It’s been a long wait, but the fourth season of Big Love is here and there is no shortage of intrigue, manipulation and disquiet weaving its way through the tangled web that is the lives of the Hendrickson family.
First, a quick recap. When we last left our favorite polygamists and the daily rigmarole they suffer through in the name of keeping the faith, Bill’s brother Joey had killed Roman in retribution for the death of his would-be second wife, Nikki’s daughter (who literally came out of nowhere) showed up unannounced on Nikki’s doorstep seeking refuge from her father and life on the compound, Nikki had all but been shunned by Bill for her backdoor dealings with her father and (almost) affair with the DA, Sarah had all but disavowed the polygamist lifestyle and made plans to marry her boyfriend, Margene was selling knickknacks on TV to try and help the family make ends meet, Barb had been excommunicated from the Mormon church, and Bill was spinning deeper and deeper into an unraveling madness trying to juggle his family, his business, his faith, and all the messes he keeps creating.
We open on the Hendrickson family taking part in their very own church service, away from the prying eyes of the FBI and all the rest of us sinners. They are joined by Bill’s crew-cutted partner Don, as well as daughter Sarah (minus her fiancé) who informs Barb that she might be getting married in the United Church of Christ – news that Barb manages to contain all her excitement about.
While the Hendricksons are giving thanks to God, Alby is in the park giving thanks for all the hot dudes working out within range of his binoculars. He gets approached by a man who questions Alby’s presence in the park and subtly suggests that he follow him into the heavy brush for a little afternoon delight, and Alby almost jumps out of his khaki shorts while making a beeline to the bushes.
SIDE NOTE: Matt Ross, the actor who plays Alby, could not be any more perfect for this role. Alby is a pulsating tangle of nerves, ready to explode at any minute. Ross seems to be able to rein in Alby’s outward behavior without ever letting his inner intensity subside, which makes him that much creepier. There are not a lot of closeted gay, maniacal prophets-in-waiting on television, but this guy hits it out of the park. In a lot of ways, he reminds me of Michael Emerson, who plays Ben Linus on Lost. I think it’s all in their eyes. If there were ever a pay-per-view event pitting Alby Grant vs. Ben Linus in a staring contest, they would have my money. Dick Clark could host. It would be weird.
While Alby’s out blowing joggers, Bill’s new business endeavor with the Blackfoot Indians is finally going to come to fruition. He’s got ads running on the local stations touting the grand opening of his Mormon-friendly casino, and he’s hopeful that it will be the cash cow his family needs in order to financially survive any unwelcome legal attention toward their lifestyle. Bill’s partners, Jerry and his son Tommy, aren’t super keen on polygamy and have had their doubts about the business partnership since the beginning, but keep pushing forward with the deal.
The relationship between Bill and Don with the Blackfoot folks is something I have had trouble with since last season. Throughout the entire process, Jerry has been suspicious of Bill’s motives for getting into the gaming business, as well as how his partnership with a polygamist will reflect on himself and his tribe, but he continues to move forward at every opportunity (not without his doubts, but he never pulls the plug on the deal despite the fact that he knows something doesn’t smell right). I can’t help but wonder how the casino deal is going to play out this season. It’s success wouldn’t just mean financial success for Jerry’s tribe, but it would solidify his business relationship with a man who he doesn’t completely trust. I guess if the money keeps rolling in without incident, it’s all good, but the odds of that happening are non-existent since there has never been a plotline in this show that has everybody with their hands clean. Let’s wait, shall we?
Up until this point it has yet to be addressed what has happened to The Prophet. We find out that people have been asking questions and the FBI is poking around the compound and the Hendrickson’s houses looking for answers. Juniper Creek’s trust has been taken by the state and until Roman is found it will remain under government control. It’s here that we meet Dale, the man in charge of the panel responsible for Juniper Creek’s trust. Hey he looks familiar. Oh yeah, it’s because he’s the guy Alby fucked in the park. Awkward!
Smash cut to Adaleene, as crazed as ever, calling Nikki out to the compound. She forces Nikki into the cellar and HOLY SHIT ROMAN’S BODY IS FROZEN IN THE BASEMENT! Adaleene says she found him weeks ago and didn’t know what to do with him, so of course she called Nikki, the child she doesn’t trust and has shunned and questioned every step of the series, to help her take care of it.
This led to my favorite scene of the episode. Nikki of course immediately goes to Alby with the information about their father. Alby, flanked by his co-conspiring wife now know for his father is dead and he is next in line to rule Juniper Creek. His wife is so ecstatic that she feverishly runs to the icebox and grabs a cold Coors Banquet beer. It’s time to celebrate. But Alby doesn’t have time to enjoy that Rocky Mountain refreshment. He’s got work to do.
Back in civilization, Lois is smuggling exotic birds into the country and making money hand over fist when in walks Frank, her ex-husband who she didn’t have the guts to finish off last season when she had a plastic bag over his face. Ah, love. Frank and his goon squad do their damnedest to take Lois out of the picture for good, but of course she carries a gun on her out in public, so that plan will have to wait for another day.
Alby’s had a hell of a day running into old flames and finding out his dad is dead and dreaming of taking control of the compound and taking down that icy cold Coors he’s got waiting for him at home, so he drags Roman’s body out into the desert where, SURPRISE, Bill’s construction worker finds him and lets Bill know that there’s very strange things afoot at the Circle K. Bill and the wives are on their way to the casino’s grand opening, but he and Nikki take a detour to get rid of Roman’s body so as not to arouse suspicion (yeah, I know). Barb and Margene take charge of the casino opening and everything ends up going smoothly, despite the crab legs not being on ice.
If I had never seen this show and was reading about all the goings on in the world of Big Love, I would think this show was bat-shit insane, which I guess is technically correct. But the show has done such a great job fleshing out all these characters over the last three seasons that none of it seems too out of place in the context of Juniper Creek and the Hendrickson family.
Hold on, kiddies. It’s gonna be a bumpy ride.
Things to ponder:
• New opening titles and music – yea or nay?
• Lois calls her female birds “clits” because “that’s what the Mexicans call them.” I don’t know where she got this info, but it’s hilarious.
• I now know that Mormons and Native Americans have a strained relationship based on the following piece of dialogue from Bill: “We need to be careful not to step on anybody’s moccasins.” Stay classy, Bill.
• Ben is in a Christian rock band. My wife’s reaction: “Jesus rock scares the shit out of me.”
• Barb proclaims that “nobody in Utah eats salmon!” Is this true?
• Bruce Dern looked older and deader than Roman’s dead body.
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