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Big Little Lies · S1 · E3

Living the Dream

  • TV-MA
  • Mar 5, 2017
  • 52 min
  • 7.4

Hoping to get under Renata's skin, Madeline organizes a trip to compete with Amabella's birthday party. After another argument, Celeste succumbs to Perry's charms before their first session with a therapist, Dr. Amanda Reisman. Madeline gets called for a meeting with Abigail's guidance counselor. Principal Nippal announces the theme for the Fall Gala Fundraiser; later, Jane seeks Madeline's help with Ziggy's family tree project, and opens up about her past.

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About this episode

Hoping to get under Renata's skin, Madeline organizes a trip to compete with Amabella's birthday party. After another argument, Celeste succumbs to Perry's charms before their first session with a therapist, Dr. Amanda Reisman. Madeline gets called for a meeting with Abigail's guidance counselor. Principal Nippal announces the theme for the Fall Gala Fundraiser; later, Jane seeks Madeline's help with Ziggy's family tree project, and opens up about her past.

Season 1

7 episodes
  1. 1Somebody's Dead

    51 minFeb 19, 2017★ 7.6

    A suspicious death at an elementary school fund-raiser exposes rivalries simmering beneath the superficial comity among some of the parents.

  2. 2Serious Mothering

    54 minFeb 26, 2017★ 7.2

    Madeline feels slighted by Renata and gets bad news about her community-theater production. Ziggy asks Jane why they moved to Monterey. Celeste tells Perry they should seek counseling. Nathan and Ed have a tense meeting about their wives.

  3. 3Living the Dream

    52 minMar 5, 2017★ 7.4Now viewing

    Hoping to get under Renata's skin, Madeline organizes a trip to compete with Amabella's birthday party. After another argument, Celeste succumbs to Perry's charms before their first session with a therapist, Dr. Amanda Reisman. Madeline gets called for a meeting with Abigail's guidance counselor. Principal Nippal announces the theme for the Fall Gala Fundraiser; later, Jane seeks Madeline's help with Ziggy's family tree project, and opens up about her past.

  4. 4Push Comes to Shove

    52 minMar 12, 2017★ 7.7

    Nathan invites Madeline and Ed to a couples' dinner to discuss a "parenting paradigm" for Abigail. Celeste prepares for a city-council meeting about Madeline's play, and bristles at Perry's concerns about her returning to work. Jane meets with Ziggy's teacher, Ms. Barnes, who suggests Ziggy be medically evaluated in light of further evidence of classroom bullying. While Madeline is confronted by a skeleton from her past, her internet sleuthing reveals a key player from Jane's past instead.

  5. 5Once Bitten

    51 minMar 19, 2017★ 7.7

    Madeline receives encouraging news about the play from her director, Joseph Bachman, but is left concerned by his newly icy demeanor. Principal Nippal and Ms. Barnes share their conclusions about Ziggy and Amabella with Jane. Celeste has a solo session with Dr. Reisman, who tries to get to the bottom of her relationship with Perry.

  6. 6Burning Love

    52 minMar 26, 2017★ 7.9

    Madeline worries about the can of worms she’s opened for Jane. Jane confronts Renata. Bonnie tells Nathan about a secret project Abigail has been working on. Meanwhile, Ed and Madeline have a frank conversation about the lack of passion in their marriage.

  7. 7You Get What You Need

    59 minApr 2, 2017★ 8.2

    Celeste takes steps towards independence; Madeline deals with fallout from her past.

Guest stars

Ivy GeorgeAmabella Klein
Larry SullivanOren Berg
P.J. ByrnePrincipal Nippal
Jennifer LafleurFiona
Keisuke HoashiDr. Leo Chang
Nelly BuchetJuliette
Carrie WamplerLori
Tim TrueDetective Walt Gibson
Sheena PeñaCollege Student (uncredited)
Danielle JudovitsPuppeteer
Kathreen KhavariSamantha
Anthony ZedikerAccompanist
Richard IsraelTheatrical Coordinator
Mark Adair-RiosCoach Bob
David MonahanBernard
Robin WeigertDr. Amanda Reisman