Big Love Watch: Making the Pie Bigger
HBO photo: Lacey Terrell
Well, you can say this much for Bill: When he orders the pie, he really orders the pie. Seeing him chat up the waitress in the diner--and then confess his feelings to Don Embry--was one of those bracing moments where you realize that his lifestyle is still alien, as comfortable as you may have gotten with this show. (Kind of like when Tony Soprano would kill somebody really brutally just when you were in danger of getting to like him.) It was still shock to hear him confess pulling off his ring--you creep! you bastard!--and then hear Don congratulate him and ask whether he has a "testimony" for wife #4. Oh, that's right. In his world, this is the kind of thing he's supposed to be doing.
Speaking of moral disorientation, the Catholic-school subplot was another good reminder of how well the show immerses you in the polygamists' worldview. When the last time you ever heard anyone criticize the Catholic Church because it was too liberal and decadent? (Nicki railed against the church's seductive trappings--"Kids can't resist that pageantry!"--the same way other suburban moms might rail against rap music's or videogames' influence on their kids.) It also raised an issue that hasn't come up much on the show, focused as it is on the husband-wife dynamic. We know what it does to Nicki and Margene that Bill can't acknowledge them publicly; but what does that situation do to kids?
In all, we continue to juggle a lot of balls in the air this season: Rhonda on the run (her invoking Jesus and claiming assault to get a cooler place to stay was beautifully typical); Joey's increasing defiance of Bill, now running up against Wanda's practical insistence that he just might need a second wife who's not a nutjob; and Don's realization that Bill may be doing the poker deal solely for revenge (ya think?). Grace Zabriskie, meanwhile, still manages to be a hoot in any scene she appears in. But more important--with the continuing storyline of his becoming more like Roman, scheming and seducing and perhaps overreaching--Bill is actually in danger of becoming an interesting character.
What say you? Should he get dessert or just the coffee?
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1
I think Bill is or at least WAS struggling with whether this attraction was a spiritual or physical thing. But of course, in polygamous FLDS, it's holy. But the way he's been acting -- checking out her butt and all -- is definitely made to look more like lust than a spiritual calling, making viewers in our monogamous society to shout "Shame on him! He's cheating!" You can't help but to. It all looks so very sexist. In season 1 he was struggling with keeping up with 3 wives and now he wants another? Is he really thinking about how that will make life easier, or is he just acting upon physical attraction? This also begs the question of what is considered cheating when you're allowed more than one wife? Where do you draw the line? When Margene pulls up and catches Bill flirting with the waitress it's obvious that she's hurt initially, but then her face seems to show that she HAS to be okay with it if that's the case. The ending is very interesting when Margene goes to the diner to check the woman out. It looks like she came with the mission of finding out who she is, but is she cool with it or what? And then they leave ya hanging 'til next week!
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2
Get dessert! Who doesn't like "pie"?
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3
it's hard to overstate how much i love this show. jim, you're right: the show hasn't yet much explored the lives of the younger children, choosing to focus on the adults and the teens. What's it like to have three mommies? I'd like to know. Nicki's appalled but fascinated reaction to the insides of an R.C. church opened my eyes: so that's how outsiders see that bloody guy we have up there on the crucifix.
did anyone see that pre-season behind-the-scenes show? i could swear they said they were building a new set for a house they would all move into together this season...
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4
Lisa,
I hate to tell you this, but it isn't just the Mormons. Almost any evangelical/protestant finds the insides of an R.C. church foreign. The trappings of the R.C. church have more to do with Catholic traditions and doctrine than Biblical teachings.
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5
Aw, what happened to your episode-specific spoiler warnings? They amused me greatly.
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6
My reaction to Bill checking out the waitress was, "Is he losing his mind?" Another thought was, "she's so different from the other wives how could they get used to her!" but then they all have to approve, right, and what a silly reaction when you think of how different all of them already are to each other. Yet, you are really right that I am not liking this new, vengeful, brother unsupporting, grudge holding, leacherous Bill. Liking Bill was a big part of being sucked into accepting the lifestyle; I'm not sure I want to have to deal with him not being a really decent character. It makes the show more complicated but one of the things I enjoy about it is the persistance of loving feelings despite all they have to go through. This seems to undermine it somehow...we didn't have to see him developing his interest in the other wives so it made it less chilling or is smarmy a better word? It feels deceitful and yes, like cheating.
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7
Afterthought: They won't have him marry her because then they'd have to change the opening sequence and have 4 wives skating...
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8
Hi there everyone, I just started watching Big Love. I watched a few episodes ON Demand and crap i am addicted already! this is a great show! i just love it!
- poniewozik Loved the season. Mrs Tuned In wd have put u on the main list RT @boredtodeath Thank u for incl us in Time's Top 10. We'll take hon mention. - 5 hours ago
- poniewozik @carr2n Virgin is the best, LAX-JFK - 5 hours ago
- poniewozik Did NPR interview abt multiscreen multitasking. After, automatically reached for iPhone in pocket. Like don draper wd have for cigarettes. - 6 hours ago
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