, leaving viewers in suspense.
The Pompous Professor
Bree is young and inexperienced, while Oliver doesn’t have any valid reasons. He’s extremely skilled at setting boundaries in a way that suggests he’ll never part ways with his spouse. This kind of openness supposedly absolves him of any guilt. Dealing with a person who behaves selfishly without considering the repercussions is as frustrating as climbing Mount Everest. Oliver either displays narcissistic traits or shows signs of deep emotional damage from his past relationship with his first wife.
His harsh comments about Bree’s friends and personal appearance are so inappropriate, they make you feel like snatching the cigarette from his lips and crushing it into his eye. It’s clear he’s manipulating her to seek his validation. The most appalling moment arrives when he places his wedding ring on Bree’s finger, kisses it, and lies beside her in bed. This man requires a stern reprimand, not a classroom setting.
4 Lucy Albright
Portrayed by Grace Van Patten
In a simpler and more conversational style: The main character, Lucy, is a complex individual with many flaws who gets involved in a complicated relationship during her freshman year at college with an older student named Stephen. This tumultuous relationship forms the core of the show, causing most of its drama. At times, Lucy appears insensitive, only revealing her feelings when they explode unexpectedly, much like a burst of confetti.
In these instances, she tends to act impulsively, often leading to emotional turmoil or a hidden truth that would undoubtedly cause tears if discovered. The situation is always tumultuous. It’s intriguing that Lucy, who once shared a secret with Bree’s boyfriend, frequently criticizes Bree’s affair. Indeed, Pot, meet Kettle!
The Obsessive Masochist
Lucy seems to be sabotaging herself when it comes to Stephen DeMarco. She insists she’s moved on from him, but then acts in ways that contradict this claim, such as sending his sister a crude voicemail or inviting him to meet up under suspicious circumstances. It’s frustrating because it seems like Lucy wants to avoid drama, but her actions keep drawing her back into it.
But she doesn’t want any drama, folks. Not this year. Lucy sabotages healthy relationships, even getting mad at her boyfriend for wanting to use a condom when they have sex for the first time, because that means he’s sleeping with other people. How dare you, Leo? While the show is unpredictable, you can always count on Lucy to do something stupid that will cause a domino effect of destruction. Every episode, it’s like, here we go again. She could actually be a fun, lovely, secure, dateable woman, but we will never know since Stephen is the sun she revolves around.
3 Lydia
Portrayed by Natalee Linez
Initially, Lydia was Lucy’s closest friend from childhood. Later on, Lydia unexpectedly becomes engaged to Stephen, which is surprising given their first encounter at a Halloween party where she harshly criticized Stephen despite Lucy asking her to avoid such drama.
In the drama, Lydia, played by Natalee Linez, is attempting to act as a supportive friend, yet her efforts seem to intensify the strife between Stephen and Lucy, who already have a volatile relationship. She even advises Lucy to reveal Stephen’s sister’s truth, which turns out to be a disastrous suggestion – it’s unfair to involve an innocent child in their disputes. However, no one can resist Stephen’s manipulative schemes, and Lydia ends up falling for them when he shares the hurtful things Lucy said about her. The specificity of these details makes it difficult for Lydia not to trust him, ultimately driving a wedge between the long-time friends.
The Instigating Turncoat
Lydia behaves as if she’s scattering gasoline wherever she goes, without a care in the world. After listening to everything Lucy has told her, it seems like a smart move to confront him about his actions. Yet, it’s clear that while she’s heard stories from Lucy, Lydia still doesn’t understand the full extent of his evil nature or the predicament she now finds herself in.)
While it’s shocking that anyone would want to marry Stephen, the fact that he’s engaged to Lydia is beyond annoying. She’s either under his spell, because he’s clearly a warlock, or is subconsciously doing this to intentionally hurt Lucy. It’s sad to watch another character fall into Stephen’s clutches but it’s also hard to feel sorry for her because she knows exactly what she’s getting into. The good news is they’re not married yet, so there’s still hope (queue the sound of a ticking time bomb).
2 Wrigley
Portrayed by Spencer House
Among Stephen’s closest friends, Wrigley is the vivacious soul who always lights up social gatherings – a particularly boisterous presence at parties. Despite being the team captain for football, Wrigley struggles academically and tends to spend most of his time consuming beers and popping painkillers, perpetuating the stereotype commonly associated with jocks. His academic choices are often guided by hangovers and light workloads. When an injury rules him out from playing football, his desire to flee from reality intensifies.
It’s starting to become apparent that his actions are merely a facade, concealing the profound sadness that resides within him. He appears to wrestle with some form of depression, burdened by pessimistic thoughts and crushing loneliness. This is vividly portrayed in Season 2 through his complex relationship with Pippa. Although their relationship isn’t ideal, he finds solace in opening up to her and revealing his true self. His willingness to acknowledge his vulnerabilities sets him apart from many of the other characters.
The Cringe Clown
It’s tough to stay irritated towards someone who appears so deeply troubled inside, yet that child causes havoc everywhere he goes. He’s incredibly annoying, even Stephen asks him to be quiet so he can focus on his studies – a rare moment when the audience might sympathize with Stephen. Wrigley’s behavior is like Tom Cruise constantly jumping on Oprah’s couch – relentless. We understand, Wrigley. It seems you’re under the influence of something.
There isn’t a subtle bone in his body. He’s a living caricature and everything he does and says comes with such blatant overkill, it feels like a constant performance. He says and does the dumbest things with the dumbest voices. He refers to himself as the “p***y monster” in some weird wizard voice that makes you want to slap him. Almost always hammered, he’s like a toddler on steroids – breaking patio tables with bowling balls, humping the Thanksgiving turkey, knocking over trays of glassware, and causing all around chaos. He IS the bull in a china shop. Go get help, Wrigley. Boop.
1 Stephen DeMarco
Portrayed by Jackson White
Stephen DeMarco is a romantic interest for Lucy but is generally disreputable in character. He seems ready to stoop low to achieve his goals, such as sleeping with someone or becoming a lawyer, without taking responsibility for his actions. His dishonesty and penchant for manipulating people are evident throughout his life. Although his behavior might stem from a challenging relationship with his manipulative mother, it doesn’t justify his questionable actions. Throughout the first season, he frequently shifts between Lucy and Diana, sometimes even switching quickly.
The man lacks any sense of morality whatsoever. He deliberately causes distress for Lucy, disrupting her friendships and going so far as to become her teaching assistant, a truly irrational act. In essence, he embodies the dual personality of both Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, possessing the charisma to navigate life smoothly, people, and anything else he desires on any given day.
The Ultimate Snake
In a surprising twist, the orderly activities that Stephen engages in with everyone seem almost too eccentric, leading one to wonder if perhaps he’s a serial killer and the storyline takes a turn into suspenseful drama. Remarkably, he still manages to maintain friendships and attract women. Stephen, in the eyes of many, mirrors Pete Davidson at Baird College – his behavior remains perplexing and hard to comprehend, yet Macy is the one who truly understands; it’s not worth trying to decipher. The number of lies he tells is so numerous that keeping them straight becomes a challenge.
The guy is a narcissistic, psychotic, sociopath incapable of prioritizing or caring about anyone but himself. There is a selfish motive in everything he does. The entire reason he’s with Diana is to get into her dad’s law firm and as soon as that falls apart, he shuts her out completely. The sadistic pleasure he gets from torturing Lucy is at a hospitalization level.
A rock has more feelings than Stephen DeMarco. He’s an incredibly unlikable character – to an annoying degree. On behalf of all the viewers, someone please punch this man in the throat.
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2024-10-12 06:09