I find the dialogue really stilted. The conversation between he ex and the current husband felt so damn fake. That said, I like the eye candy (scenery and human), the music, and of course the mystery, so I'll keep watching.

I dont plan on reading it. Sounds like it would be annoying to watch and compare.

Dh was pissed off I liked the rough sex scene but that skarsgard is so fine. I even forgot he slapped her....i was like "no he didn't" and had to rewind it's oops, yes he did; gross.

So I have been on hold for this book for a couple months, and just now after I have watched 2 episodes of the show the ebook came in. Should I read it now or finish the TV series and read it then?

Disclosure: I haven't read the book, but really want to now.

I have mixed feelings about Nicole Kidman. I think she's probably a super nice and nerdy person IRL and I think she and Keith Urban make a cute couple who seem to really love each other. However, the level of plastic surgery or procedures she's had done make it so difficult to take her seriously anymore as a beauty. She's an excellent actor, just watch Cold Mountain if you need a reminder. But in this show it seems she supposed to be uber beautiful to justify the reason a much younger and gorgeous man loves and married her. I believe IRL the age difference between the actors is 9 years, not sure how much older her character is supposed to be.

When watching the show on demand after the credits the directors give some of their analysis on the scenes from that episode. For the second episode they discuss Kidman's character and the domestic violence situation that isn't a textbook domestic violence between a couple, how KIdman's character actually is very strong and how it is much more complicated than it appears.

Omg. I am Reeses's character--constantly fighting injustice and right down to telling a bunch of stuffy, arrogant boutique fitness instructors they were a "bunch of fucking assholes".

I don't have time to fight as often as she does--but friends always rely on me to fight the battles against school administration, county problems, etc.

I was getting as worked up as she was at some of the things happening--I also would have chased the step-mom down in carpool line.

The schools my kids have attended have a big population of douches parents and ridiculousness of school rules.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Madeline seems like a caricature rather than a character. It's like a chick-lit type (Hello! Fashionable woman here with a Strooooooooong personality) is plopped down in the middle of an HBO show.

Yeah but it's exactly how she's written in the book - Reese has nailed her character.

I used to be a huge Nicole Kidman fan - she's a brilliant actress and has several Oscar-worthy performances under her belt (plus I think she actually won one, right?). But her face no longer moves, and that really limits her as an actress. Though in a way it works for her character here, who is totally shut down with a flat affect and trying to maintain the perfect exterior - like a mask. But still...there's only so far she can go when she literally cannot move her face.

Okay, good to know I'm not missing some shades or subtlety here.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What was with the looks between Jane and Celeste at the coffee shop? Didn't understand that.

I think they were kind of sizing each other up. Celeste is supposed to be a bit shy & isn't the outgoing social butterfly Maddie is so she's somewhat uncomfortable having Jane, who she doesn't know, there & Jane can sense that.

I thiught it was more that Jane had just made a comment that Celeste really identified with, so Celeste was kind of looking at Jane as a kindred spirit.

Have you read the book??? They sense another victim. Both suffered. I won't say more for those who haven't read it.

I thought it was a glimmer of recognition like they'd seen each before but maybe couldn't place it. I won't say more....

Anonymous wrote:Madeline seems like a caricature rather than a character. It's like a chick-lit type (Hello! Fashionable woman here with a Strooooooooong personality) is plopped down in the middle of an HBO show.

Yeah but it's exactly how she's written in the book - Reese has nailed her character.

I used to be a huge Nicole Kidman fan - she's a brilliant actress and has several Oscar-worthy performances under her belt (plus I think she actually won one, right?). But her face no longer moves, and that really limits her as an actress. Though in a way it works for her character here, who is totally shut down with a flat affect and trying to maintain the perfect exterior - like a mask. But still...there's only so far she can go when she literally cannot move her face.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Geez, Nicole Kidman's husband on the show is a real creep! Just goes to show how every rich handsome guy is not always what they seem.

He is, but then, she must be pretty darn creepy herself because she obviously enjoys their twisted relationship. I'm liking the way Madeline is taking Jane/Ziggy's side with the whole Annabella thing. Madeline is annoying in her own, busybody way, but she seems to actually have her heart in the right place.

It's Amabella, AMAbella!

Anonymous wrote:Geez, Nicole Kidman's husband on the show is a real creep! Just goes to show how every rich handsome guy is not always what they seem.

Ha. I thought they always weren't what they seemed..

Madeline seems like a caricature rather than a character. It's like a chick-lit type (Hello! Fashionable woman here with a Strooooooooong personality) is plopped down in the middle of an HBO show.

I think Reese is perfectly cast in her role, but I don't get the casting of Nicole Kidman. First of all she's probably almost 50, and in the book she supposed to be the most beautiful of all of them, but I don't see that. Also I don't see Alexander saarsgard being married to her

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Geez, Nicole Kidman's husband on the show is a real creep! Just goes to show how every rich handsome guy is not always what they seem.

He is, but then, she must be pretty darn creepy herself because she obviously enjoys their twisted relationship. I'm liking the way Madeline is taking Jane/Ziggy's side with the whole Annabella thing. Madeline is annoying in her own, busybody way, but she seems to actually have her heart in the right place.

I agree. I actually like Reese Witherspoon in this role. While her character annoys me as the overly busy body kind,I think the second episode really humanized her and I have a bit of a soft spot for her too (while I wouldn't have gone so bananas over the birthday party fiasco, I did like how she reacted at the yoga teacher/studio, very funny and I could relate more to her after learning about her back story with her first husband not being supportive and her raising her daughter on her own for a long time without support from him, etc.). Out of all of them I like her the most. She does need a xanax sometimes though, but don't we all.

Reese's character is annoying, but I wish I had a friend like her. Then, I would never have to do any of the talking, planning or fighting.

I really liked the 2nd episode. I was so excited about this show and built it up to my DH. He was bored to death with the first episode but he seemed to enjoy this one more.

I like all the women chosen for the roles

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Geez, Nicole Kidman's husband on the show is a real creep! Just goes to show how every rich handsome guy is not always what they seem.

He is, but then, she must be pretty darn creepy herself because she obviously enjoys their twisted relationship. I'm liking the way Madeline is taking Jane/Ziggy's side with the whole Annabella thing. Madeline is annoying in her own, busybody way, but she seems to actually have her heart in the right place.

I agree. I actually like Reese Witherspoon in this role. While her character annoys me as the overly busy body kind,I think the second episode really humanized her and I have a bit of a soft spot for her too (while I wouldn't have gone so bananas over the birthday party fiasco, I did like how she reacted at the yoga teacher/studio, very funny and I could relate more to her after learning about her back story with her first husband not being supportive and her raising her daughter on her own for a long time without support from him, etc.). Out of all of them I like her the most. She does need a xanax sometimes though, but don't we all.