tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post650414493561946582..comments2024-03-19T05:50:19.572-04:00Comments on What's Alan Watching?: Big Love, "Blood Atonement": One-armed banditsAlan Sepinwallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-60792954346229582442010-03-01T15:27:31.466-05:002010-03-01T15:27:31.466-05:00God awful episode in a poor season, but I have to ...God awful episode in a poor season, but I have to admit I cackled when Nikki referred to Margene as "Mrs. Petrovic."<br />RWAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-10723216857016438152010-02-27T20:06:08.501-05:002010-02-27T20:06:08.501-05:00This was on of the worst episodes of TV I've e...This was on of the worst episodes of TV I've ever seen. They should have let Jason Alexander play Hollis if you're going to write something so absurd. Many fine actresses are being wasted on this show.Stevenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-42593123283990632842010-02-26T09:54:21.359-05:002010-02-26T09:54:21.359-05:00Until this one, I always felt "There's no...<i>Until this one, I always felt "There's nothing wrong with 'Big Love' that can't be fixed by what is right with 'Big Love.'"</i><br /><br />This is a good point, and, despite this last episode is still the case, I think. I continue to believe that the show's order got cut to 9 episodes late in the writing process and the creators scrambled to try to salvage their work. <br /><br />If the show gets picked up next season, I hope that they will have some certainty at the outset and learn from what didn't work this year and can mostly wipe the slate clean. There's still so much fertile ground to cover with these characters and the underlying scenario that I hate to see that squandered on the Greens.TLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03618949223191406067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-62060395084019585952010-02-24T15:37:17.636-05:002010-02-24T15:37:17.636-05:00I have to agree with JL's comment too. Before...I have to agree with JL's comment too. Before this season started I was thinking back how interesting this show was originally before turning it into over the top soap opera style plotlines -- and then this season started - sheesh!<br /><br />This show has a very interesting subject, a polygomist family, and instead almost none of its storylines deal with that. A little drama is ok, but a political story with baby mama troubles, illegal bird dealers, casino problems, a wife having romantic feelings toward her teenage son, a banishment, a murder, AND the Mormon mafia is too much, in my opinion.shushiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00034870853291366137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-78353708549529757562010-02-24T15:26:26.933-05:002010-02-24T15:26:26.933-05:00JL had the best point: BL should learn from other...JL had the best point: BL should learn from other shows like Friday Night Lights that make you really love and care about its characters, regardless of what they actually do. Now, I couldn't care less about anyone on the show since they've all been reduced to their most basic stereotyped characteristics. Bill = narcissism; Barb = devotion; Nikki = damaged goods; Margene = rash & quasi-independent; etc.Moshen Familyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10649519876306053823noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-9850235037392946362010-02-23T13:56:02.080-05:002010-02-23T13:56:02.080-05:00Hollis Green's phone conversations kill me all...Hollis Green's phone conversations kill me all the time and tonight I also liked his use of the term "avian goods."<br /><br />I've said for awhile now that they have situations arising for Bill like he's Vic Mackey.Dennishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09130711642386374186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-42353661509284123192010-02-23T13:18:20.117-05:002010-02-23T13:18:20.117-05:00The "Kill Bill" sequence is when Fonzie ...The "Kill Bill" sequence is when Fonzie put on his water skis and signaled for the boat to hit the gas. I didn't mind "busy". What I mind are the huge plot holes in that sequence that have been summarized by the good folks in this thread. My two biggest issues were:<br /><br />(i) in the middle of a compound/party with that many people, how the heck did Lois get behind Hollis with a weapon and use that weapon without getting stopped or killed. Hollis has the worst security on the planet (ignoring that nobody was securing the prisoners during an announced prison break).<br /><br />(ii) after the arm was severed why was it a one or the other choice for Selma. Save Hollis or deal with Bill and his gang? <br /><br />Such sloppy writing for what is sometimes a great show. I think I'm actually alone in that the creepiness of the Green Compound could have been explored so much more.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-20311686545625244752010-02-23T12:44:30.905-05:002010-02-23T12:44:30.905-05:00I can only echo what's been said in the commen...I can only echo what's been said in the comments above--very disappointed and somewhat confused. What happens to some shows when they start out so well written, well acted, well plotted. then after the second or third season, you begin to think "why bother watching"??? "Heroes" falls in this category for me and now "Big Love". So very disappointing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-72653236687113278722010-02-23T11:34:53.168-05:002010-02-23T11:34:53.168-05:00I just watched the scene with Hollis again and I h...I just watched the scene with Hollis again and I have to post again about how terrible this all plays out. <br /><br />1. It's apparently VERY easy to cleanly slice a mans arm off <br /><br />2. "How dare you put a hand on my son" ... really, that's the best dialog you could come up with? <br /><br />3. The post sever reaction by all parties present. No shock, no look of disgust .. just "Oh, Hollis got his arm cut off, let me see if I can talk my way out of this situation" ..lol, this is writing at its absolute WORST.JLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01510341219144845275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1898849172648104352010-02-23T11:23:00.414-05:002010-02-23T11:23:00.414-05:00Mormon compounds and the politics within are inter...Mormon compounds and the politics within are interesting and crazy enough WITHOUT needing to implement these crazy and implausible story-lines. <br /><br />They turned this show into a ridiculous action / adventure show. This show should take a lesson from great writing in shows such as Mad Men and Friday Night Lights and try and seek realism and true character development rather than becoming a cheesy soap opera.JLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01510341219144845275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-18226169451304611822010-02-23T09:00:37.916-05:002010-02-23T09:00:37.916-05:00Where can I get a cell phone with service that rea...Where can I get a cell phone with service that reaches 250 miles into the middle of nowhere in Mexico like this?Hollywoodaholichttp://www.hollywoodaholic.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-6417542889545381692010-02-22T22:40:59.318-05:002010-02-22T22:40:59.318-05:00Chalmers and Sonia - well said.
I will keep watchi...Chalmers and Sonia - well said.<br />I will keep watching, hoping they don't get cancelled and the creators will turn it back around next season.franhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17877785572454117720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-36839038011317092632010-02-22T22:37:48.372-05:002010-02-22T22:37:48.372-05:00I'm still invested enough insofar as it's ...I'm still invested enough insofar as it's one of the few shows I watch eagerly as soon as it airs, but I keep thinking there's a much better show buried underneath a lot of clutter.<br /><br />I'm not watching because I give a rat's ass about Hollis and Selma Greene, yet one precious episode revolved around them. When there are only 9 in a year, that's too much.<br /><br />And I still don't get the point of JJ's character or what he's doing.Kensingtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09745826428431759073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-31978886009517069082010-02-22T22:33:05.724-05:002010-02-22T22:33:05.724-05:00Wait, is it HBO or the showrunners who decide how ...Wait, is it HBO or the showrunners who decide how many episodes they'll produce?<br /><br />Why would HBO only want 9 episodes? I thought Big Love was one of their successes right now. Why wouldn't they want a full 12 episodes?Kensingtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09745826428431759073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1190606969883208002010-02-22T21:20:24.935-05:002010-02-22T21:20:24.935-05:00It's a total waste of Adam Beach. While I enjo...It's a total waste of Adam Beach. While I enjoy the hint of sexual tension, Sissi Spacek has had more lines, and yet has been in less episodes.<br /><br />I really enjoy Barb getting back to her character from seasons 1 and 2, smart and determined, although she strains the plausiblity of staying married to Bill.<br /><br />Since the end of season 3, after the excommunication she's been frantic and awkward.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-35692851575622487062010-02-22T20:07:32.137-05:002010-02-22T20:07:32.137-05:00This show used to be SO good...great even at times...This show used to be SO good...great even at times. Just like the new opening credits...it's just free falling now. Yikes. What a shame. I understand the show order was cut back...then cut back some story. Seriously...could have done without ever seeing Hollis again, or Ana, Albie and his secret love life, or Bill running for congress. They show would have been just fine with the casino, Bill's business, and more focus on the wives. The stuff with Nikki has been great (and could have been explored with more depth with more time). Someone here said they show is showing how the wives are moving away from Bill...that's been the best part of this season.Sonianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-19145244294645793012010-02-22T19:40:21.744-05:002010-02-22T19:40:21.744-05:00Another thing I'd point out about why Barb car...Another thing I'd point out about why Barb cares so much about Ana's unborn child is that if the baby leaves, it won't be "saved" through their religious rituals and be together with them in heaven. It doesn't matter that it isn't Barb's child, it's her husband's, so she is invested in its spiritual life (and after life.) <br /><br />I'm glad everyone else was frustrated by the last scenes. I, too, couldn't figure out why there was a choice between saving Hollis's arm or killing Bill and the others. By the time Bill finished explaining that, several guns could have been fired. Selma could have shouted for someone to carry Holis to the car as she shot the Henricksons.Maggienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-34137210600960882532010-02-22T17:56:28.564-05:002010-02-22T17:56:28.564-05:00Until this one, I always felt "There's no...Until this one, I always felt "There's nothing wrong with 'Big Love' that can't be fixed by what is right with 'Big Love.'"<br /><br />Yes, there were always issues with the Juniper Creek stuff, and the constantly shifting public awareness of the situation, and the Teeny thing bugged me, but the acting, writing and exploration of religious themes always carried the day.<br /><br />I always took the show's premise to be that living a lie, even if done in well-intentioned service to a larger "principle," constantly erodes the lives of you and your family. <br /><br />Now, it's more along the lines of "living a lie turns your life into 'Twin Peaks.'" Maybe the showrunners view this as natural result of that erosion, but in real life, the family would have shattered long ago. But that would ruin the show's premise.<br /><br />I'll watch the last two and probably season five, too. But I used to urge people to watch for moments like Barb's face when she sees Sarah at the end of "Come, Ye Saints" or the courthouse scene where Roman breaks the imaginary shackles and ends up tumbling down the stairs. <br /><br />There still is great acting on the show and moments where the wrting is as good as ever, but it's become the freak show that people who always resisted watching it assumed it to be.Chalmersnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-81759898980241716022010-02-22T16:44:53.220-05:002010-02-22T16:44:53.220-05:00I agree with all above: Jumped The Shark Episode, ...I agree with all above: Jumped The Shark Episode, without a doubt.MadMemehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13719499288325313334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-72863893135978724102010-02-22T16:28:14.444-05:002010-02-22T16:28:14.444-05:00KeepingAwake here.
Most of my concerns have alread...KeepingAwake here.<br />Most of my concerns have already been raised by others, but add me to the Jumped The Shark contingent. If there were more than 2 episodes remaining, I'd give up right now.<br /><br />Someone asked about Barb's obsession with Ana's baby. My understanding is that polygamist Mormons believe that the number of children produced by the family is directly connected to their worthiness before G*d when they die. That's also why the wives are so invested in each other's pregnancies. Barb is exceptionally invested because she can no longer conceive after her cancer.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-33243962527681748432010-02-22T16:28:03.615-05:002010-02-22T16:28:03.615-05:00This show doesn't bother me as much as it does...This show doesn't bother me as much as it does other people. I watch it all the time, but the thing that gets me is that plot lines are resolved too quickly. The Ben/Margene thing finally went somewhere explosive after dangling that around since season one, and all of a sudden it's over and everything's fine, we're off to something else.<br /><br />Lois's chopping off Hollis's arm was pretty lame, badly played and just weird all around.Bitsyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16580730112222415717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-81619618118699254282010-02-22T13:50:56.152-05:002010-02-22T13:50:56.152-05:00One other thing. I think the Marilyn character an...One other thing. I think the Marilyn character and Sissy Spacek have been completly wasted. I understand it's hard to build suspense in only 9 episodes,but the reveal was a big yawn. There was no emotional investement in the character and I thought it was a huge letdown.CBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07201287559771880175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-56416935967667717182010-02-22T13:45:50.527-05:002010-02-22T13:45:50.527-05:00This is what happends when you go from "chara...This is what happends when you go from "character based" story to "plot based" story. There isn't one thing that any of these characters are doing right now that makes sense given the history of their characters.CBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07201287559771880175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-34518805663520597592010-02-22T13:40:36.480-05:002010-02-22T13:40:36.480-05:00bmfc1- You are so right, and said it before I did....bmfc1- You are so right, and said it before I did....this was the "Jump The Shark Episode", where they've gone from the implausible to the insanely ridiculous.<br /><br />I went along with Bill's nutty logic about running for public office, and Margene and Ben's raging hormones, Margene's lame brained marriage to Goran, the silly claims from Barb about Ana's baby belong to "all the sister wives", the weirdness back at the compound, and just about every mindboggling subplot imaginable....<br /><br />But when you ask me to believe Bill is going to walk into Hollis's mini-compound like Gary Cooper, only to be saved by his machete wielding 70 year old mother who chops off Hollis's arm- guess what? Its time to just call this "drama" a parody or a satire in search of any reason to watch it again- and I've been following BIG LOVE from its inception.<br /><br />And once again the show flunked The Watch Test....I kept checking to see how much time was left in this episode so I could put on something else- I followed BIG LOVE this long, so I might as well stick with it until its merciful end.<br /><br />Oh one last thing....the scene on a crowded Mexican street where Joey shows Bill the trunkload of firearms. Bill gets nervous about the situation as Joey pulls out that automatic and sticks it in his belt- and not one passerby seems to notice what's going on? <br /><br />Gimmeee a break!Hugh Jee From Jerseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04607469531806734788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-68294306718876601612010-02-22T13:39:48.655-05:002010-02-22T13:39:48.655-05:00I totally agree with those who thought the episode...I totally agree with those who thought the episode was ludicrous. I'll waste another 2 hours of my life to see how much they can cram into the final 2 episodes, but doubt I'll bother with it next season. When the writers learned they only had 9 episodes to tell their stories, they should have had the sense to eliminate one or more plot lines - like the bird smuggling plot which led to the most outlandish scenes of all. Bill manages to pass by all the partygoers without being noticed, then his mother chops off Hollis's arm with a single stroke of her mighty machete, and the Greenes say Adios and safe travels??? Apparently, despite the compound's location in a vast remote desert, there's a hospital just down the road which has the facilities to reattach an arm, but only if the whole compound shows up with the body?? The Ana's baby plot could also have been dropped with no loss. There are so many stories that viewers would like to see resolved, because they actually make sense and feature characters we care about, especially, for me, Nikki. <br />Last season ended really strongly, and I'm disgusted that HBO has allowed the writers to so blatantly insult our intelligence this year. But then I guess the writers and HBO are laughing all the way to the bank.IreneInIdahonoreply@blogger.com