Big Love

[BattleAxe]

I don't know if this is a sore topic or not...but PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE...don't read anything into this post.

OK, I watched Larry King show a few weeks back about philandrophy (??) anyway a man with multiple wives. And they mentioned this show Big Love on HBO. A series based on the subject and one they said was fairly accurate. So I decided to watch. Mainly because I've not read much, learned much or even gave it much thought. But in effort to understand and learn I tuned in. Well...

I like the series and have seen two episodes. The last was a bit raunchy but I made it through. I actually felt kinda bad for the situation, but at the same time, these women didn't seem to be looking for my sympathy !!! Sure they had everyday issues, namely who Bill is to sleep with, but one of the wives is working and one is in debt, one is feeling unattractive...everyday stuff. But they didn't seem ready to divorce and run away either.

I am not advocating this lifestyle by no means (just for the record) but was wondering if anyone else is watching (even in secret) and what is your take on it. Do you think it is accurate? Just entertaining? Not so entertaining? All comments welcomed (in love of course)

 

[RiverTheBald]

I don't know if this is a sore topic or not...but PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE...don't read anything into this post.

OK, I watched Larry King show a few weeks back about philandrophy (??) anyway a man with multiple wives. And they mentioned this show Big Love on HBO. A series based on the subject and one they said was fairly accurate. So I decided to watch. Mainly because I've not read much, learned much or even gave it much thought. But in effort to understand and learn I tuned in. Well...

I like the series and have seen two episodes. The last was a bit raunchy but I made it through. I actually felt kinda bad for the situation, but at the same time, these women didn't seem to be looking for my sympathy !!! Sure they had everyday issues, namely who Bill is to sleep with, but one of the wives is working and one is in debt, one is feeling unattractive...everyday stuff. But they didn't seem ready to divorce and run away either.

I am not advocating this lifestyle by no means (just for the record) but was wondering if anyone else is watching (even in secret) and what is your take on it. Do you think it is accurate? Just entertaining? Not so entertaining? All comments welcomed (in love of course)

Sure I'll give you my thoughts on it...
I don't know if the shows is "accurate" or not, because I'm not a polygamist, but I'd have to say that I doubt that it is because on "Big Love" their situation is very unique.
They used to be Mormons, but then followed that old guy out of the Mormon church into their own "cult-like" church where they still practice polygamy (Mormons have denounced it years ago) and so these characters practiced it and became polygamists but then they left the cult, so they're very much "in between religions" right now or something. lol

But I do find it entertaining... it's a pretty good program. it does Not advocate polygamy or make me want to go out and get me some more wives cuz that guy has more energy than 7 of me. I'm exhausted just watching him run around picking up and dropping off children and everything.

 

[Devasha]

Is it actual real people, like a documentary, or is it a dramatization? I never heard of it before reading this thread.

 

[RiverTheBald]

Is it actual real people, like a documentary, or is it a dramatization? I never heard of it before reading this thread.

It's a drama. It stars Bill Paxton and Chloe Sevigny.

 

[wanderingone]

I'm hooked on it... it's a bit "adult" and I know some Mormons have been unhappy with it.. but I think the show has made it pretty clear that the Mormon church does not accept polygamy by having plenty of characters who are LDS and appalled by polygamy.

I think the link to the type of polygamy most of us here about in the media.. the communities that are notorious for child brides, dumping teenage boys out of the community and controlling abusive marriages is interesting.. the way Barb and Bill originally tried to live in a single marriage but got hooked back in seemingly when Barb was sick and they needed help. The hold the past has on them, and the way they can't just openly be accepted into the community their trying to live makes an endless array of storylines for them to come up with.

I don't think it's at all realistic.. but I think it does a fair job of showing how a family like theirs trying to live outside of a community of like minded families would have to manage... there's no way in the real world that would get pulled off for more than a few days.. I don't care how much people claim nobody knows their neighbors anymore.

I don't watch it for any insight into what polygamy would be like.. it's just another drama to me.

 

[BattleAxe]

The show is definately different, but it has alot of elements that many others have. I am enjoying it. There are some racy moments in it but overall, I like it.

Oh, the women who was on CNN said it was pretty accurate in alot of ways...go figure. And I don't mean to imply that I am watching for educational purposes (sorry for the confusion), I was courious because I don't know much about their culture.

 

[wanderingone]

The show is definately different, but it has alot of elements that many others have. I am enjoying it. There are some racy moments in it but overall, I like it.

Oh, the women who was on CNN said it was pretty accurate in alot of ways...go figure. And I don't mean to imply that I am watching for educational purposes (sorry for the confusion), I was courious because I don't know much about their culture.

I just get creeped out with Roman and his youngest wife (Rhonda I think is her name). I keep wondering if she's just going to continue to be this manipulative little girl/woman on the sideline or if she's going to play a major part somewhere in some larger goings on. I don't like Nicki but I think they did a good job this week on showing how frustrating it would be to not be the "public" Mrs. in a polygamist family.

I figure Wendy (the nosy Henrickson employee who was so appalled to have seen the other guy's wives at applebees) is now figuring out that the Henrickson's are also polygamists and is going to pull some blackmail type stuff so that Bill is stuck between keeping things under control at the store and with Roman.

I'm sure there's some stuff that's dead on (like some of the things about "Juniper Creek's" community way of life) I just always take TV drama with a grain of salt as compared to real life. I do think some of the things they show would be accurate to their situation in real life (like the frustrations Nicki feels, and the tendency to boss the next wife down the line around)

 

[BattleAxe]

I agree with all you've said. I sort of feel sorry for the younger wife of Bill. She is too young for this situation and that may be accurate of real life. When she was alone with the oldest son, she was playful with him and a typical 'young women' in that she was just wanting to have fun. It really showed. She acted like they were more sister and brother than his 'Mother'. It was sad. I wanted to snatch her out of her cage. I sort of like Nicki. I guess because I am strong willed like she is and a bit of a shop aholic myself. But she is refusing to play second fiddle especally after nursing the first wife back to life. I can see how she would feel that way...
And like you, Roman creeps me out. I think something bad is going to happen to him. Ohhh...and how easily the other older man was 'brought' to marry Bills mother after all these years. Just drama!!