# Big Love 6-11 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 12, 2007, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-love-6-11/407679 "2007-06-12T07:23:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2007, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-love-6-11/407679/1 "2007-06-12T07:23:49Z")
I was let down by the season premiere. Barb walking out just seemed to come SO out of nowhere. The rest of the episode was OK but just did not really grab me for some reason. Thoughts? ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2007, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-love-6-11/407679/2 "2007-06-12T07:54:19Z")
I agree that the premier was kinda “meh.” But they’re coming back from a hell of a climax at the end of last season, and so they need to set up the new conflicts for this season. This episode was mostly setup and exposition, so I expect more interesting action down the line. Will Wanda be found out? And will Bill be on the hook for accessory to attempted murder? Will Joey lose his confidence on the UEB board and bend to Roman’s will? Will Uppity-Accountant-Lady go public and ruin Home Plus? On a side note, I just love the character of Don. “Apparently, this sort of thing is common in normal marriages.” It’s like he’s a space alien. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Vice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/53a042/32.png) [@Vice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vice)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2007, 9:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-love-6-11/407679/3 "2007-06-12T09:19:35Z")
Quick question about the show… I don’t mean to hijack. I’ve seen a few episodes, and I think the premise is interesting but I am confused why Barb would agree to be a part of this marriage. She seems to be rational, not part of the cult, etc. Can someone give me quick backstory? ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2007, 9:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-love-6-11/407679/4 "2007-06-12T09:29:52Z")
[QUOTE=Vice] Quick question about the show… I don’t mean to hijack. I’ve seen a few episodes, and I think the premise is interesting but I am confused why Barb would agree to be a part of this marriage. She seems to be rational, not part of the cult, etc. Can someone give me quick backstory? [/QUOTE] I think it has something to do with the fact that she had cancer, and during this time her and Bill found a renewed faith in their religion, and came to the conclusion that the polygamist marriage was the true way to practice said religion. It’s true that Barb is very level headed, extremely assertive and confident, and she is not part of the cult. I’ve often wondered the same thing - “this woman doesn’t seem like the kind who would tolerate sharing her husband’s attention with two other women!” But Barb knows that she was Bill’s original wife, that she is his favorite (and only true love,) and that the other two women don’t even come close to the level of importance to Bill that she has. I think she likes the power and prestige of it all. ---
**Author:** ![Darkhold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@Darkhold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darkhold)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2007, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-love-6-11/407679/5 "2007-06-12T10:28:29Z")
[QUOTE=Argent Towers] I think it has something to do with the fact that she had cancer, and during this time her and Bill found a renewed faith in their religion, and came to the conclusion that the polygamist marriage was the true way to practice said religion. It’s true that Barb is very level headed, extremely assertive and confident, and she is not part of the cult. I’ve often wondered the same thing - “this woman doesn’t seem like the kind who would tolerate sharing her husband’s attention with two other women!” But Barb knows that she was Bill’s original wife, that she is his favorite (and only true love,) and that the other two women don’t even come close to the level of importance to Bill that she has. I think she likes the power and prestige of it all. [/QUOTE] It was heavily implied that since the cancer destroyed her ability to have more children and that marrying again would not only allow them both to have the big family they both wanted plus get the money for Bill’s business that she just went along with it for those reasons. After you crossed that line you can hardly be surprised when Wife #3 shows up. ---
**Author:** ![tarragon918](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d26b3c/32.png) [@tarragon918](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tarragon918)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2007, 10:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-love-6-11/407679/6 "2007-06-12T10:44:54Z")
Regarding the polygamy turn by the Henricksons, Barb’s cancer treatments were expensive and Bill turned to Roman for money. Marriage to Nicky was part of the package; Bill had, of course, come from the cult in the first place, even though he had “divorced” himself from it, it seemed as if he adjusted to the polygamy principle fairly easily. (;)) There’s so much I want to know about that wasn’t covered in the season opener! There were many storylines (all quite interesting to me) dangled out there, so hopefully they’ll be following up on them. Especially the one about Sarah trying to join the ex-Mormon group. I think too that we just saw the tip of Barb’s confusion and yes anger about the family and polygamy, somethat that apparently she’s been supressing all this time. Don’t know where she’ll be able to go with that, though, because even if she is turned off by the fundamentalist approach, she still appears to be a “good” Mormon woman. Very interesting and thought provoking show, and entertaining at the same time. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2007, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-love-6-11/407679/7 "2007-06-12T13:36:41Z")
Sigh. Not a very good opener. The whole Barb thing (and for that matter, the whole Sarah thing) just wasn’t right. Barb left, and then just like that, came back. The neighbors. The whiny bitch at work. There was nothing new here. Nothing interesting. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2007, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-love-6-11/407679/8 "2007-06-12T13:38:18Z")
[QUOTE=tarragon918] Regarding the polygamy turn by the Henricksons, Barb’s cancer treatments were expensive and Bill turned to Roman for money. Marriage to Nicky was part of the package; Bill had, of course, come from the cult in the first place, even though he had “divorced” himself from it, it seemed as if he adjusted to the polygamy principle fairly easily. (;)) [/QUOTE] Bill was kicked out as a teenager because Roman saw him as a threat. Remember, Roman took over as “prophet” from Bill’s grandfather-- he was originally the accountant. But I think there is more that needs to be fleshed out, and I hope the delve more into the details of how Bill and Barb got back into “the principle”. It seems like they were forced back into it, yet they are totally accepting of it now. Something happened inbetween. I liked this episode. Nikki is such a manipulative person it’s hard to tell what she’s up to. I think it was completely believable that Barb would need some time alone to come to terms with the complete humiliation she suffered-- or at least what she thought she was suffering. I actually thought they’d be forced back to the compound after being exposed. But I like what the DA (or whoever he was) said to them-- pay your taxes, fly under the radar and we don’t care. ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2007, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-love-6-11/407679/9 "2007-06-12T17:05:50Z")
I think it’s a bit implausible that there hasn’t been more publicity. I mean, a prominent family (the Henricksons of Henrickson’s Home Plus) are publically accused, in an event being covered by the press and attended by many prominent people, of polygamy… and no plucky young investigative reporter follows up? ---
**Author:** ![fiddlesticks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddlesticks/32/18129_2.png) [@fiddlesticks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fiddlesticks)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2007, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-love-6-11/407679/10 "2007-06-12T17:58:13Z")
[QUOTE=MaxTheVool] I think it’s a bit implausible that there hasn’t been more publicity. I mean, a prominent family (the Henricksons of Henrickson’s Home Plus) are publically accused, in an event being covered by the press and attended by many prominent people, of polygamy… and no plucky young investigative reporter follows up? [/QUOTE] They weren’t publicly accused of being polygamists. They were confronted behind the scenes after Roman’s call and were told to leave. Publicly, they simply announced that Barb had withdrawn from consideration for the Mom of the Year Award due to “personal reasons”. Of course, in Utah, perhaps “personal reasons” infers “plural marriage” more so than in other states. 🙂 That’s Barb’s thinking, anyhow. Obviously the Sword of Damocles over the family’s head is that the unknown informant’s next call may be to the Salt Lake Tribune. That looks to the be the major conflict of the upcoming season… ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2007, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-love-6-11/407679/11 "2007-06-12T18:09:34Z")
[QUOTE=fiddlesticks] They weren’t publicly accused of being polygamists. They were confronted behind the scenes after Roman’s call and were told to leave. Publicly, they simply announced that Barb had withdrawn from consideration for the Mom of the Year Award due to “personal reasons”. Of course, in Utah, perhaps “personal reasons” infers “plural marriage” more so than in other states. 🙂 That’s Barb’s thinking, anyhow. Obviously the Sword of Damocles over the family’s head is that the unknown informant’s next call may be to the Salt Lake Tribune. That looks to the be the major conflict of the upcoming season… [/QUOTE] Didn’t the first lady’s aide say, out loud and in the hearing of many people, something like “you and your other wives” or something like that? Ie, not an official accusation on state letterhead, but a very clear implication? ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2007, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-love-6-11/407679/12 "2007-06-12T18:30:17Z")
[QUOTE=fiddlesticks] Obviously the Sword of Damocles over the family’s head is that the unknown informant’s next call may be to the Salt Lake Tribune. That looks to the be the major conflict of the upcoming season… [/QUOTE] I can’t tell from that whether you mean from their point of view or objectively. But just in case, it was Roman who tipped off the committee. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2007, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-love-6-11/407679/13 "2007-06-12T18:55:52Z")
[QUOTE=MaxTheVool] Didn’t the first lady’s aide say, out loud and in the hearing of many people, something like “you and your other wives” or something like that? Ie, not an official accusation on state letterhead, but a very clear implication? [/QUOTE] No, it was a hushed whisper. Somebody could have overheard it though. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2007, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-love-6-11/407679/14 "2007-06-12T19:06:07Z")
[QUOTE=friedo] No, it was a hushed whisper. Somebody could have overheard it though. [/QUOTE] It was clear that several of the audience members heard. ---
**Author:** ![Push\_You\_Down](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/push_you_down/32/9095_2.png) [@Push\_You\_Down](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Push_You_Down)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2007, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-love-6-11/407679/15 "2007-06-12T19:09:35Z")
I thought it was a weak season opener but a fine continuation of the first season. Barb’s leaving wasn’t out of the blue for me. They set up last season that she was unhappy with the arrangement. I thought it was interesting that she ran to Don’s family rather than her own or even a hotel. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2007, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-love-6-11/407679/16 "2007-06-12T22:24:08Z")
BTW, anyone who even just sort of likes this show should read “Under the Banner of Heaven”. It’s a great book, and gives you a little more insight into what’s going on. I enjoyed the first season, in an “HBO does _The Brady Bunch_” kind of way. It’s no \*Rome \*or _Sopranos_, but it’s fun and interesting to watch. And the acting can be very good. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2007, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-love-6-11/407679/17 "2007-06-12T23:24:06Z")
Just finished watching it again, this time with my wife. I liked it better. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2007, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-love-6-11/407679/18 "2007-06-12T23:44:01Z")
Please don’t take this as thread-pooping! I watched all of the first season, but I don’t think I’ll watch it anymore. When most of your problems (and the Henricksons have big problems) are caused by your lifestyle, then maybe you should change your lifestyle. There’s some value in watching how Bill and the wives accommodate and adapt, but I can’t muster up any sympathy for them. I feel bad for wives and kids sharing a husband and father. I suppose it’s better than having none at all, and Bill’s a good dad, but they’re being shortchanged. ---
**Author:** ![LVBoPeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/858c86/32.png) [@LVBoPeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LVBoPeep)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2007, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-love-6-11/407679/19 "2007-06-12T23:50:00Z")
[QUOTE=AuntiePam] Please don’t take this as thread-pooping! I watched all of the first season, but I don’t think I’ll watch it anymore. When most of your problems (and the Henricksons have big problems) are caused by your lifestyle, then maybe you should change your lifestyle. There’s some value in watching how Bill and the wives accommodate and adapt, but I can’t muster up any sympathy for them. I feel bad for wives and kids sharing a husband and father. I suppose it’s better than having none at all, and Bill’s a good dad, but they’re being shortchanged. [/QUOTE] I think that issue is reflected in the show- in fact, I’d say the husband/wives are divided 50/50 between Bill & Nikki who are very hardcore believers in The Principle and Barb & Margene who show a daily struggle with their lifestyle. It’s easy for us to say “just change your beliefs and leave the people you love” but that is part of the reason I find the show entertaining and relevant. My own family went through a parent deciding to leave the other after 20 years (and a very religious 20 years) for a same-sex partner. So I find the struggles of family, identity and each character’s struggle for position and/or independence very interesting. ---
**Author:** ![xanthous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/53a042/32.png) [@xanthous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xanthous)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2007, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-love-6-11/407679/20 "2007-06-12T23:51:25Z")
I’m having a hard time remembering how Barb got DQ-ed from the Mother of the Year thing. What I mean is- who ratted her out? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-love-6-11/407679.md?page=2)