As a devoted fan of “Tell Me Lies,” I must admit that the show has been a rollercoaster ride this season! Lucy, played brilliantly by Grace Van Patten, seems to find herself at the epicenter of chaos more often than not. It’s challenging to decipher whether she is genuinely trying to help her friends or if her actions are intentionally messy.
[This story contains major spoilers from the season two finale of Tell Me Lies, “Don’t Struggle Like That, Or I Will Only Love You More.”]
Spectators are still processing the rollercoaster ride that was the season finale of “Tell Me Lies” – packed with surprises, the stars, Grace Van Patten and Jackson White, are shedding light on some of the jaw-dropping scenes.
Instead of saying “Following arguably a more toxic season than the first,” you could say “The second finale of the popular Hulu series was even more intense and problematic than its predecessor.
Van Patten expresses astonishment to The Hollywood Reporter over Stephen’s actions during the last part of the season, wondering what showrunner Meaghan Oppenheimer might have in mind for a potential third season and how the remainder of the wedding could unfold.
Here’s my take on paraphrasing it:
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What were the thoughts running through your minds when you initially read the script for the season finale of part two, regarding all the unexpected plot twists and shocking scenes?
GRACE VAN PATTEN I couldn’t fathom that Stephen had kept a recording of Evan admitting he cheated on Bree with Lucy, and held onto it for no less than eight long years!
JACKSON WHITE I assumed he moved it to a new device, either a different cellphone or another flash drive. He needed to purchase an older charging cable and reactivate the device.
AS A GAMER, The sheer effort this character had to put into simply carrying a bomb for eight years left me utterly astounded. I never thought he could be that manipulative, honestly. It’s mind-blowing! And now, I’m on the edge of my seat, eagerly waiting to see what Meaghan might have in store for us in the third season and how the rest of that wedding unfolds.
It was some very thought-out revenge on Stephen’s part.
WHITE It’s psychotic.
I’ve been wishfully expecting to find some good traits in Stephen, yet I rarely do. Jackson, could it be that Stephen is only concerned with his own interests rather than others?
It appears he’s primarily concerned with self-preservation. There’s definitely an element of self-interest there. However, I sense a deep fear lurking beneath the surface – a fear of failure and not coming out on top. Consequently, his actions are often manipulative, driven by a specific objective. He’s quite goal-oriented.
Following Leo’s (Thomas Doherty) violent attack on Stephen, a hint of a smile graced Stephen’s face when he understood that he had regained Lucy’s affection. That fleeting instant, I believe, encapsulates his character the most. Was that part scripted or was it an improvisation?
Indeed, that part was indeed well-written! Yes, it had been included deliberately. It played a significant role in that specific scene because, as you pointed out, it encapsulates the essence of the storyline and he achieved his goal perfectly. I found it quite engaging. I thought it was rather intriguing, and the process of filming it was exciting – all that splattering, sticky blood!
This season, Lucy has been making an effort to focus on self-improvement, yet she seems to constantly find herself amidst tumultuous circumstances. Could it be that Lucy thinks she’s assisting or is her actions more a result of being disorganized intentionally? Grace, what do you think about this?
According to VAN PATTEN, I believe she’s making a genuine effort, but perhaps she’s not aware of the most effective approach. I think things become complicated when she’s excessively covering up something she’s not truthful about. She isn’t expressing regret and acknowledging her mistakes, then trying to regain trust. Instead, she seems to be blindly attempting to make amends, and her friends are unsure of what exactly she’s making amends for. This situation becomes tangled and as a result, it gets messy.
As a gamer, I truly believe she’s sincere. She seems to be making a genuine effort to be a good friend again, atoning for her actions from last year. However, unintentionally, she stirs up tension within our group. This is because Lucy finds herself in the unique role of confidante for both Bree and Pippa, which is mind-blowing.
This season, although Lucy and Jackson aren’t romantically involved, their dynamic remains just as poisonous, if not even more so than in the first season. Could you share how you two managed to portray this change during season two? (Please note: Van Patten and White are in a relationship off-screen.)
VAN PATTEN Each moment we shared on set, fewer than the previous season, was filled with such intense undercurrents that it was a blast to explore the tension and the hidden dynamics, as well as the rich history between these characters. It was simply delightful to bring those scenes to life.
It’s quite enjoyable having fewer encounters with those two, as when we do connect again, as you pointed out, it’s always packed with meaning.
If you get another season (fingers crossed), what do you hope to see for each of your characters?
For the character, I’d prefer some solitude, but from a narrative standpoint, I’m rooting for them to continue their interactions for dramatic effect (chuckles). However, when it comes to the human aspect, I genuinely hope Lucy departs from Stephen and takes time to understand herself better.
I’M JUST THINKING… It might be fun to observe Stephen in a situation where he has no escape route, nowhere to go. Frankly, I don’t fully grasp the concept, like there’s no way for him to maneuver out of trouble. On another note, Meaghan mentioned a potential threesome involving Wrigley. If that ever happens, I wouldn’t object. Let’s wait and see, keeping our fingers crossed.
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I’m totally hooked into the second season of “Tell Me Lies” that’s now streaming on Hulu! If you haven’t caught up yet, don’t miss out on the fascinating interviews with Grace Van Patten, co-stars Sonia Mena and Alicia Crowder, showrunner Meaghan Oppenheimer, and star Cat Missal, all available on THR.
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2024-10-16 18:25