Playlist (June 14)

TV

Secret surprises

[Photo provided to China Daily]

Whoever said marriages are made in heaven probably never watched HBO's latest show Big Little Lies, or, for that matter, was probably never married.

But, as untruthful as partners have been to you, and the rest of the world, you can now retaliate with moves that will bring you endless catharsis, and, more importantly, get them the comeuppance that they deserve.

The central conceit of the show is that a murder has occurred in this seemingly peaceful community, but it is never revealed who the victim, or the perpetrator, is. As the story progresses, more layers are peeled off the central characters and more big little secrets are laid bare.

Like every great murder mystery - especially Broadchurch and Bloodline, with which it shares a similarly paradisal setting and sheer pulpiness of plot - Big Little Lies works within the almost doctrine-like confines of the genre and still manages to surprise.