This is most likely going to be a long post, because so much happened in episode four of Big Love, that I’m going to find it hard to whittle down the commentary. And all of it seems pretty essential to the five remaining episodes. While I was watching this particular episode, it has to be said, I did question how Bill managed to get one wife, let alone three (or four, if we include the m.i.a Ana). As each episode goes on, I find it is harder and harder to view him as a sympathetic character. This feeling was heightened when he let his oldest friend, Don, take the fall for him and open him up to all sorts of ramifications in order to protect his political aspirations. Not only is he a bad friend and a bad husband, he is also foolhardy. He must have known that all of his dirty laundry would be closely scrutinised, and for him to run at all, is perhaps proof that he values himself more than the wellbeing of his family.
I must admit, I wasn’t loving the political angle of last weeks episode. It was interesting enough, but as I’ve previously stated, it is the family dynamics and the almost voyeuristic looking into these peoples live, that we as viewers get to see, is the reason most people tune in. However, the political storyline did spice up this week as we saw. One of Bill’s competitors running for the senatorial seat, Colburn, has not only sent the INS on Homes Plus to check if there was anyone of illegal status working for Bill, but he also has wind that Homes Plus is part of a polygamist front. As we’ve seen in previous seasons, Bill had given Roman Grant a percentage of what Homes Plus made, so it will be interesting to see what kind of information Colburn can dig up.
Bill finds out through Nikki, who seems to be working the phones at Colburn’s campaign to gain insider knowledge, that a reporter is going to show up at Bill’s announcement that he is running for the senate to question him about these allegations. This is where Bill decides to sell Don down the river. Although Bill called polygamy a misdemeanour in a previous episode, and seemed sure that he would receive no more than a slap on the wrist for the practice of the principle, it still seems unfair that not only is he opening up Don’s private life for the entire world to see – he is also opening him up to legal ramifications. It still seems inconceivable that Bill could not see this coming. Surely he is not that blind by his own ambition?
I was most interested to see how the kiss between Ben and Margene would be resolved. Barb saw her son being called Mr. Margene Heffman live on air, and we see her confront Margene about it early on in the episode. Margene admits to an ‘accidental’ kiss between the two, although we all know it was more than that. Barb advises her to sort it out before Bill finds out, because he won’t be too happy about it.
We do see Margene tell Bill about the Mr. Margene Heffman comment, although she doesn’t go into details of the kiss. It is here that she states she was so happy that someone was supporting her, and her desire to have a husband she can actually be public with. This is particularly important, as it seems Margene is almost outgrowing this family, and its need for secrecy. It makes sense, as she would have been quite young when she was sealed to the family, maybe too young to realise the implications of what she was getting herself into. And now in particular, as she has had the freedom to go out into the world and make somewhat a success of herself, rather than being confined to home – her sole task to make and raise babies – perhaps she has realised she can actually do it. She is no longer that naive young wife we saw in season one, she has grown enough to realise what she does want. And perhaps it is no longer this life.
The tension between Ben and Margene is clearly evident. They later discuss what transpired, and although she originally says it was an accident, she does admit to Ben that it meant something to her. And it is clear it meant something to him. And one can’t help but notice when he leant up to get her down the coco, the lingering glance Margene had with his body.
Margene does set the record straight on the Mr. Margene Heffman comment, on the advice of Barb – however she may not do so in the most practical way. She admits on air that Ben is not her husband, that her real husband abandoned her. And although this is not true in the most literal sense, it does seem to be true on some level. He was not there for her when she needed him, he only seemed to take an interest in her business when he realised the money she was making, and it’s almost like she’s only around to satisfy him – this refers back to the ‘I wasn’t finished’ comment she made the other week. She breaks down into tears, and tells the TV audience about her father and mother, which might not go down so well with the executives at the station. I for one, however, hope this doesn’t affect her career in anyway, because no story this season has been more satisfying than seeing Margene come into her own.
Bill does have a ‘talk’ to both Margene and Ben together. I think there was an extra element in this, as they Bill was standing above them, almost acting like they were children who had misbehaved and needed to be scolded. This also spoke volumes of how he and Margene don’t seem to really be equals in the marriage. Ben takes the blame for the kiss and the love letter written last season and says none of this is Margene’s fault. When Bill asks Ben to apologise to Margene, I almost found the moment awkward to watch, it was so hard to look at both the hurt on Ben’s face, and the guilt written all over Margene’s.
At the end of the episode, Margene does admit the truth to Bill. She tells him that the kiss meant something to her. Bill looks more shocked and hurt, and the last scene of the episode we are left with is Ben packing his suitcase. Bill walks in and Ben says he thinks it’s best that he’s not around for awhile. Bill agrees. His own father, more or less, admits to not wanting him in the house. Is it because he sees Ben as a threat? Because he’s afraid of losing Margene? Or because he feels emasculated? Having seen Bill Henrickson for the last four years, my guess would be the latter. He seems to be a man that puts his own thoughts, feelings and needs before all others.
Another interesting plot development that took place in this episode, was Alby granting Jay Jay’s request for sealment with Adaleen, he and Nikki’s mother. An almost devilish smile overtook Alby’s face when Jay Jay brought this up with him, as it has been no secret that the two don’t like each other. It would seem that this is a move to purely upset Nikki, who he clearly wants to get back at, and perhaps still loves (in his own, very warped way). It’s clear the anguish Adaleen feels about the situation through the phone call she makes to Nikki, but perhaps her faith in the principle will win out – as Adaleen and Nikki argue when she is essentially ambushed by the news at Jay Jay’s house.
A scene also took place which almost humanised Alby. He explains to Neil (his sometime lover) how his wish is to make the compound a better place. He wants to do a better job than his father did, who hurt too many people. But by placing his mother with Jay Jay, he is countering this argument – as he seems to be doing this purely out of spite for his mother. And he definitely hurting someone by doing so, perhaps Alby’s comments need to be taken with a grain of salt.
It’s a touching moment when we see Joey and Wanda in bed together, talking about their dreams. They, at this point, believe that they have destroyed all the evidence of the murder of Roman Grant. It is actually Joey, who I think is the most sympathetic character in the show. Although he does love Wanda, it is clear that he also is somewhat of a carer towards her. I almost felt his relief last season when he found Kathy. But to have her ripped away so suddenly was heart wrenching to watch. And although his actions afterwards are not condonable, they are understandable. But it seems they are not to be left in peace yet, as Jay Jay shows up with photographic evidence of the two burning Grant’s body. When Joey asks what he wants, Jay Jay intimates his vendetta is against Joey’s brother, Bill, and it is clear that Joey is going to have to take part in his take down if he wants his secret to remain that way.
The last storyline involved Sarah and Scott. We see Sarah caring for Layla’s baby, and it is almost evident straight away that Layla has abandoned her child in favor of perhaps going out to get high. However, Tommy expresses grave concerns, telling Barb that there are rumors going around on tribal land, that Sarah had in fact bought Layla’s baby, which of course would touch some nerves. And this, in turn, would affect the casino.
Bill and Barb go over to talk to Sarah about her keeping the child. It is clear that Sarah is mostly concerned about the safety of the child, whereas their interests are more predominately in the casino. Scott interrupts the conversation, and the juxtaposition between him and Bill as husbands almost punches you in the face. You immediately see the concern and love Scott has for Sarah, how he will stand beside her through whatever she decides is best, and how he will not tell her what to do. He is almost the opposite of Bill, as I’ve mentioned many times in this entry, he does not always treat his wives as equals. He seems to care about himself more than he does about his family, even opening them up to exposition, merely in order to satisfy his wants. Her care for the baby of course brings back the pain of her miscarriage, and she does eventually decide that she needs to take the baby back.
What an exhausting episode, it was so action packed and full of unresolved issues that I can barely wait for episode five.
FURTHER THOUGHTS
- Interesting to see the morals and values that are instilled in Bill’s two eldest children, seem to speak to the opposite of Bill. They both put other people before them, and truly believed in doing the right thing. It is clear that Bill doesn’t seem to have that moral compass, and will go to extremes to achieve what he wants. Just ask Don.
- It seems that Teeny may differ between Sarah and Ben in this aspect, as she seemed to worsen the problem for Ben just because she could. We have seen this in the past too, that she is a little vindictive. Perhaps she takes after her father.
- It was interesting to see Don’s face in the crowd just as Bill was saying that he was raised with a sense of purpose, and integrity. This is clearly not the case.
- Surely Barb will be upset that Bill essentially saw Ben out of the house over his pride.
- With Ben gone, and Margene admitting what transpired, it begs the question what will happen to Bill and Margene’s relationship?
- Am I the only one that felt a little satisfied when the long suffering Joedine let go of Lois and Frank’s birds? The little smile of accomplishment seemed to make the moment all the more sweeter.
- Nikki was really a background player this week. She has quite a knack for gaining employment purely to attain inside information.
- The plot Jay Jay has against Bill really needs to be clarified. Is it merely because he married Nikki and he is just being spiteful? Or is there something more between them? This hasn’t really been explained enough, and I appreciate the writers revealing little by little, but they really need to give the viewer something they can use with this storyline.
- Alby’s break and enter was a little creepy. And to cook Neil dinner no less, while he waited for his return added to the aforementioned creepiness. But I guess he did bring him a jar of grape jelly, so all should be forgiven, right?
QUOTABLE QUOTES
“Barb, why is everyone so tense? I know it’s not out of concern for me.” Nikki
“If he finds this out, sugar will really hit the fan.” Barb
“I’ve had to grow up. Why not you?” Ben
“For someone that is about to be your father, I will not allow you to address your mother in that tone.” Jay Jay (not the most welcoming words from an ex husband)
“It is a little, petty man that won’t stand by his son. Br proud of what that boy has accomplished. Be a good father for once, costs you nothing.” Lois
“My life began with you Joey. Nothing that came before matters.” Wanda
“I believe in the principle, Neil. And I believe that my people have to stay strong to defend it. But I want to undo my fathers misdeeds. He was cruel, he hurt too many people.” Alby
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