July 2, 2007: Viva Las Vegas
For Bill, problems are like weeds. Just when he thinks he has gotten rid of one with the video-gaming venture, another one pops up on his doorstep in the form of conniving little compound escapee Rhonda. What continues to surprise me is why Barb is so gullible when it comes to this girl. Just having her in the house is a threat to the security of the entire family, yet she seems taken in by her innocent-runaway act. Barb suggests that the families "adopt" her, gets her into the halfway house and even works with the overzealous child advocate to get her placed in a foster home. For goodness' sake, even oblivious Teeny seems to sense that there is something not right with the girl, but Barb is ready to risk everything to protect her from the "cesspool" that is the compound in her eyes. Way to keep perspective there, boss lady.
Nicki, on the other hand, is not fooled and sees the danger that Rhonda represents as she continues to menace her with threats of exposure and demands for protection. Despite being able to see right through Rhonda, Nicki's weakness continues to be her loyalty to the compound and Roman.(Speaking of our favorite little second wife, click
here for an interview with
Chloë Sevigny and her take on her complex character.) However, tonight's developments with Adaleen proved very interesting. After Roman accused her of being partly responsible for Rhonda's disappearance, she quickly attempted to recover the girl, disowned Nicki in the process and then promptly destroyed the evidence against Bill. Color me confused as to where her true loyalties lie, though I am excited by the notion that she is not a one-note villainess. Maybe it was the subtle threat to her role as Roman's right-hand woman, but something compelled her to destroy that tape and protect Nicki's family.
Meanwhile, Bill was juggling Joey's indictment, his involvement in the cover-up and, as usual, the unbalanced antics of Wanda and Lois. Watching him guzzle that Mylanta while he tried to reason with Lois made me laugh because as I watch this show each week, I continue to wonder how the man holds it all together. What made me wince was watching Wanda with that handgun and the baby's car seat. It looked to me like Lois was trying to set her up, but Wanda read her suggestions as a real threat and handed the gun off to Bill (in the courthouse, of all places!). Once again, Bill skirted disaster as Joey was released on lack of evidence and the case was dropped. However, Alby is still on the prowl, seemingly waiting for his moment to strike and creeping the heck out of anyone he comes into contact with. When that guy finally loses it, it is going to be historic.
Tonight's episode was chock-full of action - almost too much to to keep up with. Some other highlights:
- Rhonda's naive request to Sarah, "Take me shopping and I'll buy you something nice. I have $24 in food stamps."
- Neighbor Pam Martin being able to forgive Margene for her sinful "proclivities" and yet clearly offended by the concept of surrogate motherhood.
- Margene admitting to Brynn that she would love to drink with her if she wasn't pregnant, while Ben looked over disapprovingly.
- Sarah's friend Heather (
Tina Majorino) referring to Sarah's progressive Mormon friend Scott as a "liberal, heathen Democrat" and suggesting that their evening would wrap up with the much older Scott declaring, "That was a great movie. Why don't you two girls kiss while I take pictures?"
- Fans of dearly departed
Deadwood may have noticed that Carter Reese, the owner of the gaming business, was played by the long-suffering Mr. Ellsworth (
Jim Beaver). His appearance stirred up all my feelings of anger and resentment at HBO for canceling that amazing show.
Speaking of amazing shows, I have been consistently pleased with the acting and writing on
Big Love this season. Each episode seems to get better, and I think we are building some promising story lines. I say keep it coming.
Need more Big Love
? Check out the
Online Video Guide.
