Somebody's Dead

The first episode of Big Little Lies, titled "Somebody's Dead," sets a suspenseful tone that lingers throughout the series, establishing a mystery as it opens with a murder at an elementary school fundraiser. Instead of revealing the victim or perpetrator, the story flashes back to a series of events that precede the incident, introducing us to the seemingly idyllic community of Monterey, California. Here, we meet Madeline Martha Mackenzie (Reese Witherspoon), Celeste Wright (Nicole Kidman), and newcomer Jane Chapman (Shailene Woodley), three mothers whose lives intersect through their children. With gossip and whispers about their personal lives circulating in a series of police interviews, viewers are drawn into the complex world of parental politics, jealousy, and hidden secrets that underlie this picturesque town.

One of the episode's strengths lies in its character introductions, particularly how it sets up each woman's unique struggles and personalities. Madeline is portrayed as a fiercely protective mother with a strong personality and a complicated relationship with her ex-husband. Witherspoon's performance captures Madeline's humor and underlying vulnerability, offering moments of levity amid the tension. Kidman's Celeste, on the other hand, exudes elegance and composure, yet there are hints of a troubled marriage with her husband Perry (Alexander Skarsgård), subtly presented through tense, quiet moments that foreshadow later revelations. Jane's character is more reserved, as Woodley effectively conveys a young mother carrying a mysterious trauma. Together, these actresses create a dynamic chemistry, building the foundation of the story's emotional intensity.

The direction by Jean-Marc Vallée enhances the storytelling with his distinct visual style, combining intimate close-ups and sweeping shots of Monterey's coastline to juxtapose the characters' inner turmoil against their stunning surroundings. The cinematography is rich in symbolism, contrasting the seemingly perfect exteriors of the town with the dark, complex lives of its residents. The editing, which includes brief, almost subconscious flashbacks and snippets of the murder night, contributes to the episode's sense of foreboding. By weaving these fragmented glimpses into scenes of everyday life, Vallée skillfully keeps the viewer engaged in the unfolding mystery without overwhelming them with information.

The script by David E. Kelley is another highlight, as it strikes a balance between the darker elements of suspense and the lighter, more humorous moments that characterize the personalities of each protagonist. Kelley's writing digs beneath the surface of these characters, exploring themes of female friendship, rivalry, and societal expectations with a nuanced approach. Dialogue feels genuine and often piercing, exposing underlying conflicts among the characters. Moments like Madeline's candid, witty remarks about motherhood reveal a rawness that resonates deeply with audiences. This honesty in writing gives depth to the characters, making their struggles feel authentic and relatable, even as the series unfolds in a world of upper-class privilege.

Despite the episode's strong points, the pacing occasionally feels uneven, as the focus shifts between the various subplots and character backstories. While this serves to set up the ensemble cast, it can feel a bit crowded, leaving some characters less developed in this initial episode. However, this is likely intentional, as the narrative relies on a gradual build-up to reveal the complexities of each character. The suspense is cleverly maintained through the ongoing mystery, with snippets of police interrogations providing outside perspectives on the central characters, reinforcing the notion that no one in this community is entirely innocent.

In conclusion, "Somebody's Dead" is an engaging and well-crafted introduction to Big Little Lies, effectively setting the stage for the drama and mystery that will unfold over the season. The standout performances by Witherspoon, Kidman, and Woodley, combined with Vallée's atmospheric direction, create a captivating blend of suspense, humor, and emotional depth. The episode's exploration of jealousy, identity, and the hidden darkness in seemingly perfect lives makes it a compelling start, drawing viewers into a world that is as beautiful as it is fractured. The layers of mystery and tension promise a thrilling journey, and while the pacing may be slow for some, it serves to deepen the investment in these characters' stories.

From the moment "Big Little Lies" starts- you are hooked- waves crashing, moms driving while an another scene has flashbacks of a gruesome murder. I was hooked from the very first scene- the slow build up which slowly leads to a tensed moment and that too involving moms of 1st graders was something really appreciating. The characters were introduced cleverly which leaves you wanting to know more about them and thus maintaining suspense. This is going to be a great series.

The cast is awesome- Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley, Laura Dern, Alexander Skarsgår who give in extremely tensed performances with so much realism.Hats off to these guys.

A very good pilot to a seemingly good series.Hoping for the best.

Big Little Lies hooked me from the very first shot. The show has an interesting premise. It is advertised as a murder drama wrapped around several domestic fronts. At first glance, the show has the elements to be pure trash. After all, it is based off one of those airport fodder stories. Within the first fifteen seconds, you know the show goes above and beyond. Season 1 is helmed by Jean-Marc Vallee, the man behind Wild and The Dallas Buyers Club. The cast is A-grade, led by Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley, Laura Dern, and so much more. The narrative is driven in a unique way led by flashbacks and interwoven investigation interviews of supporting characters. While the "murder" may be the main draw, the story is about the characters and their families and the type of lives they lead. I love the soundtrack and the beautiful California cinematography. Any shot of crashing waves at a beach works wonders for me! In "Somebody's Dead," we are introduced to everyone. Madeleine McKenzie (Reese Witherspoon) leads a very busy life as a go-getter and someone who wants to know everyone's affairs. She is saddled with two daughters; a teenager who is underappreciative and a first-grader growing up to fast. She is married to Ed (Adam Scott), a nice enough guy. Her ex-husband, Nathan (James Tupper) is now married to a super-hot yoga teacher, Bonnie (Zoe Kravitz). Her enemy is another working mother, the wealthy Renata Klein (Laura Dern) who "recently joined the board of PayPal." Her best friend is Celeste Wright (Nicole Kidman), a former lawyer. She looks like a model and is married to someone much younger, Perry (Alexander Skarsgard). Their relationship displays a hint of domestic violence. Then there is the young, single Jane (Shailene Woodley). She and her son Ziggy (Iain Armitage) recently moved to Monterey for unknown reasons, although flashbacks point out that she may have had a dark past. Madeleine takes a liking for Jane. On the very first day of school, Renata's daughter accuses Ziggy of attacking her. This "attack" pits families against one another as tension begins to build amongst them. This is the prelude with culminated in the murder of an unknown figure at the school's fundraiser. Who was murdered? Who was the murderer? How did it lead to this? What or who is Jane running awary from? This is what the next six episodes will answer. Overall, this is a very strong, well-written pilot episode. Right away, you are able to connect with these families with all their different quirks and styles. Any drama with a strong female presence is good in my book. For now, the men are relegated to support systems, but they will have a role in the final outcome. With the pedigree attached, you can expect amazing, deep performances. Witherspoon and Kidman are already excellent inhabiting these characters. I love the narrative style, the way the characters are introduced, and the music/cinematography. Also, the tension! One final note: the first-grade teacher handled this situation in a horrible way! Ouch! Anyhow, I am officially hooked! My Grade: A

This television series manages to achieve a casting coup of sorts with Shailene Woodely, Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon in the lead. Reese Witherspoon (Madeline) talks her way to obnoxiousness halfway through the episode,before I realised that Madeline with all her character flaws is so relatable. Shailene Woodley does a terrific job. Nicole Kidman doesn't get her due in the pilot episode,but she does shine with her nuanced acting craft in the bits that are offered to her. What I really liked about the show was it's production value and the location (gawwd it made me wanna hit the beach) It was a great pilot. PS- I used to think that this is HBO's take on Pretty Little Liars, it's kinda similar but you should definitely give it a try,if just for the sandy beaches.

So far it's okay, but I'm far from being hooked just yet. Bit slow and drawn out in places and I found my mind wandering, which when I am enjoying a show or film it wouldn't normally be doing. Let's check out episode 2 🙂