In a stunning low point for their destructive relationship, Stephen DeMarco takes revenge on Lucy Albright in Tell Me Lies Season 3, Episode 3. After their recent breakup, Stephen learns Lucy is interested in a rebound with a new character, Alex. This pushes him to execute a calculated and cruel plan to regain total control. The episode, titled Repent, features a shocking act of blackmail that leaves Lucy devastated and gives Stephen dangerous new power. The fallout also reveals a major secret for another character, setting the stage for more drama at Baird College.
The Setup: Lucy Tries to Move On After Stephen
The third episode of the season picks up after Lucy and Stephen’s latest split. Still living in the same social circle, Lucy tries to distract herself. At a campus party, her friend Bree suggests she pursue a casual fling with Alex, a psychology graduate student and part-time drug dealer who shares a complicated past with Bree from the foster system.
Lucy takes the advice and goes home with Alex. Their encounter is awkward and stops short of sex after Alex makes it clear he is not interested in offering her any emotional reassurance. He tells Lucy, He claims he’s joking. Lucy leaves his apartment, feeling embarrassed and rejected.
Meanwhile, Stephen is off-campus, drinking at a bar and struggling with family issues. He attempts to call his younger sister, but his mother warns him to stop contacting her. This personal turmoil seems to fuel his next actions toward Lucy.
Stephen’s Blackmail and Lucy’s Desperate Plea
Stephen discovers that Lucy is pursuing Alex. This information becomes the catalyst for his revenge. He begins calling Bree repeatedly, threatening to tell her the truth about Lucy sleeping with Evan, Bree’s now-fiancรฉ, years earlier.
Lucy finds out about the calls and desperately begs Bree not to answer. She then confronts Stephen in his room, pleading with him to stop. In a chilling moment, Stephen coldly admits his motive.
He admits that he wants to hurt her and this is his only way.
Lucy tries to fight back, even attempting to blackmail Stephen with information about Macy’s tragic accident from their freshman year. However, Stephen knows there is no concrete evidence tying him to her death. With her back against the wall, Lucy offers up a devastating secret of her own as a bargaining chip.
The Confession Video: Lucy Hits Rock Bottom
To protect her friendship with Bree, Lucy reveals a terrible lie she told in the past. She confesses to Stephen that she fabricated a story about being sexually assaulted by Lydia’s brother, Chris. She had made the false claim in an attempt to protect her friend Pippa, who was actually the victim.
Stephen immediately seizes this opportunity. He forces Lucy to record a video confession on the spot. He dictates exactly what she must say, directing her to admit to lying about the assault without providing any context or explanation. Lucy, tearful and broken, complies.
The video gives Stephen a powerful piece of leverage. Actor Jackson White, who plays Stephen, discussed the intensity of filming such scenes, stating, Thereโs no process. Itโs just trustโฆ you have to fโking go dark. This recorded confession allows Stephen to potentially ruin Lucy’s reputation and control her for the foreseeable future.
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Lucy’s Self-Punishment and a New Character’s Secret
In the aftermath of the traumatic recording, Lucy returns to Alex’s apartment. In a clear act of self-punishment, she asks him to say awful things to her as they have sex. This moment underscores Lucy’s spiraling mental state and how Stephen’s manipulation is leading her to believe she deserves poor treatment.
Grace Van Patten, who portrays Lucy, explained her character’s mindset this season: I think, for me, playing Lucy this season, it was a lot more about punishing. Punishing herself, and her feeling like she needed the treatment from people that she felt she deserved.
The episode ends with another major revelation. Diana, Stephen’s ex-girlfriend, is shown staring at a positive pregnancy test. Given the timeline, Stephen is the likely father. This surprise adds a huge complication for Diana, who has recently begun exploring a new relationship with Pippa.
How to Watch Tell Me Lies Season 3
Tell Me Lies Season 3 premiered on Hulu on January 13, 2026. In a surprise for fans, the streaming service released the first three episodes at once instead of the expected two. The remaining five episodes of the eight-episode season will be released weekly every Tuesday. The season finale is scheduled for February 17, 2026.
New episodes are available to stream on Hulu in the United States. The series is also accessible via the Hulu hub on Disney+ for bundle subscribers.
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