The Unfiltered Ramblings of a DVR Addict

Big Love-Episode 36:  The Greater Good

Bill Henrickson is the path of the righteousness-he has received a calling, but it is not what you think?  Now that the Prophet is dead, is Bill the new leader?

Bill has been following the hearing on the new trial regarding Juniper Creek, State Rep Coburn, wants the compound demolished.  He compares the UEB as a front for organized crime, but the Trustee states that the law permits him to seize any assets.  Later, Bill receives a box filled with files on him and his family.  The notes state that the case is closed-the FBI investigation is over.  At a family lunch, Bill reveals his plan to run for the vacant State Rep position-this is a revelation he has received from the Heavenly Father.  Of course this causes worry for Barb and the other sister wives, this will expose them!  That’s the plan-Bill reveals that he wants to run and win, defend the principle.

Nicki thinks he has a calling, but she wants him to be the next Prophet.  Barb tries to wrangle the situation, but Margene calls the whole effort as crazy.  She is concerned with exposure; she also thinks they are over-extended.  Bill storms off, he wasn’t looking for an argument, but Margene retorts, he wasn’t asking for their opinion.  She hit the nail on the head-Bill does whatever he wants…another wife, political office, new church…his way or no way.

The story of the recovered body of Roman Grant is that he died in Mexico and his body was returned in refrigerator truck.  Thousands have come in from all over the area to pay respect.  The news report states that there is a mystery surrounding his return.  I am really going to miss Roman-what a great character actor to have Harry Dean Stanton on this cast.

Meanwhile, Sarah and Scott are in love, she tells Scott, “another day, another revelation.”  As an outsider, those Henricksons are a strange crew.  I love Scott’s response, “What is in the water over there?”  They make plans to elope downtown and the JOP.  Later Sarah approaches Heather at the drive in window at their old stomping grounds.  She asks her to be a witness at city hall, after some convincing, Heather is in.  I am glad to see her on the show again-she was a huge support for Sarah.  Barb tries to convince Sarah to get sealed by Bill and also offers her wedding dress, but Sarah tells that is not the direction they are going.  The happy couple invites Ben in on their plan.  Ben is campaigning for the family to be invited, but Sarah doesn’t think it is right to have them there since she doesn’t believe in what they believe in.  Sarah is changing, she is drinking wine-she is a courageous one for trying to find her voice. 

Nicki and JJ are at it again.  Bill invites JJ to dinner.  Everyone share small talk, JJ offers to share Juniper Creek news with Bill.  He also inquires if anyone is going to the memorial service for Roman.  Bill says no, and Nicki is refusing as well.  What is going on in Kansas?  Does JJ run the Kansas compound?  Cara Lynn calls Nicki on why she isn’t mourning and she answers she is struggling with her faith.

The ladies meet for their weekly household management meeting.  Barb rattles on Costco paper supply costs, but Margene is ready to discuss the biggest decision in their family.  Nicki agrees that this is a terrible idea, but she wants him to be Prophet.  Apparently Nicki has always wanted Bill to be Prophet.  Why?  I am sure it her lust for power and attention.  She would be Queen Bee, especially since Barb is the first wife in the Real World.  Margene is worried about her business going kaput.  Barb tries to smooth it over, but to no avail.  So what’s up?   Nicki has displaced grief, Marg is greedy and Barb is a chicken with her head cut off.

Bill meets with Dale, the Trustee, to discuss Juniper Creek’s future.  Bill wants to see it as a community, but Dale isn’t sure about that.  The camera pans to Alby walking up the stairs to Dale’s office, but when he sees Bill, he turns around and walks away, all while Dale watches.  Why is Alby going by-business or pleasure?

In the throes of passion, Margene tries to lobby her argument, but Bill is interested in hearing her pleas.  I love Margene!  Although she is the youngest, she sometimes has the most insight.

Who is the greedy one?  Nicki rummages through the recycling and finds some sort of profit statement of Margene’s.  Barb comes across her and Nicki accuses Margene of holding out.  Really Nicki you don’t have anything to do, but snoop?  Barb sheds some light on Bill’s decision to run for office.  Apparently the files arrived from Ray Henry, the prosecutor from last year that Nicki had feelings for, and he is leaving town and the prosecution is over.  Nicki stands there solemn.  Later we see Nicki approach Ray Henry as he is packing up his car.  She tries to thank him for closing the files on her and her family and tells him how she struggled with her feelings for him.  Ray is not convinced-Nicki ruined his life-career, reputation, broken heart.  She argues it was because she was following her Prophet, but Ray tells her “to find a new beacon in the night.”  Poor Nicki pours her heart out to him, but to no avail.  What was up with that comment that she has never had these feelings before?  Later, Bill confronts her on if she saw him- after he finds her despondent.  Bill thinks it is JJ, not Ray.

Barb and Tommy Flute sort of get into it at the casino, Barb is trying to communicate via memo and it is not being well received.  She is really trying to find her place, just relax Barb.

Bill and Barb meet with Barb’s sister, Cindy and her brother, to bounce ideas on Bill’s quest for office.  It might be a bumpy road-Barb’s excommunication, old political ties-special election.  Plus, state politics tied with Mormonism, they don’t belong to a ward and can only claim 3 children makes this effort hopeless.

Nicki tries to convince Bill to be the next Prophet, reminding him he was the rightful heir.  I knew this would come out, recall that Bill was thrown off the compound when he was young because Roman felt threatened by him (or that he wanted to keep the young wives).  Lois has always stated that her family had the true Prophet.  What’s with Nicky?  I thought it was greed, but maybe she is truly conflicted in her faith and her marriage.

Joey and Wanda are back!  Joey is calm and tells Wanda that there is work to be done.  He is back with a new sense of renewal (probably since he eliminated Roman) and peace.  Bill shares his calling with Joey-state senate, but Joey has received one as well, Bill should be Prophet.   Joey gives him their grandfather’s Laws and Doctrine.  Bill refuses it, but Joey tries to convince him that 10,000 souls need his guidance.  I agree with Joey…what is Bill doing?  He doesn’t want to be Prophet, but instead builds his own church.

Adaleen comes to see Nicki along with her sister, Evie, to inquire why Nicki isn’t going to the funeral.  Nicki explains she doesn’ t believe he is a true Prophet, but I love that Adaleen retorts that she should mourn her father, not the Prophet.  They accuse of her being heartless.

Margene and Bill are travelling in the car when he asks about how much she made last month.  She tries to deflect it and explains how she has a new lease on life, but also that she made $9400 last month.  Not too shabby!  Bill is shocked and tells her to sign over her money to the common fund.  This is where it gets a little complicated-Margene projects to earn $145,000 by the end of the year and wants to meet with accountants and money managers.  This had to come out eventually-remember Anna didn’t want to share her money either.

Dale is attending a meeting on homosexual rehabilitation when he sees Alby again.  Dale is trying to move past his slip up with Alby and concentrate on his wife and son, but Alby kisses him.  Dale runs off.

Like any politician, Bill and Barb, work with the church to seek their guidance (vote), but Barb isn’t sure she has the strength to lie.  How many lives are they living?  How can they keep them straight?

Later Wanda is approached by JJ (her brother) and he informs her that he saw Joey leave Roman’s house.  Wanda is a bit rattled, but JJ tells her he has something of hers, what could be?  I guess we will learn more this season.

Barb comes home to find Heather and Sarah taking off to the Justice of the Peace, Barb is a bit hurt.  She wants Sarah and Scott to have a religious wedding.  This meeting with Barb had a profound impact on Sarah, she starts to doubt.

Nicki and Margene share a moment  when Marg asks if she is still in love with Bill.  Nicki isn’t sure.

Don surprises Bill with a mock campaign hat.  Don tells him that you know it is right when you are at peace with it, but Bill isn’t.

Bill is at home with his grandfather’s Laws and Doctrine.  Sarah tells her dad that she was getting married today, but wasn’t sure.  She found the strength in Bill, who took the family into polygamy because of his strong convictions.

Bill calls a meeting with Marg, Barb and Nicki, he is running and when he wins they are coming out as a polygamous family.  Since it is only a misdemeanor, he proposes that they serve as their true selves.

Sarah finally marries Scott in the family backyard with her  all her loved ones.  I am so glad they were all there.  Pan to Nicki who starts crying—grieving her lost love or lack of?

So the family is going on the campaign trail…but will Joey lobby for being the Prophet?

Interesting comments:

• Adaleen  is worried that there is no one to lead. Alby senses his Papa’s spirit is nearby
• Margene notices that JJ doesn’t have any fingernails on his hands.
• The memorial service for Roman Grant is beautiful, plus Nicki came.

Congratulations to Chloe Sevigny

on her Golden Globe win for Best Supporting Actress in a TV Series!