It’s a polyfamily reunion! So now we know what their cover story is. Also I think that Margene and Ben will definatly hook up. It’s interesting that Roman makes no attempt to hide his lifestyle and Juniper Creek is looking alot more developed than it did in the pilot. And the scene with him and Nicole was just creepy. Lois and Adaleen both seem alot stronger than before. Lois disapproves of old men taking teenagers as bride and Adaleen is trying to educate her sister-wife. Rhonda seems less happy with her role as wife of the prophet than before. And regarding the pre-marriage placement until she’s 16; is 16 the age of sexual consent in Utah or is Roman planning to legally marry her. It’s not unheard of for polygynists to civily marry each wife then divorce them. Adaleen has his name even though she’s his 4th wife.
I thought it was a good episode. I liked how they are not getting into the trap of “Hey look, polygamists! Let’s see the hijinks that develop with 3 wives!” and instead making the early show about what happens when you try to get away from a cult. It’s a much more satisfying storyline, IMO.
Though I do like the depth they are showing in the polygamists. Some don’t like the fact that some use polygamy to prey on young girls (and I’m thinking that’s only party of Lois’ beef with Roman).
Though the best line of the night was when Adaleen was reading the article about Roman and the look on her (when she realized what she was saying) and everyone else when she said “polygamists just like homosexuals”. LOL!
Nikki’s kids are going to have some SERIOUS issues.
“Barbara? Did mother invite any children to my party?” Gah. Heartbreaking.
Yeah :(. Poor kid, the party was all for mother.
Though, btw, I like how Adeleen told Nikki about her materialism after the “look you got Timberlands” part.
That kid couldn’t have been more unhappy during his birthday party.
And while last week’s episode seemed to be hinting at some sort of gay relationship for Ben, now it seems more likely that he’s going to end up in bed with Margene. I’m not even sure that would be incestuous, since she’s not related to him, but it would sure upset the family dynamics.
I thought this was a really strong episode. Things I liked:
-Seeing more sides to Roman. Sure, he’s a perverted megalomaniacal corrupt asshole. But he’s also good with kids. You can kind of see how people would be drawn to him
-Seeing the still-just-a-kid side of Margie
-I really like seeing the random logistics of how they have a cover story, etc. Even if the point of the show is the relationships, not how-to-live-as-a-polygamist, we’re certainly curious
A few questions:
(1) Did Rhonda steal the iPod? Or did daughter-whose-name-I-don’t-recall give it to her?
(2) So I guess the implication is that when Barb had cancer (which made her infertile), Roman helped out somehow, and the price of that involvement presumably involved Nickie?
I think they’re setting us up for both. Have Ben as a confused teenage boy who’s best friend and his stepmother have feelings for him. (What do the kids call their father’s other wives 
?) When was the last time network TV had that love triangle? 
I also like that other sides of Roman are being shown. I’m tired of one-dimensional villains. Roman’s got charisma, which is what draws people to him.
I assumed that Rhonda stole the iPod. For all the bragging she does about being the prophet’s new wife, I think she does it to convince herself as much as everyone else that it’s the right thing. She’s obviously an unhappy girl, and really wants what Sarah has. I think her stealing the iPod was her just trying to get a little piece of Sarah’s life.
I think when Barb had cancer, Roman helped to pay for her medical expenses, and also sent Nicki to help care for the children while she was in the hospital. This, of course, led to Bill and Barb asking Nicki to join their family. Lois was right. Bill does seem to like the baby-sitters, doesn’t he?
Remember last week, when Bill’s father explained to him why mature boys are evicted from the compound (so that the old men can have the pretty girls to themselves). Well, it seems Bill might be faced with a similar dilemma.
I could see Ben making a move on Margie. For as immature as Margie is, I doubt she’d be oblivious to the ramifications of sleeping with her husband’s son. A teenage boy on the other hand might just make a play for the cutie next door.
I’ve really enjoyed all the episodes so far. Any word on if HBO is happy with it?
I agree. I think that we’re getting a clearer picture of what Roman actually is. Along with all the corruption, lust for power, and greed in him, he also seems to genuinely “believe”. The man is not a fraud. He still sings his religious songs and truly lives the life of a “prophet”. I don’t think we’ll catch him in the back room with 2 hookers and a suitcase of coke. His son, on the other hand…
I did love the whole thing with Roman and his modestly dressed wives singing a religious song in that big old badass Humvee. Great contrast there. It also further clarifies, at least for me, where Nicki gets some of her internal conflict from. Plus, isn’t her mom a bit of a hypocrite for calling Nicki materialistic and then riding around in that type of vehicle?
This episode hooked me. I’d read somewhere that the story doesn’t get going until about 3 or 4 episodes in, which seems to be about right.
Did anyone else think Bill’s brother giving Ben his NFL ring was kind of odd? Did I miss something there? I think there might be something more to that–maybe Ben’s not actually Bill’s child?
Roman is fascinating to watch. I really liked the scenes in the car, singing old-timey hymns juxtaposed with the modern car’s Onstar navigation system (“Turn right here.”).
And again with the pool with NO fence. Arrgh.
I don’t think Nicky’s mom is a hypocrite for chastising her on her materialism and then getting in a humvee… The mom probably didn’t have any say in what car the Prophet bought.
I doubt it. That was my favorite moment in the episode though. “There’s still some diamonds left on it” - Wow… knowing that Bill’s brother was a drug addict, that’s a really weighted statement. He obviously dug out some of the diamonds to hoc and buy drugs.
This really is becoming a great show. I bet that slowly it holds more and more of the Sopranos lead-in audience each week. Good acting, interesting writing and well fleshed out characters.
I just don’t see how Bill can ever get out from under the financial responsibilities that Roman believes he owes him. (Other than what the previews for next week hinted at: Bill flat out killing Roman, which would bring a whole new set of much worse problems.) All Roman has to do realistically is mention Bill to the press as being part of their “church” and poof there goes the business - and therefore the houses and cars and all the financial security Bill has struggled for years to achieve. No need for “home invasions” or scaring managers into cutting checks. Flat-top hair guy even mentioned this to Bill at the store in this weeks episode. How can Bill possibly take that move away from Roman?
We haven’t been shown the whole back story of Bill and Romans past yet, but I swear it seems as if it would make life so much easier for the whole Hendrickson clan if Bill just gave Roman his %15. Sure its practically extortion… but if you ask me it would almost be worth it!
Already looking forward to next weeks ep!
If Roman outs them and destroys Bill’s business, he will lose the 15% tithe from the first store that Bill is not disputing. So it’s in Roman’s financial interest to keep Bill’s secret. Bill’s just trying to keep him from taking 15% of the second store.
Of course - but if and when Roman determines that Bill is NOT going to give in, then whats to stop Roman from the old philosophy “if I can’t have the money then no one will”? I really mean it as more of a last resort…
Oh, she definitely stole it. Did you see that “cat that ate the canary” look on her face? She missed music besides hymns and covets Sarah’s life. I guess being the Prophet’s bride and driving around in a humvee isn’t enough.
I think Nicki was meant to help out and Barb and Bill realized they could really use the help. Barb might not have survived, which would mean Bill needed another wife; also, Barb was no longer able to bear children. I also got the impression that Roman gave them money.
Any thoughts as to what’s going on between Roman and Nicki? It looked a little sketchy.
She’s a daddy’s girl, and he knows his daughter well enough to know how to use her (that is exACTly what he’s doing). She’d do just about anything to get his approval.
Did you see the look on Nikki’s mom’s face (can’t remember her name) when Rhonda asked “Where’s New York?” “Very far away.” With a look of “little girl, you are NEVER going to go there, so don’t even bother asking.”