Ep 2. Episode 2

The Beautiful Lie is an Australian television drama series that first aired in 2015. It is inspired by Leo Tolstoy's classic novel "Anna Karenina," and it re-imagines the story in contemporary Australian society. Assuming you are requesting a hypothetical expanded episode description without spoilers for Season 1 Episode 2, here is a crafted description:

Title: Episode 2

The second installment of "The Beautiful Lie" delves deeper into the entangled lives of the characters, expanding upon the complex emotional landscape that was introduced in the opening episode. As the Melbourne landscape bustles on unperturbed, our characters find themselves carried along by the undercurrents of their desires and fears, painting a vivid tableau of love and betrayal against the backdrop of modern-day Australia.

As we return to the world of Anna Ivin, the tempestuous heroine at the core of this contemporary drama, we witness her grappling with the overpowering connection she feels towards the charming and charismatic musician Skeet Du Pont. Anna’s internal conflict becomes increasingly pronounced, balancing on a knife’s edge between her duties as a mother and wife and the magnetic attraction she has toward a man who is not her husband.

Meanwhile, the object of her infatuation, Skeet, is set adrift on the tides of his own emotions. He is torn between the comfort of the life he has built with his long-time partner Kitty Ballantyne and the electric thrall he feels when in Anna’s presence. Skeet’s infatuation begins to cast a shadow over his relationship with Kitty, whose own insecurities and dreams add layers of complexity to the narrative.

The presence of Xander Ivin, Anna's committed yet increasingly disillusioned husband, becomes more pronounced in this episode. As Xander navigates his high-stress career and familial obligations, the underpinnings of his marriage appear less stable than they once were. Oblivious to Anna's emotional turmoil, Xander’s concerns lie elsewhere, as professional and personal pressures begin to mount.

The episode also offers a closer look into the life of Peter Levin, Anna's brother, who continues his struggle to keep his family and career intact amidst his own infidelity. Peter's relationship with his wife Dolly is tested; their domestic bliss cracks under the weight of Peter’s actions, adding to the familial drama that encompasses the Levin and Ivin clans.

As the narrative threads intersect, the characters’ virtues and vices are laid bare. Dolly's journey becomes a focal point, revealing her strength and vulnerability in equal measure as she begins to sense the undercurrents shifting within her marriage. Her instinct to keep her family together drives her to take actions that could have far-reaching consequences for her and those closest to her.

The themes of passion and fidelity are explored through the romantic turmoil between Kitty and Skeet, mirroring Anna's own state of upheaval. Kitty's world begins to wobble on its axis as she perceives shifts in Skeet's behavior, prompting her to question the foundation of their partnership.

Throughout the episode, the lives of the characters interweave across the urban landscapes of Melbourne, contrasted by moments of natural serenity that serve to underline the turmoil simmering within the protagonists. Their interactions at social events, family gatherings, and intimate confrontations continue to push the characters towards irrevocable decisions. Glimpses into the worlds of secondary characters, such as Skeet’s aunt Lydia, add richness to the story, hinting at generational differences in the perception and handling of romantic and familial obligations.

Director Glendyn Ivin's vision for this episode is vivid and intimate, with cinematography that captures the stark beauty of the Australian setting and the suffocating intensity of forbidden love. The score, subtly interwoven with scenes, enhances the emotive power of the story, guiding the audience through fluctuations of tension and tenderness.

The episode explores the inner workings of love, questioning the legitimate pursuit of happiness versus the responsibility one has to family and societal norms. As the episode closes, the characters find themselves poised on the precipice of change, where the consequences of their choices begin to take shape, setting the stage for future episodes filled with heartache, revelation, and the enduring quest for personal truth.

In "Episode 2," "The Beautiful Lie" continues to dismantle the rose-colored romanticism often found in tales of adulterous escapades, instead portraying a raw, nuanced, and at times painful portrait of the complex realities of love and consequence.