My Brilliant Friend Season 4 Episode 2 Review | Recap
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- Опубліковано 6 лют 2025
- Elena Greco, a middle-aged woman, leads a peaceful life in her house filled with books. However, things change after her best friend disappears under mysterious circumstances.
#mybrilliantfriend
14:30 What pisses me off the the most is she saw what happened to other women who fell for Nino. One was Lila, her supposed best friend, who was left with a baby by Nino. Then Silvia, who clearly had Ninos's love child. Like girl you aren't better, you won't change him. Franco warned her and she keeps going. 😣
Exactly! She tries to act ignorant but it becomes exhausting. It’s hard to believe her after a certain point
It's actually Mariarosa's home where they are staying. In the books, it's implied that Franco and Mariarosa have a relationship, that's why he is also staying there.
I've recommended MBF to SO many people and nobody has watched it yet, as far as I know. So I'm glad you and your reviews exist, so I don't feel I'm watching it all by myself!
I only found out about it through a friend and I’m so grateful at how many people are interested in it
Same. I love it so much ♥️
Lenù's claim of loving Nino more than her own children led me to question her emotional stability. Her admission was unsurprising, considering her history of poor decision-making. It's clear that manipulative individuals like Nino target vulnerable people like Lenù, and her daughter Dede seems to grasp this. Dede's attentiveness to Franco's emotional state initially puzzled me, but it's evident she possesses a keen sense of emotional awareness, also recognizing her mother's instability. Lenù's irrational response to Nino's wife's pregnancy reinforced my perception of her deep-seated obsession with him. Her emotional investment is so extreme that it would likely lead to overwhelming despair if he were to pass away. 🤷🏾♀️
As always, your review is impressively thorough. ❤
Thank you autumn 🍂 her mental state is a huge issue. She is so good at using her creative skills to gloss over everything Nino has done.
She has trouble facing the truth which is why she keeps herself isolated and doesn’t want to see Lila. She has created a fantasy world and Nino is such a main character.
I do love how sensitive Dede is. She is very quick to understand if something is wrong and far more emotionally mature then her mother.
I wouldn't characterize Lenu as vulnerable. At this point she is well aware of Nino's transgressions and habits, as are the other women who he has been romantically involved with. Sylvia and Lila are the only ones who have come to terms with who his is and have moved on.
@@LzyArt Well, Lenù certainly lacks resilience. I describe her as vulnerable due to her subservience to Nino's requirements. Notably, research suggests marriage disproportionately advantages men over women. Although Nino and Lenù aren't married, he appears to benefit more from their affair.
@@LzyArt Lila and Sylvia exhibit considerable resilience. Notably, they display greater self-awareness, whereas Lenù tends to prioritize Nino's needs over those of her children and herself, a pattern often seen in vulnerable persons.
Lenu is smart but her lacking confidence and poor self-image get the best of her even when she knows she is doing dumb. Happens to the best of us. I remember I was so obsessed with a man once, the world was crumbling around me and my thoughts were solely centred on him and how I really wanted him. And I was feeling guilty for not caring about my dad's disease and what was more important, but I still couldn't think of anything else. Brains are weird to say at least.
I grew up in an abusive household but it was hidden. My Dad was a pastor, so on the outside we seemed like this perfect family. Behind the scenes it was a different story. It was another time and you didn’t speak up about what went on behind closed doors. I ended up being in an abusive relationship with an alcoholic for 7 years. It’s literally like being on drugs, as you mentioned. Everyone tried to talk me out of it but I was under his spell. The root cause was my childhood. That’s why I love this show! It does such a wonderful job of portraying how much your childhood really affects your life. It doesn’t matter how far you try to rise above it. If you’ve never dealt with the trauma, you just end up repeating the cycles. Pietro married a woman exactly like his Mother in an attempt to understand her. Nino is exactly like his father even though he despises him and Elena is a victim of trauma that’s why the trauma bond with Nino is so strong. Although, she is educated, emotionally she’s still a child. What this show highlights for me is trauma and how it can destroy your life if you never heal from it.
When I finally left my Ex, after filing a restraining order and having nearly lost my life. I was a complete wreck and I had to go on a healing journey. Let me tell you that’s not easy at all, so I don’t judge or blame anyone for behaving the way they do. If anything, I try to have grace and compassion for what people struggle with. We are all products of our environments and it takes a lot more strength and self love than most people realize to break generational patterns. This show is excellent, I really enjoy it. It explores really difficult topics in a very gritty way that definitely hit home. Great review, thanks Queen 🩷🩷🩷
@@moongoddess555 girl you should write a book . Stay strong 💪🏼
this was so beautiful to read. Our family histories follow us and as much as I want to judge Elena I understand how her past has effected her future
So many of these characters are in these doom loops. They keep repeating the same patterns without really knowing why
Elena desire to go back to the neighbourhood is an attempt to figure this out but she doesn’t have the tools to know where to begin.
Nino is a symptom of a bigger problem . being with him doesn’t make her happy and being without him makes her sad. She doesn’t know who she is outside of these relationships.
@@karissataylor6485 🩷🩷🩷
@@alwayswatching2295 So true and so heartbreaking to watch! But what an excellent story! I’m learning that’s what life is all about, our stories 🩷🩷🩷
Nino grew up to be like his dad. His nightmare.
I was dreading this part of the story. Franco's death really got to me too when I read the book.
I think Franco tried to tell Lenu the reality of her situation in the kindest way possible. Especially when he said, "What if this is the only way he knows how to love you?" If she was thinking clearly she would have realized that he would never change. But she is definitely still hoping to be the exception. Throughout the fourth book I would love and also hate Lenu. She's such a frustrating character.
She is so frustrating and everything Franco said was accurate. He was warning her that people don’t change no matter how hard you try to change them
I'm always so upset when it ends because now we have to wait a week 😅
This show is why the week to week model for TV is so good. It’s something to look forward to
So excited this season has 10 episodes, not 8!
It’s nice to have the week to dwell on the episode and wait for late reactions. Even if you’ve read the books it’s no different you want more.
@@nevetsny1 I have only read this last book after I watched the first seasons of the show .. I guess I'm just spoiled being able to binge stuff with streaming 😊 I'll definitely miss it when it ends
Wow! So fast and comprehensive. Great job. You must also be a writer like Elena.
Thank you ! I have screeners so I can watch the episodes early
Great review like always. I’ve read the books and it’s incredible how well they portray every character and scene so accurately. I’ve been posting your videos on a FB page for the series. Everybody loves them. Keep them coming!
Thank you Juan !!! Please keep sharing
I think it’s crazy how close the show is to the books even aesthetically they try their best to immerse us in this world
I always look forward to your videos!! I felt the same way, I kept waiting for her to finally leave his ass but she continues to be so dependent on him and it's so hard to watch. im disappointed that there was no Lila this episode, hopefully next week there is!
Thank you 💕 Lila is coming and she will play a huge part in the rest of the series.
I agree that Franco is the best part of the episode. Although his speech about accepting Nino for who he is annoyed me. But the actor was wonderful in every scene. He exuded an aura of protection. The only actor who seemed to be the weak link in this series is the one who plays Nino. I liked him in the last episode, but here I was missing something from him. His desperate tears did not seem sincere, although perhaps it was intended so that we could feel his hypocrisy? Then he did everything right, if so! I like the direction of this series and the choice of soundtrack. What a disappointment it is when Lena is back with Nino in the finale. I don't understand how you can love a man so much, knowing the whole truth about him. And if only he were a really incredibly interesting person. But he's a windbag in all areas, and he's building a career through his father-in-law. And why should daughters see their mother humiliated? What an example this will set for them. Thanks for the review.
Thank you for this comment. I think she is in such a bad place. I didn’t like what Franco said but he understood she will never let him go
Elena thinks she can change him but has no plan if she can’t. She is living with a man she knows is a liar and hopes he will be different with her
Her daughters will be hugely affected watching their mom behave like this and also disappointed because he is supposed to be a father figure by only cares about himself
@@alwayswatching2295 Regarding Franco, I agree, though I wasn't irritated with his observation. I think he realized that ending the relationship would always be Lenu's decision, and Franco tried to help her cope with loving Nino the best way he could.
Why do you think Franco committed suicide? I haven’t read the fourth book yet, but I had the impression throughout the episode that he was still in love with Elena, and what he said to her about how “in love it’s only over when you become yourself without fear or disgust” kind of made me wonder if he was talking from his own experience. But, at the same time, he was the one who left Elena back in college, and many years have passed since then, so I’m not sure how to interpret that
It’s hard to say. He did say her kids could’ve been theirs which makes me think he loved her and maybe her presence was a reminder which made his depression worse
In the book, Franco’s state of mind is more detailed and we don’t get the impression that he’s in love again with Elena and commited suicide because of her. In the series, because of the constrains of time of audiovisual storytelling, Franco’s character is shown more superficially and one does get the impression that his suicide may have something to do with Elena.
Toxic relationships are always harder to leave than healthy ones. It’s because of the roller coaster effect, when the highs are very high and the lows are very low. Brain scans have shown that this effect on the brain is similar to drug use. People get addicted to the high (which in toxic relationships usually is out of this world high) and when the lows hit, they would do ANYTHING to get back to the good times. They feel like the only thing on earth that can ever make them as happy again is that one person who caused all this suffering in the first place. Just like an addict. I read the books and I think I remember a paragraph in which „old and wise“ Elena reflects that most women she knows have at some point in their lives had a similar experience, their very own „Nino“ story. Maybe not to that extreme, but in some shape or form. And just like you said in your analysis, this has absolutely nothing to do with education, it can happen to anybody. Of course having a healthy sense of self always helps, but certain people just know how to push the right buttons. I mean, even Lila fell for Nino and was very obsessed with him for a while - and also burned down her house for him, even though Nino was more an escape vehicle for her in that case.
Very well said! I know so many women who have fallen for ninos. I think having a strong sense of self and also unpacking trauma from the past help avoid these situations
Elena grew up in a rough environment and has gone through more then she gives herself credit for. I think her obsession not just with Nino but even with Lila speak to something deep inside of her that feels like she’s always lacking
There's a contemporary show that deals with a modern version of Nino as well, Tell Me Lies. It's not as arty as My Brilliant Friend, but the toxic relationship aspect is there.
I'm so confused about the age now. How old were Lenu and Lila in season 3? Feels like the men are 20 years older but the children have only aged 6-7 years. It distracts me when I watch now and I'm not as invested.
The ages of season 4's cast are all over the place considering how close in age the characters are supposed to be. Lenu's actress is 45 while the actor who play's Nino is 58. Pietro's actor is 50, Franco's is 57 and Lila's is 39. I agree, its very noticeable and a bit distracting.
@LzyArt in Lila actress's Instagram post she said that she was 40 yo 5 years ago... so I quess she is as same age as Alba and other internet resources are not correct
Agreed! It’s taking time to get used to how different and older everyone looks, especially the male actors. I kind of wish they kept the original younger actors and just styled them to make them seem older or something.
@@jenniferboehm7895 I got used to it but it is still weird the time lapse. I mean, I am comfortable with ith, they're good actors, but they look old in relation to the events of season 3 that seem a little recent..
Show is using some of Richter/Vivaldi Four Seasons in addition to the show score. Italian composer for an Italian show.
HBO likes to say it’s not tv, it’s HBO. But this doesn’t smell or taste like HBO. It’s a long Italian movie on par with the great Italian movies.
I am waiting for season 4 to be available in my country, but in the meantime, i am enjoying your reviews. I love the show and the realistic approach of the characters, who survive life accompanied by their mistakes or poor choices, but simultaneously are strong and try their best day by day.
Thank you for your reviews for this series! They are very interesting and full of insight.
The series are extrenely well done but for me the best part was the 1st series. I don't know about the books, but everything about the characthers made sense in the forst season. I loved the child actresses most. Lenu seamed more able to discern reality as a child than a mature woman.
All my circle of close women friends grew up in mostly poor parts of eastern europe and we all share most of stuggles of these characters. The series shows really well the affects mean parents with no morals have on their children.
However, as a woman of over 35 I don't understand why are these books said to be about feminism. If anything it shows how, like you said, it's mostly the most educated and vocal "independent" women who are the most obidient. All that this woman did was blow her life (and remeber she is the one who is writting this book so she is the main carachter of her own story) all the while manipulating us somehow to still like her beacuse she is human and grew up poor.... Something just doesn't add up and I would be very curious to know who Elena Ferrante is, beacuse obviosly these books are more than fiction.
It bothers me that all trought these books she keeps saying it's about women being treated badly by men but aren't men also treated horibly in this world?
And aren't women also responsible for the terrible ilogic choices they make, sometimes not even out of love?
I still love the series but I don't know....something is so disingenuous and I can't quite put my finger on it.
Thank you for this comment. The Mystey of Elena Ferrante has haunted as all. Sometimes I wonder if it’s more than one person writing this novel.
As you said there’s so much that’s to real to dismiss it as fiction .
In terms of her authenticity. It’s hard to say. Because she is writing about herself it’s hard to judge . The way she writes makes everyone look bad
@alwayswatching2295 I read her interview once She said that she based Lila's anxious feeling of the world around breaking apart and losing boundaries on her mother's experience. So she definitely puts a lot of herself into her work.
Yes! I echo everything you said. I haven't read the books, but I am very invested in the show. And she is not a feminist. She is a deeply insure, selfish, immature woman who is dragging her daughters through her messy "love" life. And although Petro is no saint, I sympathize with him way more than Lenu.
The new casting has all but ruined the believability of this series for me. I simply cannot believe that this is Elena. Yes, I am taking into account the passage of time yet, my suspension of disbelief is requiring. too much distracted effort. It’s radically altered the continuity for me. I’m seriously disappointed. This series has been breathtakingly transcendent. Of course I will continue to be diligent in watching and remain loyal to the show that I love…. but I don’t feel the same passion or commitment.
That actress was unforgettable
@@alwayswatching2295. These are real, easily recognizable people to me. This adaptation was as perfect as could be. Anyway…
Margherita Mazzuco was indeed an unforgettable Lenù. I miss her. On the other hand, Irene Maiorino is pure Lilia, just like Ludovica Nasti. Never quite liked Gaia Girace as Lila.
Not my favorite season at all
Nino is so funny tbh😅
@@1317TM for a man who hated his father so much he sure behaves like him ... Even worse in some ways
More more more
Why did Franco kill himself ????
I think Elena drama made his depression worse
He was living in dispair. All his political ideals and the violent attacks that he faced, are the leading causes. He was so lively and wanted to change the world. But he ended up realizing that reality is different. When he was talking to elena and he basically told her that all this talk about change is useless.
Was frank gay?
No
@@1317TM who was frank in the series? Seemed he wanted to be with Elena
@@MeridianApartments they were dating in the university . In the 2nd season.
@@1317TM that's right! Ty for reminding me