There’s action packed episodes, and there’s episode six of this seasons Big Love. Wow, I don’t even really know where to begin, but I will try to condense the commentary down to make it more readable.
One of the opening shots was a return to last seasons unfinished story. We finally get to see Ana again, and realise straight away that she is pregnant. It is assumed it’s Bill’s, and Barb goes to speak to her. Barb seems happy about this development, perhaps because a new addition to the family hasn’t been added for awhile (although Nikki is supposedly trying to rectify this).
However, it all turns sour pretty quickly. Ana makes it clear that she wants nothing to do with any of the wives, or for the most part, Bill. When she does finally concede she needs help (as she has to quit her waitressing job) she immediately brings up lawyers. Bill is of course horrified, not because he will only have seemingly limited visitation rights for his child, but because he is running for a seat in the senate, and cannot have any dirt sticking to him right now.
We also find out that Ana is happily engaged to a man that loves her regardless that she is carrying another mans baby, and that the child wasn’t conceived before the wedding. This changes things for Barb, and actually gets her angry with Bill – something that isn’t a common occurrence. And for once, someone finally questions Bill’s intention in regards to his political aspirations. He has claimed in the past that he’s doing it for them, because they shouldn’t have to be ashamed of who they are – but Barb floats the question as to whether his intentions are purely selfish.
The Adaleen/Jay Jay sealment also took a drastic turn in this episode. Nikki is clearly not coping with the knowledge of what is about to happen, and we see her truly vulnerable when she is laying on the couch next to Bill, asking him not to leave. She doesn’t rarely question or berate her family or the way she is brought up, so the fact she does in this episode tells us it is going to become much more of an issue. She also brings it up with the wives, stating that Margene should more or less count herself lucky that she did in fact have a childhood, and Nikki was never afforded that luxury.
We also see Nikki go to the location where the sealment is to take place. She is dressed in a short dress, with high heels – a completely different look to what we’ve ever seen her in. It is almost at this point, like she is rebelling like most teenagers do. This is where she finds out that CaraLynn is also intended to be sealed, and bursts into every room at the motel until she finds her and gets her out of the situation.
The casino was also a big part of this episode, where we see the tension between Bill and Barb mounting further. Marilyn is to make a proposal, basically telling the partners that she can help the casino when it comes to certain bills in the senate etc that may directly affect it. But Barb is not invited to the presentation, and Marilyn, ever the politician, preys on her insecurities of the casino just being one big boys club. They later share icecream together (with Sarah, who once again was seemingly under utilised and had perhaps one or two lines the entire show) and Barb seems to actually bond with Marilyn.
It’s clear that Bill doesn’t want Marilyn involved in the casino. He views her as a political shark who he should be wary of, but Barb, Tommy and Jerry seem to want her involved. Bill is afraid that people at the casino know who he ‘really’ is, and doesn’t want her to find out. However, Barb signs the contract to get her on board.
We also seen Ben getting actively involved in Lois’s business venture. He is in the car with Joedine, Frank and Lois going to Mexico to retrieve the birds. We see Ben and in particular Lois, perhaps the happiest we have seen them yet. Dancing around on the streets of Mexcio, happy to take in their surroundings, and happy with the development of the business and what exactly it could mean for them. Frank and Lois also propose the idea of building an extra room on their house so Ben could stay with them permanently. Ben, in turn, floats the idea of getting a house in Mexico, which they all seem to like. This adventure of course all goes wary, when the Green’s turn up and take them away – to somewhere that is not explored any further. Will have to wait for episode seven ...
Relations between Margene and the family still seem a little strained. Nikki explains that things between Margene and Barb won’t return to semi-normal until Ben is back at home. So with the capture of Ben, it may strain relations even further (although technically Bill should be blamed for Ben’s leaving).
And finally, probably the most touching storyline on this show for awhile was that between Dale and Alby. We have seen how much Dale struggles with who he is, and the lengths he has gone to in order to ‘cure’ his homosexuality.
Alby has organised an apartment, that is just theirs. A place where they can meet. However, this may be their undoing, as Alby’s wife follows them there, and instantly knows what they are up to when she sees them leave one after the other. The rumour on the compound has always been rife that Alby has had sexual dalliances with men (remember back to ‘drip drip drip).
Laura is outraged at the situation, and obviously has power through Alby’s standing on the compound, and is perhaps afraid of losing it. She intimates to Bill the connection between Alby and Dale. Bill confronts Dale, and seemingly feels sorry for him as it is so obvious how much he is struggling with his own demons. Bill acknowledges he know how hard it must be for him, and perhaps this is in direct correlation with Bill having sexual intercourse (with both Margene and Ana) before marriage.
Laura, unsatisfied with the ruining of Dale’s career, also goes to his home to presumably tell his wife. In the closing shot of the scene, we see Alby on the phone telling Dale he loves him, before walking into ‘their’ apartment and finding that he has hung himself. Alby breaks down in tears, and for one of the first times ever we see Alby as a human being, who is genuinely grieving for something he loved and lost.
FURTHER THOUGHTS
- In the meeting of the board, when Tommy asked a question about religion, even though it’s clear Bill would know about it, it was if he only directed the question towards Barb. I’m not quite sure what the writers are trying to set up between these two characters, but I’m definitely enjoying it.
- With Sarah’s about ... minute role in this episode, it could be said that the writers are just phasing her out as she is leaving at the end of the season anyway. If we hardly see her this season .. we won’t miss her next season?
- Margene in her public speaking role talked about how women should be there for one another. She obviously doesn’t feel that connection at home anymore. This might also explain why she was so happy to see Ana, as she thought perhaps she could gain an ally.
- There was a lot of phone throwing in this episode.
- Was also interesting for Bill to finally question about Margene’s resistance towards them being exposed. It has been clear she values her business, but Bill calls her on her intentions. However, really both of their intentions (her business, his political career) are both being done purely for themselves, not for the family. It seemed a little rich for Bill to be calling her on it....
- Although it’s clear Nikki doesn’t agree with homosexuality, her calling Alby and telling him she loves him regardless, I thought, was a touching moment. Alby seemed genuinely upset, and perhaps happy to talk to someone as he admitted more to his sister than he had to anyone else.
- But why then does he go ahead with the JayJay/Adaleen sealment? He knows how much it hurts her ... will be interesting to see if this is explained. It was almost like he’s doing it to put on a facade, as he immediately became cold toward Nikki when Laura walked in the room. Perhaps Laura has the real power after all.
QUOTABLE QUOTES
“The marriage lasted forty eight hours. Conceiving in forty eight hours is hitting a real bulls eye.” Nikki
“You people are so damn complicated. There’s no half way with any of you.” Ana
“I’m an imperfect person, I know that.” Bill
“Sometimes I get so angry at the things we can’t change.” Nikki
“I think I’m damaged.” Nikki
“This hotel is the place where my soul was killed.” Nikki
“Behind every man, there’s an exhausted woman.” Marilyn
“I like your wife. I respect her. Heaven knows what she’s doing with a horses ass like you.” Marilyn
“He’s good. He touches my heart. He’s my destiny.” Alby
“I don’t want our marriage to be a weapon that stifles your growth. But it’s not just something you can throw away when you want to either.” Bill
“We are the women behind the woman.” Nikki
“I went straight from being a little girl to being a married woman.” Margene
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