Innocence leaves when you discover cruelty. First in others, then in yourself. is the fourth episode in the limited television series, Lady in the Lake. The episode premieres on August 2, 2024.
Synopsis[]
Maddie scores a big interview but struggles to be respected at The Star. Cleo starts implementing her plan as Shell learns troubling information.
Plot Summary[]
Maddie meets Stephen Zawadzkie at the mental institution. Initially eager to speak with her due to their perceived connection, Stephen becomes disheartened when he realizes she seeks an interview. Maddie questions him about who was with him at the store on the day Tessie was murdered, but Stephen remains silent. He doubts her sincerity when she claims it was a coincidence that led her to Tessie’s body.
Maddie admits that she used to frequent the spot to meet boys, and Stephen reveals he visited to watch couples. A flashback shows Maddie being sexually assaulted by Allan Durst. Stephen denies killing Tessie but refuses to disclose the real culprit, mentioning his participation in military experiments, which piques Maddie’s interest.
Afterwards, Maddie informs Bauer at the Baltimore Star about the experiments. Though it's not the story he wanted, Maddie persuades him of its importance. Meanwhile, Reggie calls Cleo with a winning number, instructing her to leave by Christmas Day. Cleo and her son visit a hairdresser’s apartment, proposing a deal that could help the hairdresser open her own salon if she bets on number 366 on Christmas Eve.
Officer Platt and Officer Davis pursue a suspect in Myrtle’s assassination attempt, leading to Davis’s tragic death. Shell, watching the news, is alarmed by mentions of a woman involved in the attempt, fearing Cleo’s identity will soon be revealed.
Maddie’s article on the military experiments is published. Bob Bauer offers her a job at The Baltimore Star, starting with the helpline, and gives her football game tickets for Christmas Day.
Shell confronts Reggie after the news broadcast, demanding he kill Cleo, a task that deeply troubles Reggie. Cleo visits Dora, while Officer Platt visits Maddie, discussing Davis’s death but withholding details. Maddie invites Platt to the football game, but he declines, reminding her of the risks of being seen together. Maddie reflects on her past sexual assault, which she hasn’t disclosed to her husband, Milton.
Reggie arranges to meet Cleo early Christmas morning to collect his share before she leaves. On Christmas Eve, the rigging of the numbers at the horse races is revealed. The hairdresser wins.
Cleo confronts her mother for years of neglect during Christmas Eve. Maddie celebrates Hanukkah with her family and community, with Milton notably absent. Allan angrily confronts Maddie about her article, accusing her of exploiting his dead daughter.
At the mental institution, Stephen sets a worker’s Santa suit on fire, causing a distraction that allows him to escape. Reggie, watching Cleo and Slappy from his car, is distraught over his impending task. Cleo meets Reggie at their spot, visibly frightened.
Maddie returns home to find Stephen in her apartment, feeling betrayed and used. He catches her as she tries to flee but tells her he forgives her before leaving peacefully. Stephen goes to the lake, where Reggie is disposing of Cleo’s body. Reggie hides as the police apprehend Stephen.
Cast & Characters[]
- Natalie Portman as Maddie Schwartz
- Moses Ingram as Cleo Sherwood
- Y'lan Noel as Ferdie Platt
- Mikey Madison as Judith Weinstein
- Sean Ringgold as The Prophet
- Brett Gelman as Milton
- Noah Jupe as Seth
- Byron Bowers as Slappy
- Selema Masekela as Cedrick
- Josiah Cross as Reggie Robinson
- Pruitt Taylor Vince as Bob Bauer
- Ronnie Gene Blevins as Officer Boško
- Angela Robinson as Myrtle Summer
- Katherine Winter as Ethel Cohen
- Samir Royal as Lionel Johnson
- Dylan Arnold as Stephen Zawadzkie
Gallery[]
