Big Little Lies turns into a regular TV show in Season 2: It both transcends and adheres to the norms of traditional television

The Ringer

In its season season, says Alison Herman, "Big Little Lies has transitioned from a singular TV phenomenon to a long-form, multivolume story that’s easily recognizable as a TV show. It’s just a TV show that happens to star some of the most famous and charismatic women in the world. Calling Big Little Lies’ second season an act of fan service is like calling Reese Witherspoon blond or newcomer Meryl Streep an Oscar nominee. It’s not a criticism; it’s an immutable fact, as intrinsic to Big Little Lies’ identity as luxury crossover vehicles or moody establishing shots of the ocean. Back in 2017, the people loved the volatile combination of Monterey mothers, deeply held secrets, and petty disputes that made Big Little Lies such an addictive combination of farce and tragedy. So much so that star-producers Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman, screenwriter David E. Kelley, and (author Liane) Moriarty herself have reunited to give them exactly what they want ... What the season sometimes lacks in thematic cohesion, it often makes up for in this clarity of purpose. Big Little Lies is back to deliver a bumper crop of memes and trophies. Allocate your investments accordingly."

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• Meryl Streep weaponizes Season 2: "Big Little Lies wasn’t about the story, it was about putting five iconic actresses in a room together and letting them duke it out," says James Tarney. "It seems the creators agreed, because their only tweak to the second season’s format was to add Meryl Streep. Her one job, at least in the three episodes made available for review, is to weaponize one-liners."
• Streep makes for a fantastic villain: "There are some line readings Streep delivers in the first episode that are so sinister and shocking, the howl of a wolf in sheep’s clothing, that I shrieked with glee," says Kevin Fallon. "In fact, I’m not entirely comfortable admitting how many times I shrieked at various line readings from Streep, (Reese) Witherspoon, and, especially, (Laura) Dern while watching these screeners."
• Without Streep, Big Little Lies was already perhaps TV's best ensemble — an embarrassment of riches: "Two magic words capable of dispelling any concerns that a closed-ended miniseries based on a closed-ended book did not necessarily require a second installment: 'Meryl' and 'Streep,'" says Daniel Fienberg, adding: "With Streep, it's like adding an infinity pool onto the balcony of your mansion that's already overlooking the bay."
• Big Little Lies is the same moody suspense drama from Season 1: "There are no jarring formula changes or new gimmicks to keep it going; this is simply the second half of the same story, with a very slight break in time, and it works," says Amanda Bell. "Even though it is a bit too heady to truly serve as an avenue of escape for audiences, Big Little Lies Season 2 will still transport you right back to Monterey, wherein the water is warm but the wine is chilled."
• Big Little Lies is offering up some of the best psychological storytelling on television in Season 2
• Big Little Lies is evolving into “Big Little Truths,” and it’s unclear whether that will sustain a long-running story or just a well-made curtain call
• Big Little Lies recaptures much of the magic of the first season, even though the focus is more scattered in Season 2
• Even when Season 2 is messy — and it is, more often than not — the mess at least feels like the point
• It’s fun to see Streep cross Oscar lightsabers with Witherspoon and Kidman
• Zoë Kravitz’s Bonnie is the most underdeveloped character on Big Little Lies, Season 2 is a chance to rectify that
• Although Big Little Lies doesn’t seem entirely sure of where it’s headed, it can still work itself up into a delectably roiling state of privilege and anger
• Meryl Streep is just happy Big Little Lies exists: “I am of a generation that waited to be asked to dance. but I’m so admiring of you for getting out in front of stuff, for being on the balls of your feet, for seeking out material.”
• Cinematographer Jim Frohna was brought in for Season 2 to give Big Little Lies a more naturalistic look
• Liane Moriarty used a secret message to lure Streep, her favorite actress, to Big Little Lies
• David E. Kelley on putting together Season 2: "We were all daunted and a little bit reluctant to take on year two, because we didn’t want to do it just to do it. But we got excited about the stories and the material and realized there were places to go. The key at the beginning was not to expand the canvas so much, although we do, but to drill down deeper on what we’ve got."