Lady in the Lake is a new television series starring Natalie Portman in her first leading role. Based on Laura Lippman’s 2019 novel, this crime series combines themes of race and social status with a noir style and surprising twists. This is how the series ended.

The show begins with Cleo Johnson, played by Moses Ingram, who is a mother, model and bartender. She gives up her political ambitions to work for a mysterious club owner named Shell Gordon. Her murder, shown in the opening scenes, triggers the investigation of Maddie Schwartz (Portman), an amateur journalist who gives up her boring life as a housewife to work at the Baltimore Star newspaper.

In the first few episodes, Maddie delves into Cleo’s murder case, uncovers Stephan’s escape from prison, and investigates Cleo’s past. Episode 5 finds Maddie in the midst of the investigation and dealing with her own trauma. Major twists are revealed in episode 6 when Maddie, recovering from a stab wound, learns crucial details about Cleo’s death.

Flashbacks in episode 6 show Maddie and Alan, Cleo’s ex, at a party years ago. They grow closer and it is implied that Alan may be Seth’s real father, even though Maddie is married to Milton. Seth resembles Alan, suggesting a past affair between Maddie and Alan. Alan also reveals that his father had relationships with other women, making Maddie’s story even more complex.

Stephan is acquitted of Cleo’s murder, but is found guilty of other crimes. It turns out that Stephan’s mother, not Stephan, killed Tessie Durst and dumped her body in the lake. The investigation then turns to other suspects, including Cleo’s husband Slappy, who becomes a scapegoat after his outburst at Cleo’s funeral.

Meanwhile, Shell confronts Reggie about Cleo’s knowledge of a rigged lottery. Reggie insists he is being honest, but loses Shell’s trust. It then turns out that Cleo is actually alive and has gone into hiding to escape with the lottery money. Maddie, who had been dreaming about Cleo, discovers the real Cleo in her hospital room and realizes that Cleo faked her death.

At the end of the series, many questions remain unanswered and viewers are shocked by the revelations about Cleo’s true fate.

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