Big Little Lies Episode 1.04 Push Comes to Shove

Nathan (James Tupper) invites Madeline (Reese Witherspoon) and Ed (Adam Scott) to a couples' dinner to discuss a "parenting paradigm" for Abigail (Kathryn Newton). Celeste (Nicole Kidman) prepares for a city-council meeting about Madeline's play, and bristles at Perry's (Alexander Skarsgard) concerns about her returning to work.

Jane (Shailene Woodley) meets with Ms. Barnes (Virginia Kull), Ziggy's (Iain Armitage) teacher, who suggests her son be medically evaluated in light of further evidence of classroom bullying. While Madeline is confronted by a skeleton from her past, her internet sleuthing reveals a key player from Jane's past instead.

RECAP:

Still struggling with Abigail's decision to live with Nathan and Bonnie, Madeline bristles at her ex's suggestion that the four adults have dinner to discuss the new arrangement. Celeste suggests she channel her anger into their upcoming meeting with the mayor. Madeline returns home to find Ed, dressed as Elvis, practicing karaoke in the living room.

Jane's thoughts about running towards the edge of a cliff are disturbed when Ziggy sleepwalks into her room. Returning her son to bed, Jane marvels at his maturity when he assures her it isn't necessary to look for his dad. "We'll be just fine," he says.

In bed, Perry tells Celeste he's concerned about her returning to work -- citing how the stress made it difficult for her to get pregnant. Celeste reminds him she's just doing a favor for Madeline, and not trying to have a baby. Perry half-jokingly talks about trying for a little girl, and the moment turns tender.

Ed visits Bonnie at her piloxing studio to suggest that they be the ones to keep the upcoming dinner civil. Later, when Bonnie recounts the discussion, Nathan kids he’d like to move.

Madeline and Celeste head to City Hall to meet with Joseph, Mayor Bartley and Renata. Renata appears to be winning the mayor over, but Celeste ultimately triumphs with her legal and moral arguments. Outside the meeting Celeste confesses to an empathetic Madeline that she misses work; motherhood is not enough.

While conferring with Joseph, Madeline is floored when he kisses her and declares his love. She recaps the situation in partial detail to Celeste, downplaying her response to the physical attention. Madeline changes the subject by showing Celeste the image of a man she found on the internet. Although his name is "Saxon Baker" not "Saxon Banks" she believes he could be Ziggy's father.

Perry accuses Celeste of lying about how much work the theater case requires. He begins to get physical but releases her just as Max asks about going to school.

Following Ms. Barnes suggestion, Jane brings Ziggy to a child therapist. The therapist says she doesn't believe Ziggy is a bully, but is concerned he may be suffering from anxiety.

Joseph apologizes to Madeline for what he did, but reminds her what happened wasn't isolated -- referencing the affair they had a year ago. She tells him the matter was a mistake that is no longer relevant. He kisses her but she pulls away.

In a solo session, Celeste asks Dr. Reisman for help talking to Perry about her returning to work. The therapist is more interested in why Celeste is afraid to broach the topic.

Madeline and Celeste meet with Jane at the cafe and show her the image of Saxon Baker. Later, Jane fires a round of bullets at the gun-range, as she imagines herself running towards the edge of the cliff.