Who's watching Big Love or as I like to call it--

[bliss_eternal]

Freepers Gone Wild?!

Just when I think it can't get more insane, it does. Who'd like to share thoughts or start a discussion of this (or last week's) show? Or the show in general?

:hi:

[MountainLaurel]

1. Truth is stranger than fiction

And this series is very much based in the reality of FLDSers as well as those living as polygamists in suburbia.

Next week's episode looks like a doozy: "We're gonna take it to Roman!" With Bill and his security head dressed up in camo with rifles.

[bliss_eternal]

2. Yes, next week looks major--

so many issues: the possibility of the outside world finding out, Roman and all he entails, Nikki and her mounting debt and sense of entitlement... :crazy:

I found this week's talk with his mom quite interesting. Her distaste for Bill taking on such a young wife. Sounds like mom may not be digging polygamy as much as one may be inclined to think. lol.

:hi:

[dr.strangelove]

3. BIG LOVE

This is shaping up to be a great show. I am troubled personally because I am so opposed to polygamy. I try not to force my views on others, but throwing 14 year old boys out of the compaound so they do not compete for other women, marrying 15 year old girls and the forced labor that runs through the compound, not to mention the physical and mental abuse. I guess it can be done in such a way as to not object, but so much of this activity is filled with abuse.

the show is great. The acting and writing is typical for HBO and at the top of its game. I look forward ot next weeks show.

[bliss_eternal]

6. Hi dr. strangelove--

They don't treat their youth well, do they?

I found it interesting this week that they spent more time with the child bride of the Roman character. Like you, it troubles me on a personal level. Yet at the same time, I appreciate the fact that they are looking at the issues, as opposed to just having the characters exist (i.e. prepubescent child brides), but not truly exploring the issues inherent to such a character in the world they are creating.

This week was a double whammy in that Roman's child bride is seen as sad and missing her former friend (Bill's daughter). Then his mother is pissed that he too has taken on a "pretty, young thing" as she put it.

There was even a moment when those interviewing Roman about polygamy asked about "the abuse."

[dr.strangelove]

13. Big Loving it, so far

I think the show will portray the Hendrickson (sp?) family as good polygamy, but that even good polygamy is destined to fail. I think the commune will be portrayed as bad polygamy rife with abuse and terror. The sad thing is that the families are re-creating the commune in the shared backyard and don't even realize it.

All in all, its a good show and I like it so far.
Oh and that whole child bride thing, NASTY!!!

[magnolia]

20. UMMM...

...Monogamy fails at least half the time. And it has it's share of physical and emotional abuse. There are good marriages and dysfunctional marriages...whether it's monogomy, polygamy or same sex. The only real difference is the latter two are illegal.

[The empressof all]

4. I'm loving this show

I tend to think this show is so much about the power and danger of living "in" faith in America. Although the Bill Paxton character has fled and pulled away from his family and faith he retains polygamous practices despite the danger (and immorality in current community he lives in). It appears to me that he and wife #1 agreed to continue with polygamous practice because of pressure from cult leader after #1's cancer and subsequent infertility. Wife #2 is the cult plant...She's there for cult leader to manipulate and provide information back. #2 is an extremely interesting character. She is both rebellious and compliant. #3 appears to have joined family to escape her life condition. She was not from a polygamous family yet "married" her boss to join a family. She's a new convert.

I've gotten totally sucked into this show. Despite my horror with the practice of polygamy I'm sucked into feeling empathetic with the characters. I don't want them to get "caught". I'm fascinated with #1's quiet control, her complicity, and what I sense--her underlying anger and resignation. I want to slap #2 and tell her to just grow up already. ( I laughed when that's what her mom told Bill P and #1 to do in last nights episode---even though the thought of violence towards others in abhorrent to me) #3 Poor Merline....the bride in search of a father.....

Well, I haven't had my coffee yet....

[bliss_eternal]

8. I enjoyed reading your analysis of the show!

Pretty damned good, considering you hadn't had any coffee, yet. LOL! :hi:

You've presented ideas that I hadn't considered. I've been wondering why #1 (or Boss Lady as Nikki calls her) is in this lifestyle at all, when she obviously despises it and those from the compound. I do like her character. She seems to be the husband's rock--who he depends on the most. Though it's weird that Nikki is the one he gave a personal checking account to--seeing as she seems the least responsible of all. :shrug:

This was the first week that I "got" Nikki as being a plant of sorts. I've been wondering about her. I wasn't at all sure why he married her--given how much he hates her father. She seems so petulant and childish, much more so than Margene (#3 and presumably the youngest).

Margene has the ability to stand up for herself and to speak to others about her feelings. By contrast, Nikki is secretive and seems to bottle things up. Yet, she will lash out inappropriately at others when she's angry--which must be a lot. LOL! She also seems to feel rather "entitled."

I was primarily angry (and wanted to smack her) for using her son's birthday as a means to show off to her family from the compound. It broke my heart that he was in a tiny, three pieced suit, riding on a pony, looking miserable and lost. When he asked Barb (#1), if his mother invited any children to his party, I felt terrible for him. Poor little guy...

It's so interesting that they are also trying to develop storylines that show how polygamy ultimately affects the children of such relationships, and the girls that are forced to marrying old men. :puke:

Was I the only one creeped out when Nikki was on the bed with her father, Roman? :scared:

[Mabus]

5. I'm hooked

Have you watched the "Making of" and background on HBO's "On Demand"? There are three features that are background. Pretty interesting. Barb was LDS and not raised around polygamy, Nikki thinks she knows how it should be done and Margene just wants people to love her.

[bliss_eternal]

7. Yes--

I love those extra on-demand features!

Forgive my ignorance, what do you mean by "LDS"? I really like the Barb character and can sense her irritation, yet simultaneous desire to put up a good front and protect their way of life.

Nikki is a mess! Such a compelling character, but so annoying in the way she does things. lol. The way she treated her son's birthday party as a way to show off to her friends and family from the compound made me so sad for her son.

I probably feel the most compassion for Margene because she did sincerely just want a family to love and be loved by.

:hi:

[Mabus]

9. Latter Day Saints

When I was growing up I had a friend who was Mormon so I'm a little (very little) familiar with some of the practices. It was a very structured life. She had classes every morning before school. It seemed like each night had a theme. Heather reminds me a lot of my friend. All that talk about volunteering and church organizations. Most of the time I had no idea what my friend was talking about.

I like Barb a lot. She really loves her husband and wants to be a good Mormon wife.

About Nikki: Do you think she was part of a "deal" that got Bill the start-up loan for the company? I'm wondering how they got hooked up. Not to mention that Bill's grandfather (his mom's dad) started Juniper Creek but now Roman is in charge. Was Nikki always meant to be some kind of spy for Roman? Nikki just doesn't seem to be his type and despite the fact that she was raised "in the life" she seems pretty jealous of the others. I felt so sorry for Wayne, especially when he asked if his mom had invited any children to his party. Who was she putting on airs for with that party anyway? Is she competing against her mom? Her mom looks to be Roman's first wife and lives pretty well compared to the other citizens of the compound.

I like Margene. She's just trying to find her place in life. More importantly she wants the family to work. She showed a lot of restraint not laying into Nikki the first chance she got. I also think that Barb's irritation at Margene has more to do with Margene's fertility (2 boys in 2 years) than her behavior.

I love Lois. I've been a Grace Zabriskie fan since Twin Peaks. She's shaping up to be quite an interesting character.

[MaineDem]

10. I've been watching and it troubles me

I haven't decided if I like it yet. I find it deeply troubling to watch. Roman totally creeps me out but the acting is great and HBO continues to produce thought-provoking television.

I seriously can't imagine how the family expects to keep their situation private when "Dad" goes into any one of the front doors when he gets home. If they were trying to keep it all a secret I'd think he'd use one front door and travel through the backyard.

[bliss_eternal]

14. Your reaction is similar to mine after my first viewing.

I honestly didn't know if I would watch it again. I did, as my husband wanted to see it. Yet, after watching it with him, I was still disturbed by so much of it. I find it disturbing, but I still watch it.

That's the really interesting thing about the show for me. That it can be unsettling, yet it makes me think in ways most television shows don't encourage or inspire one to do.

Thank you--I hope you will continue to share your thoughts here with us as the show continues! :hi:

[mduffy31]

17. He does

On the making of special they explained that he only enters thru Barb's door, and goes to the other houses thru the back yard.

[Chovexani]

11. I'm hooked on it

It's fascinating to me, since I know nothing about Mormons or Utah culture (I'm a lifelong New Yorker).

I hated Nikki's guts at first but now I just feel sorry for her, she's so desperate for love and attention from that creepy molester father of hers. (Seriously, that dude is CREE-PEE). Lois cracks me up for some reason. I love her crazy ass.

The family dynamics to me are the most interesting part of the show, probably because I'm polyamorous and am in a 4-way relationship (we're all women though). On one hand, the patriarchal religosity and the way the wives seem to constantly jockey for position in Bill's eyes really bugs me. On the other hand, the way Bill, Barb and Margene reassured Nikki that they loved her and she was part of the family resonated with me.

I'm wondering if the show will go more into the relationship of Bill's friend's wives that were playing footsie under the table. Clearly there is something more with those two than the "sister wives" thing and I'm wondering what the stance is on that.

[bliss_eternal]

15. Hey YOU!

:hi: Good to see you! I also find it rather fascinating, given that I've only "heard of" this sort of thing, read some about it, but never really seen it examined at all. I know I have to keep in mind, it is entertainment, so it probably won't be as honest as a documentary--but it's still interesting to me.

I'm hoping you continue to share your thoughts about the show, as one that is in a polyamours relationship. I'd love to see your insights and observations on their relationships. I was also rather touched by the way Bill, Barb and Margene reassured Nikki of her place...with them, when she said she didn't fit in anywhere.

I was sitting here, yelling at the screen--"NO! You don't!" Because I was so irritated by her inadvertent treatment of her son. LOL!

I wondered about Bill's friends, too. I thought it was interesting the way they were introduced. When Barb visited her friend, I didn't get that she too, was in the lifestyle.

Bill's mom seems the only one that doesn't speak of her "sister wives" and I'm wondering if she chooses not to recognize them, dislikes them, or what...

[ernstbass]

12. I'm hooked on this show also

It's absolutely fascinating and the actors are great, especially Harry Dean Stanton as Roman. The little scene of Nikki and Roman on the bed was disturbing. Bill certainly doesn't appear to be raising his kids to "live the Mormon life" in that the girl hasn't been married off and they are very supportive of the teenage son in the home. I think Margene and that son may slip into a sexual liaison with all that wrestling and affection! I hope she gets some furnishings for her home soon. Wife #1 just seems to intelligent and down to earth to engage in such a lifestyle. I'm looking forward to seeing more about the neighbors catching on the polygamy.

[bliss_eternal]

16. Hi ernestbass--

Welcome to the discussion! Hope to see your comments when I start the thread on Sunday night's show. There's certainly a lot in the works for them, isn't there?

I've wondered about Margene and Bill's eldest son, too. They are very affectionate w/one another... I agree with you, that her house is rather bare, poor thing. I guess that's what you get as the third wife. lol.

Barb, the first wife, is too intelligent for the whole thing. In the featurette about the show, it is revealed that she didn't grow up with such a lifestyle and this is new to her. She doesn't like or seem to agree with much about the compound so it will be interesting to see how their connection to Roman and the compound develops and affects her.

I couldn't believe it at the end of the episode, when it was revealed the neighbors were watching them. How nosy! LOL! I know a few cars driving up, and all those people going in and out of three different houses is hard to miss but geez!

[displacedtexan]

18. I love it!

West Wing, Sopranos, and Big Love.

What a way to spend Sunday nights!

[dr.strangelove]

19. I know

best night of TV in a long time.

[tulsakatz]

22. best night of TV in a long time!!

Friday nights used to be my favorite night since it's Bill Maher's night but Sundays is definitely getting better!

On Sundays, I usually watch the replay of Bill Maher, then West Wing, Desperate Housewives, Big Love and then I catch the replay of The Sopranos on satellite at 11:00.
(Tonight Desperate Housewives wasn't on so I got to watch The Sopranos in the earlier time.)

But more and more, I find myself looking forward to Big Love the most!

[ernstbass]

21. Larry King did a show on polygamy last night

It was fascinating. There was a polygamous sheriff who said that his life was similar to Big Love in terms of their "regular" neighborhood and rivalry between wives. I think that the teenage daughter's friend is going to spill the beans about the polygamy.

[greenbriar]

23. I think the teenage daughter is going to DATE her friend

???