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Big Love

26 replies

NadiaWadia · 17/05/2011 17:40

Does anyone else watch this? About a polygamist family in Utah (on Sky Atlantic)
Has Jeanne Tripplehorn and Chloe Sevigny.

I find it fascinating. You've got normal-seeming 'all-American' types leading such a wierd lifestyle in a renegade sect of mormonism, and apparently there are loads of families like this in reality.

'Bill' seems such a nice guy and yet he believes this crap that he is more likely to get into heaven the more wives he has. His first wife was originally in a 'normal' marriage with him for 12 years, and then he managed to persuade her to accept him taking extra wives. I think she is regretting it now, though.

Please tell me I'm not the only one watching!

( Oh and no spoilers please because I know its finished in the US after 4 or 5 series, but on Sky season 2 has only just started.)

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Italiangreyhound · 17/05/2011 22:16

I actually quite liked what I saw when it was on regular TV (5 I think - free view or something) but now it is on a channel we don't get. I would watch if I could!

dottyaboutstripes · 18/05/2011 12:33

We love it here. I wonder just how many families there really are like this?

b1uebells · 18/05/2011 21:52

I watch! I am pleased series 2 has started straight after 1 ended!

lovinme · 18/05/2011 21:55

I watch it and I love it!

Thingumy · 18/05/2011 22:30

Oh I loved it when they showed it on channel 5 a few years back.

I don't have sky Sad

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NadiaWadia · 19/05/2011 16:28

I wonder what exactly happened 6 years previously when Barbara had cancer to make Bill change his thinking completely and decide to marry Nicki?
He could see from his mother's life and from being kicked out at the age of 14 how dysfunctional the 'compound' way of life was, so why did he want to copy them in any way?

I think he took advantage of Barb being vulnerable at the time to get her to accept this, but she seems a strong-minded intelligent woman, why did she not go to her own family or friends in the 'normal' Mormon church, for help?
On one level she seems to have persuaded herself that they are an ideal family, but her inner resentment now seems to be coming out!

And what about the young girl, Rhonda, who is 'married' to the sick old perv Roman? Why doesn't somebody help her for goodness sake? Really went off Barb when she told Rhonda she would help her, and then failed to deliver.

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maighdlin · 19/05/2011 22:38

i loved big love. have watched it all but won't spoil it for you. i found the whole "principle" fascinating. there are times i think they are religious whack jobs but there are moments when i can see why this type of family appeals. won't give away anything but as the show progresses the wives do too and it deals with them as individuals.

cookielove · 19/05/2011 22:42

In like big love, and recently watched a documentary style show on a real polygamist family, which was really interesting they all lived in one house that had different levels, i will see if i can find a link cause i really can't remember what it was called.

cookielove · 19/05/2011 22:44

its called sister wives here

JoyceBarnaby · 19/05/2011 22:58

When did season 2 start? I remember watching season 1 ages ago and had no idea they'd even made another series!!

littleducks · 19/05/2011 23:08

I have seen it all too. I watched the first series when it was on channel 5 and then got hooked so had to see the rest.

I actually found some aspects of 'the principle' quite tempting! which dh thought was hilarious, as he couldnt cope with more wives.

I found it an insight into mormons both LDS and polygamists, in one episode they show a secret ceremony thing that only practicing Mormons are allowed to do in real life that was interesting.

It made me want to visit Utah as well

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NadiaWadia · 20/05/2011 02:32

The thing is, their 'principle' doesn't seem to make sense, apart from being hideously patriarchal, the simple fact is that roughly equal numbers of baby boys and girls are born, so if some men get to have 4 or more wives, that means other men will have none. Even allowing for the men that are gay, (which these people probably regard with horror) - well that just doesn't add up.

It reminds me of a baboon troop, where an alpha male has access to all the females and young males are driven out.

Remember in series one Bill talking to his father about when he was driven out of the compound and dumped in the city when he was 14. His father didn't seem bothered, he said something like 'that's the way it is, we don't want lots of young men competing for the pretty young girls'. Then Bill said something like 'What do you think I had to do to survive?' (presumably criminal activities or even male prostitution).

Yet he managed to become a sucessful businessman, happy marriage with Barb, member of the normal Morman church, etc, why later on did he copy those who abandoned him by taking on more wives?

I hope we'll find out more later on!

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CinemaParadiso · 20/05/2011 15:11

I LOVE it too...don't think any of my friends are watching it which is surprising because it's one of the best things on TV at the moment as far I'm concerned!! (and on a par with Six Feet Under which I never saw first time round, but am now watching on Sky Atlantic). I'm also fascinated by the polygamy principle too. I thought it was hilarious when Bill had to take viagra to keep all three wives satisfied!! I agree with NadiaWadia - would love to know what happened before the start of series 1 that made Barb accept the principle...perhaps they should make a prequel.

littleducks · 20/05/2011 19:03

Nadia- I dont want to post any spoilers and arent too sure where you are up to..... but basically in the compound lifestyle, the women have far more children (more souls for heavenly father) due to the polygamist lifestyle, once their husband dies they will then get 'reassigned' to another man and basically have child after child for their child rearing days

Bill does try to live the principle in a far less seedy way than on the compuonds, his children are given more choices and his son is kicked out at puberty

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NadiaWadia · 20/05/2011 21:10

Yes, and that's another thing I don't get. What is with all the 'reassigning' women to new husbands (like when Roman threatened Joey to reassign Wanda in last week's)?

How on the one hand can they accept this, and on the other hand believe that husbands/wives are 'sealed' and the whole family will be together for eternity?

Jesus said there is no marriage in heaven, didn't he? Are these people actually Christians or not?

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b1uebells · 20/05/2011 21:53

For the poster that asked, series 2 is on Fridays at 9pm. Think it's on sky Atlantic but without checking I can't be sure!

littleducks · 20/05/2011 21:55

Dunno about the philosophy side...I'm not Christian myself, but they definately identify themselves as Christian.

You can be 'unsealed' and marry again. The women remarry alot

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NadiaWadia · 20/05/2011 22:15

Hmm the 'unsealing' is quite convenient for the men in charge then!

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ASecretLemonadeDrinker · 20/05/2011 22:18

I watched no1 and loved it but it stopped on 5 and I have no sky :(

littleducks · 20/05/2011 22:21

The wiki explanation may be better than mine...I think it may be fairer than some other demoninations.....you are allowed to get divorced

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NadiaWadia · 20/05/2011 22:35

Yes divorce is allowed, but it seems to be all up to the men, doesn't it? I mean in the 'compound' type lifestyle.

I am not really a Christian either, though used to be.

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littleducks · 21/05/2011 11:12

No the women can get the divorce starting(i think the evidence for thos comes in series 2)

Or like Bill's mum, remain married to Bill's dad but live seperately away from her sister wives (this is actually bizarrely her choice)

Tbh, the men like Roman hold the power over everyone both men and women within the compound..............because they are 'Prophets'

GothAnneGeddes · 29/05/2011 11:45

I loved this show, but have only seen up to season 2. I'm really hoping that Sky show the lot. I'm surprised it hasn't been more popular here, it's so well written and acted. Maybe if they were all wearing corsets or medieval gear...

clangermum · 31/05/2011 18:38

I think the acting is incredible. The way Chloe Sevigny does everything with her eyes, and Bill's mother's tics. Albie (is that Nicky's brother's name?) reminds me of a viper - something about the eyes, and character of course.

GothAnneGeddes · 31/05/2011 20:50

Yes Chloe Sevigny is amazing in it, a really astounding actress.