Big Swiss

1. Greta: The Secret Listener

Now secrets were fed directly into her ears, without any of the piped-in music or body pain.

A new life. Greta moves to Hudson, New York, seeking isolation and a fresh start after quitting her pharmacy job, ending a long engagement, and leaving California. She finds work transcribing therapy sessions for a local sex and relationship coach named Om, whose real name is Bruce. This job allows her to work from home, avoiding social interaction and physical discomfort.

Eavesdropping on lives. Her job involves typing verbatim transcripts of Om's sessions, giving her intimate access to the secrets and struggles of his clients. Unlike her previous job where she dealt with physical ailments and patient complaints, this role feeds her lifelong tendency towards listening and knowing others' hidden lives without revealing her own. She signs a confidentiality agreement, but the isolation and nature of the work make discretion challenging.

The allure of secrets. Greta finds a strange enjoyment in hearing the unfiltered confessions of others, contrasting with her own emotional detachment. She lives with Sabine in an old, crumbling Dutch farmhouse, surrounded by bees and the eccentricities of Hudson residents, further highlighting her role as an observer in a town full of people reinventing themselves and airing their problems.

2. Big Swiss: Trauma and Paradox

I’m a worker, not a wallower.

An intriguing client. Greta becomes fascinated by a client known only by her initials, FEW, whom Greta nicknames "Big Swiss" due to her height, Swiss origin, and striking appearance. Big Swiss's voice is captivating, and her initial sessions reveal a complex personality – stoic, direct, and seemingly detached from a past trauma she refers to simply as "a beating."

Defying expectations. Big Swiss challenges conventional therapy narratives, rejecting labels like "survivor" and criticizing those who identify solely with their suffering. She presents a paradox: a beautiful, seemingly put-together gynecologist who has never experienced an orgasm, yet displays physiological signs of constant arousal. Her bluntness and refusal to conform make her stand out among Om's other clients.

Hidden depths. Despite her outward composure and dismissal of her trauma's impact, subtle details emerge, hinting at the profound effect of the beating and her unique coping mechanisms. Her struggles with physical intimacy, her unusual voice, and her intense personality suggest a deeper complexity beneath the surface of her "worker, not wallower" philosophy.

3. An Obsession Takes Root

Greta wanted Big Swiss all to herself.

Growing fascination. As Greta transcribes more sessions with Big Swiss, her initial curiosity deepens into an intense obsession. She finds herself thinking about Big Swiss constantly, replaying her voice and words, and feeling a possessiveness over her story. This fixation provides a distraction from Greta's own unresolved emotional issues and stagnant life.

A chance encounter. The obsession culminates when Greta unexpectedly meets Big Swiss (Flavia) at a dog park. Recognizing her voice, Greta is captivated by her physical presence, which matches and even exceeds her imagined beauty. This real-life encounter fuels Greta's desire to connect with Big Swiss beyond the transcripts.

Deception begins. Driven by her fascination and a sudden impulse, Greta introduces herself to Big Swiss using a fake name, Rebekah. This initial lie sets the stage for a relationship built on deception, allowing Greta to interact with the object of her obsession while concealing her true identity and her intimate knowledge of Big Swiss's life.

4. The Deceptive Pursuit

Although she was newly single and happier than she’d been in years, a small part of her was still ready to die, and still enjoyed telling lies.

Building a false identity. Under the guise of "Rebekah," Greta actively pursues a friendship with Big Swiss, meeting her regularly at the dog park. She fabricates details about her life, including her age, career, and past, weaving a persona designed to intrigue Big Swiss while keeping her true identity hidden. This deception allows Greta to feel a sense of control and novelty in her otherwise predictable existence.

Ignoring red flags. Despite knowing Big Swiss's history of trauma and her attacker's recent release from prison (information gleaned from the transcripts), Greta continues to engage, seemingly drawn to the potential danger or intensity. She rationalizes her actions, focusing on the excitement and connection she feels with Big Swiss rather than the ethical implications of her deceit.

The thrill of the lie. Greta finds a perverse pleasure in maintaining the false identity, feeling cloaked and anonymous. Her history of emotional detachment and past trauma (mother's suicide, abusive relationships) may contribute to her comfort with deception and her willingness to engage in risky behavior, seeing it as a way to feel alive or escape her own reality.

5. An Affair of Contrasts

How exhilarating to finally be awake for this, lucid and somewhat in control.

The relationship deepens. The friendship quickly evolves into a passionate affair. Greta and Big Swiss begin meeting regularly for sex, often at Greta's house. Their sexual encounters are intense and transformative for Greta, who experiences a newfound sense of desire and embodiment, contrasting with her previous detached experiences.

A study in contrasts. Their personalities and approaches to life are starkly different: Greta is chaotic, emotionally expressive (in private), and lives day-to-day, while Big Swiss is controlled, stoic, and highly accomplished. These differences create both tension and attraction, with each woman seemingly drawn to what the other represents or lacks.

Navigating complexity. The affair is complicated by Big Swiss's marriage to Luke, her attempts to get pregnant, and her ongoing therapy sessions (which Greta continues to transcribe). They engage in risky behavior, including public displays of affection and Big Swiss's decision to introduce Greta (as Rebekah) to Luke, highlighting the increasing entanglement and potential for exposure.

6. Unveiling Hidden Selves

You’re not as detached as you think," Big Swiss said.

Mutual revelation. Despite the deception, moments of genuine vulnerability and connection emerge. Big Swiss shares details about her trauma and its impact, including aspects not revealed in therapy, while Greta opens up about her past, her family history, and her struggles with emotional detachment. Their interactions push both women to confront aspects of themselves they typically keep hidden.

Challenging perceptions. Big Swiss challenges Greta's self-perception as emotionally numb, pointing out her expressive mouth and reactions. Greta, in turn, observes Big Swiss's moments of fragility and intensity, seeing beyond the stoic facade presented in therapy. Their affair becomes a space where their carefully constructed identities begin to unravel.

The power dynamic shifts. While Greta initially holds power through her secret knowledge, the dynamic becomes more complex as Big Swiss asserts herself and challenges Greta's behavior. Big Swiss's directness and refusal to be easily defined force Greta to look inward and question her own motivations and patterns.

7. The Weight of Secrets

I’m inside your transcript, Greta thought.

The secret looms. Greta's continued transcription of Big Swiss's therapy sessions creates a constant tension. She hears Big Swiss discuss their affair, her feelings, and her suspicions about "Rebekah," forcing Greta to navigate their relationship with intimate knowledge Big Swiss believes is private. This secret knowledge gives Greta an uncomfortable power but also isolates her.

The risk of exposure. The deception becomes increasingly difficult to maintain as Big Swiss begins to suspect that "Rebekah" is not who she claims to be. Om's behavior also becomes a potential threat, as he grows suspicious and eventually discovers Greta's actions, leading to the inevitable confrontation.

Internal conflict. Greta grapples with the ethical implications of her actions and the potential consequences of her lies. The weight of the secret affects her behavior, making her paranoid and erratic at times, contrasting with the sense of freedom she initially felt in the affair.

8. Discovery and Reckoning

You’re in deep shit with me. Very deep. Do you hear me?

The truth emerges. Big Swiss confronts Om after realizing her transcriber knows her identity and personal details, including her affair. Om, having already discovered Greta's deception, is forced to reveal that Greta was his transcriber, confirming Big Swiss's suspicions and exposing Greta's lies.

Confrontation and fallout. Big Swiss confronts Greta, expressing feelings of betrayal and exploitation. She highlights the severity of Greta's actions, particularly using confidential information to initiate a relationship. Greta attempts to explain her motivations, but the damage is done, leading to a painful reckoning between them.

Professional consequences. Om fires Greta for violating the confidentiality agreement, ending her transcription career in Hudson. He expresses disappointment but also a degree of understanding, recognizing Greta's underlying issues and offering her therapy sessions as payment for her final transcript.

9. Facing the Aftermath

Your career as a transcriptionist is over.

Immediate fallout. Greta faces the immediate consequences of her actions: losing her job and potentially her relationship with Big Swiss. The exposure forces her to confront the reality of her deception and the impact it has had on others, particularly Big Swiss and Om.

A path forward? Despite the chaos, the ending suggests a potential shift for Greta. Fired and forced to confront her patterns, she agrees to therapy with Om, signaling a willingness to address her emotional detachment and past trauma directly, rather than through vicarious living or destructive behavior.

Uncertain future. The resolution is not neat. Big Swiss's reaction is complex, showing anger but also perhaps a lingering connection. Greta's future in Hudson and her relationship with Sabine are uncertain. The narrative concludes with Greta on the precipice of self-discovery, forced to build a new life without the crutch of her secret job or her deceptive affair.

Last updated: June 8, 2025