None of the events of Love, Victor would take place without Lake Meriwether to move the story along. She’s the one that motivates Mia to take action at key points. Her advice takes the form of quick-witted lines that double as comedic relief.
Managing such a big responsibility leaves little time to delve into her backstory. Bits and pieces have to be sneaked into minor scenes. Each of these details is necessary to understand who Lake is. There’s more to her than a social media obsession and a killer sense of fashion. She has a nerdy side, emotional depth, and all the relatability needed to make her a stand out character.
She's Obsessed With The Ocean
Lake arrives at school one morning after watching 47 Meters Down and Jaws. Both of these are horror films about people hunted by great white sharks. At Mia's house, she and Felix watch a deep-sea documentary about angler fish. Her personality and Felix's crush mean that the documentary wouldn't end up on screen unless she wanted it there.
Her obsession spreads to her bedroom. Blue furniture and blankets give it a nautical feel. Two of the three paintings in the room are of women looking out at the ocean.
She's A Harry Potter Fan
Lake compliments Mia on her "Professor McGonagall realness" when she tries on a black dress in Episode 6. Minerva McGonagall is a character from the Harry Potter universe who always appears in a black gown, black witch hat, and a dark robe.
The reference would've been mainstream a few years ago, but it has now been nine years since this character made her last appearance. It would be a fuzzy memory for anyone casually interested in the series by now.
She Loves Dogs
Lake never mentions owning a dog, but she has a picture of one on her phone. It appears in Episode 2 when she tries to pass her cousin off as her boyfriend.
She deletes the picture of the two of them once the plan fails, revealing the next photo in her stream. It's an image of a fluffy brown dog sitting in a chair. A colorful painting of another dog hangs near the front door of her bedroom. There are no other animals displayed anywhere.
Her Mom Controls Her Hairstyle
Every detail of Lake's life depends on her mom's approval. She monitors her weight, her clothing, and apparently her hair. They both sport curls of the same style and length parted in the same way. It's the one thing that Lake's mom doesn't criticize when she barges into her room to outline each of her imperfections.
She convinces Lake to correct all the other flaws she does point out on the spot. Her message is clear. Lake won't be enough for her mom until she becomes her exact clone.
She Is Politically Conscious
Mia is full of complaints after she meets Veronica, her dad's new girlfriend. In contrast, Lake has nothing but praise for Veronica. She praises her for not confusing Kamala Harris with the Kardashians. Bothering to mention this at all means she sees political awareness as a positive.
The specific reference shows Lake keeps up with current events. Her interest must be genuine since she isn't even allowed to vote yet. It relates to her career choice in public relations too. She'll be responsible for juggling the politics of whatever industry she represents.
A Career On Stage Would Be Her Dream
Lake tells Andrew that she’s a great actor on their date. All of her friends agree when she demonstrates her skills. Felix discovers her musical ability while stalking her social media accounts. She reveals her love of dancing later on in their relationship.
With song, dance, and acting covered, she has all the making of a Broadway star. However, Lake claims she just wants to be a PR agent. It’s a practical way to get close to the stage without taking up a risky career in the arts.
She Forgives At An Unusual Rate
It takes two years for Mia to admit she had sex with Lake’s crush, Andrew. That information could've prevented Lake from having her heart broken by Andrew on their date. She forgives Mia the moment that she confesses anyway.
What's more shocking is how quickly Lake forgives Andrew. Her best friend hates him and he bullies her boyfriend, yet none of it fazes her. She chooses to pair up with him during detention, leaving Mia and Felix to listen to them laugh from around the corner.
She Has A History Of Dating Bad Boys
Mia is relieved to find out that Lake has been seeing Felix because nice guys like him are out of her comfort zone. Her crush on Andrew makes that obvious. Lake must have watched Andrew bully Felix for years.
Viewers see her in the crowd as he bullies Victor. Despite all of these red flags, she continues to pursue him. Niceness isn’t what attracts her to Felix initially either. She first notices her attraction when he steals a cake from a bakery for Victor.
She Saves The Respect For Her Elders
Lake goes beyond basic politeness. She makes up for everyone else's rudeness too. When Mia storms off from the table at family dinner, she stays to compliment the food. Mia then tosses the expensive gift her dad gave her on the ground before leaving the house.
Lake picks it up and lets her dad know it's beautiful. She shows concern for the feelings of both her friend and her friend's dad. That level of care comes from dealing with her own mom. She knows to appreciate a supportive parent because she doesn't have one.
She Cracks Under Pressure
Acting is the skill that Lake brags about the most. However, her ability vanishes as soon as she enters a high-pressure situation. To get away from Andrew, she lies about receiving a text even though she doesn't have her phone. She planned another lie to get out of Mia's dinner.
When the moment comes, she mumbles something about monoxide and shuffles out of the room. Everyone had believed her when she'd practiced her story at lunch earlier that day. It's the pressure that causes her to lose all ability to perform.