Mention of the show's sexual assault plotline.

Even the ending of Desperate Lies, Netflix's hugely popular Brazilian telenovela, is full of twists and turns. Set and filmed in Rio de Janeiro, the 17-episode series centers on occupational therapist Liana (Juliana Paes), who, after several traumatic miscarriages, fears she and her husband, Tomás (Vladimir Brichta), will never have a child. Although Tomás knows that his wife has always dreamed of motherhood, he becomes frustrated when Liana grows less committed to their relationship as a couple. When this perceived distance leads Tomás to cheat, Liana goes clubbing with her best friend, Débora (Martha Nowill), to blow off steam.

After a difficult night full of venting and drinking, Liana ends up going home with Débora’s brother, nightclub owner Oscar (Felipe Abib). Weeks later, Liana discovers that she's pregnant with twins, but is terrified to learn that she has a rare condition: Liana's twin sons were fathered by different men — Tomás and Oscar, who sexually assaulted her. Desperate to keep her twins' parentage under wraps, Liana navigates growing secrets and shifting alliances with Desperate Lies' cast of characters. Desperate Lies chronicles Liana's efforts from 2006 to 2023, and, from beginning to end, the Netflix series is quite the ride.

Liana Tells Her Sons The Truth About Their Fathers

Desperate Lies' Ending Finds Liana Committing To Honesty

When it becomes clear that Tomás will stop at nothing to further his political agenda, Liana decides to take definitive action. Tomás, who claims that Liana cheated on him, wants to be seen as a victim, but Liana is done keeping secrets and letting others tell her story. In a brave moment, she opens Desperate Lies episode 17 by telling her sons, Marcos and Mateus, the truth about their fathers. Liana not only reveals that Oscar was Marcos' father, but its that Oscar raped her. Although she thought about terminating her pregnancy, Liana decided to carry the twins to term.

Liana and her sons grow closer by talking openly about their shared and long-buried histories.

In a soul-baring moment, Liana even tells Marcos that Tomás wanted to give him up for adoption. Liana, of course, intervened and decided that they would raise both boys without telling them the truth about Oscar's relationship with Marcos. While the truth certainly paints Tomás in a shockingly bad light to the boys, Liana and her sons grow closer by talking openly about their shared and long-buried histories. In finally standing in her truth and being empowered to share her story, Liana finds some liberation from her traumatic experiences too.

Marcos Stops Oscar’s Father From Killing Tomás

Tomás & Claudia's Wedding Is Almost The Scene Of Another Crime

After learning the truth about his late father, Marcos decides to visit Oscar's dad — a.k.a. his own biological grandfather. The two share a meaningful moment, with Marcos' grandfather reiterating just how much Marcos reminds him of Oscar. Of course, it's a complicated thing to navigate: Marcos knows that his mother was sexually assaulted by Oscar. Still, Marcos seems grateful to have forged a connection with his biological grandfather. In a twist, Marcos' visit jogs his grandfather's memory about just how painful Oscar's death was — and it prompts him to seek revenge at Tomás and Claudia's wedding.

Marcos is able to talk his grandfather down and safely retrieve the weapon.

In the next scene, Tomás and Claudia exchange rings when Oscar's father bursts into the wedding hall, brandishing his late son's handgun. With his emotions running high, the gunman looks ready to take Tomás down for killing Oscar. However, Marcos, who hadn't planned on attending the wedding, shows up to intervene. Marcos is able to talk his grandfather down and safely retrieve the weapon. Hugging Marcos, Oscar's father breaks down before leaving with his daughter, Débora.

Mateus Comes To With Tomás' Self-Serving Agenda

Tomás Wanted To Further His Political Career At All Costs

Once Marcos' biological grandfather leaves, he sits down with Mateus to recover from the terrifying experience. Meanwhile, at the altar, a politician confronts Tomás about the gunman. While Tomás claims that it was just a random incident, the politician points out that it looked personal — and incredibly damaging to Tomás' character and credibility. Frustrated, Tomás goes to speak with Liana's sons. Marcos assures Tomás that he intervened on his grandfather and Mateus' behalf; Marcos had no real intention of helping Tomás. Afterward, Mateus confirms that his biological father is self-serving and cruel, just as Liana said.

Tomás Sets A Fire In Liana's House & Tries To Kill His Family

Mateus' Father Is Sent Back To Prison

Liana's success and happiness push a jealous Tomás over the edge. Fully unhinged in Desperate Lies' ending, Tomás has visions of Liana, whom he calls a "witch," as well as a snake. All of this inspires him to plot his former family's deaths. In the middle of the night, Tomás sets fire to Liana's house, trapping his ex-wife, Marcos, and Mateus inside. As the three desperately try to escape the suffocating smoke and flames, Tomás just stands in the window, watching. While Liana and her sons manage to escape the blaze, Tomás lands in prison (again) for his crimes.

Liana Shares Her Story In Desperate Lies' Ending

The Series' Main Character Becomes Big On Social Media & Writes A Book

Ultimately, Desperate Lies has a hopeful ending. Although Liana has to navigate many challenges, she never buckles under the weight of her harrowing experiences. Instead, she works through what's happened, owns the fact that she's a survivor, and shares her truth with Marcos and Mateus. This empowering moment extends further, prompting Liana to share her story with others. In addition to being outspoken on social media, Liana speaks publicly and publishes a book. Instead of burying herself in secrets, Liana uses her story to connect with, and , other people in Desperate Lies' final episode.

The Real Meaning Of The Desperate Lies Ending

Liana Takes Control Of Her Own Narrative

At its heart, the storyline of Desperate Lies is pure melodrama. However, the ending carries the message much higher than that. The series's ending is about Liana taking agency of her life. She no longer allows the men in her life - Tomás or the deceased Oscar - to control her narrative. It is when she can finally stand up and take control that she finds comfort with her sons again and finds herself able to carry on without her violent and dangerous former partner. This series is about a woman refusing to let men control her narrative.

How The Desperate Lies Ending Was Received

Fans Were Mostly Happy With The Finale

While critics mostly ignored Desperate Lies (it has no critical Rotten Tomatoes score), fans on the aggregator gave it a 77% approval rating on the Popcornmeter. One of the positive reviews from an audience member stated, "If you stay with it you will become captivated by the characters and the situations they are in. Delivers a good message about lies and family." However, on a negative note, another wrote that "there was no character development for Tomas to become the bad guy, from one second to the next he became super religious and bad person."