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June 18, 2007: Homegrown, Family-owned
Things definitely heated up this week for the Henrickson clan. After last week’s slow-moving debut, I was excited to see all the cards falling into place for some interesting developments. Unfortunately for Bill and the ladies, it’s definitely not all good news.
Lois once again provided the necessary dose of comic relief as Bill introduced her to the ultramodern technology of caller ID. The expression on her face as she looked around the laundromat and then directly into the receiver before hanging up was hysterical. A few minutes later, caller ID would have come in really handy as Bill’s incriminating phone call with Joey provided Roman with taped evidence of Wanda’s guilt and the ensuing cover-up. The fallout from that incident was two-fold. Joey’s position as a pawn in Roman’s game sent him into a drunken stupor that Wanda mismanaged in her typical style. Meanwhile, Alby’s anger at Roman for not acting on the information took him to the state police, which in turn caused them to raid the compound just as Nicky and Margene were attempting to help Wanda and Joey flee. Talk about a vicious circle.
While two of his wives were busy dealing with family issues, Bill was dealing with the vandalism of his Home Plus billboards and with some dissension in the ranks, both at the store and on the homefront. Don expressed his concerns to Bill about the potential fallout if their lifestyle is exposed. Wendy sought Barb’s assistance in dealing with the shadowy Hummer. Nicky complained to Margene about her forgotten anniversary. Ben brought Brynn into the ever-growing circle of trust by admitting to her that his family "believes in the everlasting covenant of plural marriage.” Between Ben and Sarah, I’m surprised there is anyone left who doesn’t know about the family secret. It seems to me that one of these leaks could come back to haunt them (my money is still on Sarah’s friend, Heather, played with creepy, bright-eyed eagerness by Tina Majorino).
With all the craziness going on around her, Barb attempted to reboot her academic life and for about half a day, it seemed as though she was finding her way. However, the demands of the household soon overwhelmed her once again, much to the disappointment of Sarah who seemed to like the idea of her mom striking out on her own. I am fascinated at the thought that for some time, Bill, Barb, Sarah and Ben lived a normal life until Barb’s illness forced their hand. I hope we continue to learn more about the origins of the current situation, how the kids reacted and how Margene came onto the scene. I guess once you’ve jumped into the pool, you might as well swim to the deep end.
I felt like we learned a lot more about Nicky tonight. It is easy to dismiss her as selfish and irresponsible, but it is really becoming clear how her childhood on the compound shaped her and how deeply her beliefs run. (When you look at her parents, it’s a wonder she is not a complete sociopath.) Chloe Sevigny really keeps us on our toes with her portrayal of this complex character. Just as I think I am starting to understand her motives, a new one emerges. The exchange between her and Barb in the backyard was really telling as we got to see the different pathologies at play. Nicky explained that she married for the “principle” as opposed to love. “I don’t know that marriage based on love can go the distance.... How do we survive the bad times on just love?” That inquiry coupled with her confession to Margene that she feels sorry for Wanda and Joey because they only have each other really underscored Nicky's values and attitudes about marriage and family. Barb’s counterpoint — that she did marry for love and that her love is what enables her to deal with all the problems that arise — almost seemed flimsy in the face of Nicky's conviction. Almost.
Finally, poor Joey gave himself up for Alby’s attempted murder. In some crazy way, he probably felt like he could kill two birds with one stone — protect Wanda from herself and protect Bill from Roman. By putting himself in jail, Roman can’t use him to collect more information from Bill. But with those tapes already in hand, it seems that, unbeknownst to Bill, Roman already has a decided advantage.
Tonight's episode was so chock-full of goodies, but here are a few more highlights:
— Don’t know how many of you caught it, but the sister/wife singing with Adaleen in Roman's office was none other than Emmylou Harris; meanwhile, it looks like Sister Rhonda is shaping up to be the Christina Aguilera of the compound. Man, does that girl creep me out. Rhonda, I mean.
— When Margene inquired about why Wanda would want to kill Alby, Nicky replied simply, “You met him.”
— As Roman learned that the state police had made their way onto the compound, Alby innocently asked, “Is this the end of days, Papa?” Probably for you, Alby, once Roman finds out who tipped them off.
— When Bill called Lois and she said to him, “I don’t care for your tone,” and Bill replied, “And I don’t care.”
Wow, I'm exhausted. There was a lot to discuss this week so I'm anxious to hear your comments.
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Jun 18, 2007 11:00 PM
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I had a feelling that was EmmyLou Harris, but I wasnt quite sure until saw her name in the credits.
This was another great episode. I just love Lois. Each week she cracks me up.
I dont know why Bill or Barb has not put the pieces together that it was Roman who ratted out the Hendricksons.
Next weeks episode looks very good. Can someone please tell me why that one woman went down in that well or whatever it was she went down in.
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Jun 19, 2007 7:18 AM
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Trish, Margene came on the scene as a babysitter for Nicky's children. This was mentioned a couple of times last season, and I believe a reference to this was also made in the first episode of this season.
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Jun 19, 2007 7:53 AM
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Margene worked at Home Plus and Bill liked her. That's how she got into the fold.
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Jun 19, 2007 9:57 AM
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Sister Rhonda, played by Daveigh Chase, will always be Samara from "The Ring". Every time I see her in "Big Love" I picture her in front of the well and saying "everyone must suffer". She creeps me out.
Otherwise, GREAT episode. I was worried after last week's slow start, but they gave us a great show last night.
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Jun 19, 2007 9:58 AM
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You can also watch how Margie came into the family in a little 2-3 minute scene on On Demand.
I loved the scenes with Margie and Nikki tonight. They crack me up together; they're so different.
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Jun 19, 2007 11:39 AM
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Trish, you can watch 3 mini prequals on HBO on Demand or if you subscribe to the podcasts on itunes, there up and it's free, they were very telling. One's about how Nicki freaked out after her first baby was born, about her fears and all, it was very telling on Nicki's part. i felt I understood her a bit better after watching it. You see how Margene was introduced to the family and how they decided to move into three houses. That was hysterical.
I loved this episode. This season is turning out to be real good. I wonder how the ratings for the show are? I hope it's doing well enough that we get a third season.
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Jun 19, 2007 12:06 PM
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I LOVE THIS SHOW!
I thought the scene in the car with Sarah and the boy from the support group was telling - Sarah - you should be more honest when starting relationships - I do not trust him for some reason.
Bill and Lois are the typical Mother / Son with serious baggage relationship.
And Joey, he breaks my heart, what a sad lonely person, I wish Nicki had gotten him and Wanda out of there - they would flourish in Bills world!
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Jun 19, 2007 12:56 PM
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I didn't know that was the same girl from "The Ring". And ur right she does creeps me out.
Anyway I forgot to mention this....Niki is defiantly one special wife. Bill gave her power tools on their anniversary. And she liked them. What wife would want power tools on their wedding anniversary? Not me, and Im not even married.
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Jun 19, 2007 4:19 PM
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It doesn't make any sense to me that the secret isn't out. The wife of a prominent businessman is denied a Mother of the Year award at the Governor's mansion. I would think that would have gotten out by now. Seems like a pretty big plot hole to me.
I also love Nicki and Margene's scenes together. The looks Nicki gives her are priceless.
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Jun 19, 2007 4:56 PM
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Women can be so "catty" at times, so this wife-trio relationship could only thrive in tvland..... But I still love this show!
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Jun 19, 2007 11:06 PM
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Thanks so much for those videos! Really nice to see some background on the Henrickson family.
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Jun 25, 2007 10:29 PM
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