The sophomore season of Big Love proved that its more than just a sophisticated, Mormon update of soapy family dramas like Dallas or Dynasty, it’s a showcase for some of the best acting on television. Bill Paxton continues to be the only one of the ensemble to garner formal attention for his efforts – a shame considering his talents are continually outshone by almost every other player on the show. My fondness for his wives (Jeanne Tripplehorn in particular) has long been a reason for watching.
But 2007 took the show in a new direction. The introductory season laid ground for many members of the Henrickson clan to reassess their status as polygamists. Some of their decisions broke my little heart (like Barb returning home with her tail between her legs) and others rocked my TV world. Sarah’s cold “I don’t respect you” speech to Bill during their father-daughter dance was one of the show’s finer moments. I knew she had it in her though. She’s an effing firecracker. One character I didn’t expect to fall for this year was creepy Mormon prophet and fan of child-brides, Roman Grant. Bill’s recent moral failing and Roman’s charming bouts with senility planted me firmly in his corner by the time he was unsuccessfully gunned down. I never really thought much of Harry Dean Stanton, but I challenge anyone to watch him play the harmonica in Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project and not fall in love.
With The Sopranos finally in the grave, The Wire on its way out and John From Cincinnati proving to be barely a blip on the radar, Big Love will likely be seated at the throne of drama on HBO in 2008 (you know, if there’s TV in 08). My only problem with Big Love is the paltry 12 episode orders – that and my fear that they probably aren’t going to keep the wife count at three.
It’s not really a show about Mormons since Bill Paxson’s family really aren’t Mormon. They are Mormon Fundamentalists which may only be a one word difference, but represents a vast theological and practical chasm.
Pete, I completely agree, but if I were to make that distinction every time I wrote about one of my favorite shows, it would get very, very old. Most people realize that polygamy is shunned by the Mormon church (as Big Love points out in almost every episode). The handful of people who don’t understand this fact aren’t going to be educated by my blog and will probably never find it in the first place.