Tell Me Lies Season 2 Episode 5 Review: Stephen’s Troubling Behavior Overshadows Halloween Frights

In every episode of the series, one persistent theme is Stephen’s toxic behavior, and Tell Me Lies season 2 episode 5 continues this trend. When Stephen’s sister, Sadie, arrived at Baird College to celebrate Halloween with him, she brought forth several allegations against Lucy, stemming from the ongoing lies she had been fed by Stephen about her.

In addition to accusing Lucy of being toxic in her relationship with Stephen, Sadie claimed that Lucy had been stalking him post-breakup. Lucy vehemently refuted these assertions, emphasizing that it was actually Stephen who exhibited toxic traits within their dynamic. However, Sadie dismissed Lucy’s perspective, having been repeatedly manipulated by her brother.

By the episode’s conclusion, Sadie’s opinion of Stephen shifted dramatically upon discovering that he was, in fact, the toxic individual in their relationship. A pivotal moment occurred when Lucy shared a voicemail filled with Stephen’s rage, giving Sadie insight into his true nature.

When Sadie confronted Stephen about the situation, he attempted to downplay her claims once more, but the truth was hard to ignore. Sadie accused him of deception and having toxic tendencies akin to their mother.

Stephen Continues His Lies in Tell Me Lies Season 2 Episode 5

Viewers who have been following the series from the start understand the dynamics between the lead characters. At this stage, Stephen could practically teach a course on delivering damaging lies and exhibiting emotionally abusive behavior.

Previously, Stephen had convinced his sister that Lucy was toxic in their relationship, leading Sadie to view Lucy negatively. Therefore, upon arriving at Baird for Halloween, Sadie already had biased opinions about Lucy fueled by her brother’s narratives.

During a confrontation where Lucy’s friend Lydia criticized Stephen for his treatment of Lucy, Sadie inquired whether Lydia’s claims were true, and Stephen effectively manipulated her responses.

At the first opportunity, Sadie approached Lucy, who passionately defended herself, stating that Stephen was the actual issue in their relationship, causing her trauma. Attempting to corroborate Lucy’s claims with Stephen once again led to a barrage of lies.

Upset by Lucy’s stance, Stephen sent her an incredibly derogatory voicemail. However, Lucy forwarded this voicemail to Sadie, who finally recognized her brother’s manipulative nature.

Another Manipulative Character Emerges in Tell Me Lies

This episode not only highlighted Stephen’s manipulations but also introduced additional toxic elements with Tom Ellis’s character, Oliver. Oliver, who has been involved with Bree since her split from Evan, is also Lucy’s teacher Marianne’s husband.

When Bree and Oliver first got together, many fans were thrilled that Bree prioritized her happiness, despite the complicated realities of their relationship. However, recent events in the series have cast shadows over this romance, leaving audiences concerned about its future.

In the episode, Oliver displayed behaviors that could be deemed toxic and manipulative. During their weekend getaway, he took Bree to a bar where she used a fake ID due to her underage status. When the bartender voiced concerns about her ID while serving her, Oliver dismissed this by kissing Bree, signaling a troubling approach to exerting power.

Moreover, during a conversation about various topics, when Bree probed Oliver about his life with his wife, he entirely deflected the question. When Bree mentioned that Lucy was aware of their affair, Oliver manipulated the situation and insisted that Bree keep their relationship a secret at all costs.

This episode briefly introduced themes that seem poised for deeper exploration in the forthcoming episodes.

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