'Big Little Lies' Just Hit Us With Another Iconic Moment—and the Reactions Are Spectacular
Big Little Lies' second and final season is giving us summer's must-watch television. Last night, Nicole Kidman's Celeste slaps Meryl Streep's Mary Louise.
- On last night's Big Little Lies, Nicole Kidman's character slapped Meryl Streep's character, and the whole scene has fans losing their minds.
- The reactions ranged from deliriously happy to speechless, but fans could all agree that both actresses did the most amazing job ever.
- In case you forgot, before "the slap" came "the scream," and people are saying Meryl should win an Emmy just for that.
Big Little Lies' second and final season is fully giving us some of summer's must-watch television. Reviews of this season have been mixed, but everyone can absolutely agree on the following: Meryl Streep is absolutely the best thing to happen to the show. And last night's episode was no exception, because Nicole Kidman's character Celeste straight up slaps Meryl's character Mary Louise.
Here's how it went down. Mary Louis makes an insanely incendiary comment about not believing Jane (Shailene Woodley) is a survivor of her son's assault, insinuating Celeste wasn't giving Perry (Alexander Skarsgård) what he needed at home. Celeste straight up cracks her across the face (smacking off her glasses in the process—daaaaamn), and Mary Louise barely bats an eye. "What shall we call that? Foreplay?" she asks, then flounces off.
Here's the scene (it's towards the end, if you want to skip through):
Big Little Lies: The Slap (Season 2 Episode 4 Clip) | HBOMary Louise vs Celeste #MerylStreep #BigLitteLies #NicoleKidman pic.twitter.com/IUE66XN7NwJuly 1, 2019
And here are just a few of the fans losing their minds over the epicness.
Thank you, HBO.
I didn't know I needed this right now, but I absolutely did.
Only on HBO you get to watch Nicole Kidman slap the shit outta Meryl Streep #BigLittleLiesJuly 1, 2019
Fans just could not even.
Dear lord.
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Celeste: (Slaps Mary Louise)Mary Louise: “Well... shall we call that foreplay?” #BigLittleLies pic.twitter.com/mbsaPctmhEJuly 1, 2019
Amazing.
Mary Louise after that slap #biglittlelies pic.twitter.com/JBOrCmCYh0July 1, 2019
Comparisons to other iconic slaps.
Lovin' that Will and Grace tribute.
When in doubt, always go with RuPaul.
That slap though! #BigLittleLies #BigLittleLies2 pic.twitter.com/lgjm5USZGZJuly 1, 2019
Even Dave Chappelle!
That slap was a long time coming #BigLittleLies pic.twitter.com/8gC396qEZuJuly 1, 2019
The crossover I now need in my life.
#BigLittleLies*Celeste slaps Mary Louise* “What do we call that, foreplay?” pic.twitter.com/it6X6MuC9oJuly 1, 2019
So many conflicting emotions.
All of them, simultaneously.
I’ve never loved hating and hated loving anyone more than Meryl Streep in #BigLittleLies.I felt that slap through my whole gay body.July 1, 2019
Just take a moment.
I just hit PAUSE to catch my breath after watching Celeste slap the bejesus outta Mary Louise. 😭😭😭 #BigLittleLies pic.twitter.com/tDDjq1Avn9July 1, 2019
Guys, this is bad.
I fear for the Monterey Five.
Did she just slap the shit out of Mary Louise? They all going to prison now. 😩 #BigLittleLies pic.twitter.com/AwctP7t29qJuly 1, 2019
Can the show get any crazier? Probably.
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Katherine’s a contributing syndications editor at Marie Claire who covers fashion, culture, and lifestyle. In her role, she writes stories that are syndicated by MSN and other outlets. She’s been a full-time freelancer for over a decade and has had roles with Cosmopolitan (where she covered lifestyle, culture, and fashion SEO content) and Bustle (where she was their movies and culture writer). She has bylines in New York Times, Parents, InStyle, Refinery29, and elsewhere. Her work has also been syndicated by ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, Seventeen, Good Housekeeping, and Women’s Health, among others. In addition to her stories reaching millions of readers, content she's written and edited has qualified for a Bell Ringer Award and received a Communicator Award.
Katherine has a BA in English and art history from the University of Notre Dame and an MA in art business from the Sotheby's Institute of Art (with a focus on marketing/communications). She covers a wide breadth of topics: she's written about how to find the very best petite jeans, how sustainable travel has found its footing on Instagram, and what it's like to be a professional advice-giver in the modern world. Her personal essays have run the gamut from learning to dress as a queer woman to navigating food allergies as a mom. She also has deep knowledge of SEO/EATT, affiliate revenue, commerce, and social media; she regularly edits the work of other writers. She speaks at writing-related events and podcasts about freelancing and journalism, mentors students and other new writers, and consults on coursework. Currently, Katherine lives in Boston with her husband and two kids, and you can follow her on Instagram. If you're wondering about her last name, it’s “I go to dinner,” not “Her huge ego,” but she responds to both.
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