By: Olivia Mink
Where do I even begin? This show has been eye-opening to a lot of Gen Z, and I think I know why.
Tell Me Lies is set in 2007 at Baird College in upstate New York. The two main characters that the audience obsesses over are Lucy Albright and Stephen DeMarco. Lucy is a freshman while Stephen is a junior. They meet, fall in “love,” and break up. Following the breakup, we see how toxic Stephen is, though it’s concerning if you didn’t see his toxicity during their short relationship. He is a classic narcissist and sociopath—a role model for male manipulators everywhere. To be honest, he gives off murderer vibes.
Stephen feels no remorse for his actions and continues to mess up anything good that his perceived “enemies” have going for them. He is not the most attractive man, but this makes the show more realistic, as women tend to fall for even the lowest men. He sees people as tools to get what he wants and views the world in terms of what he calls “nature’s laws.” He believes monogamy is unnatural and sees his infidelities not as betrayal, but as events he hides only for practical reasons—to maintain the relationships that serve his emotional and physical needs. (I think that says enough about what kind of person he is)
Lucy, on the other hand, is not the perfect girl we first thought she was. She also shows narcissistic qualities and becomes especially selfish when around Stephen. She is unable to heal from secrets she can’t reveal and family issues, leading her to blame herself when things fall apart. Under Stephen’s influence, she loses her self-respect and focus on her college goals.
Throughout the show, we see scenes from the present, where Lucy and Stephen are not together. In fact, spoiler alert—he is seen dating her best friend, Lydia. I’m sure we’ll find out what happens that leads Lucy’s best friend—who knew everything about Stephen and his charm—to date him. Of course, if you want to know before the show reveals it, you can read the book. But where’s the fun in that?
This brings me to my question: Why is our generation so drawn to watching this toxic relationship in Tell Me Lies? I think it’s because of the realistic standards we put on ourselves and our search for love. This show portrays the complex aspects of young adult relationships, particularly the messy and emotionally charged experiences of college life. Casual hookups, toxic relationships, and the high pressure to present a perfect life are all depicted. Tell Me Lies also addresses mental health struggles, identity exploration, and blurred lines of consent. Ultimately, the show resonates with our generation in multiple ways, especially for those navigating college life.
Interestingly, Lucy and Stephen—played by Grace Van Patten and Jackson White—are dating in real life. They have been together since auditioning for their roles. This raises another question: Can they separate the characters from their real selves, or will the show’s dynamics affect their relationship?
A new episode is coming soon, and the director nearly ended the show after this episode because it features a controversial scene.
Will our generation continue to watch after Episode 7?
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