Tell Me Lies Season 3 Episode 3 Summary
As you might recall, the previous episode concluded with some intense questions surrounding the aftermath of Stephen (Jackson White) and Lucy’s (Grace Van Patten) breakup. And in this latest installment, titled “Repentance,” we get immediate answers—though I fear this is just the beginning of their troubles.
This week, Lucy is introduced to a group of sophomore girls through Bree’s foster brother, Alex (Costa D’Angelo). They decide to help Lucy blow off steam with a night out at a college party, which seems to be a common theme among parties nowadays—though I didn’t have the same experience back in my college days. Do such themed parties even exist anymore? Anyway, tracking down Alex proves tricky, and while he appears to care for Bree, he expresses pretty negative views about Lucy. It makes me wonder—he feels disconnected from college life and dating, which is a bit concerning. I hope he’s not right about anyone in that room still being caught up with each other a decade from now.
Meanwhile, Stephen makes his way to Max’s (Edmund Donovan) bar. Is it because he dislikes himself? Well, yes, but there’s more. He’s trying to hurt Lucy, and he admits it later in the episode, discussing his desire to invade her personal space. I can’t help but feel uneasy about the potential friendship blossoming between him and Max. After all, Lucy invited Stephen to be part of a moment just a few years ago, and they even had each other’s numbers. It’s best to keep those two apart!
Lucy views her encounter with Alex as an opportunity for something casual rather than a serious relationship. Yet, he has this strange vibe—he knows what he wants, but his approach feels clinical. Lucy hesitates to take that step with him, and while he’s right about her needing some reassurance, he admits he can’t give her that. So, what’s the point?
Then, there’s a crucial moment when Stephen calls Bree, who’s with Lucy. Panic ensues as it’s clear his intentions are terrible. When he arrives at his dorm, Lucy openly tells him she loves him—a side of her we haven’t often seen. Their conflicts usually involve reciprocity, but this time, it’s just a one-way street for Stephen, aimed at causing pain. She’s horrified by her own admissions, revealing untruths about her past. Stephen seizes this opportunity in the most unsettling way.
Following this is perhaps one of the show’s most disturbing sequences. Stephen’s manipulation is hard to watch; it’s distressing to see him exploit Lucy’s vulnerability, playing a game with her confession. It’s sickening, and he threatens to hang onto the footage for as long as he desires, leaving her in a miserable state.
On a parallel note, Bree sends a selfie of herself and Amanda (Iris Apatow) to Oliver (Tom Ellis), hinting she can easily share confidential information. Meanwhile, Evan (Branden Cook) offers to pay for Stephen’s sister’s tuition in exchange for something, making it clear that his gesture has a heavy, underlying meaning. It’s a wise tactic but a shame that it implies stooping to Stephen’s level is the only way to bring him down.
This episode represents a turning point for Stephen as well. Initially, he seemed vulnerable when discussing his past with Macy (Lily McInerney) while he was pursuing Lucy. But now, post-breakup, he’s in denial and gaslighting her—turning their once-romantic bond into something far more toxic.
As the episode wraps up, we see Lucy’s recorded confession, starkly juxtaposed with scenes of her intimacy with Alex, where she asks him to refer to her as “pathetic.” Just moments earlier, he recognized her need for stability, and now, it feels like she’s seeking humiliation rather than comfort from him. Lucy is caught in a web of self-loathing, all triggered by accusations, the tape, and her fraught relationship with Stephen.
And sadly, it seems this is not the end.
Reflecting on Season 3 Episode 3
Most unpleasant memory from the 2000s: Probably Lucy’s button-down shirt at the start, or that peasant top later when she’s talking to Stephen.
The moment I wanted to scream: When Alex asks, “Do you want me to have sex with you?” I couldn’t help but think, “I hate him!”
