In preparation for the new season of ‘Big Little Lies,’ which will be released on June 9, the team at Atlanta Divorce Law Group is launching a new blog series to extrapolate numerous family themes addressed in season one. Below is a brief recap of the first blog.
In the pilot episode, titled “Somebody’s Dead,” viewers are introduced to various characters, all of whom seem to be dealing with their own versions of familial conflict. But the ones who are constantly navigating our first blog’s theme of Custody and Blended Families are Madeline Mackenzie (Reese Witherspoon), the strong-willed mother of two (first grader Chloe and teenager Abigail), her husband, Ed (Adam Scott), and Bonnie Carlson (Zoe Kravitz), fitness instructor and mother to first grader Skye. Bonnie is married to Madeline’s ex-husband, Nathan (James Tupper).
To say that their situation is complicated is an understatement. Madeline has teenage daughter Abigail from her first marriage to Nathan; she has a younger daughter Chloe from her current marriage to Ed. Madeline shares custody of Abigail with Nathan; Nathan is now married to Bonnie, and their daughter, Skye, is in the same class as Chloe. Madeline and Nathan do not have a friendly or healthy relationship; however, it appears that they push these issues temporarily aside when anything has to do with co-parenting Abigail. Madeline does not like Bonnie; however, the women are often forced to interact because their children are classmates.
At Atlanta Divorce Law Group, many of our clients express concerns related to divorce, blended families, custody, and co-parenting. As you go through a divorce, you may experience feelings of anger, betrayal, or loss. It can be difficult to keep your own emotions from spilling over into decisions that involve your ex-spouse. It is also extremely common for parents to feel guilt over the divorce and let rules at home slide. But, as you make decisions regarding custody and shared time, it is your duty as a parent to process the difference between what is best for you and what is best for your children. You cannot control what happens in the other parent’s home; you can only control what happens on your own.
Click here to read about the family law themes present in the show’s pilot, or to see some foreshadowing observations present in “Somebody’s Dead.”
