Big Love on HBO

[speedcouch]

Anyone else watch this show? It was kind of interesting. But I'm betting the Mormons are protesting it already! :) Doesn't make them look very good.

Cheryl

[jeff125va]

I plan to check it out, forgot to set up the SP last night but I guess they repeat it like all the other series. I do like the cast, seems a little unusual to see all of the leads being well-established stars in a new HBO series. That's not based on any thorough analysis, I'm sure there are exceptions. Interesting point about the Mormons, although they may not be as influential a lobby as other religious groups about whom unflattering shows have been made recently. Plus, being on a pay channel, any pressure is diffused since there aren't really any advertisers, other than product placements.

[Hpirx]

My wife and I watched it. Bit too soap opera-ish for us. Probably won't watch again.

[Rolf]

The show is about a fictional sect that left the Mormon church a long time ago. I doubt that the Mormons will get too upset as long as there's a clear seperation between Mormonism and the more radical practices of the sect.



The only mainstream Mormon character that got a significant amount of screen time last night was the daughter's coworker, and that seemed to be a fair portrayal. I think that character was set up to show a difference between the faith of the family and Mormonism, and also to bring in another character later (the coworker's father) that might be significant later.



I like the show so far. It looks like it's going to take a few weeks to dig into the complexities of the characters and stories.

[TAsunder]

I oscillated between dislike and mild like. Rodrigo Garcia is good at these sort of stories, I guess I'm a little worried that episodes he doesn't direct will fall into permanent dislike. Good to see Amanda Seyfried and the other girl from Veronica Mars still are getting work - not surprising that Seyfried's in a Garcia episode since she was in Nine Lives, I guess.

Soap opera is not the right term for me. More like desperate housewives HBO style.

[JFriday]

I thought it was ok. I'll give it a couple more episodes to see if it gets better.

[pmyers]

I'll watch another episode...

[ravonaf]

I thought it was ok also. If they center the show around the relationships between the 3 wives I don't know If I'll watch. That would get boring fast. But there seems to be enough going on I will watch a couple more.

[Paperboy2003]

blah!

but I'll probably watch next week to see if it improves.

Seem's an odd storyline for a show...but then again, people thought a story line about a funeral home was odd as well...

[pmyers]

I liked how they took down the walls in the back yards between their houses.

I also liked him getting shook down by the Prophet for his correct Tithe.

[mwhip]

I was really looking forward to this show for months. Then I saw all the TV critics early reviews of the pilot they sent out and they were not good. They all said it was a good show but not up to the par HBO has set. I got a little worried that I had my hopes up for no reason. Well HBO saw these reviews also and sent out the first 5 to critics to reinforce their show. All the critics are raving now saying the show gets much better. I think this may draw from Harry Dean Stanton being more prominent in the future. Just based on what I saw of him last night he is going to be a great character to watch. Very creepy.

But I disagree with the critics about the pilot I thought it was excellent. I really enjoyed all the interactions with the wives and between them. Of course I did like DH for 1.5 seasons until it became crap and I gave up on it.

[mwhip]

I liked how they took down the walls in the back yards between their houses.

I also liked him getting shook down by the Prophet for his correct Tithe.


And isn't the usually Tithe 10% not 15%?

[bigrig]

I liked it...just the idea of having three wives and how that can even work is entertaining to me.

How can he afford three houses and all those kids?? And how many dependents does he claim on his taxes??

Loved it when he finally got the plumbing working and "boss-lady" didn't want to...I knew that was coming!

Matt

[pjenkins]

i thought it started out slow but got better toward the end, i'll give it 2-3 shows more to see...

as to having 3 wives, well, lets just say I really can't understand the attraction to that, one is hard enough :)

[danielhart]

And isn't the usually Tithe 10% not 15%?

It wasn't really a tithing. It was a percentage due to the Prophet/Sect because he/they originally bankrolled Bill Paxton's store.

[pmyers]

It wasn't really a tithing. It was a percentage due to the Prophet/Sect because he/they originally bankrolled Bill Paxton's store.

If that's the case, I didn't catch it. I thought when he said "We own 15% of whatever you do" he meant due to tithing and not any type of "real" business relationship.

When the Boss Lady turned him down at the end, I thought he was just going to go next door...that's what I would have done ;)

[mwhip]

If that's the case, I didn't catch it. I thought when he said "We own 15% of whatever you do" he meant due to tithing and not any type of "real" business relationship.

When the Boss Lady turned him down at the end, I thought he was just going to go next door...that's what I would have done ;)


I don't think it had anything to do with Tithing. I think his compound is getting 15% of store #1 and assumed he would be getting 15% of store #2. The paperwork he was mad about was the fact that he is only getting 15% of the franchise fee paid to store #1 by store #2.

[5thcrewman]

A 'Tithe' is 10%, any more is a 'Taste!' :p

[Rolf]

Since we're getting into episode specific discussions, could the OP or a mod change the thread title to show a spoiler warning or an episode date?

The tithing thing ("We own fifteen percent of whatever...") reminded me of...

**Sopranos Spoiler Ahead**



...when Florida Guy on last nights Sopranos gave up a percentage of his inheritance to Tony. It was Florida Guy's personal money, and had nothing to do with the business, but he was still obligated to pay his 'tribute'.

[speedcouch]

Since we're getting into episode specific discussions, could the OP or a mod change the thread title to show a spoiler warning or an episode date?

I just went in and added episode date (sorry didn't catch the title), but for some reason, it's not showing up when I refresh (on the forum index).

Cheryl

[mwhip]

Since we're getting into episode specific discussions, could the OP or a mod change the thread title to show a spoiler warning or an episode date?

The tithing thing ("We own fifteen percent of whatever...") reminded me of...

**Sopranos Spoiler Ahead**



...when Florida Guy on last nights Sopranos gave up a percentage of his inheritance to Tony. It was Florida Guy's personal money, and had nothing to do with the business, but he was still obligated to pay his 'tribute'.



No spoiler tag needed in thread titles anymore. From the sticky at the top of the TV talk forum:

Official Episode Threads:
When starting a discussion about a specific show episode, please put the air date and name of the program (and title if you know it) in the subject line. (ie: Lost, “Man of Science, Man of Faith,” 11/16.)

This will be the “official” thread for that week, and anything within that thread may contain spoilers for that show. It is also okay to mention a plot point from any previous episode. If you are not caught up on this show, and do not wish to read spoilers, do not open this thread.

[IndyTom]

The show is about a fictional sect that left the Mormon church a long time ago. I doubt that the Mormons will get too upset as long as there's a clear seperation between Mormonism and the more radical practices of the sect.


It's still a "black eye" to the Mormon Church regardless if the sect left 100 years ago or not. They will always have that association.

Kind of like that proverbial crazy relative no one likes to talk about.

[CharlieB]

I didn't, and don't, plan to watch this show, but I wonder about the whole premise of polygamy. Besides the "one wife is more than enough" thing, unless there are many more Mormon women than men, if many men take multiple wives, how are other men going to find ANY wives?

[mwhip]

From a Mormon friend of mine who does not condone polygamy but does know a lot about it there are a lot of compounds or polygamy camps. There is also a lot of incest and underage marriage that takes place. You have these camps with hundreds of people living there and wives having as many babies as possible. Two brothers may be married separately to sisters but once their kids grow up they marry each other. I saw a special on this on PBS years ago and the family trees in these places barely branch. And as soon as girls start menstruating they marry them off and they start having babies at 12 or 13 years old sometimes. This is what the Mormon church is so upset about with this show. I really don't think the producers are going to try and glamorize the polygamy lifestyle.

From one scene last night Roman (who looks to be in his fifties) the leader of the sect was riding in a car with his new wife who was 14. When she was introduced to one of Bill Paxton's wives she had this really horrible look on her face and kept saying "no, no, no." In a really "feel sorry for her" way.

[pmyers]

Didn't the blurb at the end say something about up to 20,000 people practicing polygamy in the US?

[ClutchBrake]

Didn't the blurb at the end say something about up to 20,000 people practicing polygamy in the US?

20-40K estimate based on 2002 census, I believe.

[Mabes]

I don't think it had anything to do with Tithing. I think his compound is getting 15% of store #1 and assumed he would be getting 15% of store #2. The paperwork he was mad about was the fact that he is only getting 15% of the franchise fee paid to store #1 by store #2.

So who is right? I can see Bill Paxton's character's point. But I can see the Prophet's. Without the success of the 1st store, there would be no second. From a legal standpoint, I'm sure the original contract didn't say anything about 15% of the 2nd store, if it did he would have had to give it to him.

But from a moral standpoint, who is right?

I'm going to side with Paxton. The church had absolutely nothing to do with the success of the store. Paxton made it a success.

But if that is so, why does the church get 15% of the franchise fee? I don't think they should get any.

[hawkamer]

I really liked this. Definitely keeping the season pass.

Any theories on who was poisoning Bill's dad? It was either: (1) an accident; (2) Bill's mother; or (3) The Prophet (I remember him bringing Bill's Mom a pitcher of something).

My theory is is was the Prophet, but only because of his creepiness factor.

[JasonD]

I have to say I really like this show. Good character development and Bill Paxton is playing his role to the hilt. I liked Boss Mom also. Looking forward to more episodes.

Jason

[jradford]

No spoiler tag needed in thread titles anymore. From the sticky at the top of the TV talk forum:
Because there is no episode title or episode date, spoilers about the episode actually should be tagged. And since this has turned into an episode discussion, the title really should be changed so people don't have to worry about it.

I think this has the makings of a great show. It was a little slow at 1st, and the opening credits sequence had me worried, but by the end, I felt involved and really liked it.

[mwhip]

So who is right? I can see Bill Paxton's character's point. But I can see the Prophet's. Without the success of the 1st store, there would be no second. From a legal standpoint, I'm sure the original contract didn't say anything about 15% of the 2nd store, if it did he would have had to give it to him.

But from a moral standpoint, who is right?

I'm going to side with Paxton. The church had absolutely nothing to do with the success of the store. Paxton made it a success.

But if that is so, why does the church get 15% of the franchise fee? I don't think they should get any.

Yeah that is a really a morality question. I think Bill not giving 15% of the 2nd store shows that he does not agree with the prophets ways.

Most other people involved in a church they are active in would tithe 10% of everything. He is obviously making a statement.

They get 15% of the franchise fee because it is going directly into the profit margin of the first store and that is where his obligation lies.

[pmyers]

I really liked this. Definitely keeping the season pass.

Any theories on who was poisoning Bill's dad? It was either: (1) an accident; (2) Bill's mother; or (3) The Prophet (I remember him bringing Bill's Mom a pitcher of something).

My theory is is was the Prophet, but only because of his creepiness factor.

I vote for the Prophet. Like you said, he gave the mom a pitcher and said something about giving it to the husband to make him feel better. Add that to the Prophet telling Bill that he hadn't returned any of his phone calls so the Prophet knew that he'd have to come to the compound if his dad got sick.

[dtle]

What's the attitude towards the polygamist like Bill, living normally among us instead of a camp like the others? It looks like his store is successful, and he's loved by his employee. The customers and employees seems to be fine with his three wives, or do they just don't know?

[mwhip]

What's the attitude towards the polygamist like Bill, living normally among us instead of a camp like the others? It looks like his store is successful, and he's loved by his employee. The customers and employees seems to be fine with his three wives, or do they just don't know?

They don't know. Only one wife was on the podium at the opening. The whole family knows to keep it a secret evidence by the girl working at the fast food place when she found out her new friends dad was a state trooper. Better not let her over to your house to hang out. Which I find odd because one of the girls at the table made a 3-mommys joke and I could not tell if it was directed towards her or was just a Mormon joke like the others she had been making.

[sgsmith]

What's the attitude towards the polygamist like Bill, living normally among us instead of a camp like the others? It looks like his store is successful, and he's loved by his employee. The customers and employees seems to be fine with his three wives, or do they just don't know?

The impression I have is that polygamy is hidden in the "real world". If you remember, when he first left one wife's house in the morning, he walked over to another house to get in his truck. That night at family dinner, one daughter told him he'd "been bad", and he replied that he checked to make sure no one was looking.

I would guess that most people outside of the clan don't know of his multiple wives. Or look the other way as long as it's not made too obvious.

BTW - The girls in the fast food joint commented on the "three mommies".

[jradford]

I vote for the Prophet. Like you said, he gave the mom a pitcher and said something about giving it to the husband to make him feel better. Add that to the Prophet telling Bill that he hadn't returned any of his phone calls so the Prophet knew that he'd have to come to the compound if his dad got sick.
I agree with this. I'd be suprised if it was the mother.

[mwhip]

There is also a 2 hour documentary on Polygamy on Discovery or one of those channels right now. I saw it on last night but it was an hour in so I set it to record a later date. There was about 5 more airings in the future so if you are curious do a keyword search on TiVo for polygamy.

[rkester]

I finally watched it last night. Not sure what I think.

I already hate the younger wife, she's a shopaholic and the others are struggling. Plus I dislike Chloe Svengy (sp) in general.

Love Bill Paxton however.

And the ever gorgeous Jeanne Tripplehorn (from TUlsa woot) is always good. She seems to ground the familys.

But I do not get the multiple mariages thing. Just dont get it. I can barely handle one relationship in my life!

[pendragn]

We watched this last night. It didn't grab me immediately, but I'll leave it in the Season Passes for a couple more weeks and see if it grows on me.

tk

[robbins]

It's still a "black eye" to the Mormon Church regardless if the sect left 100 years ago or not. They will always have that association.

Kind of like that proverbial crazy relative no one likes to talk about.

Not at all. This type of thing has absolutely nothing to do with the Moromon Church at all, zero association.

[chewbaccad]

it was ok, but I can see the basic premise getting old fast. I'll give it another couple episodes, but if it stays like this I just won't care enough to keep watching...

[JohnB1000]

Not at all. This type of thing has absolutely nothing to do with the Moromon Church at all, zero association.

Factually you are 100% correct. Sadly 98% of people who watch this are going to think Mormon church.

[dswallow]

I haven't finished the first episode; I was very bored. It was very bad. I will watch the rest and one more episode to see if there's improvement, but in general, nothing about it seems all that interesting and no characters seem to have any long term enduring values to bother with.

[pmyers]

yeah...I didn't understand the "3 mommies" comment and in what context and who they were saying it too. I too assumed their life was a secret but that comment made me believe they knew....but perhaps they were just playing on the Mormon joke of all of them having multiple wives?

[mwhip]

yeah...I didn't understand the "3 mommies" comment and in what context and who they were saying it too. I too assumed their life was a secret but that comment made me believe they knew....but perhaps they were just playing on the Mormon joke of all of them having multiple wives?

That is going to be how I am going to take it until I see a couple more episodes.

[jradford]

yeah...I didn't understand the "3 mommies" comment and in what context and who they were saying it too. I too assumed their life was a secret but that comment made me believe they knew....but perhaps they were just playing on the Mormon joke of all of them having multiple wives?
Confused me, as well. I took it the other way, that they were just messing with her for fun because they then showed the Nap. Dynamite girl looking a little appalled/shocked? But I agree, it's going to take a couple episodes to really figure out who knows what, and who is supposed to know what. I have no doubt that I could be wrong.

DSwallow, imo, I thought the 1st 20-25 minutes were excrutiatingly slow, but I started to feel an attachment by the end. I'm interested to hear how it turns out for you after seeing the rest.

[KRS]

It was pretty "meh" for me. I found myself checking the progress bar several times while watching, and it wasn't because I was hoping it would last longer.

The "Brown Bunny" that the young wife gave to Paxton was not very convincing - it lasted all of 5 seconds and then she gave up. If she was that horny, she should have put a little more effort into it. She needs to get some tips from Chloe! :)

I hope that they have some flashbacks to when wife #1 agreed to wife #2 and so forth. Just focusing on the stresses of maintaining the facade/hectic lifestyle will get boring fast, even with an evil prophet running around >ahem<Carnivale>ahem<.

The previews for next week looked awfully silly - I mean, how many times can you get walked in on before you lock the door? I hope that it doesn't stray too far into the soapy Desperate Housewives territory.

[TAsunder]

She gave up because he "lost his edge".

[KRS]

She gave up because he "lost his edge".

I thought he lost his edge when the baby started crying, and she was trying to get it back by doing a "March 14th minus steak." Whether his Bizkit was Limping along or not, five seconds is just not long enough. :)

[7thton]

I have to say I really like this show. Good character development and Bill Paxton is playing his role to the hilt. I liked Boss Mom also. Looking forward to more episodes.

Jason

Same here. Big Love looks like a winner to me.

:up: :up: :up:

[IndyTom]

Not at all. This type of thing has absolutely nothing to do with the Moromon Church at all, zero association.

I stand corrected, however, I do find it a little curious that the writers/producers of this show chose the Salt Lake City area as the backdrop of the show.

Are they trying to blur the lines a little?

[DocSavag]

My wife and I watched it. I liked it enough to watch a couple of more episodes to see where they go with it. I do agree that it could get stale very easily.

Of course its just time filler waiting on the return of Deadwood ;)

[dswallow]

DSwallow, imo, I thought the 1st 20-25 minutes were excrutiatingly slow, but I started to feel an attachment by the end. I'm interested to hear how it turns out for you after seeing the rest.
Well, it did pick up, though not really that much. I'll probably at least give it the 5 episodes that seemed necessary to convince critics it's good and then see how I feel.

[jlib]

Interesting comments and good catch on the Prophet as possible poisoner.

Two apparrent continuity problems bug me for some reason (I'm usually not picky about such things).

1. Barb's (Tripplehorn) bedroom was different at two different times (changed color).

2. How did Nicki (Sevigny) get back home from the compound?

Anyway, I see great potential for this series.

[Greg K.]

2. How did Nicki (Sevigny) get back home from the compound?

The Prophet dropped her off, when he came to town to see Bill about the tithe.

[Figaro]

Boooooooooooooooorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnngggggggg !

Don't need to see Bill Paxton's ass ever again! Stupid Chet!

[IndyTom]

Boooooooooooooooorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnngggggggg !

Don't need to see Bill Paxton's ass ever again! Stupid Chet!

LOL Chet. I was wondering if anyone would make a reference.

[LlamaLarry]

I stand corrected, however, I do find it a little curious that the writers/producers of this show chose the Salt Lake City area as the backdrop of the show.

Are they trying to blur the lines a little?No entirely certain what robbins was referring to, but plural marriages were definitely a part of the original Mormon doctrine, but were renounced in ~1890 (IIRC as a condition of Utah's statehood). Mainstream "Mormonism" does not advocate plural marriages, but there are certainly several Fundamentalist Mormon sects that do believe that plural marriage is needed for exaltation.

I can't think of any other Christian religions that make constant references to being "sealed", "sealed for eternity", etc., laity bishops and the odd spacescape in the opening must be a reference to their "celestial family". I don't see any reason to doubt that the Juniper Creek followers are anything but Mormon, but they are clearly not LDS branch.

[Bananfish]

I haven't finished the first episode; I was very bored. It was very bad. I will watch the rest and one more episode to see if there's improvement, but in general, nothing about it seems all that interesting and no characters seem to have any long term enduring values to bother with.


I finally watched this pilot last night, and I couldn't agree more. I found it to be one of the most insufferably boring things I've ever seen. Like watching the details of a boring man with a boring marriage and a boring family in a boring job leading a boring life ... times three. And it was even cliched at some points - how a show about a polygamist with three wives managed to be cliched is beyond me. The only saving grace to me were The Preacher character and the performances by Chloe Sevigny and Grace Zabriskie (the mother).

That said, I have enough faith in HBO's series to watch another episode or two, and hope that it picks up. If it doesn't, this Season Pass is toast.

[rkester]

HBO has not really hit their mark lately wiht any of the newer series. I thought Rome was a disapointment as well.

NOthing has gotten me excited for a while but I keep holding on to HBO hoping for greatness, and Entourage, Deadwood.

[mwhip]

HBO has not really hit their mark lately wiht any of the newer series. I thought Rome was a disapointment as well.

NOthing has gotten me excited for a while but I keep holding on to HBO hoping for greatness, and Entourage, Deadwood.


Entourage is good. Deadwood is awesome. But I am waiting for the fall when The Wire comes back.

[rkester]

Ive got the last 2 eps of BL to watch. Been busy watching HUFF dvds, working on my house, etc to watch them. Since they havent thrilled me too much, I havent made them priotity.

[ClutchBrake]

But I am waiting for the fall when The Wire comes back.

A-freakin-men!!! :D :up:

And release the damn S3 DVDs!!! :mad: :mad: :mad:

[mwhip]

A-freakin-men!!! :D :up:

And release the damn S3 DVDs!!! :mad: :mad: :mad:

I have watched Season 1 and 2 for the 3rd time waiting for season 4 to start.

BTW - Season 3 (http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/newsitem.cfm?NewsID=4575)

[mwhip]

And I found more...

http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/newsitem.cfm?NewsID=5238

[jennifer]

I didn't catch this until a week after the show started. Could one of you guys burn the series premiere on a DVD and send it my way? I'll gladly pay expenses :)

[bigrig]

BitTorrent shold get 'er done...look for the thread - in Happy Hour, I think.

[phox_mulder]

I didn't catch this until a week after the show started. Could one of you guys burn the series premiere on a DVD and send it my way? I'll gladly pay expenses :)

I bet HBO has a marathon planned in the near future.

They've done it with every other series just about.


phox

[jennifer]

Thanks for the responses. Pendragn has graciously offered to provide me with a DVD :)

[rkester]

Im waiting for the marathon so I can catch up too.

Jennifer, so pendragn is giving you the big love? ::gigle::

[pendragn]

Im waiting for the marathon so I can catch up too.

Jennifer, so pendragn is giving you the big love? ::gigle::
Well, I hate to brag...

:D

tk

[rkester]

It's not bragging if its true...

;)

[Carolat]

Not at all. This type of thing has absolutely nothing to do with the Moromon Church at all, zero association.

Regardless of what really goes on within the Mormon Church, the perception is there. People hear about plural wives and the automatic response is 'Ah, Mormons'. I've heard many things about the Mormon Church... polygamy is the least offensive.

There are misconceptions about every religion.

[GerryGag]

I bet HBO has a marathon planned in the near future.
I believe that starting May 30th, HBO will be running the first 11 episodes, leading up to the finale on June 4th. Check your listings.

[phox_mulder]

I believe that starting May 30th, HBO will be running the first 11 episodes, leading up to the finale on June 4th. Check your listings.

Did I call it or what. :D


phox

[Figaro]

do all mormons have sex with their bras on? What the hell?

[dswallow]

do all mormons have sex with their bras on? What the hell?
Only when the camera's on.

[GerryGag]

I think we need a Big Love drinking game:

1) Every time they show Bill's butt - take a shot (you'll be drunk rather quickly on that one alone!)

2) Every time someone has sex with a bra on - take a shot

3) Every time Nicky turns in a "huff" - take a shot

...feel free to add your own rules!