Big Love for Big Love

I tried watching this show a few years ago, and I lost interest a few minutes into the first episode. It seemed like the stereotypical "perfect male fantasy" to me, and to be honest, the dynamics between Bill and his three wives kind of creeped me out. Don't get me wrong: I don't care if people are polygamous (as long as it is consensual) but the feeling I got from them was more of a nuclear family, and well--it was just weird. I figured that it was just one of those shows that people watch for pure titillation, and as a result I pretty much wrote it off.

Well, one of my favorite blogs has been talking about Big Love a lot lately, and as a result my interest was peaked--especially since the show seemed to make for a lot of interesting discussion about women and feminism. So, I decided that I would give it another chance.

Boy, am I glad I did. In the last few weeks I've been plowing through the seasons. I'm currently about 5 episodes into season 3, and I can't wait to be caught up. Again, I was a little "iffy" about the characters at first. By the end, however, I was "iffy" about them in a completely new way. I am constantly conflicted by their actions, and their choices, and yet, I have come to really care about them--especially the wives. I was devastated in the season one finale, when Barb was disqualified from the "mother of the year" contest, and they were in danger of being "outed."

Nikki, in particular, is a fascinating character. I can't say that I "like" her, but I do care about her. The episode in season 3 where she sees herself in the "Joy Book" and breaks down is really powerful. Kudos to Chloe Sevigny. Bill's mom is another fave. What a character.

Bill, on the other hand, is fast approaching the top of my shit-list. I still can't get over the "double-standard" aspect of his relationship with the three wives. And his preoccupation with money and power is troubling, to say the least. I can definitely see him becoming more sinister in the next season.