Lady in the Lake
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What is the price of freedom for a woman like Cleo?
For a woman like Maddie?
And what does that freedom look like?
These are two women whose lives are brought together by a dead body.
We begin with another dream sequence.
A young Black girl is playing hopscotch in an abandoned alley surrounded by billowing white sheets.
She keeps finding herself running out of options.
No matter what she does.
Your writing dreams ruined your life, Cleos voice-over tells Maddie.
Now you wanted those same dreams to rewrite it.
But why did you gotta drag my name into it?
Shes a foolish woman, yes, but also a zealous one.
You were the last to see her alive.
She attaches a photo of herself.
Theres too much to share.
Where would she begin?
She almost helped her political icon get killed.
She cant even keep her other son from gambling like her father did.
I looked to the pimp for protection.
I looked to the preacher for salvation.
But in the end, I was on my own.
I was sinking, Maddie.
Only thats not the end of it: Seth already knew!
No wonder hes resentful of Maddie and why her leaving hurt him all the more.
Its all enough to rankle Maddie, though its unclear how shell proceed now.
Meanwhile, at the Pharoh, Cleos standing with Gordon continues to bring her grief.
Yes, it involves gambling.
And, yes, it involves Reggie.
And, yes, it involves a rigged game.
But will she be able to do it before it all comes crashing down around her?
Just as risky is Maddies line of communication with Stephan, who agrees to see her in person.
Are you chewing gum?!
Some props for Ingrams performance are due.
We often point to big moments when praising great performances.
The same goes for Portman, whose breathy Have I done something wrong, officer?
But is that too simple a motive?
