The Unfiltered Ramblings of a DVR Addict

Big Love-Episode 35:  Free at Last

I love this show and look forward to its return each season.  I was not diappointed…all my favorite characters returned, including a couple of new ones.  What’s in store for Bill and his gang?  Will Nicki still be up to her old ways?  Where’s Joey and Wanda?

The Henricksons have started their own church.  Last season we saw Barb get excommunicated and Bill rally with a proposal of a new church.  The opening scene we have Bill and his brood along with Don’s abbreviated family (recall that two of his wives left him last year) in a strip mall singing hymns with Bill on the pulpit.  I guess Nicki is still in-she apologizes during the testimony, but Bill doesn’t seem convinced.  The collective focus is on the success of the new business venture-casino!

With any new business venture there are challenges, Bill has the FBI.  The FBI is investigating the disappearance of The Prophet-Roman Grant.  He has been missing since the trial and the FBI is checking all leads.  Jerry Flute and his son, Tommy (played by Adam Beach, yummy!), are a bit irked, nobody wants the Feds in their business.  Bill even tries to work with Ray from the DA’s office to clear his name, but is met with no sympathy-“Nothing ends until Roman Grant is arrested.”  The FBI has also confronted Nicki-apparently Roman has been depositing checks in a bank account in Nicki’s name.

Poor Barb!  She is really struggling with the demands of setting up the casino-catering, uniforms.  She is also worried about where Sarah and Scott will get married-really Barb the new church?  Barb is also distracted when Ben tells her that his band auditioned and got a paying gig at the Singles Board Social.

Alby is bird watching/cruising in the park when he meets a businessman.  This man reappears in his life as the attorney/state appointed trustee because of Roman’s fugitive status which renders him unable to oversee the $200 million trust.  Talk about awkward!  Alby is opposed to the trust and compares it to an illegal Gestapo like invasion.  He even accuses Bill of being a Judas and that he will never be Prophet.  Bill responds that he has no taste for prophets and that Roman is tougher than Alby.  I am bit confused, Bill has no desire to be The Prophet, but manages to set up his own church?

Margene is having a hard time juggling her jewelry business and the casino.  She is resolved to make her business a success.  She tries to move her casino responsibilities to Barb-in an effort to improve Barb’s self esteem.

Lois and Ben are also in a new business venture-exotic birds smuggling.  I love Lois-she is so rowdy!  In an effort to smooth things over with Frank after her “attempting to hasten your demise.”  Slick Frank tries get a kiss from her, but it is all a set up when two cowhands with rope drive up.  Lois is no fool and is packing heat.  Her plan is to be civil and reacquaint themselves and salvage their marriage.  Later Frank shows up at Lois’ apartment, he tells her, “I don’t want to hurt you; I just want to kill you.”  They fight in the apartment, but Lois proposes that if they can get past this, she will give him a percentage. That scene with them wrestling around was a sight-Lois complaining about her hip and Frank screaming in agony over his back.  These veteran actors really add something to the cast!

BTW…Bill and Nicki are still struggling to reconnect on a personal and intimate level.

Nicki still manages to cause trouble.  When JJ comes to confront Nicki at the Henrickson compound, he accuses her of kidnapping Cara Lynn and hanging up on him when he tries to call.  Bill is left confused; Nicki assured him that she had made arrangements with JJ.  She is such a trip-she even accuses JJ of placing Cara Lynn in the Joy Book.  He denies and wishes to see his daughter.  Nicki informs him that she is starting school soon-wait a minute-when did she become the mother again?  JJ reminds her that she shouldn’t make decisions after twelve years of no input.  I love that Nicki turns this argument in that JJ still loves her and that they have to be vigilant against him.  She is so twisted!  Bill proposes that Cara Lynn visit her father during the weekends.  She doesn’t really like it there and promises that when JJ goes back to Kansas, she will follow, but in the meantime this an opportunity to get to know her mother.  It will interesting to follow this character, as you recall, she was a bit strange in last season’s finale.

Adaleen calls Nicki to get a generator, there is a blackout and their food reserves are in jeopardy.  Nicki initially refuses, but later shows up and demands answers.  Adaleen is so grateful and offers to make her a sandwich, but asks Nicki to go into the walk-in freezer.  What is going on?  I initially thought that Adaleen was planning on kidnapping her, but no!  Poor Roman Grant is on ice…Nicki screams and runs out.  Adaleen tells her she found him like that and was trying protect his image since he was supposed to live until 126.  Nicki races to Alby and tells him their dad is dead.  A smile emerges from him and Nick is appalled.  She demands that Alby announces his death so they can move forward.  Alby’s wife Lura is so kooky…she opens a can of Coors for celebration!  Alby feels his destiny has been filled.

Bill addresses the employees of the Blackfoot Magic Casino and tries to relate to their struggles.  As the caravan rolls out to the casino on opening day, Bill gets a phone call from a foreman.  Alby and Lura dumped him on the casino grounds and Nicki is so angry.  Why doesn’t Nicki just come clean?  Bill also learns that the FBI received an anonymous tip that Roman is on the casino grounds.  He tries to smooth things over with Jerry and Tommy.  Why didn’t they know that Roman Grant was his father-in-law?

Nicki tries to fix it…she wants to bury him in the dessert.  Bill gets her and they drive off, what’s the plan?  Nicki breaks down in tears in the realization that her father is dead.  They drive to Juniper Creek and Nicki goes inside to her childhood home-he reminds her stick with the story.  Bill has Roman’s body in the back of the van and in a tender moment, closes The Prophet’s eyes.  What’s the story?

Kenny Rogers is running late, the opening night entertainer’s flight is being delayed.  Barb is so nervous and Margene pushes her to represent the family.  Since Bill is not back yet, Barb addresses the audience and cues Ben’s band as the opening act.  I am proud of Barb-she is really having a hard time.

Bill and Nicki return to the casino and they all gather for a family meeting.  After seeing the take and feeling great, Bill walks over to Jerry and Tommy.  Tommy hands him Roman’s hat.  Uh-oh….

Interesting thoughts?

• Bill  reaching out to Joey and Wanda
• A Mormon friendly casino-Blackfoot Magic Casino and Family Fun Center.
• “Nobody in Utah eats salmon!”
• Barb thinks they don’t like her.  Barb feels she is drifting and Margene is blossoming.
• Nicki has yet to re-establish intimacy with Bill….Margene has been picking up her share
• Barb tries to confront Jerry and Tommy…not the time or the place?
• Crab legs…intentional?