Big Little Lies episode 5 synopsis: A quest for knowledge

Why are people the way that they are? It’s not an easy question to answer, and yet it’s a question that Big Little Lies on HBO does look to answer at times. They’ve explored the condition of Madeline and Jane as they try to become more than just labels placed upon them by their town and their marriages. Meanwhile, for Celeste she is going to continue to piece together a better understanding of her relationship with Perry. Why do the two function with such rage, and doesn’t there have to be a better way to be other than to be near this man?

On Big Little Lies episode 5 entitled “Once Bitten,” you will get a chance to see some of these stories play out, and see some answers start to present themselves. However, they may do so at times in conventional ways. Take, for example, the matter in which Celeste starts to figure out precisely what is going on when it comes to Perry. Or, think for a moment or two about what’s going on when it comes to a road trip. What are the characters involved going to get out of it? All of this sounds enlightening, but it’s not like this quest for knowledge next week will go uninterrupted. Specifically, there’s an incident regarding a child’s bite that could create a separate spiral all its own.

Big Little Lies episode 5 synopsis – “Madeline (Reese Witherspoon) receives encouraging news about the play from her director, Joseph Bachman (Santiago Cabrera), but is left concerned by his newly icy demeanor. Principal Nippal (P.J. Byrne) and Ms. Barnes (Virginia Kull) share their conclusions about Ziggy (Iain Armitage) and Amabella (Ivy George) with Jane (Shailene Woodley). Celeste (Nicole Kidman) has a solo session with Dr. Reisman (Robin Weigert), who tries to get to the bottom of her relationship with Perry (Alexander Skarsgård).”

Through this story, it’s hard to hope for any answers, mostly because you are still looking at the midway point of a larger story. Maybe Jane’s journey turns out to have a different impact than she images. Or, maybe Celeste finds a different manner to survive. It’s a good show, even if it is at times a flawed show. For example, we certainly don’t think the series needs to emphasize the narration as much as it does.

What are you hoping to see on Big Little Lies episode 5? Share some of your thoughts and hopes now in the comments! (Photo: HBO.)