Big Love (what, no thread about this already?)

Waluigi · #1 03-31-2006, 06:00 PM

Anyone watch this show? I figure Dingfod probably does, given his current avatar.

I watched the first three episodes, and I gotta say... I'm just not getting in to it. I like Bill Paxton, and it'd be great for him to have steady work, but I dunno, it's just a little too boring for me.

Seeing previews for upcoming episodes, they show some interesting things, but I just haven't been impressed thus far.

I will say, the cult leader guy is super creepy, and I like about every scene he's in.

Thoughts on Big Love?

SharonDee · #2 03-31-2006, 06:34 PM

I saw the premiere episode and gave up. I wanted to like it because all I'm all for polyamory when it works. But it played the setup you'd expect: wives jealous of the attention Mr. Man gives the rest of them. I know polyamorists online ... the head-butting comes into play over the same issues monogamists struggle with: money, child-rearing, whose turn it is to take out the garbage.

Do we really need the whole "I'm playing at polygamy but I really want monogamy" plot line?

On the other hand ... this is about Mormon polygamy so maybe my observations don't apply. :dunno:

Kevlar · #3 03-31-2006, 06:47 PM

I have to agree, this show is a real snooze. Thanks, Sharon, for introducing me to a term I haven't heard before. Can't say as I've known any professing polyamorists or polygamists.

godfry n. glad · #4 03-31-2006, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NC_Kev

I have to agree, this show is a real snooze. Thanks, Sharon, for introducing me to a term I haven't heard before. Can't say as I've known any professing polyamorists or polygamists.

Don't forget the polyandrists! Or even the Pollyannas.

Kevlar · #5 03-31-2006, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by godfry n. glad

Quote:

Originally Posted by NC_Kev

I have to agree, this show is a real snooze. Thanks, Sharon, for introducing me to a term I haven't heard before. Can't say as I've known any professing polyamorists or polygamists.

Don't forget the polyandrists! Or even the Pollyannas.

also the pollywogs and pollywannacrackers

freemonkey · #6 03-31-2006, 08:34 PM

I started a thread before the show premiered, but no one responded. :offended:

I'm watching it, but things just don't seem to add up for me (not that I actually know anything about it). I'm curious to know how accurate a portrayal Bill's whole set-up is, from the Mormon polygamist perspective, anyway. Given what we know so far about wife number 1, it seems to me that this is not something she would have gone for in the first place.

As for some other parts, Harry Dean Stanton's character is bad and creepy. My husband calls it "Sopranos, but in Utah".

So, yeah, I'll probably keep watching for awhile, just out of curiosity, to see where it goes.

Sun · #7 03-31-2006, 08:48 PM

I like this show, but I know a lot about these types of polygamists. There is a town north of where I live and it's just like the compound on the show.

Waluigi · #8 03-31-2006, 08:49 PM

I saw your thread, freemonkey (did a search to make sure I wasn't submitting a duplicate topic). Apparently there isn't much interest for the show. Now I see why... it's not that interesting.

freemonkey · #9 03-31-2006, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sun

I like this show, but I know a lot about these types of polygamists. There is a town north of where I live and it's just like the compound on the show.

Which types, Sun? The Roman types, or the Bill types?

Sun · #10 03-31-2006, 09:24 PM

Roman all the way.

Dingfod · #11 04-03-2006, 06:33 PM

Sorry I missed this thread. That's what I get for staying away from FF as much as I have.

livius drusus · #12 04-03-2006, 06:36 PM

Yeah! Let that be a lesson to you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sun

Roman all the way.

I hate to see such a lovely adjective associated with a freak like that. Then again, Caligula and all that.

Blake · #13 04-04-2006, 04:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sun

I like this show, but I know a lot about these types of polygamists. There is a town north of where I live and it's just like the compound on the show.

How interesting. From my limited knowledge I supposed that the compound had a real-life counterpart, but I'm skeptical whether the show's focal family parallels any actual incarnation.

I think it might be good, though I concede at the least that it's slow starting. The unfolding of the current and past conflict within their breakaway church and the character development have a lot of potential.

Dingfod · #14 04-04-2006, 12:37 PM

The polygamous family that lived down the street from us in Utah all lived in one big house. However, I know of another family that owns all the houses on a short cul-de-sac and another that has houses scattered throughout the south end of the Salt Lake Valley. The family compounds range from the Jeff's family compound, located on 4 acres of expensive real estate at the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon (just down from Snowbird and Alta ski resorts), to the convicted felon Tom Green's mobile home enclave out in the West Desert. They are all over the place.

Another oddball Mormon offshoot group is The Order of Aaron, most of whom live in a community called Eskdale, Utah. They are not polygamist, they are communist of the United Order sort. No individual owns any property at all, the group owns a number of successful business including their dairy at Eskdale. Each family has a small house, but they dine together in a community house. One of their chapels was not more than a mile or so from our house in Utah. Oddly enough, probably completely different than most of the polygamist groups, The Order of Aaron pays for the college education of every child capable of it. Many return after college to contribute their skills for the good of the group.