Push Comes to Shove

I really liked this episode. A lot of interesting key facts happens!

In "Push Comes to Shove," control and power are some of the main themes that are heavily on display. Celeste begins to show command and power that she thought she had lost when she gave up lawyer duties to become a full-time mom. Her husband, of course, objects because he is the man in control. Jane tries to find power as she internally struggles with how to find the man who raped her. Madeleine tries to find control within her marriage as she complains about her sexless life, yet kisses Joseph, the play director. As you can tell, each character internally struggles with how much power and control they have. That said, I find it hard to believe that any woman would turn down Adam Scott in a vampire Elvis costume. Like all episodes to this point, the acting has been magnificent. Heavy themes are tackled throughout. The cinematography and the music remain exquisite and gorgeous. Madeleine's quest to have her play produced is put to test in a meeting with the mayor, the board (which includes Renata and her fake laugh), and Celeste. While Madeleine flails, Celeste proves that she still has major lawyer ability. Perry does not even want Celeste at this meeting or involved with any lawyer work. Physical abuse becomes an issue again, but now their children may be involved. Madeleine decides to overstep her boundaries while putting out an Internet search for Jane's rapist. Ziggy's teacher is concerned about him as she believes he is still attacking Amabella, but a child psychologist puts any concerns to rest that he is violent. So, who is harming the poor girl? This is another excellent episode, like each episode has been. There is tension and menace in the air (especially when it comes to Perry). The episode's conclusion is definitely a shocker. Adam Scott's Ed is a bit creepy, but I do like his character. But more questions arise as now Madeleine faces some questionable decisions about her past and Nathan decides to have a sitdown with Madeleine and Ed to discuss parenting techniques for Abigail. Ohhhhhh boy! My Grade: A-

Nicole Kidman absolutely kills her portrayal of Celeste Wright in Ep. 4, as do Reese Witherspoon and Shailene Woodley as Madeleine Mackenzie and Jane Chapman. The phrase "when push comes to shove" sets the tone, which is held throughout, and I believe the scenes with the Mackenzies are especially exemplary for their realistic portrayal of marriage in modern television. While horrid, the scenes with the Wrights are acted well, and the camera gives Celeste Wright the power, showing both her inner and outer turmoil, along with all that she balances in a day, with less general emphasis on Perry Wright. The same can be said for the portrayal of Jane Chapman. It is undeniable that both are done incredibly well here, and all with a daring amount of subtlety.

One of the most powerful tools in an abuser's arsenal is control. They can isolate until you truly believe there is no one else to turn to, no life of your own, no room to breathe under their firm grasp. I thought of this watching Celeste try and fail to maneuver around Perry's anger. He focuses with such laser precision on his target that he charges the air in every scene. "If you go to pieces again whose going to put you back together?" Perry asks. He's using her past anxiety against her. Any fault or misstep becomes a hammer he can use to chisel Celeste into the sculpture of the docile mother and wife he requires she aspires to be

I just cannot sleep until I finish this work of art and dexterity."Big Little Lies" is so fine a show that you don't want it to end, its that great and this episode justifies that.

We learn more about the ladies's past and their ability to hide it shrewdly.Nicole Kidman literally gets into her character Celeste and so does a surprising Alexander Skarsgård as her husband.There is more light thrown into romances of the past while a dark, dirty future is being ominously hinted at.

The show has literally brought forward some very sensitive issues and that too with a realistic brilliance-why ladies endure domestic violence, suppress their own dreams for their families and would do anything for the safety of their children. Emotional, disturbing, touching and tensed- this is a series you don't want to miss.