Big Love Recap

I was a little irritated that HBO kept hyping this episode as "THE MOST DRAMATIC EPISODE EVER EVER EVER" and then it wasn't that dramatic for the first 40 minutes or so. And then...holy crap.

We first see Bill waking up on the couch in a basement and his position on the couch just screams, "NECK SPASM!" to me, but he doesn't seem to be too affected. However, all of his wives are standing there in their bathrobes glaring at him. Bill has a look of frightened confusion on his face, like maybe he's dreaming and forgot he had three wives and maybe Barb has morphed into some King Ghidorah of spousal nagging. But, no, he's awake. They lay into him, saying that they were all worried because they couldn't find him and I'm wondering why it never ever occurred to them to look in the friggin' basement. Were they like, "Oh, no, he wouldn't be down there. Bill doesn't know how to go down steps!" Nicki is especially hurt because it was her night and she made stuffed cabbage and everything. Oh, darn. I don't know why Bill might have possibly skipped out on having a romp in the sack while Nicki has a monster case of cabbage gas. He whines that he had to stay up late to catch up on work and carefully omits the fact that he's working overtime to close on the Weber Gaming Sale of Doom.

Bill doesn't get much of a reprieve at work, especially since his ill-advised double dealings with Roman and the Greens are starting to get way too complicated. He's slipping Hollis Green information about Roman's various business ventures, particularly those with shady labor practices, so that Hollis can sabotage them. Don looks positively pale, especially when Bill starts saying crap like, "We're *this* close to the promised land." Oh, Bill. You are so stupid! Then Nicki calls to lay on the guilt about the fact that this is the second night that Bill has missed with her. Bill brushes her off, telling her not to read anything into it. I feel for Nicki, but was that really the best time to call him and expect an intense conversation?

Lois shows up at her house to find Frank and a bunch of empty pea cans. This is bad. Frank has emptied her out and informs Lois that not only does he want half of her money, but he also wants in on whatever action Lois and Eddie have cooked up.

At home, Bill has gathered the wives to tell them that he needs to have every seventh night off in order to rest. This does not go over well. After the meeting, Nicki and Margene are discussing this latest development and Nicki starts blaming Barb for placing too many demands on Bill, calling it classic first-wife behavior. Barb walks in and the three of them all say that Bill is doing too much at work. Nicki tentatively asks if Bill's been having any "marital" problems with either of them. Barb sort of half admits to this, but Margene just kind of stutters and looks away before cheerily suggesting a schedule to accommodate Bill's night off. After Margene leaves, Nicki whispers to Barb that Margene is wearing Bill out. Nicki is so hilarious when she gets manipulative.

The bishop from the Henrickson's old church stops by to visit Barb and says that Ben has been by to see him. Barb wants to know why, but the bishop suggests that she and Bill sit Ben down to have a talk. This whole thing makes me uncomfortable, since I don't think it's the bishop's place to tell Barb that Ben has been to see him. It seems like a total betrayal of confidence between a religious leader and his follower. Suddenly, Margene walks in saying something about how Nicki should get Tuesday nights and stops in her tracks when she sees the bishop. Barb nervously explains that Margene is her neighbor and the two of them are so visibly awkward and it seems like the bishop knows something is up. Why aren't they better at playing this off by now? It's perfectly acceptable for a next-door neighbor to come waltzing in if they're especially close. Barb needs to quit with the deer-in-the-headlights routine.

At Lois' laundromat, which she has now opened for legitimate business, Eddie stops by to find out that Frank now wants a piece. Despite the presence of one customer, a Latina woman who Lois refers to as "Chiquita Banana" and "Senorita," and her two kids, Lois and Eddie argue over the fact that Lois has received her share and that's all she's getting, especially since Eddie invested the rest of the money in Bill's Weber Gaming deal. Lois explains that she has new washing machines coming and needs to pay rent so she needs Eddie to get his money back from Bill. Eddie's pissed and says he's sorry he can't help her but that Lois married beneath her and the family's been paying for it ever since. Er, maybe so, Eddie but aren't women assigned to their husbands?

Barb and Bill confront Ben about the bishop's visit and that predictably doesn't go well. Ben storms to his room followed by his dad. Bill enters and tries to get to the bottom of Ben's problem. Ben confesses that he's been having sex with Brynn, that he's tried to stop but he loves Brynn too much. Bill says that this impure sex is the worst thing that Ben could have done to his temple and I'm wondering if it had been better if Ben had picked up a heroin habit instead. The conversation continues downhill, especially after Bill tells Ben that's he's forbidden from seeing Brynn again. I feel bad for Ben, since he so clearly wants to talk to Bill as a human being and not as a fallen Mormon. Bill isn't sympathetic which is interesting since I think it was implied at some point last season that Bill and Margene had relations before they were married. Bill leaves Ben's room to find Sarah in the hall and realizes that she had known about Ben's indiscretions. Bill declares that they will sit down to have a talk. Sarah goes to the bathroom (actually she inexplicably busts into the bathroom despite the fact that the door was closed) and finds Barb sobbing.

In the kitchen, Nicki is making another attempt at carrot raisin salad (yum!) and Margene confesses that she lost her virginity at 16, just like Ben. Nicki says that that's not surprising. Ha! Nicki says that if Ben had done what he did to a girl on the compound, he would have been taken and dropped on the side of the road somewhere. That's reasonable. She goes on to explain that sex is for procreation, not recreation. Hmph. I'm fairly certain that she and Bill have plenty of recreational sex. And wasn't Nicki on the pill last season? Margene asks if she and Bill are having problems and Nicki brushes her question off, contributing any problems to Bill's stress level.

Lois shows up at Bill's office and asks him for some financial help, explaining that she just wants her own laundromat. Bill asks her if she filed a police report about Frank's theft and she bashfully explains that she can't exactly do that. Apparently, Eddie swindled a dying cancer patient out of the money, $1.2 million in all and unfortunately the victim ended up not dying after all. Bill is PISSED. He calls Eddie and leaves him an angry voice mail over Lois' protests. Lois demands that Bill give up on the Weber Gaming deal so that she can have a fraction of the success that Bill has had. Bill firmly refuses and Lois leaves saying that she won't allow the men in her life take this away from her.

Barb and Bill lie awake in bed, contemplating what to do about Ben. They start making out and whatnot but Barb wants to talk and apparently can't wait until they're done. God, get laid, Barb! It'll help, I swear. Barb says that if he's stretched too thin, then he needs to let something other than his wives go. Bill explains that, duh, he has a huge family to support. Barb points out that Bill chose this life. She has a point, but she did go along with it and it's becoming more and more clear that Barb is not as okay with this whole thing as she says she is. Neither party is happy, so Barb goes to sleep on the couch. Bill stomps over to Margene's, who is happily typing away on her laptop. Wonder what she's up to. Talking to Ana, perhaps? Bill is seeking refuge and Margene is conflicted about the fact that he's come to her for it, especially on Barb's night. They start kissing, though, and soon things are hot and heavy. Nicki happens to spy their activities through the windows and is horrified to see that they are, um, pleasuring each other with much enthusiasm...and tongue wagging. Two questions: how did Ginnifer Goodwin get such a cute butt and when the hell is Margene going to start showing? She's been pregnant for at least a few months and this is her third child. Let's make some attempt at realism, mkay?

At her house, Lois is making a last ditch attempt to appease Frank and get her money. She offers to let him "come in through the back door." Horf. Modern society really needs to come up with some better euphemisms for anal. Frank cracks up and says that if he wants an old caboose, he'll ask Union Pacific. Oh, shut up, Frank. Like anyone wants to have any kind of sex with your crusty dumb ass. Lois is stung but finally admits that Bill has the rest of the money.

Nicki marches into Margene's house the next morning and chastises her for emasculating their husband in such a manner. Ha! Margene is all, "Don't knock it till you try it, honey." Barb walks in and Margene tries to get her support, but Barb is just pissed that Margene had sex with him when it was still her night. Margene's kind of confused and hurt, but Barb explains that if she ever wants the other wives to back her up, she has to stay in line and the three of them have to be united against Bill's night off proposal.

At work, Bill tips Hollis off to Roman's irrigation business. Yikes. Margene calls and tells Bill about the cold shoulder plan and then asks why he doesn't "pleeeeease" Nicki. Really, Bill. Nicki's obviously in need. Hook a gal up! Frank busts in and says that Lois has told him everything and demands some kind of payment from Bill, either money or a piece of his business. Pssh. Bill has security remove Frank, calling him an old vagrant which really isn't a lie. Don's positively horrified, especially since Frank is such a puppy dog to Roman, and predicts that everything will end very badly very soon if Bill doesn't take some evasive action. Bill realizes that he needs to end things with the Greens. He meets Roman at a diner and tells him that the Greens have been in contact with him trying to exploit the unpleasantness between Roman and Bill. Roman's kind of aloof but says that he'll take care of the impending attack on the irrigation company. He also asks about Nicki in a way that's both cold and sad.

At home, Bill confronts Barb about the cold shoulder plan and Barb realizes that Margene's an informer. Margene shows up but Barb tells her that Bill sold her out. Margene is pissed. Barb rants about how she started out with seven nights a week with her husband and is now down to two and a half and refuses to give up any more. Margene pollyannas about what will happen when they add a fourth wife and Barb shoots both Margene and Bill a look of death and is clearly thinking, "FOURTH WIFE?@!!?!ALKSJ;LJ;FLAJ;FLKJ;;ALDKJA;JF?" Bill stands firm on his demand for a night off and storms down to the basement. Barb threatens death to anyone caught visiting him.

Hollis, complete with fresh cuts and bruises from their failed takeover of the irrigation company, calls Bill and warns him about the consequences of his betrayal, especially since they humiliated his brother Selma. I don't get it. Are they just okay with the fact that Selma is a transvestite? Anyway, Selma and Hollis tell Bill that he is to turn over all of his business interests to them tomorrow. Yeah, okay. Don, relieved at the prospect of ending all of these shenanigans, calls Bill's lawyer. Eddie is out in the parking lot and Bill goes out to tell him that he has to leave Utah and scolds him for giving him stolen money when he's already in enough trouble. Bill says that Eddie will get his money back when the deal is closed, but without interest. For real, though. Why does Eddie have to be such a scum bag?

Ben has swiped a ring from Barb's jewelry box and shows up at Brynn's house with an idea. They could get married and the sex would be totally legit! Brynn hesitates but finally agrees and they happily roll around. When Ben gets home, Barb and Bill are waiting for him and demand to know where he's been. Ben admits that he was with Brynn but it's okay because they're going to get married. Barb and Bill are a little stunned and try to talk some sense into Ben, explaining that, duh, Ben and Brynn are only 16. Ben says that kids their age were married in Joseph Smith's time, apparently unaware that in Joseph Smith's time the average life expectancy with like 40. Back then, 16 was practically old. Barb says that at this point in life, Ben has no way of knowing if Brynn is the one. Ben says that he realizes that but if at some point Brynn is no longer The One, he'll marry a second wife. Realizing the Ben really does see polygamy in his future, Barb is crushed. After Ben leaves, Barb says that this is all Bill's fault and that this isn't the life she wanted for Ben. It's an interesting scene. Ben has very simply and innocently pointed out his parents' hypocrisy. If polygamy is the way to eternal salvation, then Ben must follow it. So why is Barb so upset? Obviously she doesn't really believe in it and that's kind of problematic.

Not heeding Barb's death threat, Nicki sneaks down to the basement and says that if she is the reason behind Bill's need for a break, she will sleep in the boys' room during her nights so he can rest. She doesn't want Bill's problem with her to affect Barb and Margene. Hmm. Is she being sincere? Bill says that he wants her to have everything that Barb and Margene have and more and starts to head downtown. Nicki smacks his head and says that she likes to make love face to face. Nicki. Trust me. Just try it. Are you afraid that you won't remember how to French braid your hair?

Barb sits Brynn down to talk about marrying Ben and what might be in store for her if Ben does decide to go the polygamy route. Barb insists that she wouldn't trade her marriage for the world, but that it was and continues to be very hard for her. Brynn looks pretty pale. Ben meets Brynn at work (she's a candystriper!) and insists that he just spouted out that whole thing about polygamy in order to pacify his parents about their marriage. Brynn smartly sees that this is no way to start a marriage and hands the ring back to Ben, saying that he'll make some girls very happy one day. Hee! And also, aw, poor Ben.

Bill and his lawyer, Lee, meet with the ATF to arrange a set up for the Greens. The ATF agent shows them pictures of the Greens previous works saying something about brothers. I'm guessing the people in the pictures, who have been brutally shot, were family members who weren't making Hollis happy. Jesus. He's like a Mormon Corleone. The agent, who has what sounds like a rather fake Boston accent, is visibly disgusted by Bill and assumes that he is just like the Greens and Roman. She says that where she comes from, they're all the same: Mormons, LDS, polygamists. Way to be educated, moron. Bill asks what religion she was raised in and she shoots back that it's none of his business, then realizes that Bill has made his point. Inside their compound warehouse thing, the Greens brace themselves as the ATF pound down the door. They make a run for it, but are caught. The ATF discover a buttload of weapons and it looks as though the Greens are going to be in prison for a long, long time. I, for one, am just really sad that we will probably no longer get to hear Hollis end phone calls with, "Very truly yours, Hollis Green."

Bill attempts to make up with Barb, but she suggests that he take two nights off per month, so long as he spends them with his children. Yeah. Quality time with 7.5 children in two nights. That's doable. But, getting a head start, he has a heart-to-heart with Ben who is heartbroken over his split with Brynn. Bill vaguely tells Ben about Weber Gaming saying that the purchase will allow Ben to live out in the open as a polygamist (or whatever), but that Barb shouldn't know about it just yet. He also tells Ben that it's time for him to be conferred into the priesthood of their family...or something. I'm not sure what that means. Anyway, Bill lays his hands on Ben's head and blesses him. It's a very sweet moment and obviously brings Ben some peace.

Lois' laundromat is a done deal. Without the money, Lois is out of luck and she arrives to a see a "for lease" sign going up. Drag.

Roman is leaving the diner where he met with Bill earlier. A be-wigged woman, presumably one of Hollis Green's cohorts, calls out, "Roman Grant?" As he turns around to face her, she shoots him three times. Romans falls to the ground and the women take off. Alby and Adaleen rush to Roman's side, but it looks like they're too late. Holy crap. Roman's dead! Holy crap. Only four episodes left!

Comments

[Shelly]

I totally agree about Selma being a tranny - I seriously thought that was a really butch lesbian the first couple episodes!

When is Margene due anyway?

I love this show but this season has been a little boring, I am anxious to see where they will go with it after all the Weber gaming stuff wraps up.

Thanks for the recap!!

[Eleanor]

Are we sure Roman's dead?

Good recap, BTW! :)

[slynnro]

I can't believe they will actually kill Roman. Then there will be no arch-enemy. I think Roman lives and eventually figures out that it was essentially Bill's fault he got shot, as he is the one that caused all the shit to go down with the Greens (and I agree WTF transvestite?). And what about that whole thing where Margene was complaining that she thought Bill just saw her as a sex toy and Bill was all "this isn't a talking thing?" Uh, yeah it is. And way to prove yourself right Margie. And the "Oh, Margene, you are naughty." GAG ME.

[Jennifer]

Awesome re-cap! I kind of took the whole "Ben/Brynn/second wife" conversation with his parents as Ben saying that even if Brynn isn't the one for him, he can get another. To me it seemed like an insulting thing to say to his mom, the first wife. (Especially when you consider Bill wanting a night off) I think Barb was upset not at the prospect of polygamy in Ben's future, but that Ben clearly didn't understand HER concept of polygamy...and that it's not used to replace a wife you don't want anymore. What do you guys think...am I way off base?

[Rhonda]

Jennifer - that's totally how I saw the Ben/Brynn/second wife conversation too! I was thinking, 'wow - major diss to his mom'! Like implying that BARB was not 'the one' so Bill went and got another wife.

Roman can't be dead! He's great in the show. I see a Tony Soprano type of coming back from the dead sort of thing happening. I loved their ending song for that scene. Very poignant.

Great recap!!!!

[Suzy Q]

Rhonda?! What the heck are you doing here making comments? Aren't you off somewhere gettin' someone into trouble? Heh.

Yeah, what ya'all said. WTF tranny, Ben/Barb dis, Margene the naughty girl, Nicki the good girl (ick), the whole shebang.

Great recap!

Hey, whatever happened to that blood atonement thing of last week?

[DianaCLT]

I lmao when Nicki hauled off and smacked Bill for trying to go "downtown." I kept thinking about "Boys Don't Cry" - she (Chloe Sevigny - sp??) sure didn't smack Hillary Swank for doing it! ROFLMAO!

[june]

I'm increasingly interested in watching this show- I might pick it up on DVD. Your recaps are interesting but you might have a better audience for them on your site if the person doing the recapping were actually Mormon (or at least familiar with the LDS religion). That way instead of saying, "It was a sweet moment but I have no idea what in the hell it meant", people would actually know what was going on.

You should look for an ex-mormon to do it for you, though, 'cause the people in this show? Not mormon.

[veronica]

I could not stop laughing at Niki's horror over the "activities" that took place between Margene and Bill. That she actually thought Margene forced him to do it....too freakin' funny.

I can understand the wives being torqued at the prospect of losing a night every once in awhile, but damn, I think I'd need a break too if I had to do the good wifey routine every single night....sounds exhausting.

The ending shocked the hell out of me and can't wait to see if they actually kill Roman off or not!!!!

[Rhonda]

Suzy...I'm mortified to share the name! lol Just kidding....I'm off to do my dastardly deeds now.