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Episode Recap: "Circle the Wagons"
It is becoming increasingly evident that juggling his businesses and the pressures of the UEB is nothing compared to the strain Bill faces when it comes to coping with his three wives. Tonight he sought counsel from Barb, Nicki and Margene about the Weber Gaming deal with mixed results. Nicki, still emotionally wrought over her banishment from the family and distracted by Roman’s shooting, was happy to defer to Bill’s wishes. Convinced that the business would lead the family into moral ambiguity, Barb declined to give her consent. For Margene, holding the deciding vote seemed to embolden her to embrace her own opinion and vote in the best interest of her kids. I did agree with her point that she and her boys are the most vulnerable in the event something should happen to Bill.
Bolstered by his mother’s badgering to "do something" in the face of Roman’s health crisis, Alby grasped control of Juniper Creek’s financial interests by invoking religious testimony. (I am told, by my History Channel-addicted husband, that the deal with the hat was a reference to Mormon founder Joseph Smith). Meanwhile, Nicki took the opportunity to sneak into Roman’s empty office and walk off with untold thousands of dollars in cash. That act, combined with her burgeoning taste for the new family business, portends that her shopping addiction may reemerge as something darker and more dangerous.
I did think that the scene with Bill walking through the casino with his wives was very fun to watch. In this particular environment, it was actually Margene who came off as the worldliest of the wives, and Nicki’s glee was a sight to behold as she rather unwittingly embraced the allure of the casino floor. I laughed out loud at Barb’s invocation of "Jehovah!" at the site of the strip-poker machine. (Has she always been so straitlaced?)
I was a little surprised at Barb’s attempts to reach out to Heather through her state-policeman father. That is quite a risk to take just to help Sarah retain a friendship. Was she that concerned by Lois’ allegations of impropriety with Sarah's much older boyfriend? This judgment from the woman who locked her sister-wives in a closet so she could rifle through Frank’s paperwork? I also enjoyed Joey’s pragmatic attempts to slowly introduce a second wife into his household. It was interesting how he noted to Bill that not all polygamists are in a position to set up separate households to manage tensions between the wives. As a matter of fact, I am quite sure that Bill’s situation would be the exception and not the rule.
We only have three episodes left for this season and they have certainly set up a myriad of interesting places to which this can go. I can’t wait to see where we are headed.
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Aug 6, 2007 10:39 PM
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Yeah i sort of knew Albie was gonna try and seize power through some silly fake ceremony. Adalene seems set on making Albie the next prophet by hook or by crook. But to be honest, i was kinda bored by it all. After last weeks gunning of Roman I was kinda looking for something more.
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Aug 7, 2007 12:00 AM
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I knew that was a refrence towards the Morman founder Joseph Smith as well. I knew it by that South Park episode. Before I saw that episode, I never realized thats how the Morman church was founded. Anyway, while I was watching this episode I was thinking is Adalene the first wife? Cause it doesnt look like it. On the news report it said that Roman was 78 y/o.
As usual Lois cracks me up. It was hysterical that she locked up her sisters wives just to go rumaging through Franks stuff. Man I love her.
And Niki is going to have a gambing problem...I already can see that.
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Aug 7, 2007 4:51 AM
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In response to a previous post, no Adaleen is not Roman's first wife. However, I recall her telling someone in a previous episode - Nicki maybe? - that she had worked hard to put herself in a position of power by showing Roman that she could be particularly useful to him, running the UEB office and taking on the responsibilities of a first wife better than any of the others.
It's also entirely possible that one or more of Roman's wives have died, since he is nearly 80, which would have bumped Adaleen up a bit, though I don't believe they are legally married.
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Aug 7, 2007 9:54 AM
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Has anyone else noticed how much more manipulative Barb has become in recent weeks? She's always been good at doling out advice, but her talks with Brynn last week, and Margene this week, seemed to be for her interests and not theirs. I think she's starting to feel out of control and this is a way of retaining some of that control.
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Aug 7, 2007 12:07 PM
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Let me make a prediction here.... I think Barb is going to leave Bill in the season finale. Why? 1) Because on every episode, she sez she wouldn't trade her life for nothing in the world...hmmm. 2) the recession of quality time with Bill 3)Benny's remark about getting another wife when he's done with Brynn, the gambling thing with Bill, and 4)because of the way her daughter feels about polygamy and how her friendships and life is suffering because of it.
Barb is gonna leave--I just know it! Although she will more than likely come back to the family and Bill next season :P
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Aug 7, 2007 1:30 PM
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I absolutely love Joey's practicality! He may look slower than the average bear, but HE'S NOT!
I don't know if Barb will leave, but she should! Bill was actually thinking of taking in a 4th wife shortly after Barb was struggling with their current family situation.
The Bill character reminds me of watching Tony on the Sopranos. Season 1, we were introduced to the lovely family and the family dynamic. Bill the protective patriarch taking care of his family. You might have even found yourself thinking that Compound is messed up, why can't they be good polygamists like Bill's family? This season, we see another side of Bill; one that shares a few too many qualities with the men on the Compound. And it all comes just in time to wake you up and say..."Don't sleep, they are ALL living jacked up lives - on Compound & off".
Great stuff!
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Aug 7, 2007 6:42 PM
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I think Barb has finally seen how manipulative both Bill and Nicky are and is just figuring if you can't beat them, join them.
I totally agree with CMac that Bill is getting down very close to Roman's level. I love the way this show portrays fanatacism though.... using the bible and religion to justify the most devious of actions.. It is an unfortunate fact that such is the case in most cults.
Sure would like to see some sex scenes develop around Sarah (probably because I think Amanda Seyfried is one of the prettiest and sexiest actresses on TV).
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Aug 8, 2007 5:54 AM
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How good is the acting on this show!?!? The women on this show are just fabulous.
I figure for the season finale that Barb will leave Bill and take her kids with her but probably just as she is about to do that Hollis Green or his people take revenge on the family. We shall see! I love this show!
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Aug 8, 2007 1:33 PM
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Love, love, love this show!!!  I too think that Barb is going to blow a gasket.....it's been brewing for weeks and I think she's about reached her limit. Plus, her two older kids are going down roads I don't think she wants them to go down. My favorite wife has to be Margene. The writers have done a terrific job developing her character! It will be fascinating to watch what happens in the two final episodes.........
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Aug 8, 2007 7:56 PM
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Hi everybody! I don't know if its worth posting this now, because I'm a little late to this episode's party since I didn't get to watch the show until last night, but I wanted to share some of my thoughts. I hope somebody comes back to see them! 
I think that the reason that Barb went to Heather's father is because she sees her daughter slipping away from the faith that Barb thinks is important. Sure, she has concerns about the sex thing, but to her, she it's just as important that her daughter have the basic faith of the LDS church. Sarah and Ben have gone 2 totally different ways on the polygamy thing... Ben embraces it and Sarah is, for lack of a better word, repulsed by it. Sarah knows what her mother has given up by agreeing to live in polygamy and doesn't want it for herself.
Barb knows that Heather and her parents are a "normal" LDS family and wants them to be an example for Sarah, since she can't be one herself. But, most importantly, she doesn't want her to lose her Mormon faith. Barb was scared when Sarah told her where she met her boyfriend. In addition, Barb also thinks that if Sarah is spending more time with Heather, she'll spend less time with HIM. But I really think that's secondary.
Barb's ability to manipulate is definitely rearing its head. I think though that she had respect for Margene's point of view, even if she didn't agree with her decision. I was shocked by Nicki's actions in the office, but LOVED the music that was playing while she did it!
Another thing that cracked me up was Roman singing that song while he was bleeding out and wheeled away. I don't know what song it was, but it sounded vulgar and completely inappropriate!
And has anyone else notice that Joey is getting cuter? I don't know if it's because he's not as tired since much of his stress has been lessened. I don't know if it's a reflection on him trying to take more control over his life. But, either way I like it!
Finally (sorry for the long post), Bill REALLY needs to talk to Ben. I understand that he was offended by the other guy's comments and couldn't tell him why, BUT... he lied to Margene (his "mother") and that can't be tolerated. Bill's actions (or lack thereof) with regard to this may cause even more turmoil among Bill & his wives!
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Aug 9, 2007 1:22 PM
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