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« Big Love
Episode Recap: "Vision Thing"
Having gone to Catholic school for 16 years (yep, all the way through college) I could really sympathize with Nicky’s plight tonight as she attempted to navigate the “black magic hocus pocus Catholic pageantry” of Wayne’s summer school. I will be the first to admit that it all must seem somewhat surreal, daunting and intimidating to an outsider, but I did think that Nicki let her paranoia get the best of her. For Bill, this was an opportunity to publicly claim Wayne as his son and I can certainly understand why that was important to him. As he searched the neighborhood for his missing progeny, I thought about how difficult it would be to have to pretend that your own son was no more than a neighbor — yet another aspect of their lifestyle that resonates beyond the secure little enclave they've created.
Little Miss Margene was quite the instigator tonight, providing a devil's advocate for Nicki as she struggled with her choice. She was also the first of the wives to catch on to Bill’s flirtation with a potential fourth. (By the way, those of you with a sharp eye saw that Ana the waitress was played by Branka Katic, who popped up on Entourage a few months back as the Middle Eastern princess with a crush on Vince.) At first it seemed like Margene was upset at witnessing Bill’s dalliance, but after the blow-up with Nicki, it looked like she showed up at the restaurant to see if Ana was someone she could relate to. It is, after all, becoming more and more obvious that Nicki doesn’t view Margene as an equal in any sense.
Just when I thought we would catch a break from Rhonda for a few weeks, she popped up again tonight with all her annoying self-righteousness still intact, even after allegedly living on the streets for a week. She is very lucky that Sarah hasn’t completely kicked her to the curb, and the same goes for Sarah and her new boyfriend. She certainly put him in a precarious position by asking him to take in the runaway child-bride-to-be. But then again, savior complexes seem to run in the family. When Joey reached out to Barb after Lois had Wanda committed (rightfully so, though handled with typical detached matter-of-factness by Lois), Barb attempted to get Joey to consider leaving the compound. I feel so bad for Joey. It seems like all the guy wants is to live a peaceful existence with his wife and baby, and it just doesn’t seem like that is meant to be. Barb is certainly correct that nothing will improve for the two of them if they don’t disentangle from life on the compound, though she didn't seem all that opposed to the idea of him taking on a second wife. But just how much is Bill willing to help Joey after he ineptly boggled the situation with Roman? That remains to be seen.
In the same vein, I am wondering how much Bill can really trust his Uncle Eddie. I have not had a good feeling about the guy ever since he showed up, and he has started to display his true colors, haggling over the percentage of the video-gaming business he will retain for his financial support. And what is going on with him and Lois and that laundry? I’m not sure if I missed something along the way, but is that a front for something? Where is all that cash coming from? These guys sure do know how to keep me coming back for more!
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Jul 9, 2007 11:19 PM
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I thought it was very smart of Marge to meet and greet Ava, like this show always points out: They're all married to each other. So if Bill is checking out a new woman, then I think the wives should be checking her out too. But the truth is, a 4th wife shouldn't be anywhere near his line of thoughts.
This family really needs to stop trying to save everyone, especially Rhonda. I cannot believe Sara continues to help her, in fact I can't believe anyone continues to help her. It's not like this girl is crying for help or anything, and I have never heard anyone in such a helpless state make so many demands.
Does anyone know the story behind the reason Joey idolizes Barb?? Did I miss sumthing or has that revaluation not been revealed?
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Jul 9, 2007 11:35 PM
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Sara is so patient with Rhonda, even after she found out what the little brat did to her mom. Lord, knows I wouldn't help Rhonda after she exposed my mother. If I was Sara I would of hand delivered that brat to Roman myself.
As usual, Lois had me rolling. The way she told Joey that she had Wanda that she had Wanda committed was a riot. She did so non-nonchalant way " Oh I had her committed." Love her. But Wanda did need some therapy after all she did try to kill, her father-in-law, and Albi.
Trish, you have me also wondering about the business dealings between Lois and her brother Edie. Both of them are in the Laundry mat "business." But Lois said that they are not even open for business. hmmmmmm where is that money coming from.
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Jul 10, 2007 3:59 AM
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Money laundering[/i}- in a laundromat!
All I really have to say about this episode is that it was really crappy of Bill to hide his wedding ring. It's not as though he's not married- three times over!!! And here he is flirting? I find that disgusting of him- and he's usually so "whole milk", you know? Granted, I like Serbian Anya, but Bill shouldn't be shopping for a bride...no way, no how.
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Jul 10, 2007 11:13 AM
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I think that's been the whole point of Big Love - while polygamy began as a way for the men in the community to legally take care of widows by marrying them into their own families, it has become an abused practice to legitimize philandering. Are Roman and Bill marrying women their own age? No - they're going after underage (Rhonda) and barely-legal (Margene) cuties.
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Jul 10, 2007 11:41 AM
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Gotta agree about the polygamy. Old coots and young chicks. But the younger ones are bound to be fertile, lots of babies.
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Jul 10, 2007 1:08 PM
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?- HBO in Demand has short scenes with Margen meeting Bill and Nicki having her 1st baby- why do they not show them in real episodes? I'm confused?
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Jul 10, 2007 2:02 PM
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I thought it was interesting when Joey said he felt Bill was being selfish wanting more than one wife. At times that does seem to be a fair description of Bill.
I have to wonder now, with Sara's guy friend; with Rhonda's claims of him trying to force himself on her. That's the sort of thing that, I could see, turning out to be a case where she's cried wolf so many times, no one believes her the one time she's telling the truth. I'd rather it not play out that way, but we never did see the scene in question, and see what thing he did that she blew out of proportion (the way she does with so many things) and didn't he say he was going to try and have someone he knew come and stay over so it wasn't just the two of them alone? Like I said, I hope it doesn't play out that way; but given that crap just seems to gravitate towards them, I wouldn't be surprised if it turns out Rhonda was actually tell the truth for once about that.
I do think it's a shame that Bill's Uncle's business is less than legitimate. It seemed kind of nice that Bill wasn't the only one in his family who could make, not just earn an honest living, but take the reigns of his own future and own his own business. But it should prove entertaining to see what the big secret is, and where all that money is actually coming from.
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Jul 10, 2007 2:57 PM
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Bill's work partner (forget his name) is acting suddenly self-righteous and wants nothing to do with the poker machines business investment. Am wondering if he will tell Roman about it? There are sure alot of snakes in the grass this season.
I was disappointed in Bill taking his wedding ring off and flirting with the waitress. I think taking on a 4th wife who is older and more mature would bother Barb a lot. She feels like her age and longer marriage to Bill makes her more important and I don't know how she'd handle a new wife who was even nicer then her?
I get the feeling that Joey has had a crush on Barb, and maybe Bill stole her away before shy Joey could make his move.
Lois cracks me up. What happened to Bruce Dern? I don't trust Lois's brother. Where was he getting the money from since Lois wouldn't loan him any of her share of "business" money? And money not in the bank is going to be in Lois's rinky dink house. Someone is going to rip her off and open a whole new can of worms.
Alas this season is going to be over pretty soon. A rare thing that the 2nd season is even better then the 1st.
As a Catholic I am always shocked when I hear others call my faith some kind of cult....LOL.
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Jul 10, 2007 4:22 PM
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This season is turning out way better than season one. I so love this show. I like it that there showing Bill having more interaction with his other children, and that he cares for them. I felt bad for him when he said he was lying to the neighbors about his son. It almost made up for him flirting, but he's got multiple wives, he's bound to add another one.
As for Nicki, she just doesn't feel comfortable anywhere. She was like a little kid when she was dropping off Wayne. Not really comfortable around people who aren't like her. I mean, she grew up in the compound, that's all she's ever known or been exposed to.
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Jul 10, 2007 5:48 PM
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I love this show, but I found the whole Wayne going to Catholic school story highly implausible. First, Bill says he will teach Wayne religion and make sure he practices it, but isn't the kid going to be greatly confused when he's indoctrinated with an entirely different religion at school? Also, Wayne is so young and could easily start talking about having multiple mothers. I don't see how Bill and Nicki could ever be public. How can they be Bill and Barb Hendrickson where they live, and Bill and Nicki Hendrickson right across town? Someone is bound to recognize him and know he's also got a wife named Barb. I'm also surprised they attempted this so soon after Barb was exposed.
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Jul 11, 2007 5:29 PM
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stargazer-1682: I have to wonder now, with Sara's guy friend; with Rhonda's claims of him trying to force himself on her.
I don't think anything happened. Rhonda was trying to blackmail Sara into helping her because as soon as Sara agreed she stopped her accusations.
Big Love is my favorite show this summer, and I agree with other posters the second season is so much more interesting than the first, but I sat there amazed at how Bill, with all the turmoil in his life right now, could even have time to woo another wife. I can hardly wait to see how it all turns out!
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Jul 14, 2007 1:33 PM
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