"The Lucy and Stephen story is, theoretically, the anchor for the rest of the show, but I would honestly be happier if Stephen just died. No disrespect to Jackson White, of course, who is doing a great job. It's just that Stephen's evil has become too static and predictable. Even when presented with perfect opportunities for growth as a character, he resists all forms of self-reflection."
"In "I'd Like to Hold Her Head Underwater," Stephen is confronted with the idea that he might be a bad guy that people don't want to hang out with. This is news to him, even though Macy has brought it to his attention before. Remember Macy? No, of course you don't, because nobody remembers Macy amid the plenitude of horrors within this group."
The Lucy and Stephen story functions as a central plotline, but Stephen's character has become static and predictable, to the point of wishing for his removal. Stephen resists self-reflection even when confronted with clear accusations of being a harmful person. He drove Macy into a tree and killed her after she suggested he might be bad, yet he remains untroubled. Stephen fails to recognize social cues, such as the inappropriateness of living in an apartment where a friend's brother died. He lies to Evan to maintain appearances after getting into Yale Law, and he is surprised by Diana's deliberate absence.
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