The weekend didn't quite go according to plan
We did not get out to see Alice this weekend, as so many did. Had other plans - some of which came through, others that did not for a number of reasons. Plus, The Spousal Unit was traveling again on Sunday, comes back today - flies out again in two weeks, then some time in April. I'm hating this! However, he's supposed to take off two days at the end of this week since The Girl Child is home for spring break, and we're going to hit a showing of Alice on Thursday or Friday. Should be a little easier to get in, especially if we go on Thursday.
On Sunday I did go with The Girl Child and her dormmie to the chocolate festival at the Orlando Science Center. It wasn't all that impressive, except for all the chocolate vendors set up to sell their delish wares, which was the best part, natch.
Didn't watch the Oscars - awards shows bore me and I never tune in. It's just as easy to check the results on Twitter, or wake up the next day and see who won what in the paper or anywhere online. Besides, I had the Big Love finale to watch, and even though this season has been wildly uneven and probably not their best in four years, I'm still riveted and had to see how it was going to come together at the end, and how they were going to set up the story for next season.
This post-ep interview with the creators of this series does answer a few questions about what they were trying to do this year and where they wanted the story to end up (spoiler warning, natch). They also admit the landscape was a little crowded and things probably moved a bit fast this year in particular.
I have to admit I was surprised they went there at the end with Bill not only winning the State Senate seat (probably the most unbelievable aspect of the story), but sticking to his guns to out the entire family as polygamists on the steps of the State Capitol. The disgusted reaction of the crowd was believable, of course; but I'd also think Bill could be impeached from his State Senate position almost immediately as engaging in polygamy is still illegal, even if the state mostly turns a blind eye to it and rarely prosecutes. So I'm going to find it really hard to believe if there's not at least a movement in play to have Bill removed from office next year.
Bill has always been an asshole, and has increasingly crossed the line with his family, friends, and business partners. I should loathe him - I know many fans do. But at the same time, there is an inherent earnestness in the character and a belief that he is genuinely following his heart and faith, regardless of how he goes about it. Doesn't make him less of an asshole, but I never doubt that he is sincere or that he truly does love his family in his own warped way.
I think what I missed most this season is what really keeps the series on track, and that is the relationship between the sister-wives. There was simply not enough interaction between Barb, Nicki, and Margene this season, nowhere near as much as there has been in the past. They were all off doing their own thing, finding their own way, and I really missed the sisterhood. It's the thing that makes me buy into this story at all.
I liked Barb and Margene's stabs at independence, and especially Barb's pronouncement at the end that she simply doesn't need Bill anymore. But while I bought into Margene's whole-hearted investment in her business, I'm rolling my eyes at the way she quickly turned around and fell into seemingly another polygamous relationship with Ana and Goran (aka Supernatural's Dr. Sexy, M.D. - Dean's mancrush!). Kind of makes me think she's not really that independent after all, and is simply looking to throw over one polygamous relationship for another due solely to her raging hormones. At best it makes her seem like she's got the maturity of a teenager still, and at worst, yes, she looks a bit like her mother.
Nicki was all over the place, and I'm not sure I really like where she ended up, being supposedly so desperately in love with Bill that she no longer wants to share him and wants to make herself over completely to be the woman she thinks he wants. I was hoping that had more to do with the hormones JJ's doctor son was giving her, because I wanted more for Nicki - more than a change of look (mostly because I'm going to miss those prairie dresses and that hair!). Nicki was the one I had bet on at the beginning of the year to possibly leave the family before either Barb or Margene; and now it looks like the series could end with either or both Barb and Margene gone, and Bill and Nicki alone together.
Not enough Joey this year - that was weird. I hope he returns next season. Is he supposed to be hiding out in Mexico because of the whole Roman business? The story line with JJ was odd and creepy, and more than a little OTT in its villainy, even if the practice of incestuous relationships is a real problem within some of these compounds. But I did love seeing Adaleen go all Burning Bed in torching JJ and Melinda at the compound clinic. The only question now is if Adaleen is going ahead with carrying that unholy JJ/Wanda fetus to term. *shudder*
Sarah leaving town with Scott was completely in character as she is the one person in the family who has always wanted out and who was never on board with her father's polygamous vision. I know Amanda Seyfried didn't want to be tied down to another season, but I'm glad she's agreeable to guest-starring appearances as I'd like to see Sarah again in the future.
So Big Love is now gone from rotation for the year, and after this week so will be White Collar and Psych. I did watch the Burn Notice finale On!Demand. This show continues to frustrate me because I like all the characters - though could do with a little less Madeleine. But the premise is getting old, and I don't like how all three ex-spies are so thoroughly do-goody now. I liked it better at the beginning of the series when they were helping people despite themselves mostly because they needed the cash.
On Sunday I did go with The Girl Child and her dormmie to the chocolate festival at the Orlando Science Center. It wasn't all that impressive, except for all the chocolate vendors set up to sell their delish wares, which was the best part, natch.
Didn't watch the Oscars - awards shows bore me and I never tune in. It's just as easy to check the results on Twitter, or wake up the next day and see who won what in the paper or anywhere online. Besides, I had the Big Love finale to watch, and even though this season has been wildly uneven and probably not their best in four years, I'm still riveted and had to see how it was going to come together at the end, and how they were going to set up the story for next season.
This post-ep interview with the creators of this series does answer a few questions about what they were trying to do this year and where they wanted the story to end up (spoiler warning, natch). They also admit the landscape was a little crowded and things probably moved a bit fast this year in particular.
I have to admit I was surprised they went there at the end with Bill not only winning the State Senate seat (probably the most unbelievable aspect of the story), but sticking to his guns to out the entire family as polygamists on the steps of the State Capitol. The disgusted reaction of the crowd was believable, of course; but I'd also think Bill could be impeached from his State Senate position almost immediately as engaging in polygamy is still illegal, even if the state mostly turns a blind eye to it and rarely prosecutes. So I'm going to find it really hard to believe if there's not at least a movement in play to have Bill removed from office next year.
Bill has always been an asshole, and has increasingly crossed the line with his family, friends, and business partners. I should loathe him - I know many fans do. But at the same time, there is an inherent earnestness in the character and a belief that he is genuinely following his heart and faith, regardless of how he goes about it. Doesn't make him less of an asshole, but I never doubt that he is sincere or that he truly does love his family in his own warped way.
I think what I missed most this season is what really keeps the series on track, and that is the relationship between the sister-wives. There was simply not enough interaction between Barb, Nicki, and Margene this season, nowhere near as much as there has been in the past. They were all off doing their own thing, finding their own way, and I really missed the sisterhood. It's the thing that makes me buy into this story at all.
I liked Barb and Margene's stabs at independence, and especially Barb's pronouncement at the end that she simply doesn't need Bill anymore. But while I bought into Margene's whole-hearted investment in her business, I'm rolling my eyes at the way she quickly turned around and fell into seemingly another polygamous relationship with Ana and Goran (aka Supernatural's Dr. Sexy, M.D. - Dean's mancrush!). Kind of makes me think she's not really that independent after all, and is simply looking to throw over one polygamous relationship for another due solely to her raging hormones. At best it makes her seem like she's got the maturity of a teenager still, and at worst, yes, she looks a bit like her mother.
Nicki was all over the place, and I'm not sure I really like where she ended up, being supposedly so desperately in love with Bill that she no longer wants to share him and wants to make herself over completely to be the woman she thinks he wants. I was hoping that had more to do with the hormones JJ's doctor son was giving her, because I wanted more for Nicki - more than a change of look (mostly because I'm going to miss those prairie dresses and that hair!). Nicki was the one I had bet on at the beginning of the year to possibly leave the family before either Barb or Margene; and now it looks like the series could end with either or both Barb and Margene gone, and Bill and Nicki alone together.
Not enough Joey this year - that was weird. I hope he returns next season. Is he supposed to be hiding out in Mexico because of the whole Roman business? The story line with JJ was odd and creepy, and more than a little OTT in its villainy, even if the practice of incestuous relationships is a real problem within some of these compounds. But I did love seeing Adaleen go all Burning Bed in torching JJ and Melinda at the compound clinic. The only question now is if Adaleen is going ahead with carrying that unholy JJ/Wanda fetus to term. *shudder*
Sarah leaving town with Scott was completely in character as she is the one person in the family who has always wanted out and who was never on board with her father's polygamous vision. I know Amanda Seyfried didn't want to be tied down to another season, but I'm glad she's agreeable to guest-starring appearances as I'd like to see Sarah again in the future.
So Big Love is now gone from rotation for the year, and after this week so will be White Collar and Psych. I did watch the Burn Notice finale On!Demand. This show continues to frustrate me because I like all the characters - though could do with a little less Madeleine. But the premise is getting old, and I don't like how all three ex-spies are so thoroughly do-goody now. I liked it better at the beginning of the series when they were helping people despite themselves mostly because they needed the cash.