So I’ve just watched the third episode of this great series, and have started to worry that it may be losing its way. I think the thing that makes this show so great, is the dynamics of the family. But the more this political storyline continues, I worry that the family screen time will be sacrificed to allow Bill to pursue his ambitions. I may be alone in thinking this, but it feels like the political storyline is the most forced and I enjoyed every other story arc this episode much more. But let’s not forget, this show is one of the best on HBO, and HBO is the best on TV. So let’s keep the faith.
Bill and Nikki in Washington was interesting. It’s a place where they didn’t have to hide, or so was the reasoning behind Nikki’s attendance. However, it seemed a little strange she would have frequented the trip, as the two are still trying to reconcile their relationship – and with the whirlwind trip, and Bill trying to get Clarke’s endorsement of his campaign, it just seemed like it was destined to be a fail for them. Of course with the present of CaraLynn on the trip, it is even more apparent that the weekend will not end well. And this was proven on the first night, where Bill bought her sexy lingerie (with no bottoms, much to Nikki’s amazement). Now he has been married to Nikki for years, and it just seems so blatantly obvious that sexy lingerie is not her scene. She is the most conservative of all the wives, and to gift her something so raunchy, suggested to me that either he wasn’t really thinking, or that he was possibly thinking with something other to his brain, or the third option; he simply just doesn’t know her.
CaraLynn’s presence on the trip allows the viewer to get to know her a little better, as she has previously fallen under a cloud of mystery. She clearly likes the protection that the very compound chic clothes and hairstyles offer her, although this assessment could merely be based on the fact that she wouldn’t really know any better. It is evident that she feels uncomfortable in the clothes that Nikki bought for her. When she was first introduced at the end of season three, I wondered if she would be somewhat devious. There was a chance she would be, as Nikki has proven to be in the past. We find out that CaraLynn lied to her Nikki, by telling her that she had asked Jay Jay if she was allowed to go to Washington with Nikki and Bill – and that he had given his consent. We find this out to be a lie, as we see Jay Jays blind rage when he finds out Nikki took her without asking, as he confronts Margene back at the house, which of course leads to later, very important events, in the episode. This also brings into question a statement made in a previous episode where she tells Jay Jay she doesn’t really like it with Nikki, and will return with him to Kansas when he goes.
So not only do we find that CaraLynn lied about that, but after an argument with her mother in the lobby of the political soiree being thrown which Bill so vehemently needed to get into, CaraLynn announces to the security guard that Nikki has a gun. She showed it to CaraLynn earlier in the episode, and told her it was for protection. Nikki seemed really vulnerable in this episode, almost afraid of being in a big city. The quote below which she delivers in the later part of the episode does a lot to explain Nikki’s fear, and brings to the forefront that perhaps she doesn’t really know what she wants. She was horrified when Bill told her to take the metro, and we see her giving CaraLynn safety advice upon their arrival. Growing up in the compound, I guess it’s safe to say she’s not exposed to large amounts of violent crime that cities often see, and she’s just trying her best to protect both herself and her daughter. However, her undoing here is her innocence in the matter. She draws her gun to show the security guard it’s not even loaded and is swiftly arrested.
And while Nikki and Bill are trying to reconcile their relationship in the time Bill can spare from pursuing his political career, the two main stories at home are much more engaging.
What can be said about Margene’s career? It is so often dismissed by the family, that it is barely acknowledged at times. That is until they found out how much money she is making. Perhaps Margene sees the inevitable demise of the family, and is saving for her own future away from them. Or perhaps she just wants something of her own, and to be taken a little seriously by the others. She discovers at work that she is to be thrust onto centre stage; going on the shopping network in a prime time position, and to top it off, it’s a live performance. She’s excited by the prospect, and asks Barb to come for support. However, Barb is too busy with the work at the casino, so turns down the invitation, crushing Margene. With Bill and Nikki out of town, it seems as though she has to go it alone. But then there is Ben, who we know to have a major crush on Margene. Who may actually see Margene’s demise in terms of her position in the family. He rearranges his commitments, and makes it to the studio in a show of support. And she kisses him. She looks shocked, and perhaps a little apprehensive about the ramifications after the fact. The kiss was misconstrued by one of the shows producers, and they put the camera on him, announcing him to be Margene’s partner. This doesn’t go down well with Barb, who is watching the telecast from home, and will surely be given massive mileage over the coming weeks.
The other major storyline of the episode was Sarah trying to reconnect with Barb. She does so by going to the casino with her, for a sensitivity training session run by her mother. As it would turn out, it is shown through one of the workers having an outburst, that Barb doesn’t know much about the native Indians culture at all. It has been shown in a previous episode, the almost masked contempt of the native workers towards Bill when he was making a speech about how both groups (mormons and native Indians) have been oppressed. Surely Barb had this coming, and as someone that has had training in psychology, it seems like it would be a priority to research basic facts around their culture in order to identify with differences, and to see things from their point of view.
This is magnified while on the drive home, Barb accidentally hits someone. While the young native, Layla, is not badly hurt, she has broken her leg. Tommy’s advice to Barb is to leave, because while she is barely tolerated at the casino, things would surely become worse if the community were to find out she hit one of their own, and this would of course have ramifications for the casino. Barb is out of her depth here, and relies on Tommy’s advice and leaves, much to Sarah’s incredulity.
A minor storyline which is likely to have large affects on how the season plays out is the relationship between Alby and Dale. As Dale was appointed to oversee Juniper Creek by the state, the fact that they are quite literally, in bed together, is going to cause some massive drama. It’s been shown that both are very uncomfortable with their homosexuality, but Dale struggles with it as he is not only married, but is a man of great belief. Alby, on the other hand, seems to be encouraging it – it would seem his reasoning for this is to get what he wants. And this seems to be the case, as Dale suggests they work together to fix Juniper Creek, and to give Alby the reputation of being a great reformer and making Juniper Creek a better environment. The fact that Alby took a picture of them together in bed while Dale was asleep will surely come back into play later in the season.
FURTHER THOUGHTS
- It seems like everytime this series focuses more on the external forces that guide their world, rather than the internal family unit, it seems to lose its way a little bit. I can appreciate what they are trying to do, but the writing is really at its best when the three wives and Bill are at its centre
- Although brought up in a throwaway comment by Leigh, someone advising Bill on the world of politics, it still seems strange that he believes he will not get caught...
- Jay Jay is a very haunting character, and brilliantly portrayed. He has that air of creepiness about him. What his plans are though, are still unclear – although it would seem his wife (who is very possibly not sick at all) wanted to leave them alone. He however, dismisses the idea.
- Teeny is back from camp, with a new actress inhabiting the role. She does look markedly similar to the original though, good casting
- If Barb has time to watch the live telecast at home, it would seem that she might have been able to make it in to the studio to support Margene
- Will Ben try to protect Margene? It’s a theory not to be discounted, as he does seem to have a genuine affection for her. As it was shown last week, with the very minimal interest everyone feigned in the delight that his band had landed their first gig, they are both somewhat dismissed by the family. Maybe there is a natural kinship between the two
- It was nice to see Jodine, Kathy’s twin, on the screen. She seems violently unhappy, perhaps she feels guilty for the goings on with the trial – although it was done out of necessity...
- Did Bill seem really cheap this episode? I know the money they were asking for the event was a bit steep, but when he told Nikki that she couldn’t catch a cab because they were so expensive ...
QUOTABLE QUOTES
“Yeah, well you’re lucky, if things go bad with one, you’ve got two more on the bench.” Leigh
“I just realised, I don’t like you.” Marilyn (expressing most people’s sentiment)
“Homosexuality is a sin. We were just fooling around. I like fooling around.” Alby
“This burden, it’s only for a lifetime.” Dale
“I’m trying to do everything I can so you don’t become like me. I don’t want you to be afraid of yourself. To be afraid of the world.” Nikki
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