Big Love

The riveting and endlessly entertaining second season came to a surprisingly subdued close tonight. With Roman in custody, Bill conflicted over the future of his family, and the Greenes still lurking in the shadows, the security and anonymity of the Henricksons' suburban enclave was once again called into question. But the real threat came less from external forces than from the doubt, regret and uncertainty eating away at the family’s very core.

What’s that old saying? Keep your friends close and your enemies closer? Last week’s literal snakes were replaced with a figurative one this week as Adaleen played savior and showed up on Nicki’s doorstep with a catatonic Roman in tow. Unfortunately for Bill, his plot to keep Roman isolated backfired as Alby managed to wrench control of the UEB. For me, the most powerful scene tonight was the one that offered up some more of the history between Roman and Bill. When Bill asked why he was run off the compound as a boy, Roman’s response — “Look at you now” — was very telling. In the world of polygamy, boys on the cusp of manhood are often viewed as competition for the older men. It is clear that Roman saw Bill’s potential even then. Ironically, by removing him from the compound Roman only sowed the seeds of Bill’s future success, born of a vengeance to gain back what he lost as a child: wealth, security and respect.

Despite Bill’s interesting and disturbing past, it is the psychology of the wives and children that kept me coming back this season. Since her outing at the end of Season 1, Barb has struggled to come to terms with the life she has made for herself. Tonight, influenced by a most unexpected source, she solidified her status as first wife. Nicki, still torn between her family and the compound life she left behind, made peace with her mother but still succumbed to her impulses, unknowingly handing her father over to Alby with one indignant phone call. Margene's attempts to assert herself left the family vulnerable to the dangerous scrutiny of the outside world. And Ben and Sarah both faced their futures, with Ben inching closer to embracing the Principle and Sarah taking drastic, life-altering steps to dissociate herself from her family. As Ben asked Sarah, “Will you follow me?” it became clear that they are heading in opposite directions.

There are certainly some open questions as this season draws to a close, but this show did not require any dramatic cliff-hanger to keep us wondering. Fascinating characters and stories were what kept us hooked this summer, and that is what will bring me back for Season 3. Thanks for coming along on this wild ride.

I’ve read articles claiming seeing yourself through your children’s eyes can cause an unexpected identity crisis, especially if you don’t like what they see. When Barb and Bill start to comprehend the impact of their choices on the lives of their families and children, their true nature is called into question in a multitude of ways. As Season 2 wraps up, the snakes hiding in the bed are much less dangerous than the ones hiding in the family.

As Barb continued to grapple with giving up one family to preserve another, her children got caught in the crossfire. Ben, so confident that he is being called to a polygamist lifestyle, was bartered for a chance at redeeming both himself and Barb in her family’s eyes. Meanwhile, Sarah’s strong will was weakened at the thought of losing Scott. The conversation during her dance at the wedding with Bill heartbreakingly summed up the extent of the damage — Bill’s attempts at fatherly advice were meaningless to Sarah because they were steeped in hypocrisy. In a sense, Bill exposes his children to infidelity on a daily basis. How are they supposed to take him seriously when he claims to wish better for them?

In other family matters, Ellyn Burstyn was spot-on as Barb’s conflicted mother. In one episode, she portrayed all the bitterness and heartache that comes when a child rebels in unimaginable and polarizing ways. It was also interesting to see Bill's role in that situation as less of an interloper and more as someone who was equally disappointing to Barb’s family. That was an angle I hadn’t really expected.

Also eye-opening was Barb’s conciliatory familial maneuvering played against Alby’s effort to sway Nicki with claims of Bill’s involvement in Roman’s shooting spurred by the sinister Hollis Greene. While Barb’s family is seen as socially acceptable, politically correct even, the Grants are seen as subversive and unlawful. Yet the tactics employed are chillingly similar: separate the prey from the herd with promises of security and inclusion. On the surface, Nicki and Margene seem so committed to the Principle and to the family they've made. However, Margene's budding rebellion (witnessed in the discussion about surrogate motherhood) and Nicki's own doubts about the losses she has incurred threaten their foundation to a far greater extent than Barb's family does.

These final episodes seem to be building to a final showdown between Bill, Alby and the Greenes, with Roman's life hanging in the balance. However, for me, the bigger battle is heating up right in that gigantic backyard that links the Henricksons' homes and lives. Right now, a week seems an awfully long time to wait. I can't imagine how I'll feel next Sunday.

There wasn’t a ton of action in tonight’s episode, but there’s lots going on just below the surface as we prepare for the final two episodes of what has been an amazing ride this summer. This is one weekly fix that I am going to sorely miss as we enter the madness of the fall television season. It’ll be a long 10 months until our favorite polygamists return to the rotation.

As Rhonda sang about being “the happiest girl” tonight, her words were juxtaposed against all the various levels of dissatisfaction among the women in Bill’s life. Barb is clearly showing signs of strain as the “public wife” and it looks like old habits are coming back to haunt Nicki. Her stolen windfall led to the resumption of her shopping addiction, not to mention an ill-advised and over–the-top party for Joey, Wanda and Kathy that was crashed by creepy brother Alby. Now that he has seized control of the compound and Roman’s medical care (with the help of his equally nefarious wife), he is more dangerous than ever. It is clear that Adaleen will quickly regret her decision to support Alby’s efforts to step in for Roman.

While Barb and Nicki struggled with their own demons, Margene’s excitement over her first public outing as Bill’s wife was quickly deflated when Bill proved, once again, that Barb is his go-to wife for social acceptance and propriety. However, Margene certainly didn’t help her cause by acting like a petulant child and attempting to make even more of a mess for Bill. Luckily, his potential business associates were intrigued by Bill’s secret vice and, as Barb later noted, he played his domestic situation to full advantage, appearing to be a hero to Margene while knowing full well that his lifestyle would gain him favor with that particular audience. Last season, I had trouble with the fact that Bill came off as such a clean-living, well-meaning man who happened to dabble in polygamy in a very noncommittal and secretive way. It has been so interesting to see his darker side emerge this season. Despite his issues with Roman and the compound, he maintains his ties with the UEB, his family and all the baggage that that entails. By allowing Bill to embrace his true nature — his desire to climb the social ladder while covertly undermining it — he has become a richer and more intriguing character.

The ongoing power struggle between Frank and Lois is starting to wear on me, mostly because neither of them seems to have a redeeming bone in their body. I guess the lesser of two evils would be Lois. Frank’s attempt to win Alby with flattery while at the same time using his son’s would-be wife as a pawn is low even for him. But Lois still has a number of tricks up her sleeve as her talent for self-preservation continues to be her most enduring trait.

Finally, little Rhonda continues to wreak havoc, attempting to blackmail Heather and generally tormenting Sarah with her presence. It was particularly painful to watch Roman watch his former child bride trading on her notoriety to gain public sympathy. I honestly didn't think it was possible for me to feel sorry for Roman, no matter how dire his circumstances, I did feel a little sympathy for him tonight. Go figure.

Anyway, remember that for the next two weeks, the show reclaims its rightful Sunday-night spot. In the meantime, if you need more Big Love, check out the Online Video Guide.

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.


Need more Big Love? Check out our Online Video Guide.

Bill’s ongoing high-wire act began to show signs of wear and tear tonight as rebels rose up all around him. On the home front, his wives reacted in surprising ways to his request for personal time. Barb’s underlying resentment of having to share Bill informed her negative reaction, while Nicki’s pure acceptance of her place in the pecking order had her compromising her own desires in the best interest of her husband. Meanwhile Margene played the situation to her advantage, protesting meekly about being nothing more than a sex toy for Bill while happily offering him physical release from his frustrations. (I was somewhat surprised by the fairly graphic depiction of their coupling, but this is, after all, HBO.) I thought Nicki’s line about being “the most stress-free of any of us” was wonderfully ironic because, in her own twisted way, she was absolutely right. From the perspective of a practicing polygamist, Nicki’s blind belief in the Principle makes her the most likely to acquiesce to Bill’s wishes.

While the wives continued to fight over their time with Bill, it was his son who was most in need of his guidance. While Ben struggled with coming clean about the nature of his relationship with Brynn, his parents, especially Barb, were faced with the harsh reality of the impact of their influence on their son’s future. Douglas Smith has been extremely effective as the tightly wound eldest son, and he has been putting in excellent work this season as Ben has earnestly tried to reconcile his faith with his desires. His wholehearted need to legitimize his relationship ended up being the last straw as he clumsily admitted his vision for his future to an unnerved Barb. When she in turn confronted Brynn about the complexity of the life she was signing up for, Brynn was compelled to end the relationship. Ben has Bill on such a pedestal, and their father-son dynamic — peppered with religious and moral overtones — continues to be fascinating to watch.

The simmering war between the Greenes and Roman came to a shocking boiling point as Bill’s betrayal of the Greenes' uneasy trust lead to their brutal retaliation against Roman in the final moments of tonight’s episode. I knew that there was no way the ATF had managed to capture all of the followers, and the phone call to Bill, delivered by a cornered Hollis Greene, left me with a very unsettled feeling that we have not seen or heard the last of these people. The buildup has been too ominous to be so easily squelched by alleged capture. (By the way, almost as scary as Hollis Greene was the Boston agent who made no bones about her contempt for Bill's lifestyle.)

Speaking of unwelcome family connections, Lois squealed like a pig when Frank confronted her with the stolen money that he cleverly traced to the multitude of sweet-pea cans in her kitchen. (I did enjoy her pathetic attempt at seduction and her offer that was mercifully scoffed at by Frank — an image that will haunt me for some time to come.) I am interested to learn more of how Uncle Eddie figured into Bill’s eviction from Juniper Creek and how that created the current rift with Frank, a man who seems to have no qualms about blackmailing and betraying his own sons when the need arises.

Only four episodes left, I am sorry to report, though I suspect the action is just heating up. Watching this show this season has allowed me to utter the two words I never thought I'd say — Tony who?

Need more Big Love? Check out our Online Video Guide.

Tonight's main theme was the interconnectedness of family in all its twisted forms, a theme that was played out on several fronts. At the Henrickson homestead, Margene’s mother Ginger (Bonnie Bedelia) showed up to bestow a little motherly wisdom on her daughter while seeking out temporary housing. Suddenly it's clear why Margene is so desperate for love and acceptance. Her trashy mother was so consumed with jealousy over the life that her daughter has built for herself that she actually tried (unsuccessfully) to seduce her son-in-law! This, after she had earlier condemned Margene for her choices. I thought it was funny how Nicki seemed to relish the motherly attention she was receiving from the decidedly unmaternal Ginger and how Margene and Nicki nearly came to blows over the situation. For a moment, it was like Bill was dealing with two teenagers. (Of course, in Margene’s case he practically is.)

Barb’s attempts to help Wanda and Joey get back on their feet brought her face-to-face with two of the men she despises and fears, Frank and Roman. Frank slithered back to the compound seeking out answers about Lois’ recent windfall and looking to collect his share. Barb’s “heart-to-heart” talk with Frank certainly showed that he knows how to push her buttons. His summation of Barb and Bill’s situation was probably uncomfortably close to reality. She had come so close to freeing Bill from his twisted legacy until she was felled by her health crisis, which brought Nicki, and polygamy, into their lives again. I hate to admit it, but from a purely pragmatic point of view, there is something oddly appealing about the idea of sharing the load (especially in times of crisis) and having those extra hands to rely on. (Barb herself noted this in an earlier episode when she was chatting with Sarah’s friend Heather.) In today’s world of working families, obligations and overwhelming demands, polygamy seems almost practical. At the very least, you can understand how a man who grew up in that tradition would fall back on those values during a time of crisis.

As luck would have it, Frank’s homecoming coincided with Wanda’s, and Frank was still harboring some ill will over his near-death experience at the hands of his daughter-in-law. I was genuinely afraid when Wanda, Barb and the overzealous Kathy were confronted with the sudden blackout. Thankfully, it was Joey who emerged from the darkness, but Barb’s reaction reflected the fact that she is terrified of what is lurking at Juniper Creek. But that did not deter her from confronting Roman. I'm glad she got a chance to speak her mind about what he did to her and the family.

As menacing as Roman can be, he still pales in comparison to the recently resurrected Greenes. It looks like Bill is getting ready to enter into a dangerous game pitting these families against each other. Tonight he proclaimed, "I'm the good guy." However, with each passing week, the lines are blurring.

Need more Big Love? Check out the Online Video Guide.

Just when I thought that there couldn’t possibly be anyone creepier and more deluded than Roman Grant, we meet Hollis Greene, leader of a debauched, undercover polygamist group that makes the folks at Juniper Creek look like the Waltons. Apparently when Bill poached Weber Gaming from Roman, he was unaware that he was dealing in pre-stolen property. Frankly, these are not the kind of people you want to steal from. They are the kind who brand you with a hot poker when they think you are standing in the way of something they want. Ouch.

For me, this show just seems to get better week after week. I really feel like the investment I made in the first season is paying off in dividends as the story continues to unfold. Last season really laid the groundwork for all of the drama and intrigue that is coming to the fore now, and each week I find myself increasingly anxious to see what happens next.

I know it seems odd to mention this at this stage of the game, but tonight, for the first time, Bill’s polygamy really made me uncomfortable. Bill’s ongoing flirtation with the waitress Ana got me thinking about the actual repercussions of these families' lifestyle. (Nobody does a unique family living a life that is based on a morally dubious foundation better than HBO.) What bothers me the most from an outsider's perspective is that polygamy seems to leave a lot of room for interpretation... on the man's side. By living “the Principle,” Bill is not expected to fight the urges that all other married men are faced with at some point. Instead, he needs to sift through these potential spouses and attempt to sort out those pesky “Holy Spirit sucker punches.” Sounds like a pretty sweet deal if you have the stomach for it.

Poor Ana. She seemed like a really nice, lonely woman who was looking for a little companionship. While Bill tried to fight his carnal urges and listen for a “celestial calling,” it seemed that Margene heard hers loud and clear. Funny that in the end it was harder for her to “break up” with Ana than for Bill. I thought it was a great touch that she was the one who caught on to Bill’s secret since her connection to the faith is really more tenuous than those of Nicki or Barb. I also loved her exchange with Bill when he realized what she had been doing: “She loves you, she loves me, she’ll love Barb.... She’ll grow to love Nicki.” Amen to that.

Speaking of that prickly sister-wife, every time I begin to empathize with Nicki and think that she is working in the best interests of the family, she seems to do something stupid and reactionary. Tonight she stepped over the line and created a dangerous situation by confronting a very untrustworthy Rhonda at her foster home. It was bad enough that Nicki all but outed herself to ex-polygamist activist April Blessing. But my heart sank as Sarah stood in front of Heather’s state-trooper father and learned that Rhonda had spilled the beans. Amanda Seyfried is turning in stellar work this season as the conflicted Sarah, and her performance in this episode was heartbreaking. (Who would have thought that this former Mean Girl had real acting chops?) Having to deal with the burden of her family’s secret life is definitely taking its toll. Daveigh Chase is equally good as the manipulative, destructive Rhonda. Is there anyone out there tonight who didn’t want to reach into the television and slap her face when she showed her true colors to Barb?

Each episode is just packed with so much juicy stuff it is hard to capture it all every week. If I missed anything, please be sure to comment!

Need more Big Love? Check out the Online Video Guide.

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!

For Bill, problems are like weeds. Just when he thinks he has gotten rid of one with the video-gaming venture, another one pops up on his doorstep in the form of conniving little compound escapee Rhonda. What continues to surprise me is why Barb is so gullible when it comes to this girl. Just having her in the house is a threat to the security of the entire family, yet she seems taken in by her innocent-runaway act. Barb suggests that the families “adopt” her, gets her into the halfway house and even works with the overzealous child advocate to get her placed in a foster home. For goodness' sake, even oblivious Teeny seems to sense that there is something not right with the girl, but Barb is ready to risk everything to protect her from the "cesspool" that is the compound in her eyes. Way to keep perspective there, boss lady.

Nicki, on the other hand, is not fooled and sees the danger that Rhonda represents as she continues to menace her with threats of exposure and demands for protection. Despite being able to see right through Rhonda, Nicki’s weakness continues to be her loyalty to the compound and Roman.(Speaking of our favorite little second wife, click here for an interview with Chloë Sevigny and her take on her complex character.) However, tonight’s developments with Adaleen proved very interesting. After Roman accused her of being partly responsible for Rhonda’s disappearance, she quickly attempted to recover the girl, disowned Nicki in the process and then promptly destroyed the evidence against Bill. Color me confused as to where her true loyalties lie, though I am excited by the notion that she is not a one-note villainess. Maybe it was the subtle threat to her role as Roman’s right-hand woman, but something compelled her to destroy that tape and protect Nicki’s family.

Meanwhile, Bill was juggling Joey’s indictment, his involvement in the cover-up and, as usual, the unbalanced antics of Wanda and Lois. Watching him guzzle that Mylanta while he tried to reason with Lois made me laugh because as I watch this show each week, I continue to wonder how the man holds it all together. What made me wince was watching Wanda with that handgun and the baby’s car seat. It looked to me like Lois was trying to set her up, but Wanda read her suggestions as a real threat and handed the gun off to Bill (in the courthouse, of all places!). Once again, Bill skirted disaster as Joey was released on lack of evidence and the case was dropped. However, Alby is still on the prowl, seemingly waiting for his moment to strike and creeping the heck out of anyone he comes into contact with. When that guy finally loses it, it is going to be historic.

Tonight’s episode was chock-full of action — almost too much to to keep up with. Some other highlights:

— Rhonda’s naive request to Sarah, “Take me shopping and I’ll buy you something nice. I have $24 in food stamps.”

— Neighbor Pam Martin being able to forgive Margene for her sinful “proclivities” and yet clearly offended by the concept of surrogate motherhood.

— Margene admitting to Brynn that she would love to drink with her if she wasn’t pregnant, while Ben looked over disapprovingly.

— Sarah’s friend Heather (Tina Majorino) referring to Sarah’s progressive Mormon friend Scott as a “liberal, heathen Democrat” and suggesting that their evening would wrap up with the much older Scott declaring, “That was a great movie. Why don’t you two girls kiss while I take pictures?”

— Fans of dearly departed Deadwood may have noticed that Carter Reese, the owner of the gaming business, was played by the long-suffering Mr. Ellsworth (Jim Beaver). His appearance stirred up all my feelings of anger and resentment at HBO for canceling that amazing show.

Speaking of amazing shows, I have been consistently pleased with the acting and writing on Big Love this season. Each episode seems to get better, and I think we are building some promising story lines. I say keep it coming.

Need more Big Love? Check out the Online Video Guide.

The title I’ve chosen for this week’s blog was a quote from “The Prophet” himself, and it was a fitting one for tonight’s episode. I have to give Roman Grant some credit. Even when he is plotting, undermining and defrauding, he still seems to wholeheartedly believe that he has the best interests in mind for his “righteous flock.” And what a flock it is! The next time I complain about a big family get-together, I am going to think back to this episode and thank my lucky stars. Nicki’s supersized lineage was on the front burner tonight as she convinced Bill to visit the compound with her and even stay as a guest in Roman’s house. Suffice it to say that Jerry Springer could have a field day with this bunch!

What I don’t get is how anyone, least of all Nicki, could be surprised by Alby’s revelation that it was Roman who called the governor’s office about Barb. Seriously? The man is willing to overlook the attempted murder of his own son in order to further his financial interests. Is it really that far of a leap to think he would sacrifice his daughter and her family — a family headed up by a man he despises? Again, I am impressed on a weekly basis by Chloe Sevigny. I think she does an amazing job with a very difficult character. Tonight, she conveyed both naïveté and misguided loyalty in dealing with Roman; however, when push came to shove, she protected her real family. “I’ve given up hundreds to live in the suburbs with 10,” she told Bill. It seems that her allegiance has shifted to the family she married into as opposed to the one she came from. Last season, we did not have much of a window into the compound, but I am really enjoying getting to see more of that life that Nicki comes from. It is interesting to me that she and Bill both have that upbringing in common, because it gives them a bond that is unique. Barb might be his soul mate, but Nicki understands where he comes from and that connection runs deep for both of them.

While I always find the scenes at the compound a little unsettling, I did giggle at some of the domestic chaos at Roman’s house. You would really have to run that kind of a household like a business, as Adaleen does with passive-aggressive efficiency. Watching her lug that gigantic bag of potatoes out of Bill’s car was a hoot, as was listening to her attempts to create a rather garbled family tree for little Josie. The entire gathering reminded me of a giant town picnic out of an especially disturbing episode of Little House on the Prairie, right down to the dresses and French braids.

Back at the other homestead, Barb’s fragile psyche was taking a beating on all sides. First, she had to contend with her sister’s vitriolic birthday card to Ben. Then there was defiant little Margene whose attempts to be “motherly” to Ben bordered on seduction in Barb’s eyes. And I wonder if those coffee klatches with Don’s “plural family” really do more harm than good. Yes, it is nice that Barb has people she can be honest and open with, but doesn’t that also feed into the illusion of normalcy that got her into trouble in the first place? I do feel like we are really getting a window into Barb's struggle this season. As much as she tries to convince herself that she is comfortable with the choices she has made, it still seems like there is quite an internal struggle going on.

There are no illusions of normalcy when it comes to Alby and Rhonda. Alby seems to become more unstable with each passing week, and tonight his anger boiled over as he jeopardized the entire compound while exacting revenge on the Henricksens. Meanwhile, desperate, crafty little Rhonda turned up on Barb’s doorstep again, despite having certified her pledge to Roman. That girl definitely has self-preservation and trouble written all over her. From the look of things, she must have overheard Bill’s discussion with Don about stealing the video-machine business out from under Roman. And when that betrayal is discovered, all hell will certainly break loose.

For video of Big Love, check out the Online Video Guide.

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.

Need more Big Love? Visit our Online Video Guide.

In TV time, it has been six weeks since the family’s comeuppance at the mother-of-the-year ceremony, and things are still completely out of alignment in the Henrickson household. Barb, still “humbled” by the guilt and shame she has brought on the family, has fled the scene, resentful of Bill’s domineering approach to problem-solving. Nicki, both enticed and terrified by the possibility of taking over as first wife, tries to appease and scheme her way into the post, bullying Margene all along the way. And the kids are just trying to live their lives the best way they can in the shadow of their family’s secret.

No matter what you think about polygamy — as a way of life or as a premise for a television drama — you can’t argue with the caliber of acting on display here in HBO’s latest twist on the nuclear family. Bill Paxton is incredibly effective as a man who is torn between his heart, his faith and his obligations. At times, I am confounded as to how the man is able to shuttle from one crisis to the next without having a complete and total meltdown. Jeanne Tripplehorn offers a nuanced portrait of a woman so in love with her husband that she is able to embrace even the most unimaginable lifestyle and make it her own. Chloe Sevigny is one of the few actresses who is able to arouse sympathy and disgust at the same time, and Ginnifer Goodwin is absolutely believable as a naive and needy child bride.

The supporting players are also amazingly well cast. As the creepy, malevolent Roman Grant, Harry Dean Stanton has banished all of my fond memories of the forlorn, lovable Pretty in Pink dad. Mary Kay Place, once the saracastic, sperm-donor-seeking gal pal in The Big Chill is now an altogether chillier sort of mommy, barely able to muster even a small amount of compassion for her misguided daughter. But my favorite of the bunch is Grace Zabriskie as Lois Henrickson, Bill’s slightly off-kilter but wily mother. Her facial expressions and reactions alone are worth the price of admission.

I’m curious to see where this season takes us. The stresses of juggling three demanding wives is difficult enough, but when you add in a growing roster of kids, a somewhat hapless business partner, an emotionally vulnerable brother, a borderline sister-in-law, and that scary Roman, I’m not sure how Bill is going to make it through. Thankfully, at least for this week, Barb came through and showed up for the wacky dinner with the neighbors in order to throw off them off the scent. Bill was right when he said that she is the one who shines. Here’s hoping that she regains her confidence quickly and helps Bill navigate the murky waters to come.