A Million Little Things Review: Secrets and Lies (Season 1 Episode 11)

What does it mean to be human? Can we still love the people in our lives in spite of their flaws? A Million Little Things Season 1 Episode 11, “Secrets and Lies,” seeks to answer these questions with a series of events bordering on “the human side.”

In theme-centered fashion, Jon’s debt crisis is revealed, Katherine helps Delilah in working towards securing her house and other assets, Rome and Regina deliberate on how to contribute to solving Delilah’s predicament, while Maggie accepts the reality of her health condition.

The title “Secrets and Lies” is somewhat a misrepresentation, and doesn’t exhaust the main theme highlighted. Though we see that Jon may have had a few secrets, it isn’t all about him.

Jon receives a vote of no confidence from everyone but Gary, as soon as it is realized that he put his family into so much debt, and used their assets as collateral. At first glance, this leaves you wondering the direction of the show, and if they want to demonize a victim of suicide, whose death has been so mourned, and whose character has been so extolled.

But they quickly piggyback from that zone to show that he really did love his family, and set up a trust to take care of them, which now cleverly integrates the human factor.

The way they turn on him so quickly, forgetting that we still do not know the exact details of why he committed suicide, which as Delilah rightfully says, could be because of the huge debt, and the fear of appearing like a disappointment before his family and friends.

In defense of his family and friends, it can be very disheartening to realize that someone whom you hold in high esteem is not exactly whom they appear to be. However, Jon deserves love in spite of whatever he did with Ashley or the fact that we do not know who Barbara is, or the nature of his relationship with her.

He clearly loves his family and his friends, and if his suicide is traced to his huge debt crisis or many secrets, then that proves how much he tried to avoid disappointing them.

This is one of those episodes where every event, though different, points to the central message, and they deserve accolades for that. 

For instance, when, Danny coming out to his family bears a striking resemblance to Jon, especially when he confirms that he hid his identity, just to appear flawless before them. Just like Jon.

In the same vein, Maggie accepts that her inability to get to the finish line of the 5k Marathon. It’s just her being human, and doesn’t diminish who she is.

Thought-provoking discussions like this keep A Million Little Things fresh with every new episode.

Props to Katherine for helping Delilah through her predicament. Thanks to good continuity, we have an awkward chance meeting where it is obvious that Katherine is still having a hard time dealing with what happened between Eddie and Delilah.

But that is Katherine being human, right? I hope she will find the strength to keep helping Delilah. So far until now, she has done a wonderful job separating emotions from business, but we are all entitled to our feelings, aren’t we?

Some things still remain mysteries, though it appears we are close to unraveling them. If Ashley is working to help clear the loan, why is she being shady about it? Who is the woman she speaks to at the end of the episode? Does the woman have a case against Jon? Is she the infamous Barbara?

Here’s hoping that the next two episodes will clear the air, and not leave us with a daunting cliffhanger.

What did you think of this episode of A Million Little Things? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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A Million Little Things airs Thursdays at 9/8c on ABC.

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