Big Little Lies | Sunday, 9 p.m., HBO
The Perry Wright (Alexander Skarsgård) murder investigation and custody hearing of his twin sons both reach a climax on the “Big Little Lies” season finale. After tough questioning by attorney Ira Farber (Denis O’Hare), Celeste Wright (Nicole Kidman), who is also an attorney, decides her mother-in-law, Mary Louise (Meryl Streep), should prove her fitness as a potential parent to Celeste’s boys.
O’Hare, 57, breaks down the show’s courtroom scenes and what we can expect when Mary Louise takes the stand Sunday night.
Why is Detective Adrienne Quinlan (Merrin Dungey) sitting in on the custody hearing?
The fact that Ira presented those images of Perry Wright falling down the stairs is irrelevant in a custody hearing, but if you’re talking about judging the fitness of a parent, the possibility of her committing manslaughter is relevant. Did the police come to Ira and ask him to help? Obviously. Everybody up and down the California coast knows about this case. It doesn’t seem a stretch to me that Quinlan’s in the courtroom.
Why is Farber’s client, Mary Louise, seen viewing police evidence with Detective Quinlan?
As the mother of the victim, Mary Louise would have a natural reason for being in the room with the detective.
Did she ask Farber if that was OK?
Given how headstrong she is, Mary Louise could have gone into that room at the police station without telling him.
Did Mary Louise hire someone to follow Celeste and get those photos of her meeting strange men?
Once Mary Louise hired Ira and they decided to do a custody hearing, wouldn’t they need evidence? I think you can assume the footage was packaged for the hearing.
Why does Farber think Celeste rejected the deal for shared custody with Mary Louise?
Her ego’s too involved. She is in denial about her own problems. When she slaps Mary Louise, that’s a problem. That’s battery. Even her own lawyer says, “It’s a fair offer.”
Does Farber think Celeste has a strong case to keep the boys given her mental state, prescription drug abuse and promiscuity?
No. He thinks he’s probably got a very good chance of winning. The judge (Becky Ann Baker) is a little too proactive, taking part in the questioning. He wants to go head-to-head with another lawyer, not the judge.
Why would Celeste want to question Mary Louise at this point?
Mary Louise is an eccentric character who can say things that are outrageous and Celeste wants her to say them on the stand. Did Perry always tell her good stories about his mother? Probably not.
Who ad-libbed more on the witness stand, Nicole Kidman or Meryl Streep?
Meryl is really strict about staying close to the text. If she ever forgot a word, she was cross with herself. Nicole is also pretty faithful to the text.
And here’s what else to watch this week:
Yellowstone | Wednesday, 10 p.m., Paramount
A hideous attack on John Dutton’s (Kevin Costner) property prompts an aggressive campaign by the family to bolster their position. Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) threatens to have her brother Jamie (Wes Bentley) disbarred. With Luke Grimes.
Veronica Mars | Streamng on Hulu
Spring breakers are getting murdered in Neptune, decimating the seaside town’s tourist industry. After Mars Investigations is hired by the family of one of the victims to find his killer, Veronica (Kristen Bell) is drawn into a mystery that pits the enclave’s wealthy yet humorless elites against a working class that relies on the cash influx that comes with being the West Coast’s answer to Daytona Beach. With Enrico Colantoni.
Pearson | 10 p.m., USA
Jessica’s (Gina Torres) reputation in the press puts the police contract in jeopardy.
City on a Hill | Sunday, 9 p.m., Showtime
Decourcy (Aldis Hodge) gets closer to connecting the stolen guns to the Revere robbery when an insider agrees to talk. Meanwhile, Jenny (Jill Henness y) is no longer able to ignore Jackie’s (Kevin Bacon) indiscretions after they show up on her doorstep, blowing their marriage apart.
Snowfall | Wednesday, 10 p.m., FX
Franklin (Damson Idris) puts his new business plan into motion, then takes a business trip to Panama with Avi (Alon Aboutboul). Gustavo (Sergio Peris-Mencheta) struggles to learn how to work with his new partner. With Angela Lewis and Amin Joseph.
Pose | Tuesday, 10 p.m., FX
After falling ill while organizing his annual AIDS Cabaret, Pray Tell (Billy Porter) lands in the hospital, leading to a series of unexpected visitors.
Suits | Wednesday, 9 p.m., USA
It’s all hands on deck as Louis (Rick Hoffman) and Alex (Dulé Hill) defend the firm, while Harvey (Gabriel Macht) aids Jessica (Gina Torres) on a case. With Sarah Rafferty.