HBO's BIG LOVE is a Big Problem | TODD L BAUERLE.com

HBO's 'Big Love' is a Big Problem

26 March 2006

By: Todd Bauerle

Page 1 of 12

If you haven't heard of HBO's new hit series, Big Love, you may wonder what all the fuss is about. Chances are if you are a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, you know what the 'big problems' are in this series...or at least you should.

First, allow me to be clear about one thing. I believe some good quality programming comes from the HBO network. For example, the epic series Band of Brothers is one of the most remarkable World War II films I have ever seen. Programming like this is not possible on network television, and should certainly be supported.

Second, I have seen the first two episodes of Big Love, and can therefore speak from a position of authority as a current member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints informed as to the actual nature of the this television series. The details I will provide regarding the show come from my viewing, and are not based upon supposition or rumor.

Last, I should state openly that my opposition on this television series is not the content or message of the show. The problems I have revolve around the misrepresentation of my religion as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (aka 'Mormon' Church, hereby referred to as 'LDS').

So what is the fuss about? Here is HBO's official synopsis of Big Love:

"Think having three wives is a dream come true? Meet Bill Henrickson (Bill Paxton), a modern-day Utah polygamist who lives in suburban Salt Lake City with his three wives, seven children, and a mounting avalanche of debt and demands. The owner of a growing chain of home improvement stores, Bill struggles to balance the financial and emotional needs of Barb, Nicki and Margene (Jeanne Tripplehorn, Chloë Sevigny and Ginnifer Goodwin), who live in separate, adjacent houses and take turns sharing their husband each night. While managing the household finances together and routinely sharing "family home nights," they try to keep simmering jealousies in check and their arrangement a secret — polygamy is illegal in Utah and banned by the mainstream Mormon Church. Adding to Bill's woes are a series of crises affecting his parents (Bruce Dern and Grace Zabriskie), who live on a fundamentalist compound in rural Utah, and his ruthless father-in-law, Roman (Harry Dean Stanton), the powerful head of the polygamist commune where his parents live. Bold, funny and wholly original, Big Love explores the evolving institution of marriage through a typical atypical family."

Sure this synopsis clearly states "Polygamy is illegal in Utah and banned by the mainstream Mormon Church." Do the viewers of the television show have this information? Sure they do...if they watched the very first episode which included a disclaimer subsequent shows have omitted. That disclaimer reads as follows:

"According to a joint report issued by the Utah and Arizona Attorney General's Offices, July 2005, '[a]pproximately 20,000 to 40,000 or more people currently practice polygamy in the United States.'

"The Mormon Church officially banned the practice of polygamy in 1890."

I specifically enumerate the 'first episode' only because the lack of this, inadequate, disclaimer on subsequent episodes confuses the issue, and blurs the line between the LDS Church and former, excommunicated members who continue the practice of polygamy. But perhaps I am jumping ahead of myself on this topic. If you are not a member of the LDS Church, you may wonder what the deal is with 'Mormons' and the practice of polygamy? Allow me to explain with a brief history of the LDS Church.

(Continued...)