Critic’s Rating: 4 / 5.0
4
Even though the series toes the line between drama and thriller, there are moments that make Lady in the Lake seem like a horror story.
Through just a few visual effects and some well-timed music, the show delivers a significant level of unease.
Between Natalie Portman and Moses Ingram, Lady in the Lake delivers career-defining performances.
The series, based on the 2019 Laura Lippman novel of the same name, perfectly portrays the book’s themes.
As a certified fresh series, Rotten Tomatoes consensus fully encapsulates The Lady in the Lake.
“Dense with intriguing drama if too muddled by digressions and stylistic flourishes, Lady in the Lake is a well-acted mystery with a lot on its mind.”
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Lady in the Lake Is The Child Of Great Acting And Genius Writing
Typically, a series with two leads that never interact can bring many creative issues.
With two different stories happening simultaneously, audiences want to see how their arcs interlock.
If the story lacks any kind of correlation, it can be difficult to keep track of which character is experiencing which events.
However, in the case of Lady in the Lake, the apparent disconnect works in the show’s favor.
Viewers can see the differences by allowing Maddie and Cleo to lead their own separate stories.
But most importantly, they can also see how these two very different women are practically on the same path.
Regardless of race, religion, or background, both women have to deal with the sexism and misogyny of the era.
As a tour de force for the senses, Lady in the Lake immerses audiences in its unique story.
With just the correct amount of background music that swells at the right time, a single sentence of dialogue can send chills down a viewer’s spine.
The Apple TV+ series has all the workings of a bestselling novel with a story that jumps off the page and onto the small screen.
It’s Miss Morgenstern If You’re Nasty
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In the previous episode, I identified that the central theme of the series is dreams.
That theme continues with Maddie as she plows her way to the life she has always dreamed of.
With her tiny apartment in a questionable neighborhood, she seems happier than she’s been in a long time.
In addition, she’s not only gotten her foot in the journalism door but has also landed an official position at a newspaper.
It also helps that she has a handsome man of the law looking out for her back and other body parts.
However, none of that can help her reconcile her old life with her new one.
Milton didn’t even appear in this episode, with only her son to cast judgment.
I don’t know about any of you, but I nearly jumped for joy when she finally smacked the crap out of Seth.
That kid needs an attitude adjustment, but I like where things are headed.
So, now Maddie has her own place, her own job, and a man to whom she isn’t bound by law and religion.
But her happiness cost her Milton, played by Brett Gelman (Stranger Things), Seth, played by Noah Jupe (Franklin), and possibly the Jewish community after that Christmas Eve fiasco.
In a way, both women have what the other is lacking in their lives.
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The Lady in the Lake May Sink To The Bottom, But Moses Ingram Continues To Rise As Cleo Johnson
Unlike Maddie, Cleo has all the love and support of her husband, children, and most of the black community.
But Cleo has to fight and scratch to claw out any bit of the life she desperately craves.
As much as she hopes for independence, the dream she holds onto so tightly will ultimately become her nightmare.
We already knew that Cleo would be murdered at some point, and I’ll commend the writers for putting it off until Lady in the Lake Season 1 Episode 4.
However, it could mean we’ll see less and less of Moses Ingram’s career-defining performance.
Her calm and calculated manner was a testament to women of the time and their need to keep quiet.
Regardless of race, no one wanted to hear what a woman thought in the ‘60s.
As we’ve seen, Cleo was a lady who didn’t need to use her words to convey a message.
The question now is, what will happen to Slap and the kids?
One sure thing is they will likely be meeting Miss Maddie Morgenstern soon.
And through those interactions, we will probably see Moses Ingram’s Cleo through one fever dream or another.
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Mr. Sandman, Bring Me A Dream. Make Him The Sweetest That I’ve Ever Seen.
It’s hard not to paint the antagonists, adversaries, or even foils in these women’s lives as purely male.
But, all the characters responsible for the misery in Maddie and Cleo’s lives are men.
That’s not to say there aren’t amazing male characters in this story that lift them up.
Maddie has Officer Platt, who seems to honestly care about her beyond their physical intimacies.
Cleo has Slap, as well as her boys, who not only appreciate the mother and wife but recognize how their actions affect her.
However, for every Platt, there’s a Milton and Seth.
For every Slap, there’s a Shell and a Reggie.
Now that Cleo has been removed from the attempted assassination of Myrtle Summer situation, it all comes down to Maddie.
And we have a sneaking suspicion that things will become just as nightmarish for Ms. Morgenstern.
If her interactions with Stefan are any indication, the former housewife is in for a world of trouble.
Related: Lady in the Lake Season 1 Episode 3 Review: I was the First to See Her Dead. You Were the Last to See Her Alive
She’s going to be poking into Shell Gordon’s dealings, and that is a level of danger Madeline is definitely not used to.
Either way, watching Natalie Portman bring more energy and excitement to the character will be incredible.
And I will be at the edge of my seat for this acid trip of a not-so-mysterious murder thriller!
What do you think it will be that draws Maddie to Cleo’s murder?
Is there a connection between Tessie and Cleo beyond Reggie?
Drop a comment below to let us know, and join me again when I review the next episode of Lady in the Lake!
