About 30 minutes into the Season 2 premiere of Apple TV’s most underrated slow-burn mystery, The Last Thing He Told Me, Jennifer Garner’s watchful and pragmatic Hannah Hall gets attacked in her own home. At first, the chilling break-in finds her genuinely shaken, but in the moments that follow, something shifts as she fights back. Stepping far from the simmering tone of the streamer’s debut in 2023, the sequence isn’t flashy or stylized in a way more suited to Garner’s iconic Sydney Bristow in Alias. Instead, it gives the vibe of someone who has spent five years waiting for this very moment.

This unsettling, edge-of-your-seat moment serves as the meat of The Last Thing He Told Me Season 2. While the first season was about Hannah being thrown into chaos, the show’s return is more about what happens when you’ve been living with that underlying mess for so long that it becomes part of you. In what feels like a totally (and tonally) different show, it’s almost as if Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine-produced series, based on the books by New York Times bestselling author Laura Dave, represents more than a mere tweak or reset. The mystery framework is still intact across Season 2’s eight episodes, but it’s been built into something sharper and more propulsive.

What Is ‘The Last Thing He Told Me’ Season 2 About?

One of the smartest things the Apple TV show has done is stop pretending that the mystery is the point of everything. While Season 1 was about Owen’s (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) disappearance and his murky past, Season 2 doesn’t waste time on setup. Instead, we see Owen has been living off the grid for five years and working undercover for U.S. Marshal Grady (Augusto Aguilera), snapping photos from rooftops and trying to dismantle the powerful and wealthy Campano family. He also sneaks a visit to see Hannah while in disguise, but none of it is ever romanticized. If anything, Owen is positioned as a wrecking ball to the stability that Hannah and his daughter, Bailey (Angourie Rice), have built in their new home in Los Angeles.

Season 2 is really a story about a family reuniting under pressure, and Owen’s goal is simple on paper — finish the job, get out clean, and return home — but the show never pretends that the fix is easy. His years-long absence compounds all the damage of being kept in the dark following his abrupt exit in Season 1. Hannah and Bailey have been doing well on their own. Bailey is older, more independent, in college, and has a boyfriend, but while Hannah maintains a normal life, she’s also quietly built systems that speak to her instinct for danger. When she’s attacked early in the first episode, “Cape Cod,” and instinctively fights back, it’s equal parts scary and inevitable. This is a woman who has been creating contingency plans, securing emergency funds, and training for self-defense in the park with her instructor for nearly half a decade.

As things begin to get messy and some mysterious men are in pursuit of the pair (along with two others trailing Hannah and Bailey), the tension is never just about outside threats closing in, but rather the internal ones that rely on someone else always controlling the narrative. With Bailey needing answers about her mother, she gets mixed up with a member of the Campano family, Quinn (Judy Greer), despite everyone warning her against it. Naturally, Hannah is stuck in the middle, trying to protect her daughter while also figuring out what kind of life they can have with Owen, which is why Season 2 isn’t less of a whodunit and more of a pressure-cooker story about whether this trio can stay together once the truth finally stops being optional.

‘The Last Thing He Told Me’s Cast Gets a Bigger Playground for Season 2

While Garner has always been the beating heart of the Apple TV series, Season 2 gives her a lot more momentum than Season 1. This isn’t to say she plays Hannah like an action star; she also balances the character’s fatigue with a capability that feels more earned than anything. Even when Hannah is calm or thinking things through, Garner gives her a constant sense of hyper-awareness, like she’s mentally measuring exits and risks. Quieter beats, especially in scenes with Rice, are where she barely has to speak to communicate her fears, frustrations, or that kind of parental exhaustion that comes from always being the responsible one. As much as Season 2 belongs to Garner, it’s also a huge upgrade for Coster-Waldau, whose character was mostly a ghost the first time around and finally gets to be a real person. While some of his choices might rile up Hannah and Bailey, there’s a quiet desperation to Coster-Waldau’s performance as the prodigal patriarch, who needs to be 10 steps ahead, even in scenes that feel more personal within the family.

While Rice isn’t as front and center as last season, she does a lot of emotional heavy lifting. Bailey spends time caught between a need to go forward, but is also unable to stop pulling at the past, and Rice plays this tension flawlessly. She’s especially good at letting Bailey’s yearning show in the space between a beat that lingers too long or a look that turns from curiosity to hurt in a split second, particularly in moments with Greer and an unrecognizable Rita Wilson, who plays Hannah’s estranged and emotionally distant mother, Carole. Wilson refuses to soften her character for likability, which is exactly why she works in the small dose we get.

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Greer is one of The Last Thing He Told Me‘s most electric additions this season. With an immediate edge to every scene she’s in, her character has a welcoming warmth to her interactions with Bailey, and Greer plays friendly threat with the right amount of control and depth. Her easy chemistry with Garner is so much fun to watch, and while diehard 13 Going on 30 fans will love seeing them interact, that kind of real-life friendship can run the risk of their scenes becoming one-note. That is never the case here. Instead, each moment between them is defined by a push-and-pull filled with distrust and recognition between two women who understand each other more than they want to admit. Supporting Greer are incredible performances from Luke Kirby as her erratic and power-hungry little brother, Teddy Campano, and her cold, watchful father, John Noble, as Frank Campano. The pair’s presence hangs over the series, never once feeling like cartoon crime bosses and making things feel a lot bigger and more dangerous than ever.

‘The Last Thing He Told Me’ Elevates Its Writing in Season 2

Image via Apple TV

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One of the biggest improvements in The Last Thing He Told Me this time around is how the writing stops tiptoeing into some of Season 1’s more atmospheric, moody beats. Of course, the show had an effective hook, but it often felt like it was stretching itself to preserve its overall puzzle without moving the story forward. While Season 1 could have gotten away with being a movie for Apple TV, Season 2 earns its status as a series. This time, the plots and characters move with more direction and purpose. The pacing is also a lot tighter, with higher stakes that feel earned instead of carefully plotted. Even when the season leans into more action or larger set pieces like a fight scene or even a car chase, the writing never loses sight of the story’s emotional center.

Another thing that viewers might appreciate is how the season builds suspense not through a mystery, but through the characters’ choices. The danger is never just about who’s following Hannah or Bailey, but in how they’re forced to rely on people they can’t really trust. The show pulls at threads that also alter the story’s tone, creating a sharp paranoia that gives the season a faint edge of noir through morally murky instances, shadowy figures, and decisions that always come with a cost.

Although The Last Thing He Told Me Season 2 is informed by Dave’s novels, it’s clear the show has grown beyond the limits of the source material, including taking some liberties in adapting the book for the small screen. As this season deepens its conflicts and expands its world, however, there are some moments where it relies too heavily on explaining itself. Some of it is necessary clarity, but this narrative housekeeping also interrupts the season’s momentum. Overall, The Last Thing He Told Me Season 2 is a lot more confident in taking risks, emphasizing the rarity of a follow-up that doesn’t just continue the story but energetically improves the entire show to date.

The Last Thing He Told Me Season 2 premieres February 20 on Apple TV.

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Release Date

April 13, 2023

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Network

Apple TV

Showrunner

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Laura Dave, Josh Singer

Directors

Olivia Newman, Deniz Gamze Ergüven, Daisy von Scherler Mayer, Lila Neugebauer

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Writers

Josh Singer, Laura Dave, Jamie Rosengard, Isaac Gómez, Harris Danow, Allegra Caldera, Erica Tavera

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• 

  Jennifer Garner

  Hannah Hall

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  Angourie Rice

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  Bailey Michaels

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Pros & Cons

• Season 2 is sharper and more propulsive, turning its slow-burn DNA into real edge-of-your-seat tension.
• Garner is the beating heart of Season 2, playing fatigue and earned capability with a hyper-aware precision that never slips.
• Greer is electric, playing that “friendly threat” with control, depth, and chemistry that crackles opposite Garner.

• A few set pieces flirt with familiar thriller rhythms, even if the show keeps its emotional center intact.
• A later episode over-explains what’s happening, breaking the momentum when it should be sprinting.

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Kristy Scott is opening up about her goals for the year and building her social life “from scratch” amid her ongoing divorce from Desmond Scott.

RELATED: UPDATE: Details Of Kristy Scott’s Divorce Petition Against Desmond Scott Reportedly Revealed

Kristy Scott Opens Up About Her Goals For The Year & Building Her Social Life “From Scratch” Amid Ongoing Desmond Scott Divorce

Over the weekend, Kristy took to Instagram to share a clip with her more than 10 million followers. In the clip, Kristy explained that she feels like she’s building her “social life from scratch,” which, she said, feels a “bit challenging.” Furthermore, she explained that when one’s kids are young, it’s easy to become engulfed in “that phase of life.” Therefore, it can “be hard to transition” back into having time for oneself.

“It’s so hard for me to leave the house… and for me, it’s not getting ready or dressing up. It’s about actually stepping foot out the door. Lowkey, it gives me a little anxiety,” she explained. “But now that I’ve been forcing myself to do it, it feels so good.”

At that point, Kristy explained that her goals this year are about making time for herself and what she wants to do.

“Like, my hobbies,” she said. “… I told myself I’m gonna start saying yes more… Lately, I’m like, ‘I need to say yes to things.’”

Ultimately, Kristy explained that she feels like the pandemic gave her “social anxiety.” But she’s forcing herself out of it by choosing to attend quality gatherings.

Peep her full comments below.

Social Media Weighs In On Her Goals For The Year & Building Social Life “From Scratch”

Social media users entered Kristy Scott’s comment section, weighing in on her goals for the year and her saying she’s building her social life “from scratch.”

More On Kristy Scott & Desmond Scott’s Ongoing Divorce

As The Shade Room previously reported, in January, it was reported that Kristy Scott filed for divorce from Desmond Scott the month before. This, after eleven years of marriage. Furthermore, it was reportedly that Kristy cited infidelity as the reason for her filing.

In turn, Desmond shared a message, acknowledging his and Kristy’s divorce and seemingly admitting to wrongdoing, per The Shade Room.

By mid-January, additional terms of Kristy’s divorce filing were revealed, per The Shade Room. In it, she reportedly asked that she and Desmond be allowed to come to a “written agreement about custody, access, and support” regarding their two sons. Additionally, she noted that she and Desmond already have a marital property agreement. And she acknowledged that she’d like Desmond to pay for their divorce fees while her surname returns to “Small.”

Then, shocking footage surfaced showing Desmond kissing a model while at a bar in Houston.

Despite the shocking footage, Kristy has pushed forward, returning to content by showing how she’s been adjusting to the single life. Before speaking on her goals, earlier this month, she showed off the updates she made to her and Desmond’s former bedroom.

RELATED: First Flex! The Internet Weighs In After Kristy Scott Shows Off Her Post-Divorce Bedroom Upgrade (VIDEO)

Chris Brown told fans he “doesn’t play internet games” after Diamond Brown — one of his children’s mothers — and his alleged boo Jada Wallace traded words online. Still, he didn’t exactly stay quiet. When a TikTok user called out Diamond for putting him on blast over claims he tried to meddle in her new relationship, Breezy appeared to co-sign the video, low-key backing the TikToker’s opinion.

RELATED: Whew! Chris Brown Seemingly Weighs In After Diamond Brown & Jada Wallace Exchange Words Online (PHOTOS)

Chris Brown Drops Subliminal Energy As TikToker Calls Out Diamond Brown 

TikTok user Kareema Divine is going viral after she dropped a video giving her take on the whole Breezy, Diamond Brown, and Jada Wallace triangle. If you’ve been out the loop, Chris became a hot topic after Diamond aired him out on Instagram. She even threw a jab, telling him to “worry about the baby he has on the way.” That led Jada Wallace — who fans speculate is pregnant with Chris’ child — to step up and clap back at Diamond.

Now CB is doubling back with a quick lil’ message after the ladies’ war of words. Chris slid into the comment section under Kareema’s video, which used a viral Natalie Nunn livestream audio. He seemed to agree with her take that Diamond was doing too much while still trying to stay front and center. “You f*****g the brand up, you not building the brand… you’re f*****g the brand up, but you want to be the CEO,” Kareema says in the TikTok video.

Here’s Why The Internet Is Weighing In On Diamond Brown

The internet has been going OFF about Chris Brown ever since Diamond Brown accused him of trying to interfere with her new relationship. She didn’t stop there either, she tossed out claims that he’s expecting a baby and needs to focus on that. Even though Diamond never name-dropped who Breezy is allegedly having a child with, his rumored bae Jada Wallace jumped in and went off on her for putting Chris’ business on blast. Jada also seemingly claimed that Chris reacted the way he did because Diamond is allegedly messing with someone in his circle.

“Nobody tryna ruin your “relationship” b***h you f*****g with people who be around at the house smiling in faces. Lil homies just cause you wanna get a rise out of your BD it’s called principal you should never fw your BD ppl.” 

Diamond Doubles Down On Pregnancy Tea

Diamond wasted no time shutting Jada down. She hopped on her Instagram Story with a lengthy message, denying that she ever messed with anyone close to Chris. Diamond also doubled all the way down on her claim that Jada is pregnant with Chris’ fourth child. She didn’t stop there, she said that once Jada has her baby, she will be ready to throw hands.

“F*****g with my BD’s people? You dumb. This how I KNOW you know nothing. I’ve been knew this man before I got pregnant with Lovely.” Diamond added, “Get off social media b***h. Wait til that baby come out. I’ll whoop you a** fr.”

RELATED: Breezy Family Tree! Everything To Know About Chris Brown Children & Their Mothers (PHOTOS + VIDEOS) 

Fans were left doing a double-take during Ray J’s Valentine’s Day performance in Shreveport, LA, when the singer appeared with what looked like bleeding eyes and a bloodied chest monitor. Social media immediately erupted with speculation, with some claiming the artist had staged the shocking visuals using fake blood. And now, the ‘One Wish’ singer is addressing the speculation.

RELATED: Prayers Up! Footage Of Ray J Performing With Chest Patch & Apparent Blood Running From His Eyes Has Fans Concerned

Ray J Addresses Fake Blood Claims, Shares Wife’s Reaction

Recently, a photographer at the event, Tommy Nard II, posted a video showing Ray J in an orange outfit seemingly applying “fake blood” under his eyes. But the singer is pushing back on the claims. Speaking to Loren LoRosa on ‘The Breakfast Club’ this week, Ray explained that he spoke with Tommy after the show, saying the photographer was just trying to make light of the situation. He also revealed that his estranged wife, Princess Love, had an unexpected reaction to the performance, admitting he’d “never seen her this emotional.”

Ray J’s Manager Speaks Out On Controversy

Furthermore, sources close to Ray say the performance was meant to be a raw and emotional display rather than a gimmick, reflecting the struggles and intensity of his personal life. In a statement to Entertainment Weekly, Ray J’s manager, Melinda Santiago, didn’t directly deny the “fake blood” claims but commented:

“The bottom line is Ray J has been in and out of the hospital dealing with health and heart issues. That is a fact. Another fact is that the meds that Ray is on have some side effects. It’s absurd that a local videographer (not our team) would want to clout chase for 5 min of fame off of Ray J’s name, and play about Ray being sick is sick in itself.”

Fans Split Over Ray J’s Shocking Stage Moment

Fans immediately flooded TSR’s Instagram comment section to share their reactions. Some admitted they were just confused by the whole situation and didn’t want to jump to conclusions. Others felt Ray J might be “playing too much,” while a few wondered if there’s something deeper going on and whether he really needs help.

One Instagram user @msbrownmocha wrote, “Be careful what you wish for, he don’t realize he jinxing himself.“

This Instagram user @beresowavey said, “When I first seen it I thought it looked fake🥹”

And, Instagram user @mxrcos.1 added, “Had me sharing it to gc like it was real🤦🏽‍♂️”

Meanwhile, Instagram user @morgannrae_ shared, “This why Beyoncé was staying far away“

While Instagram user @romellusw commented, “Needing validation and attention like this has to be exhausting……“

Finally, Instagram user @pianofingers___ wrote, “I know Brandy is furious! 😂”

Wait… What Exactly Happened On Stage?

Hold up… what’s really going on with Ray J? As previously reported, clips from his Valentine’s Day performance in Shreveport, Louisiana, had fans concerned. The singer had promoted the show as “An Intimate Valentine’s Day Concert,” which also featured Sammie, 702, J. Holiday, Sunshine Anderson, Kelly Price, and Bobby Valentino. While Valentino performed his hit ‘Slow Down,’ Ray J hit the stage, handing out roses—but things quickly got wild.

Fans immediately noticed what looked like blood streaming from his eyes, and in another clip, he’s seen walking through the crowd with a chest patch, leaving folks with questions. This is especially concerning because a few weeks ago, Ray J revealed he’s allegedly dealing with congestive heart failure, may need a pacemaker or defibrillator, and allegedly only has months to live.

RELATED: Prayers Up! Ray J Gives Update On Heart Struggles, Says He Has Months To Live (VIDEOS)

Jennifer Hudson’s Talk Show Renewed For A 5th Season Among Struggling Daytime Landscape

‘The Jennifer Hudson Show’ Renewal Follows The End Of Shows Helmed By Sherri Shepherd And Kelly Clarkson

The Daytime Talk Show Landscape Is Currently Suffering From Shifting Viewing Habits

Hudson Was Recently Recognized At The American Black Film Festival Honors