Recap: A Look Back into Tell Me Lies

Summary

Tell Me Lies Official Podcast – "Recap: A Look Back into Tell Me Lies" (Jan 6, 2026)

Podcast: Tell Me Lies: Official Podcast

Host: Stassi Schroeder
Guests: Jesse Draper, Teela Dunn, and superfan contributors
Purpose: Recap season one and two of Tell Me Lies, discuss key moments, character analysis, and give predictions for season three.

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Episode Overview

In this lively and candid recap episode, host Stassi Schroeder is joined by Jesse Draper and Teela Dunn to dissect the twists, toxicity, and unforgettable moments from the first two seasons of Tell Me Lies ahead of season three. The conversation covers everything from behind-the-scenes insights to personal connections with the show's characters and themes of friendship, betrayal, and coming of age. The trio brings their own experiences of relationship and friend drama to the table, comparing real life to the show’s high-stakes, emotional storylines.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Season One & Two Recap

[00:01–05:12]

• Stassi gives an in-depth recap of major plot points:
  • Lucy and Macy are freshmen roommates until Macy’s tragic death in a car accident (the web of guilt and secrecy among Drew, Steven, and others).
  • Steven’s complicated romantic entanglements with Lucy, Diana, and Macy.
  • The group’s shifting dynamics—betrayals, secrets, and overlapping relationships.
  • The saga extends to 2015, where unresolved feelings, old secrets, and new relationships come to a head at Bri and Evan’s engagement party.
  • Notable moments such as Steven dumping Lucy in public while with Diana (“standing there in utter shock and wearing a freaking coconut bra”—[04:34]).
  • Season two unpacks fallout from betrayals, new romantic pairings, and further complications, including affairs with faculty and tragic deaths (Drew’s overdose).

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2. Why the Show Feels So Personal & Relatable

[05:24–11:31]

• Both Jesse and Stassi describe the show resonating with authentic college experiences, trauma, and messy relationships.

  “It's relatable. We're older... we can relate to the time frame of the show.” – Jesse [05:32] “The actual dates that they are in college is the exact dates I was in college. So, like, I am them.” – Stassi [05:37]

• The characters mirror their own youthful mistakes:
  • Stassi identifies as a blend of “Lucy and Diana, which makes sense. Steven's victims.” [06:19]
  • Jesse admits to repeating toxic friendship and dating cycles in her own life.

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3. Most Relatable and Misunderstood Characters

[05:54–10:19]

• Jesse: “I think Lucy. Only because... we've all found ourselves in...a situation where you let a man dictate your life, and sometimes you act a little crazy because of it.” [05:58]
• Discussion on misunderstood characters:
  • Stassi controversially suggests Steven, wanting a deeper explanation for his monstrous behavior.

    “I'm just hoping he's misunderstood because it's like, make it make sense.” – Stassi [10:14]

  • Jesse highlights Diana as misunderstood—initially the "mean girl," but revealed to be much more complex and herself a victim.

    “She's the mean girl and whatever. But then you get to know her more, and she's actually really smart.” – Jesse [09:03]

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4. Toxic Relationships and Cycles

[11:00–14:14]

• The hosts draw parallels between their own pasts and the show’s story arcs.
  • Jesse: “I always attract these big personalities and I get walked all over. So I feel like I've repeated a cycle...” [11:54]
• The show’s portrayal of repeating toxic cycles resonates:

  “Why are you making the same mistakes over and over and over again? And then I, like, realize...I used to make the same mistakes.” – Stassi [12:36]

• Worries about the next generation enduring even messier dynamics thanks to social media.

  “When our kids are this age, we're going to have spaceships. Like, it's going to be ten times worse.” – Jesse [13:11]
  “You have to try to raise a non serial killer that respects women.” – Stassi [13:54]

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5. Predictions for Season Three

[14:21–18:43]

• Lucy & Steven: “They’re that couple that will always be toxic...if they run into each other, it’s game over.” – Jesse [15:16]
• Bri & Evan: Hope for their wedding, but Bri’s discovery of an old betrayal makes their future uncertain.
  • “To be blindsided by a good guy, you don't expect that. Where with Steven, you know what you're getting into.” – Stassi [21:19]
• Wrigley & Pippa: Admiration for Pippa’s growth and the ‘girl power’ of her ending up with Diana, but Wrigley is cast as “so unserious” and lost after his brother’s death. [17:46]

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6. Game: Would You Rather

[18:49–23:46]

• Scenarios based on show situations spark real-life admissions:
  • Jesse reveals having both a best friend cheat and then date her boyfriend—parallels to Lucy and Bri’s situations.
  • Both agree Bri’s situation (being betrayed on her wedding day) would be more painful.
  • Moral dilemmas between dating a professor’s spouse or suffering an ex as a TA, with much sympathetic laughter and camaraderie.

    “If there's an ex boyfriend in there that can mess that up for me and mess up my future...I'm breaking up that marriage.” – Stassi [22:31]

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7. Teela Dunn Joins: Emotional Highs, Lows & Fan Moments

[23:36–37:12]

• Teela, a superfan, brings the fandom perspective:
  • On misunderstood characters: “...Pippa...has a lot of identity issues...she hides behind that.” – Teela [25:04]
  • Both shocked by Steven’s ability to still have friends and charm women despite his actions.
• Which moments shocked most? “Lucy hooks up with Steven and literally...within the same hour [another guy]...from a hygienic standpoint...Lucy, no.” – Teela [27:21]
• Most emotional moment: Macy’s accident and its aftermath:

  “That really broke me...he was literally like, no. Like, he's psycho.” – Teela [31:52]

• Biggest surprise/shock: Pippa & Diana’s romance in season two.

  “The fact that Diana's a little lesbian...there were no signs to me.” — Teela [33:42]

• Character that grew on them: Both say Pippa, whose “layers” and defensive exterior gave way to vulnerability in later episodes. [32:27–33:03]
• Laugh-out-loud moments: Lucy’s meltdown throwing her phone in a hallway. [33:07]
• The group imagines how social media and “Find My Friends” would ruin everyone’s secrets if the show were set in 2025. [36:01–37:12]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I am a combination of Lucy and Diana, which makes sense. Steven’s victims.” – Stassi [06:19]
• “You have to try to raise a non serial killer that respects women.” – Stassi [13:54]
• “They’re that couple that...if they run into each other, it’s game over.” – Jesse on Lucy & Steven [15:16]
• “To be blindsided by a good guy, you don't expect that. Where with Steven, you know what you're getting into.” – Stassi [21:19]
• “If there's an ex boyfriend in there that can mess that up for me and mess up my future...I'm breaking up that marriage.” – Stassi [22:31]
• “He gets invited to Bri and Evan’s wedding. Like, why? He should be blacklisted on every account.” – Stassi [25:43]
• “Anything Steven does, I’m just always like, what? Cause he shocks me so much.” – Teela [28:51]
• Macy’s death: “That really broke me...he was literally like, no. Like, he's psycho.” – Teela [31:52]
• On social media in college: “No one would get away with anything.” – Teela [36:27]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:01–05:12: Rapid-fire season one & two recap by Stassi
• 05:24–11:31: Hosts and guests reflect on personal connections to the show
• 05:54–10:19: Relatable and misunderstood characters
• 11:00–14:14: Toxic cycles in relationships and friendships
• 14:21–18:43: Predictions for core couples in season three
• 18:49–23:46: "Would You Rather" relationship dilemmas
• 23:36–25:34: Teela Dunn discussion on misunderstood characters
• 27:21–28:51: Shock moments and the most diabolical Steven scenes
• 30:54–31:52: Most emotional moments — Macy’s accident
• 33:42: Most surprising twist — Diana and Pippa's romance
• 36:01–37:12: Hypotheticals about the impact of modern social media

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Tone & Style

The episode is informal, irreverent, and confessional–the hosts and guests are unfiltered ("Don’t fuck with me. Unless you’re a stupid man. It happens to the best of us." – Stassi [06:44]), frequently breaking into laughter, and often relate directly to the audience’s own messy 20s or real-life drama. There's a strong sense of sisterhood, humor, and empathy for the show’s flawed but fascinating characters.

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In Summary

This episode sets the tone for the new season, acting as both a refresher for returning viewers and an emotional deep dive for devoted fans. The hosts and guests combine pop culture analysis with real-life candor, zeroing in on why Tell Me Lies resonates so deeply: it’s messy, relatable, and relentless in showing how the past haunts us—and how sometimes, we’re just as tangled up as the characters we watch.

If you’ve ever stayed too long in bad relationships, made questionable choices, or wondered about the long-term fallout of one wild night (with or without social media), you’ll find something to recognize—and cringe at—here.

Transcript

[A]

Hello and welcome to Hulu's Tell Me Lies official podcast. I'm your host, Stassi Schroeder. If you don't know me from Vanderpump Villa, I am a New York Times bestselling author, a mom, a wife, and an all around TV phenomenon. Okay. They wrote that, not me. But I'll lean in. Okay. I am also a huge Tell Me Lies fangirl and I'm so excited to get to spend season three with you, my fello, Tell Me Lies hive. So we'll be breaking down episodes, sharing behind the scenes stories, playing games, dishing dirt, and sipping tea with some of the amazing cast and crew of season three of Tell Me Lies, premiering on Hulu and Hulu on Disney. Tell Me Lies is all about friendship. So from time to time, I'll be joined by a friend and fellow superfan of the show and we'll dig deep into the drama and try to predict what comes next for our most dramatic on screen college buddies. And to kick things off, my friends Jesse Draper and Teela Dunn are here to help me catch up on all the drama and deception from season one and season two of Tell Me Lies. So if you haven't watched the first two seasons of this show, what are you even doing? Here is a recap. All right, I'm gonna need everyone to sit down and pay attention. Okay, here we go. Lucy and Macy are freshman roommates until Macy dies. Yes, dies horrifically in a car accident after they go to a party with their new friends, Pippa and Bri. So Pippa is hooking up with Wrigley, a junior she met before school started. And Wrigley is friends with Steven and Evan, which is how they all meet. This is the core group. Okay. Except Steven and Macy knew each other and hooked up before school started. That's like all a secret. And Wrigley's younger brother Drew thinks he's responsible for Macy's death because he drove her off the side of the road. But Steven was actually driving the car Macy was in. Drew and Brie have a very brief thing at the beginning of season one. All this time, Steven is also entangled with his ex, Diana. And because things with Steven are vague, Lucy briefly dates Max, who pops up again in 2015 as Lucy's date to Brie and Evan's engagement party. Another person who pops up in 2015 is Lucy's hometown best friend Lydia, whose younger brother Chris ends up going to Baird. And season one ends with the reveal that she is with Steven as his date to the wedding. Also, Pippa and Wrigley have broken up by this point because Wrigley thinks that Pippa wrote a letter to the Dean about his little brother Drew's involvement in Macy's death. But Lucy actually wrote that letter, although Steven ends up taking credit for it to cover for Lucy. Drew is also mad at Wrigley for telling Pippa in the first place. And Steven dumps Lucy in front of everyone just by simply showing up holding hands with Diana while Lucy is standing there in utter shock and wearing a freaking coconut bra. Lucy sleeps with Evan later that night, but at the end of season two's opening episode, we find out that Diana and Pippa are each other's date to Evan and Bree's wedding. In season two, episode two, Diana walks in on Chris and Pippa, who Diana believes has just been sexually assaulted. So Diana tells Lucy, even though they sort of hate each other because Pippa needs help and Lucy's her best friend, Pippa does not want to talk about it or make a big thing of it. But Lucy doesn't want Kris to get away with assaulting girls on campus, so she makes up a story about Chris assaulting her, even though that sort of claim could ruin his life. Meanwhile, Evan tells Steven about him and Lucy, and Steven records it. Evan also eventually tells Brie that he slept with someone, not revealing it was Lucy, and they break up. Evan starts dating Molly, Lucy begins dating Leo, Brie, and her professor, Oliver. They give in and start an affair. And Oliver's wife is Lucy's favorite teacher, Marianne. Brie and Oliver go so far as to hook up in his own house while he and his wife throw a holiday party. Marianne catches Brie and Oliver, and to Brie's surprise and disgust, Marianne tells her they're open and she was in on it the whole entire freaking time. Pippa and Diana convince Drew to come back to campus to cheer up Wrigley, and he tragically dies of an overdose. Brie and Evan's wedding is the day after Drew's birthday in 2015, and Wrigley is being Wrigley accordingly. And right before the ceremony starts, Brie listens to the recordings Steven made of Evan telling him about sleeping with Lucy, which Stephen sent to Brie all these years later. And yeah, a lot happens on this show. Okay.

[B]

Whew.

[A]

Jesse. No, I know. You're a huge Tell Me Lies fan.

[C]

So amazing.

[A]

Like, has there ever been a show this good? This is for us.

[C]

Yes, it is. And it's relatable. We're older, so, like, we can relate to the time frame of the show.

[A]

No, Jesse, you don't understand. Like, the actual dates that they are in college is the exact dates I was in college. So, like, I am them.

[D]

They are.

[C]

Yes, totally. And traumatized. Yes, like, traumatized. And everyone had, like, a college experience that was, like, toxic.

[A]

Yes.

[C]

Friends, relationships. So it's so good.

[A]

Yeah. Which character do you relate to the most?

[C]

Oh, my God. Okay. I hate to say it, but I think Lucy. Only because I feel like, as women, we've all found ourselves in, like, a situation where you let a man dictate your life, and sometimes you act a little crazy because of it.

[A]

100%.

[C]

Yeah. I feel like we all have a little Lucy in us.

[A]

Oh, yeah. No, all of us do. I feel like. And I. Again, I've thought about this a lot.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

I am a combination.

[C]

Okay.

[A]

Of Lucy and Diana, which makes sense. Steven's victims.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

His main victims.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

Because I feel like. Oh, yeah. In my 20s, I was making the worst decisions because of all of my psychotic boyfriends. But I also am a very type A girly.

[C]

And you're confident, like Diana. Like, you have that, like. Like someone like Diana. It was actually surprising that she was a victim of Steven because she's so, like, girl power.

[A]

Yes.

[C]

And she's so snarky. And you have that side to you, too.

[A]

Yes, 100%. Don't fuck with me.

[C]

Exactly. Okay. Unless you're a stupid man. It happens to the best of us.

[A]

What character do you think is misunderstood by fans?

[C]

Ooh.

[A]

No. This is tough, too.

[C]

What do you think?

[A]

As much as this person terrifies me.

[C]

Oh, no.

[A]

I want to say Steven. What?

[C]

You're giving him the benefit of the doubt.

[A]

Okay. Because of his family. And I think there's more to it that we haven't seen. There's more to be explored. And, you know, they always say, like, serial killers, like, they had, like, really tough childhoods.

[C]

It's true.

[A]

And I'm not trying to defend serial killing.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

I'm not trying to.

[C]

Hopefully he doesn't go there. Season three.

[A]

You know, you never know. I'm not trying to do that, but I just feel maybe I just want a justification or a reason. And so I'm hoping.

[C]

Well. Cause it's, like, so unrelatable the way he acts that you want a reason. So you're like, oh, it humanizes him.

[A]

Yes.

[C]

Not that it makes it okay, but I get where you're going. Like, they show his, like, home life in season two a little more with his mom and his mom. Did you know that's his mom in real life?

[A]

Yes.

[C]

That's cool.

[A]

Yeah, no, that's really cool. But, like, his mom is, like, that crazy. Yes, like that.

[C]

It's understandable.

[A]

Those scenes, like, when on Christmas, he's like, she has no money, but she takes him to the restaurant just so that she could be by their father, the ex husband and his wife or girlfriend is pregnant. Like, that's insane.

[C]

And her kids are a pawn in her behavior, you know? And that's what's hard.

[A]

And, like, so I have sympathy.

[C]

Okay.

[A]

Sympathy for that. But no, he's still a monster. Yes. But I just want to believe that there's more to him. Yes.

[C]

No, I agree with that. Let's give him the benefit of the doubt. I can't believe I just said that. I know.

[D]

I'm like.

[C]

I'm like. Yeah. Wait, what?

[A]

Not me. Defending the fucking man right now. That actually, like, I hate myself.

[C]

I'm like, would you defend any of your exes? No, I don't.

[D]

Fuck. No way.

[C]

But, I mean, I get it, because he is the one character that is so misunderstood. That was a good answer for that reason.

[A]

Okay. I hope you have a. Who do you think?

[C]

Well, mine was gonna be Diana, only because I feel like season one, you kind of see her as, like, the, like, the villain of, like, Lucy's story. Right. Like, she's the mean girl and whatever. But then you get to know her more, and she's actually really smart.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

And she's just, again, another victim of Steven. A stupid boy who's, like, come in and, like, fucked up all the lives. But I just feel like, overall, she has so much depth to her. Like, when she did the whole elaborate plan of telling Steven, like, I'm not talking to my dad. He cut me off. And then it was all a ruse.

[A]

Smartie. She's so good. No, she's smarty.

[C]

So I think her.

[A]

It took me a while to get over her coming downstairs, you know, in season one finale, when Lucy's in a coconut bra, like, that was just like.

[C]

Oh, that's where I'm like, she's the mean girl villain. I get it.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

But that was more Steven.

[A]

That was. It was both of them. Yeah. You know what I mean? Like, she lured him back in by being like, I can give you a future.

[C]

Yeah. And why wouldn't you take it?

[A]

Yeah. Like, you're going to see.

[C]

That was like, Lucy's, like, villain origin story. That moment, I feel like, is when, like, she started to be like, okay, I need to play the game.

[A]

Totally. Okay. I just want to let you know I loathe my answer saying Stephen, I know.

[C]

I'm like, are you okay?

[A]

No, I'm not okay. I'd really like to change it.

[C]

It's a good answer because everyone else, I think is, like, understandable, relatable in a sense. And he is the one that you're like.

[A]

That you're like, make it make sense.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

So, like, I'm just hoping he's misunderstood because it's like, make it make sense.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

You know?

[C]

Yeah. I'm hoping there's redemption there. That's the cool thing about this show. Jumping in the future is you can see, like, where they go and, you.

[A]

Know, that's my favorite part of this show is the structure that, like, there's the wedding and, you know, that's whatever, eight years later. And so to see all of, like, their dynamics all these years later and then, like, cut back to college, it makes it. It's brilliant.

[C]

So desirable. Like, you wanna know what happens in those seven years, you know? Yes.

[A]

100% crazy. Okay, let's talk about crazy friend drama from your early 20s that the show keeps reminding you of. I mean, I. I'll let you go first.

[C]

I think we all have this, and both of ours have been documented, unfortunately.

[A]

I'm sorry, but I'm pretty sure Tell Me Lies is literally. No, I'm not joking, you guys.

[C]

I'm loosely based on my life or something.

[A]

I watch it and I'm just like, with someone reading my diary throughout my 20s.

[C]

But that's what makes it so good and relatable is because I feel like every girl went through that in high school, in college. Like, even as adults, like, we go through stuff like that. What a unique experience about reality TV that you can watch it back and it can be a wake up call.

[A]

Yeah, or traumatizing.

[C]

Yeah, that too.

[A]

Do you have any particular stories?

[C]

So, I mean, I had a lot of, like, tumultuous friendships growing up. I feel like high school was a hard time for me. But I always joke that, like, reality TV is my college because I didn't go to college. So I almost feel like a lot of my friendship cycles have played out, you know, on my show.

[A]

So you're new to the psycho game?

[C]

Yeah. Well, not like you knew, but, like, publicly. Yes.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

But yeah, I had, like, friends. Like, I had weird friends. Like, I always attract these big personalities and I get walked all over. So I feel like I've repeated a cycle of, like, there's one particular friendship on my show, you see, kind of have its demise. And I always attract that type of person.

[A]

You into me.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

Yes.

[C]

We'll name names.

[A]

We can name names. We can name names. And if they don't like them, I always attract. Bleep it out. Yes.

[C]

And they're always Leos. I always attract, like, these big, fiery personalities. Really?

[D]

Yes.

[C]

So I can relate in that way of, like, whether it's a friendship or a relationship, there can be toxicity.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

And it's also, like, figuring out what's wrong with you and, like, why you keep attracting this. That's work I've been doing. Yeah.

[A]

Or why you, like, stay in the same patterns.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

You know, and like, that's something on this show that it's like, why are you making the same mistakes over and over and over again? And then I, like, realize, oh, wait, I used to make the same. The same mistakes over and over and over again. I get it.

[C]

And it's so much easier as an audience member to, like, yell at the TV and be like, what are you doing? But when it's your real life, you have, like, blinders on.

[A]

Oh, for sure.

[C]

And that's for sure what's happening with Lucy. And it's funny how you can see her go from, like, sweet, innocent girl to, like, playing the game and almost being as bad as him at times.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Crazy.

[A]

No, for sure. Doesn't it make you scared for our children?

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Like, when I watch this, I'm like.

[C]

Like, that was back in the time before social media. We're in the time of it now. When our kids are this age, we're going to have, like, spaceships. Like, it's going to be ten times worse.

[A]

I'm, like, so scared. Yeah. It, like, really does, like, terrify me.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Because it's like, I knew what it was like to grow up in a situation in my 20s like this. And I'm like, I don't want that for my children.

[C]

And it's like, your daughter especially. It's like, I don't want you to meet a guy like that. But it's almost more pressure to raise a boy and be like, don't become that. Oh, you know.

[A]

No, Jesse, I'm not joking. I've said this a lot. I'm like, I know how to raise a daughter instinctively, but do you know how much harder it is to raise a boy? Because statistically, more boys are serial killers than girls.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

So, like, you have to try to raise a non serial killer that respects women.

[C]

And let's Be honest. The men make the women crazy.

[A]

Yes.

[C]

So it is the man who starts all the dynamics, like, in my experience, so. Agreed. Like, it's so. And we each have a boy and a girl, so we have, like, a lot. We have a lot to prepare for. Yes.

[D]

Are you nervous?

[A]

All right. I feel like it would be fun to predict what's going on with each couple.

[B]

Ooh.

[A]

For season three.

[C]

Oh, my gosh.

[A]

It's so crazy. Cause it's like, this show is so good that, like, the second one is in better than the first one, and you couldn't even believe that it could get better. But what do you think transpires with Lucy and Steven? Because at the end of season two, that's when Brie, at her wedding, gets the voicemail, the voice note or whatever that Steven has saved. Like, what, a cycle.

[C]

Which also shows he hasn't changed that many years later.

[A]

No. And, like, he's, like, holding it. He's sitting on that Weird. For, like, what happens when you get a new phone.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Back then. Yeah.

[C]

It was, like, on his desktop, like, in a file or something.

[A]

And every time he got, like, a new computer, he had to, like, transfer it.

[C]

That's playing the long game as a villain. I admire the dedication.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

But that's true.

[C]

It's truly psychotic.

[A]

What do you think happens with them with Steven? Steven and Brie?

[C]

Oh, gosh. Okay. I think Stephen and Lucy are that couple that, like, will only always be toxic. And even if they're both moved on, like, married and have kids, if they run into each other, it's game over. Like, the fact that she called him down to watch her have sex in the pool with her new man, like, that was.

[A]

That was so crazy. She just, like, can't help herself.

[C]

I know people like that on my show. And I'm like, I've seen the Toxics in real life. Like, they don't change.

[A]

No, it's like, that. That was such a wild moment where it's like, you actually could have just gone to bed.

[C]

Yeah. No, literally. Also, it's been this many years. Like, are you still thinking about him?

[A]

Like, I forget what prompted her to even do that. He must have, like, made a snar. He must have made a snarky comment.

[C]

Oh, yeah, yeah.

[A]

I know what it was. What was it? It was when they were giving speeches at the. It was like, I don't know, welcome party, dinner, dinner, rehearsal dinner or whatever, and he made a comment about his exes that was just, like, so, like, under the belt.

[C]

Yeah, yeah. And he's engaged to her old friend. So, like, that. And then also just seeing him. I think when you're in a toxic cycle like that, just seeing someone, it brings up the familiarity of all those feelings. So.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Not. But it's okay. But I just feel like she, like, went back to her former self.

[A]

Yeah, no, that was a psycho move.

[C]

Yeah, it was. I don't think they're endgame, but I think they're gonna be in a toxic cycle whenever they're around each other. Like, I just don't see that ending if it hasn't changed that many years later.

[A]

Yeah, it's really sad. It is sad.

[C]

Like, grow up.

[A]

It's sad. Okay. Bri and Evan.

[C]

Okay. So I'm like, obviously, we see that them at their wedding. You hope it's gonna work out. But then she gets this bombshell right before she walks down the aisle. Like, it has been, like, what, seven, eight years? Like, has it been long enough? But it's also one of her best friends, so I don't know if that's, like, enough to, like, ruin that. But I feel like Evan's a really good guy. Like, he seems pretty solid, and Bree seems a little lost to me, and I feel like he grounds her, so I'm hoping that one works out.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

But you never know.

[A]

Wrigley and Pippa.

[C]

Okay, so we know they don't work out because Pippa's with Diana in the future.

[A]

I know. Which I love.

[C]

I love, too. Such a curveball.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

But also, I kind of love the idea that, like, Pippa was with Wrigley, who, like, isn't toxic, but, like, is a little dopey and, like, back and forth. Right. And then Diana was with Steven and, like, leaving those men and just, like, girl power, like, love. Yeah. Love that dynamic. But I feel like Wrigley's still really lost in the future with, like, the death of his brother, and he was, like, drunk at the dinner, and I think he's, like, a little lost.

[A]

In all fairness, it was his brother's birthday.

[C]

It was. Yeah. And I feel like that wrecked him. And, like, to be honest, I don't know how you get over that ever.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

But I feel like they're not a thing anymore. Like, I don't see that. Maybe they'll still hook up on and off in college. But I feel like, as adults, I just feel like Wrigley is so unserious. Like, I just don't see him being with her because I think she has more depth.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Long term.

[A]

No, we'll see for sure.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

I. What I really like about their relationship. And you saw it almost like. I feel like it was the first episode of season one. Or like, one of the first. When they show the welcome party or rehearsal. Like, that whole part, Pippa makes a comment being like, you know, it's my responsibility to, like, make it him.

[C]

Okay. Which is, like, his mom.

[A]

Yeah. Or best friend.

[C]

Yeah. I'm sure they're friends. Like, I don't see it being toxic.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

I see it being like, I'll always love you. Maybe she is like, that vibe where she has to take care of him. But I feel like when you have that in a romantic relationship, the spark goes away for sure. Because you can't be someone's mom. No, I've been in relationships like that, and it doesn't work out for sure. So we'll see with them.

[A]

All right. This is actually one of my favorite games to play. A little game of. Would you rather.

[C]

Okay, Juicy.

[A]

These are actually kind of hard.

[C]

Really? Okay.

[A]

Yeah. There's only two, but they're hard. Okay. Okay. Would you rather have your high school best friend end up dating your college boyfriend after college or have your college best friend secretly sleep with your college boyfriend while you're all still at the same school?

[C]

Okay.

[A]

So basically it's like, would you rather be Bri or would you rather be Lucy in that situation?

[C]

Oh, yeah. Okay. So I feel like I've had a combination of both happen to me. And I'm gonna say high school. Cause I didn't go to college, but in high school, my best friend slept with my boyfriend.

[A]

While you were together.

[C]

While we were together.

[A]

Then what is it with. Is it like a rite of passage as a woman to have your best friend?

[C]

Yes. If you date a Steven.

[A]

Yes.

[C]

And he was a Steven.

[A]

Okay.

[C]

100%. He had. He, like, had been to prison. Like, I did not have a good picker. I still don't.

[A]

You know, me.

[C]

But he had cheated on me with her, then dated her and lived with her.

[A]

He went to prison in high school.

[C]

Well, he was older. He was 19.

[A]

Okay.

[C]

And yes. I, like, used to write him in prison. I.

[A]

No way.

[C]

No, literally, when I was, like, 18. I'm so stupid. What did he tell him in prison for? Drugs, like, you know, whatever. Typical, that guy.

[A]

So when you met him and he was like, I've been to prison. You were like, love it.

[C]

I was like, that's so crazy. Like, he had, like, tattoos from prison. I'm like, that's so hot. But that's why I relate to Lucy. Cause I get it. I'm like, the bad. You know, and they always screw you over, and it's always your friend.

[A]

Okay, so your friend hooked up with Jailbird.

[C]

Yes, Jailbird. Yep.

[A]

So that happened to you, and then you said that you had an experience that was, like, the other one also.

[C]

Well, then they went on to date, so, like, I. I kind of have both in it. Because then they went on and, like, dated. So I, like, I had that experience, but also, like, the cheating, too.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

I've actually lived, like, 10 lives.

[A]

Yeah, it kind of sounds like you have. I'm trying to think of what's worse, I think, because it all depends on if you're over that person or if you're getting married to them.

[C]

True.

[A]

I actually think.

[C]

I feel like Breeze is worse.

[A]

I think Breeze is worse, too, because that means your fiance has been lying to you this whole time.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

So if you can lie about that, what else can you lie about? If you can hold that in, like, and on your wedding day, like, I would rather. Yeah, I'd rather have my high school best friend end up dating my college boyfriend.

[C]

Cause at least, you know, like, that's over. Like, hopefully you're over it, but, like, yeah.

[A]

Yeah, I think we're gonna settle on.

[C]

It's worse for Bri, for sure.

[A]

Especially.

[C]

Cause, like, maybe season three changes my mind on this, but I feel like Evan's, like, a good guy, and so it's like, to be blindsided by a good guy, you don't expect that. Where with Steven, like, you know what you're getting into, right?

[A]

No, when it's a good guy, then it really does make you question everything. Yeah.

[C]

Yeah. That was a hard one, though.

[A]

Would you. This one's hard, too, because it's like, oh, no. Would you rather be sleeping with your professor's husband or have your ex boyfriend as a T.A.

[C]

Oh, okay. I feel like the ex boyfriend is a TA because you expect to run into your ex. Like, it's awkward, but, like, to be sleeping with someone's husband, like, Bri was like that. That's catastrophic results. Like, Right. Do you not agree?

[A]

So I think people will be shocked by my answer.

[C]

You are shocking me today in general.

[A]

Because I am, like, so anti cheating. Yes. Lies.

[C]

Yes. I am loyal, as I can see that.

[A]

You know what I mean?

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

However, my schooling was very important to me.

[C]

Really?

[A]

And if there's an ex boyfriend in there that can mess that up for me and mess up my future.

[C]

It also depends on what exit Is.

[A]

I'm breaking up that marriage.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

With that professor.

[C]

I guess. But would that also not ruin your.

[A]

Schooling or would it make it better?

[C]

That's true. You get straight A's.

[A]

Yeah, exactly.

[C]

You never know. It could help, actually.

[A]

Like, that's really, like, shitty of me to say.

[C]

I get it. And it depends on the ex. Like, if it's someone that, like, you could not focus if they're in the room.

[A]

But an ex like Steven, and you know that he would, like, do anything to just, like, mess things up for.

[C]

Him and twist the knife. Yeah.

[A]

Yes, that is true. Don't mess with my future.

[C]

Yeah. And the way it worked out for Bri is, like, the girl knew the whole time, Right. The professor knew. So, like, she was fine, which is. That was a weird kink.

[A]

And weird wild.

[C]

That was one of the storylines in season two that I really was invested in. I was like, whoa.

[A]

Oh, yeah. When she put the earrings in there, and I was like, no, no, no, no, no, no.

[C]

And then she wears them.

[A]

I was like, oh, my God.

[B]

Well, the.

[A]

Wearing them was, like, I thought a power move. Until she told me. Until she told me. Yeah.

[C]

Until she told me.

[A]

They're our real friends. They're my friends.

[C]

No, I get that way, too. Like, when you finish a series or, like, a book, I'm like, what do I do now?

[A]

I miss you guys.

[C]

And this show specifically is so relatable.

[A]

100%. I know. Thank you so much, Jesse.

[C]

Thank you for having me.

[A]

After the break, me and Tila Dunn take a look back at seasons one and two. Okay. Tila, I know you are, like, tell me lies number one fan.

[D]

Genuinely.

[A]

Like, literally before we started, you said you, like, your goal and everything you do is just tell your friends. You spread the word of tell me lies. I answered this question, and I was embarrassed about my answer, but I was just honest. Which character do you think is the most misunderstood character?

[C]

Don't tell me.

[D]

Your answer was gonna be Steven. Am I right about that? And now that's why you're embarrassed, huh?

[A]

Yes.

[D]

Oh, girl.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

It's like you literally actually see into my soul. Like, you know, I. Listen, I was just thinking. I know. Okay, I know. I feel like now I have to defend myself. Myself again. I know. I was thinking Steven, because I'm like, okay. You know, they show his, you know, family life, and, like, maybe there's even more to it that we don't know about his childhood.

[D]

But also, he's definitely got demons in the closet for sure.

[A]

But that's like, Defending serial killers for.

[D]

Like, you know, it's like defending Ted Bundy.

[A]

I'm sorry. I take it back. I don't think Steven is the most understood, misunderstood. Who do you think is the most misunderstood? Oh, it's so hard.

[D]

Mm. The most misunderstood part of me feels like Peppa.

[A]

Really?

[D]

Yeah. I feel like she, like, has a lot of identity issues.

[A]

Yeah. I think that, like, people don't know the real her. The real her. And I feel she seems so tough.

[D]

Yeah. And I feel like she hides behind that.

[A]

Yeah.

[D]

And she doesn't ever want to seem vulnerable, and she masks it a lot. So I feel like she is really misunderstood because her friends are always getting, like, a version of her and the real her. I feel like she really wants to express herself.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

I don't know.

[D]

I feel like she's, like, going through a lot always, but then it's, like, really tough.

[A]

It's crazy that he still gets girls.

[D]

I know.

[A]

And that he still has some friends. It's like, he has a lot of.

[D]

Friends, actually, for his actions. He has, like, a lot of friends.

[A]

It is wild.

[D]

It's kind of scary.

[A]

He gets invited to Bri and Evan's wedding.

[D]

Yeah. He gets invited to parties.

[A]

I know.

[D]

Like, why he should be blacklisted on every account.

[A]

Yeah. You're right.

[D]

Mm.

[A]

Mm.

[C]

You're right.

[D]

Mm. Mm.

[A]

All right. We're gonna forget that I said Steven at some point. Okay.

[C]

Because we are.

[D]

I'm not. I'm sorry. I forgive, but I won't forget that.

[A]

Would you have fallen for Steven? Just think about it. Like, if you're entering season one, you're. Lucy going to Baird. Would you have fallen for his shit?

[D]

I don't think I would have fallen for his shit. I think I would have gone on a couple dates with him and then realized, like, ooh, he seems a little controlling. And I feel, like, weird. And I. Like, he wants me to keep secrets from my friends, and then I would get the ick.

[A]

Yeah.

[D]

I think I would fall for Max. Max in season two.

[C]

What?

[A]

Poor Max. No, Max.

[D]

Poor Max.

[A]

Max gets the short end of the stick every time.

[D]

Oh, my God. I feel so bad for Max in season two. I was like, what did he do to deserve this?

[A]

I know.

[D]

She treated him so bad. I'm like, lucy, girl.

[A]

I know. Poor Max.

[D]

It's so bad.

[A]

Yeah, it's so bad.

[D]

What was that?

[A]

Why are they always playing weird games that don't end well?

[D]

Why are we always surrounding ourselves with people that we like? They always surround themselves with people that they low key hate.

[C]

Like, what are we doing?

[A]

That's what I used to do in my 20s.

[D]

It do be like that.

[A]

Well, I have some questions for you. Which episode shocked you the most? I guess we'd have to say because it's hard to remember, like, episodes. Like, which moment in the last two seasons shocked you the most?

[D]

Definitely the Lucy situation in season two where she hooks up with. With Steven and literally probably within the same hour. Didn't even wash. Panties are the same. It's like, whoa, let's take a step back. From a hygienic standpoint, I'm not a slut shamer. Like, girl, do whatever you gotta do. You know, whatever you're going through. But I mean, from a hygienic standpoint, it's like, girl, Lucy. No, that's when I really took a step back and I was like, what is going on? That was like, just a jaw dropping moment for me. Another crazy situation was. I mean, I just feel like getting to know more about Steven's brain.

[A]

Well, I think when Steven accepted, he took the blame for Lucy writing the letter.

[D]

Yes.

[A]

That was unexpected.

[D]

It was.

[A]

I was just like, didn't see that coming. And like, damn it, now he's gonna be able to hold that over her.

[C]

Head, like, yep, yep. It's about me.

[D]

It's about the letter last year.

[A]

I wrote the letter.

[D]

The one that got Drew in trouble. That was me. I'm so sorry. That's what he always does, though. He does things that seem like they're out of the kindness of his own heart, but in the back of his mind, he's just like, I did this for you, and now you owe me this. He's like, he's literally evil.

[A]

Yes.

[D]

So honestly, anything Steven does when he.

[A]

Touches Diana's dad's wall art after she asks him not to.

[D]

Sick.

[A]

Like, it's so easy.

[D]

It's so easy to not, like, literally, do not touch.

[A]

Don't touch.

[D]

It's not that deep.

[A]

The art. Why'd you have to do that?

[D]

Yeah, I feel like everything that Steven does just like, is everything Steven does. Whenever I watch Tell me Lies, that's when I'm like, texting the group chat after the episode, like, oh, my God, you won't believe this. Because he's diabolical. So anything he does, I'm just always like, what? Cause he shocks me so much.

[A]

You've really never dated a Steven?

[D]

Um, if you have to think about that, I dated a similar type of Steven. Honestly, not to that degree, but definitely the type of person that, like, will hold things over my head. I think that's such a toxic trait as a grown man. It's so fucking disgusting when guys will do something out of the kindness of their own heart or to be a romantic boyfriend, and then they're like, I'm doing all this stuff for you. I did this, this, this, that. I'm like, oh, my God, like, you need therapy.

[A]

You're so lucky that that's the worst you've ever received.

[D]

I.

[C]

So true.

[D]

But I am blessed. Like, I don't surround myself with sick people. And once I don't tolerate disrespect just.

[A]

Because, like, I thought I didn't either in my 20s. And then when I look back at every relationship, I'm like, oh, wow. Every single. And I'm talking sick shit. Cheating with your best friend. Shit.

[D]

Oh, deep, deep, deep.

[A]

Full blown manipulation.

[D]

Oh, my God.

[A]

Convincing you that your friends all hate you. Shit.

[D]

Oh, my God. Whoa.

[A]

I am Lucy.

[D]

I'm literally Steven. No, I literally Steven.

[A]

I was Lucy and I dated Steven.

[D]

Holy shit.

[A]

Yeah. So no, like, you just get to rest your pretty little head down at night and know that, like, you survived. You didn't have to go through that shit.

[D]

No, like, God is good. But also every situation that we go through, that's like, hell, it's literally just makes us a stronger human being.

[A]

Agreed.

[D]

And it low key. I feel like.

[A]

And it builds character.

[D]

It does. And I feel like, low key. It makes you, like, glow up more. Anytime I get super stressed out, I get way hotter.

[A]

No, dating a toxic guy is like going through an awkward phase in high school. Yeah.

[C]

Then you just glow up.

[A]

You go up, then you glow up.

[D]

You need it, and you come out on top.

[A]

Agreed.

[D]

It's just true.

[A]

Agreed. Which moment in the series over the last two seasons made you the most emotional?

[D]

Ooh, that's tough. Oh, this is actually so easy. I'd say what really hooked me with the show was season one knowing what really fucking happened about that car accident.

[A]

With Accident. Yeah.

[D]

Like, I was. I mean, granted, I was on my period during the time I watched the episode, but, like, really seeing what happened and, like, how sad she was and how she really, really liked him and all this shit. And then he literally did the unthinkable and left the scene and lied about it. Oh, my God, that really did make me cry. Cause I'm like, I bet stuff like that happens all the time. Like with the drinking and driving and just lying about it and just all of that.

[A]

Yeah. And then the parents Come in. Like, to me, as a parent, like, that.

[D]

That, like, really broke me.

[A]

I honestly don't even want to talk about it. I will actually cry. Yeah, let's just.

[D]

That really hur.

[A]

Yeah.

[D]

Because that's, like, literally so beyond sick. And also goes to show how much of a psychopath he is because he doesn't feel feelings.

[A]

Yes.

[D]

Like, how can you do something like that whether you were under the influence or not and not, like, break down sobbing? He was literally like, no. Like, he's psycho.

[A]

Yeah, he's psycho.

[D]

He left that girl dead in the car and just walked away.

[A]

Yes.

[D]

Fled the scene.

[A]

Fled the fucking scene.

[D]

He deserves jail.

[A]

Okay, which character grew on you the most over time? I think it would be Pippa.

[D]

I was gonna say Pippa, too.

[A]

I think Pippa grows on me. At first, I just feel like she's just kind of cold and hard on people.

[D]

Yeah. Pretty hostile and.

[A]

Hostile.

[D]

Hostile, yes. Season one, it was really hard for me to a. Relate to her and kind of open up to her, just. Cause she was a lot. She just seemed very judgmental and to herself and big and tough and whatever.

[A]

But, yeah, I was like, season one, Pippa wouldn't.

[D]

No. At all. I think she would be like.

[A]

She'd be like, you can't smile too much.

[D]

You're annoying. Like, shut up. And then I'd be like, okay, this girl's kind of rude and cold. But season two, I was like, oh, there are layers to this woman. There are vulnerable sides to this woman, and she just is trying to protect herself.

[A]

Yeah.

[D]

And she's just misunderstood.

[A]

Yeah.

[D]

So I would say her.

[A]

All right. What moment made you laugh out loud?

[D]

Mmm. Laugh out loud. Oh, I don't know if this is, like, toxic of me, but the scene in season two where Lucy, like, throws the phone outside of her dorm and she's, like, so mad at Steven, and she just has a freaking crash out where she throws the phone in the hallway. I was like, girl, get up. Stand up. She's like. Like, through the phone. I'm always screaming at my tv, like, what the WTF is how I watch.

[A]

Which episode gave you the biggest? I did not see that coming moment.

[D]

Ooh. Oh, this is easy. The fact that Diana's a little lesbian.

[A]

Yeah. I did not see.

[D]

Never saw that coming.

[A]

Not at all.

[D]

When season two started and they started hooking up, I said, what? Yeah, I mean, love it for them go off. I love, love. I don't care. But I did. There were no signs to me.

[A]

No.

[D]

That didn't even cross My.

[A]

Yes.

[D]

That was like mic drop. When that happened in season two, I said, oh, my God. Because there were. To me, there were no signs in season one.

[A]

Yeah, no, I completely agree.

[D]

I was like, whoa, wow.

[A]

Which episode or what moment made you rethink how you felt about a character? So whether it was like, a character you didn't like, made you be like, oh, maybe I do like this person or one that you didn't. You don't, or you did like, you're like, oh, I'm not so sure.

[D]

Probably Pepa. Yeah, I feel like. Cause like I said in season one, it's not that I didn't like her, but I didn't feel like she was a very likable character. Just. Cause she seemed very cold. But knowing a lot about her from season two, I'm like, wait, I kind of do like her. And she's really misunderstood. So she definitely grew on me.

[A]

When Brie gets with Oliver, I'm like, I really loved you, Brie.

[D]

I forgot all about that.

[A]

I really. It's like, I really love you, Brie. And like, this is where. Like, now this is where you lost me. Ruining a marriage. Wrecking a marriage. Granted, he's wrecking the marriage. Yeah.

[D]

Granted, he's disgusting.

[A]

But she knows that it's Marianne. She knows that that's his wife. And she continues to do. I'm like, why? Like, that was a really hard pill for me.

[D]

That's about Bree. Holy. Wait, that's actually taking it back to another, like, thing that I was shocked about, about Tell Me Lies. Like, I'd say the Brie situation too. Like, when she started hooking up with the, like, professor guy.

[A]

Yeah.

[D]

I was like, what? Yeah, I did feel the sexual tension.

[A]

I mean, he's really hot.

[D]

He is really hot. I mean, he's literally Lucifer.

[A]

How do you think the Tell Me Lies drama would play out now? Now that social media is what it is, like, beyond just Facebook. So if, like, we take Tell Me Lies and put it in, like, 2025 TikTok Instagram stories. Instagram?

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

Like, how do we think? I mean, you wouldn't be able to get away with anything. I'm always watching the show being like, how is no one noticing that Pippa is constantly going in and out of Diana's room nowadays? Someone would just snap a pic and.

[D]

That would go on thread.

[A]

Like, be like, yes. Or like, you just, like, see someone in the background of someone's stories. Or just, like, I just feel like none of this shit.

[D]

No one would get away with anything.

[A]

No one would get away with like the cheating part. People have each other's locations.

[D]

Yeah. Oh yes. Find my friends. All these things. I think there would be a lot more drama because I feel like there would be so many cancellations. I mean, everything that Steven does. If Lucy went on TikTok and did a part two series.

[A]

Great point.

[D]

No one would want to be his friend. He wouldn't be able to get hired anywhere. All of the scandals with like the sexual assault allegations, all of those things. Like, there would be a lot more mess and a lot more drama and I feel like a lot of people would be even more fake and then people would be really like seeking, really recording and like uploading things and I feel like it would be even more messy.

[A]

Anyway, thank you so much for being here. That's it for this episode. Thank you so much for listening. And if you haven't already, follow and subscribe and we'll see you next week for more Tell ME Lies Watch and listen to Tell Me Lies official podcast available on Hulu and wherever you get your podcasts. And don't miss Tell Me link now streaming on Hulu and Hulu on Disney plus for bundle subscribers. Terms apply.

[B]

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[A]

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