Big Love 4/2 (spoilers)

[alphaboi867]

So far so sood. Love the part about Nicole's 18 brothers ! Hopefully we'll get nudity from someone other than Bill, preferably Ben (the actor is 20 yrs old).

[JXJohns]

Anyone know who covered Lionel Richie's "Hello" song at the party?

[AuntiePam]

What impressed me the most about this ep was the interaction with the wives. They don't have separate families and marriages but they don't really live communally either. It's impossible to manage that, unless they agree on lot more than a schedule for where Bill sleeps every night.

Barb was wrong to take the job without discussing it with Nickie and Margene. They're not sub-wives or Barb's assistants -- they're wives. Aren't they?

[Bob Ducca]

Originally Posted by JXJohns

Anyone know who covered Lionel Richie's "Hello" song at the party?

Not positive, but it sounded like Me First & the Gimme Gimmes. They do a lot of punk covers like that.

[Mr. Goob]

50+k in debt is not going to go well for Nicollete.

Margie is more and more coming off as a clueless bimbo.

Barb is who I'm still trying to figure out. The daughter's expaination is telling. She did it to avoid losing Bill.

Roman an accountant. very interesting. Maybe running this back to backwith the Sopranos is a a bad idea. I'm looking for more gun play.

[marymargaret]

Do kids actually drink cough syrup?

[flickster]

What was with the "sleep drool" on Ben's face. I thought it was drool but the consistency looked wrong and with his wet dream discovery & clean-up which immediately followed. I'm confused as to what they were trying to show. Drool or ???? Surely they weren't going down that road.

[alphaboi867]

Originally Posted by marymargaret

Do kids actually drink cough syrup?

Yes, it's easier to get ahold of than alcohol (especially in Utah) and it can have a hallucingenic effect.

Originally Posted by flickster

What was with the "sleep drool" on Ben's face. I thought it was drool but the consistency looked wrong and with his wet dream discovery & clean-up which immediately followed. I'm confused as to what they were trying to show. Drool or ???? Surely they weren't going down that road.

I'm pretty sure it was drool and the effects people just messed it up. Either that or Ben has been taking alot of yoga !

[thwartme]

Anyone catch Boston Legal last week? They had a plotline all about a perfectly happy polygamous family, and how the gov't was wrong to force them to split up, when all involved parties were happy, loving and consensual. Hmm... if we catch it on a third show, we can declare a trend.

I like how they present the differences between the compound and Bill's family, but I think they may go a bit too far in presenting Roman as out-and-out evil. It may be more interesting to have two opposing viewpoints, neither of which is plain wrong.

Any idea if places like the compund actually exist? I eman, I know the Mormons have offically denounced polygamy, but is there really such a thing as a whole community that practises it so openly? I mean, Roman was giving a newspaper interview about how great it is, denying nothing.

Which, by the way, led to the great scene at the party where the wife declares "Roman says we're just like gays". Too funny.

thwartme

[Eleanor of Aquitaine]

Originally Posted by AuntiePam

Barb was wrong to take the job without discussing it with Nickie and Margene. They're not sub-wives or Barb's assistants -- they're wives. Aren't they?

In "traditional" mormon polygamy, does the first wife officially outrank the others? Bill pays lip service to loving them all equally, and they seem to parcel out equal time with him. Barb handles the money and seems to have more authority, but maybe that's just because she's older and has more experience than Nickie and Margene.

Nickie calls Barb boss-lady. Is that particular to their situation, or has she been raised to think the first wife is in charge?


I keep waiting for the daughter's friend to betray the family. That's what's going to happen, isn't it? She'll tell her father the police officer (sherriff?) about them? Trying to "help" the daughter?

[alphaboi867]

Usually law enforcement only gets involved with polyfamilies if abuse, statutory rape, or welfare fraud is suspected. I assume Roman didn't mention his "pre-marriage placement" with Rhonda to the reporters. Some groups are pretty open. One even has plans to build a temple. Also checking out TV.com it looks;

SPOILER:

Bill is courting a potential 4th wife (not a babysitter!) and gets caught in a sting. And Ben will be trying to cope with his arousing sexuality!

[Dewey Finn]

Originally Posted by thwartme

Any idea if places like the compund actually exist?

I think I read that the show is based on a real polygamist group in Colorado City, Utah. I believe it's an offshot of the main LDS church, which, I believe, wants nothing to do with the polygamists.

[Unregistered Bull]

Originally Posted by thwartme

Any idea if places like the compund actually exist? I eman, I know the Mormons have offically denounced polygamy, but is there really such a thing as a whole community that practises it so openly?

"Polygamist cult's leader still eluding authorities"

http://www.statesman.com/news/conten...olygamist.html

[Unregistered Bull]

Originally Posted by Unregistered Bull

"Polygamist cult's leader still eluding authorities"

http://www.statesman.com/news/conten...olygamist.html

That one might require registration, here's another similar link:

"Meet the New Neighbors A fugitive sect of Mormon polygamists is building a home and an end-time temple in the West Texas town of Eldorado"

http://www.austinchronicle.com/issue...s_feature.html

[lorene]

Originally Posted by flickster

What was with the "sleep drool" on Ben's face. I thought it was drool but the consistency looked wrong and with his wet dream discovery & clean-up which immediately followed. I'm confused as to what they were trying to show. Drool or ???? Surely they weren't going down that road.

I didn't get it at first, but when they showed the wolf in the hunting scene, he had a similar drool drip. I felt there was likely some parallel being drawn there. Maybe about our animal natures?

Or maybe not.

[Push You Down]

I thought the bit with Margie and the alarms and getting the security guy to driver her to the school was a little too Desperate Housewives (what's a Pacific Islander dude doing in Utah?)

I like that Roman's evil but also not EVIL EVIL... I thought he handled the scene with Nickie very well.
In high school I had a Mormon friend whose mom was just like Nickie. She was a chronic shopper and actually had rented a small studio apartment in order to keep all her purchases a secret.

The drool/cum thing at the begining was REALLY weird. Even stranger that he thinks that his wet dreams may be some sort of prophetic vision.

I like the relationship between the eldest daughter and her friend. Its really a sweet friendship.

[Doctor Who]

Originally Posted by thwartme

Any idea if places like the compund actually exist? I eman, I know the Mormons have offically denounced polygamy, but is there really such a thing as a whole community that practises it so openly?

Let me recommend you the book, "Under the Banner of Heaven," by Jon Krakauer. If you are enjoying Big Love for its take on polygamy, Mormon fundamentalism, and the odd cult commune, I think you will find this book informative and interesting.

The Doctor

[Push You Down]

Oh does anyone know who that was singing on the end credits? I have only heard Eddie Spaghetti's version of Sea of Heartbreak, and that wasn't it.

[Rube E. Tewesday]

Originally Posted by Push You Down

Oh does anyone know who that was singing on the end credits? I have only heard Eddie Spaghetti's version of Sea of Heartbreak, and that wasn't it.

Pretty sure it was Don Gibson, a great C&W singer from back in the day.

[Dewey Finn]

In a thread about an earlier episode, there was speculation about Ben's sexual orientation, so I was disappointed when he didn't go into detail about his dreams. I thought we might hear something interesting.

[thwartme]

Thanks for the links U.B.. That's kind of a creepy tale. And thanks for the book recommendation DOC, I just may check that out.

Actually, I'd heard of the book before. It got a lot of press during the Elizabeth Smart case (which got mentioned on B.L.). And of course, Krakaur is well known from "Into Thin Air".

A little surfing around this afternoon revealed a lot of current articles on Polygamy. The next big hot-button issue, perhaps?

thwartme

[Syntropy]

Originally Posted by AuntiePam

Barb was wrong to take the job without discussing it with Nickie and Margene. They're not sub-wives or Barb's assistants -- they're wives. Aren't they?

At first I thought so too, but Nikki keeps calling her "boss lady", and Bill told Nikki she'd have to go through Barb if she wants any advances on her allowance, so I think she's #1 in charge. Also, her kids aren't all that young anymore, they don't need the constant attention that Margene's and Nikki's do. Also: holy crap, Nikki dumps on Margene non-stop.

[Rubystreak]

Would Bill still consider taking on a 4th wife if he knew that Nicki racked up almost $60,000 in debt? How is that going to affect Bill? Roman is the co-signer, so he might bail Nicki out to have further leverage over Bill, though if the house is in Nicki's name, she could lose that, no?

[AuntiePam]

Originally Posted by Maureen

At first I thought so too, but Nikki keeps calling her "boss lady", and Bill told Nikki she'd have to go through Barb if she wants any advances on her allowance, so I think she's #1 in charge.

True. In the first ep or two, it sounded like Nikki's "boss lady" was a sign of respect, but now it sounds resentful.

So if the families were a business, Barb would be assistant manager, or a VP? Ugh, for Nikki and Margene. They should be able to go directly to Bill.

So far, I'm not seeing any benefits to this lifestyle. I'm enjoying the hell out of the show though.

[Mr. Goob]

So far everything is normal. I'm OK with seeing things in dreams and whatnot, but Bill seeing the wolf in the driveway made me mad. That's adding a tinge of a supernatural element that yet another series doesn't need.

Maybe it was a fast induced hallicunation but I hope they quit it right now.

Why was Bill's gun safe in Margie's garage? He was out there futzing around with the door open. I thought his house with Barb was the primary residence. The door he comes and goes every morning and night. Remember the first episode where Sarah, his daughter admonished him for being bad by leaving out one of the other front doors.

Bill certainly is a crack shot. Dropping the wolf right next to his kid.

[Push You Down]

Yeh that was kind of strange and lazy of him to have the garage door open while doing business at Margie's. I don't think there was anything supernatural intended by the wolf appearing at the house. I think he heard something and then just flashed back to the wolf incident momentarily.

When Bill first started talking about the sound in his dream (like nails clicking) I immediately assumed that the sound would end up being Roman's cowboy boots on a hard floor... We may still see that.

No one else has mentioned that we found out in this episode that Bill's family is the one that started Juniper Creek and then got forced out of power by Roman.

I really like Bill's brother's wife. She's a great actress in everything I've seen her in.. Maybe Bill's brother will get killed and Bill will take her in.

[Greywolf73]

Originally Posted by Push You Down

When Bill first started talking about the sound in his dream (like nails clicking) I immediately assumed that the sound would end up being Roman's cowboy boots on a hard floor... We may still see that.

That's what I thought too. And then they had to throw in the scene with Bill and his business partner in the car counting cars with a "clicker", which totally threw me off. I think Roman's cowboy boots clicking is another interpretation. Maybe Roman=evil rabid wolf stalking Bill's kids? Maybe Roman will go that route to get his money later on in the series? Luring Ben over to the dark side, perhaps. I took the wolf's reappearance in the garage to be a sign that the danger was not over yet.

I'd really like to hear more backstory concerning Barb and her "slow progression" to accepting polygamy.

It was nice to see Nicki admit to Bill that Roman had tried to get her to divulge confidential information--made me see her in a slightly different light. Although, I'd be willing to bet that if Bill had told her anything, she would have spilled the beans to Daddy right then and there. I dunno, I still hate her.

One nitpick--if my friend had just told me she'd downed 16 ounces of cough syrup I think I would be calling 911, not letting her sleep it off in the front yard.

Oh, and this week the mysterious disappearing pool fence was there.

[Dewey Finn]

The pool fence looked like it was just standing on the patio surface, so perhaps they can remove it when they want.

[minty green]

Originally Posted by Push You Down

I thought the bit with Margie and the alarms and getting the security guy to driver her to the school was a little too Desperate Housewives (what's a Pacific Islander dude doing in Utah?)

Hanging out, being Mormon. It's pretty well known that the Mormons have spent much time and effort converting Pacific islanders, under the notion that they're [paraphrasing] part of the pre-Colombian chosen people of N. America.

Utah news: http://www.khnl.com/Global/story.asp?S=587417

[ISiddiqui]

Just saw it on DVR. I enjoyed the episode, especially what Nikki's debt is going to mean for the family. It may end up being a way that Roman gets his way with Bill's second store (he offers to pay off all the debt in exchange for amending the contract).

[iluvurmom]

What did you think the symbolism behind the wolf was all about.

by he way best episode so far IMO.

[Syntropy]

Okay, woke up thinking about this and it just sort of "clicked" into place....


Does anyone else think the girl Bill's seeing is Sarah's (oldest daughter) new friend from work?

[Push You Down]

That was my theory from two episodes ago.

I think maybe her friendship and questions to Sarah is her trying to learn more about the lifestyle.

[Push You Down]

Ohh I misread that.... My theory is that Bill's FRIEND the other Polygamist is seeing Sarah's friend.