All the hoopla that this weekend's episode of "Big Love" has generated has me kicking myself for not watching the show before now. It seems everyone these days is jumping on the bandwagon with their public display of the Mormon temple ceremony with its accompanying outfits - which, I guess, saves me the hassle of digging mine out and heading to the roller rink as planned.
Now I can get back to planning my Esther Williams Baptisms For The Dead Underwater Ballet Extravaganza set to open this summer at Lagoon. It's going to be Fanproxytastic!
13 comments:
Emily, I will have to send someone else to witness this underwater extravaganza, but I am soooo waiting for it.
Believe me, you're not missing much. As a disaffected Mormon with a keen interest in the polygamist roots of the LDS church, I had really high hopes for the show, but to be honest, it's mediocre at best. Astonishingly weak writing, characters you don't really care about, and a contrived plotline full of holes.
For anyone who has even a passing knowledge of the reality of LDS and FLDS culture, the world they've created on this show is pretty laughable. And for those who don't, there's really nothing compelling in the show to hold much interest.
It's the kind of show that feels vaguey like it's got an axe to grind, but isn't sure how to do it.
Meh. . .
Flight of the Conchords, however. . . now THERE'S an HBO show I'd marry for time and all eternity.
Oh, baby-- you don't know what you've been missing. I think the first season is available on DVD. It's great entertainment, especially to former members.
In a statement released by the LDS Church, they say that, "the show’s creators and HBO executives assured the Church that the series wouldn’t be about Mormons. However... more and more Mormon themes are now being woven into the show..."
How can you do a show about polygamists in Utah and not involve Mormons or Mormon themes?
Polygamists are, indeed, Mormons. They believe in Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon, The Doctrine and Covenants, Temple Endowments, eternal marriage, baptism for the dead, wearing of garments, Word of Wisdom, Law of Chastity, The LDS Plan of Salvation, modern day prophets and apostles and Eternal Progression; i.e. man becoming as God. Even the principle of Plural Marriage is is only in dispute based on its rightful practice in this life or in the next.
Though they differ on several points of doctrine and practice, fundamentalists are still very much Mormon.
Just as Orthodox Jews differ from Modern Orthodox Jews differ from Hasidic Jews differ from Conservative Judaism-in doctrine an practice- they are all still very much Jewish. Just as there are differing beliefs and practices between Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox Catholics- and others-- no one among them engages in petty arguments over use of the word "Catholic."
Why, then, this ridiculous tug-o-war over the word "Mormon?" The pettiness is astounding. What's really funny is, mainstream LDS faithful would prefer to not be called "Mormon" anyway!
Despite the LDS church's many years and many millions to educate the world that 'polygamists are not Mormon', the world still sees no difference. And it never will.
For all the same reasons mainstream Latter-day Saints do not like fundamentalists calling themselves "Mormons"-- evangelicals and other Protestants do like like Latter-day Saints calling themselves "Christians." One would think Latter-day Saints would understand how fundamentalists feel about their passionate claim on the word "Mormon"- since they have the same passionate claim on the word "Christian." What they demand for themselves, they deny others.
It's more than a little hypocritical.
AW
I've been watching the show and it is entertaining. However, despite hiring supposed LDS consultants they are generally way off base with accuracy. Perhaps that is intentional. The Utah details aren't believable either. For example- the houses the family live in---waaaay too cute to be SLC eastside Utah houses. Ha. Can you say welcome to the land of 70s split-entry homes?
Well you missed a good episode (#28)
synopsis
Struggling with the decision of what to do regarding her pregnancy, Sarah brings Heather and Ben with her for moral support to meet with a couple who wants to adopt. The husband explains that he is gay and the wife admits she's OCD - but they explain they have found guidance for dealing with their issues through the church and each other.
That's right the church has convince a gay man to marry a straight woman because he might change ... sound familiar?
Hated the first season, love this one. It's a blast, and occasionally, they show boobies!
Adrian, I have to utterly disagree with you. For the past three years I have been making a documentary on FLDS and the "Lost Boys". I know that world inside and out and Big Love pretty much nails it.
In fact, ex-plygs love to watch the show because it is so close to life in Colorado City. They have all assigned real names to the characters.
I have an ex-polygamist living with me and I just asked him if the show is similar to life in Colorado City . "Hell yeah it is" came his reply.
However, all my wives tell me that the dresses that they wear are too short.
While I was in New York I met an Ex-Mo who worked as an intern on the show, and he said all of the writers are gay. He said they are now going to take the gloves off on the Mormon Church.
You can see how it has become more angry at the church this season than last.
I enjoy the show, although it bears little resemblance to the Utah culture I've experienced. If they really have Mormon consultants or whatever, I'd say they're not doing a very good job. It's definitely not a great show, by any means, pretty slow and boring. We watch it more just because we get a kick out of how wrong they get it most of the time.
I work with a couple of guys who relocated here after essentially being kicked out of a polygamist town down south, and they say that there's some similarity to their experience, but most of it is way off base and factually pretty bad.
They do tell some wild tales though.
Big Love= brain candy. Great commentary on being HUMAN, LDS or not. It is entertainment and addictive as such. Enjoy.
If you like that, watch The Tudors on Showtime. Same show different era. Better costumes.
"Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox Catholics- and others-- no one among them engages in petty arguments over use of the word "Catholic."
You.. are kidding me, right? Eastern Orthodox don't call themselves catholic, I should know I live in a country 90% orthodox. There is a difference in practices and rituals. Even though they see the Catholic church as am almost true church they call themselves the true believers and orthodox!
I just call stupid moromons "moromons" and the rest.... uh... lds, but sometimes not even that
I LOVE the show, and this season is the best so far. The characters are so well-written that it's almost frustrating - you watch Bill and his wives, and he's so domineering and arrogant and it's SO much like a lot of Mormon men I grew up with who lorded their "authority" over their wives. The the wives! BEST PART OF THE SHOW. Their relationships with each other, the secrets they keep, the power plays...it's so fun to watch, and it's the only show I REALLY wait for all week. Well, besides America's Next Top Model, but that's a given, right?
Anyway, in case you don't know (which you probably do, since you posted this) the Mormons are getting all huffy about "sacred" things being shown on TV (someone should maybe point out the difference to them between sacred and secret), and are once again trying to get the show censored or yanked by having everyone write to HBO *demanding* they not show these things on TV.
So of course I wrote in telling HBO how much I love the show. Here's the link (hopefully it works - if not, go to hbo.com and find "contact us"): http://tinyurl.com/bckfuq
How do I audition??!!!! Oh wait, I probably have to have a little card saying I'm worthy, right? Dag nam it.
Re: Juicy Juice's second comment about the writers being gay and taking the gloves off with the Mormon Church...
I'll say what I've said ever since The Church threw down the gauntlet with Prop 8: They pissed off the WRONG group of people this time. And I'm so happy.
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