Tell Me Lies Recap: Brigley

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While Lucy and Stephen’s relationship is meant to be central to the show, I’d actually prefer if Stephen’s character were removed. This isn’t a reflection on Jackson White’s performance, who is doing excellent work. It’s simply that Stephen’s villainy has become repetitive and predictable. He consistently refuses to change or learn from his experiences, even when the story offers him chances to develop as a person.

In the story, Stephen struggles with the realization that others might see him as a villain – something Macy tried to tell him before. It’s easy to forget about Macy, though, considering all the terrible things happening within this group. Stephen actually drove his car into a tree, killing Macy, immediately after she suggested he might be a bad person, so her perspective isn’t really considered. Most people would be deeply troubled by such an accusation, especially under those circumstances, but Stephen doesn’t seem affected. A year and a half later, he’s just now figuring out that it’s generally considered strange – even mentally unstable – to continue living in the place where your friend’s brother died. He doesn’t seem to notice, or care, that the apartment still feels heavy with sadness and death, even as he spends hours playing Halo and collecting disturbing content.

It’s hard to tell how truly emotional Stephen is, but he clearly wants Wrigley to think well of him. Even after getting into Yale Law, he tells Evan that Wrigley is really eager to celebrate with them – even though Wrigley didn’t sound very enthusiastic on the phone. Stephen also doesn’t realize why Wrigley avoids the couch where his brother died until someone points it out directly.

Stephen is shocked by how far Diana will go to avoid being near him. He still thinks she failed her law school entrance exams, so he tries to upset her by showing off his acceptance letter from Yale. However, he’s in for a surprise – Diana not only got into Yale Law, but she actually scored better on the exam than he did. Despite this, she refuses to go to Yale if he’s going to be there. Confused, Stephen asks if she’d really alter her life just to avoid him. The answer is yes – and it’s the only sensible thing to do when it comes to dealing with Stephen.

Stephen likely felt insecure and believed people didn’t like him, especially if Wrigley had ever suggested to Evan that they stop spending time with him. Right now, Evan is the only reason Stephen is still included. If Wrigley were willing to end both friendships—with Stephen and Evan—it would solve everyone’s problems, allowing Wrigley to pursue a relationship with Bree without fearing he’d lose Evan’s friendship.

There’s something darkly funny about Wrigley and Bree’s connection: every time Wrigley tries to bond with her, she responds with incredibly sad stories about her life. He mentions his parents being young when he was born, and she counters with the fact that her mother was only fourteen when she had her. He shares a lighthearted joke about childhood photos, but Bree doesn’t have any. Spending time with Bree really puts things in perspective. So, to cope with his brother’s recent death, Wrigley decides to drive Bree to New Jersey for a surprise visit with her long-lost mother.

Wrigley worries a bit about crashing a personal family event, but Bree doesn’t seem to mind having such a thoughtful and self-aware companion. He tells her sincerely that what happens with her family is private. Then, with a playful grin, he adds that he technically forced his way into it. He’s exactly the kind of person you’d want by your side if things got awkward at a family gathering.

Bree’s mother, Mary – though she seems more like a Kelly to me – is desperate to present Bree as a responsible adult who’s avoided any messy relationships. Bree simply wants to hear positive childhood memories, like funny stories about being a messy kid or a little leader, but Mary keeps correcting the narrative. Mary only had custody of Bree for a short time after Bree’s grandmother passed away, and before that, she hadn’t lived with them because she’d been asked to leave. When Bree asks why Mary didn’t take her when she left, Mary points out she was only fourteen years old at the time.

This brunch was pretty gloomy, but things start to look up. Wrigley drives Mary home and then helps Bree with gas money for her photography show, which Mary promises to check out. Mary also invites Bree to spend some time with her and her boyfriend at the beach, giving Bree a chance to possibly meet Snookie at the Shore Store this summer.

To top it off, Bree doesn’t know how to swim. Wrigley immediately decides to fix that, and they rush to the pool as soon as they get back to campus – still fully clothed! It’s a bit much to ask her to learn in jeans, but honestly, it’s actually kind of exciting. I’m realizing how attractive a pool can be when everyone’s dressed normally. If she weren’t wearing denim, she’d probably float easier, and Wrigley wouldn’t have needed to hold her as she happily declared she was swimming. But when he let go, she started to sink, forcing him to briefly grab her waist – and then pull her close in his arms. Suddenly, everyone’s feeling a strong urge to kiss, and they’re lost in each other’s eyes. And where would we be without that? I’m already predicting Wrigley will be a hopeless romantic, and I’m here for it! But seriously, Bree, what’s going on with Evan?

Evan is turning out to be the classic “nice guy” – someone who seems good on the surface but is actually problematic, and unfortunately, this type is more common than someone truly malicious like Stephen. Here’s what’s happening: now that Evan is back together with Bree, he’s avoiding a direct breakup with Molly by simply ignoring her, but she keeps contacting him. This frustrates Evan, as he thought he’d made it clear their relationship was just casual. His conscience, Wrigley, points out that he’s been sending Molly mixed signals, which isn’t fair. But Stephen encourages Evan to dismiss Molly as being overly dramatic, and that’s the easier option for Evan to accept. Meanwhile, Diana, frustrated with giving advice that’s ignored, tells Molly bluntly: “Evan is behaving just like Stephen.”

Alex is proving to be surprisingly unpleasant, a bit of a jerk despite having good intentions. I hadn’t personally met someone like that before, but the show Tell Me Lies suggests they exist. He’s learned a rumor about Lucy being assaulted by Chris, and it’s making him uncomfortable – it’s hard to maintain control in a relationship when it mirrors a traumatic event. It’s like trying to have a normal life with someone deeply troubled. Lucy is confused by his sudden attentiveness – making her coffee, asking how she’s doing – and he claims he doesn’t want to add to anyone’s pain. Lucy dismisses the idea that she has trauma, which is ironic considering the situation clearly revolves around hers. Even if the assault wasn’t real, Lucy likely doesn’t view her relationship with Stephen as damaging, because this is 2009. Back then, terms like gaslighting weren’t widely known, and emotional abuse wasn’t generally recognized as a problem. Unless there was physical violence, it simply wasn’t considered abuse.

Unlike Stephen, Lucy struggles to admit she might have flaws. She seems to believe she deserves mistreatment, possibly explaining why she’s using a recording of Stephen’s harsh words as part of sexually explicit material.

Pippa seems relieved to be out of the spotlight, and I understand why. However, I do need to ask a few things. Here they are:

  • When are you going to break up with Wrigley?
  • Are you ever going to at least tell Bree the truth?
  • Have you given any thought to Caitie?
  • Have you discussed any of this with Diana?
  • Have you considered going to therapy yourself?

Look, I know you’re still enjoying the beginning of your relationship, but there’s a serious problem. Chris unexpectedly showed up at the beach party and immediately started pressuring Lucy to take back what she said. She managed to get away, but she can’t keep avoiding him forever without having to change schools. And now, Chris is even contacting Pippa, trying to get her to support his version of events, and it doesn’t seem like he’ll let it go.

For the Group Chat

• Why hasn’t Lucy transferred schools yet, actually?

• Mary should be named Kelly and Bree should be named Becca.

• I’m saving my final star for the episode where Bree and Wrigley first kiss.

Stephen has shared nude photos of Diana online because she doesn’t reciprocate his feelings. It’s unclear where these images will end up, but it’s a serious invasion of her privacy.

I’m relieved we all agree that abandoning someone while they’re wearing a coconut bra is a cruel and unacceptable act.

Stephen is using the same ‘Are you not cold in that dress?’ joke again, and honestly, it wasn’t that funny to begin with.

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2026-01-28 01:56