"Big Little Lies" and domestic violence counseling

[Blazesweetie]

5. I don't disagree about the therapist but -

I think they portrayed how DV relationships play out fairly well. I read the book but I don't remember it. Based on how it was depicted in the HBO series I thought it was pretty accurate. When it first started out, it was more just shoving and grabbing and more pseudo-erotic. Also, he cycled more between his stages of asking forgiveness and becoming controlling and physically aggressive. I thought it was interesting when she told the therapist that she saw this cycle as her having the power immediately after there was an episode until he took it back. It can sort of work that way although I'm not sure I would use the word "power." In any event, the cycles got shorter and the violent episodes escalated and became more dangerous. I think if he had not died she would have been in a life threatening situation, notwithstanding that she was attempting to leave; in fact, probably because she was attempting to leave.

I also thought it was kind of sad that Celeste didn't really allow herself to admit how dangerous things had become until she found out that her son was modeling her husband's behavior. Her character made me very sad.