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Post by rissmeek on Mar 20, 2011 23:04:53 GMT -5
From Corajack on another thread: What is the message here? What are the writers trying to say, however, not "say"? Women can take care of themselves? What did they do for money without Home Plus? Use Bill's trusts for the children? Women are stronger than men in the end (no flames here please I'm just speculating....) That women CAN be better off without controlling men? WHAT IS THE FINAL MESSAGE OF THIS SHOW? I know what I think but I'd like to hear from the rest of you all!
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Post by albertaleon on Mar 20, 2011 23:11:05 GMT -5
Rissmeek - I'm going to have to think about this - currently I'm still going through a bunch of knee jerk reactions about the ending. I need to sort through my anger towards Margene before I can write about what I think the message is.
My first impression is that family is the most important aspect of life - making a commitment to another person that you will support them, love them, help them, encourage them, & allow them to be free & seeing that commitment through I think is the message. It doesn't matter if a family is made up of Polygamist, same sex couples, a man plus a woman - if the commitment to live by the teachings of Jesus Christ has been made & no matter what the world brings the home is filled with steadfast loyalty to the family - that's the most important aspect of life.
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Post by rissmeek on Mar 20, 2011 23:12:01 GMT -5
I can't answer her question either, I'm still trying to grasp it all. I think I'll be watching this one again.
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Post by writerwannabe on Mar 20, 2011 23:13:52 GMT -5
Same as the original message. Families are messy and complicated. They stay together by determination and refusing to give up. Families are friends you do not choose. They force us to come to terms with our own weaknesses and faults. We sometimes hate being in a family, but it is the strongest human bond.
Money? I figured Bill must have had a lot of insurance to get them started, and Margene and Barb are perfectly able to hold down jobs.
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Post by rissmeek on Mar 20, 2011 23:15:22 GMT -5
Same as the original message. Families are messy and complicated. They stay together by determination and refusing to give up. Families are friends you do not choose. They force us to come to terms with our own weaknesses and faults. We sometimes hate being in a family, but it is the strongest human bond. Money? I figured Bill must have had a lot of insurance to get them started, and Margene and Barb are perfectly able to hold down jobs. I think it was Duets who said in another tread about Bill's insurance. I wonder if they used it to keep Home Plus open?
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Post by duets on Mar 20, 2011 23:28:20 GMT -5
I think it was Duets who said in another tread about Bill's insurance. I wonder if they used it to keep Home Plus open? That would be up to Nickie since she was the legal wife, & well, we all know Nickie! I wonder?
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Post by albertaleon on Mar 20, 2011 23:28:59 GMT -5
I would imagine that Bill had a large life insurance policy. Bill seemed to me to have the knowledge & capability of having a large life insurance policy. Bill also thought about his family's future a great deal - I think he would have made the arrangements that his family would be taken care of financially in the event of his death.
I did watch Season 1 Episodes - as I am watching Big Love again I'm going to pay attention if Bill ever spoke about his wishes in the event of his death. I don't remember Bill mentioning any wishes - but I do wonder if Bill would want Barb, Nicki, or Margene to get marry again. I don't think any of Bill's wives will ever live The Principle again - I doubt Barb will get married again. I think that Barb may have a companion if that - Barb said in the Honey Bee that she would be alright by herself. I think that Nicki will probably get married again & have more children. Margene is 21 - like Bill said - Margene is very young. I think Margene may get married again but I don't know if Margene will have more children. I think having 3 children by the age of 21 might be enough for Margene.
I'm sure I'm not supposed to be - but I am a little ticked at Margene for going on missions that last for months. Regardless of Margene's desires - her choices have put her in the position to have 3 young children. I know that Margene's children are supposed to look at Barb & Nicki as mothers too - but I think that Margene's children would need their mother - to me Margene's top priority should be her children. I think it would be better if Margene went on her missions when her children were at least in 1st grade. There are private boarding schools that begin at 1st grade - but you won't find private boarding school that starts at infant, one year old, two year old, pre-K 3, pre-K 4, K - it's because children need their mother & the stability of being primarily cared for by a mother brings to a young child. I'm glad that at 21 Margene knows what she wants to do with her life - I'm glad that she's able to because Barb & Nicki love her so much that they want her to see the world (and for the world to see her) - I hope Margene's children consider Nicki & Barb their mothers that there is no difference between Margene, Barb, & Nicki in their eyes.
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Post by corajack on Mar 20, 2011 23:31:59 GMT -5
Thank you Rissmeek for posting my question in another post. I gave you some Karma!
I like Albert's post....it's very insightful.
I also appreciate the fact that people can't answer yet without watching again and considering a bit.
Although I don't want to be given negative feedback again, I have to say what I've been thinking. This is a show (as my family has reminded me for the past few hours and now has decided to ignore me for the night) and since it is fiction can we just say that the women have always held everything together and in the end finally found some sort of closure that they would not have found without Bill's death? I hate flames so I'm making it clear that I'm not saying that women are superior to men, however, in THIS series is it possible that the message is that women can live productive lives without men? Without Bill they would not all be together so Bill HAD to be a part of it, but after he is gone that the 3 women could "go it alone" and move forward without the father figure?
Another question that just popped into my mind....would they look for another husband? My answer is no. They are finally where they want to be. Barb as a priesthood holder, Nicki without having to be "touched", and Marge off in the world helping others.
So many questions...so few answers.
Hugs and love to you all....
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Post by withay on Mar 20, 2011 23:44:05 GMT -5
I think it was Duets who said in another tread about Bill's insurance. I wonder if they used it to keep Home Plus open? That would be up to Nickie since she was the legal wife, & well, we all know Nickie! I wonder? Nickie being the legal wife would have to do with who could get SSA as the mother of dependent children but not much else if Bill left a will. And we know he did. Who gets the insurance would depend on who he listed as beneficiaries. Barb had insisted that financial decisions had been addressed before she would agree to a divorce and his marriage to Nickie so I am sure that they are okay and Nickie is not in charge of money.
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Post by miceelf on Mar 20, 2011 23:47:48 GMT -5
Same as the original message. Families are messy and complicated. They stay together by determination and refusing to give up. Families are friends you do not choose. They force us to come to terms with our own weaknesses and faults. We sometimes hate being in a family, but it is the strongest human bond. Money? I figured Bill must have had a lot of insurance to get them started, and Margene and Barb are perfectly able to hold down jobs. Very well put. Family is family. You love your family even when they aren't lovable, even if you don't like them very much. LOL I think the writers were trying to say that Big Love wasn't just about Bill Henrickson and his marriages, his relationships with women. Big Love was the love the whole family has for each other, in spite of all the trials they went through. Sara is likely still totally against polygamy, but she came back to their house, still loves her "other mothers". Ben has probably rejected the principle -- we KNOW that Heather is a devout LDS girl and has no interest in plural marriage -- but that's still his family. Nicki finally admitted she is a horrible person, jealous, mean -- and Barb loves her anyway, and hugged her close, comforting her. Barb and Nicki care for Margie's kids when she is away just like they are their own children. Big Love is family love.
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Post by albertaleon on Mar 21, 2011 0:24:20 GMT -5
Corajack, Thank you! I urge you not to feel as though you need to "hold" back on your posts. You are a regular poster & are invested in the show. Fiction is wonderful because it allows us to experience a range of emotions via imaginary people. I don't think any of the regular posters here along with the majority of newer posters would be hostile towards you because of your opinion. Some posters may disagree with you - but that's okay because you will find yourself disagreeing with some posts too.
I see what you mean about drawing the conclusion that women are superior to men. I don't know the meaning of Bill's murder. I think that if Bill would have lived - for one thing there would always be a possibility of Big Love returning - so the writers pretty much ended such a notion by having Bill shot & killed by a man angry at him for sodding his lawn. I'm sure Bill thought about being shot & killed by an extremist who didn't agree with polygamy, an enemy such as Alby - but I doubt Bill ever thought that he would be shot due to the act of planting sod in a neighbor's yard. This is interesting to me because it's very similar to real life - the life changing "bangs" & "whimpers" usually are things we never anticipated. If Bill would have lived - I think that Barb would have still been Priesthood Holder, Margene would have traveled the world doing Mission Work, and Nicki would have blossomed into a person capable both of receiving & giving love. Prior to Bill's murder, I thought all of these things had taken place - After Margene told Bill that she considered going on a mission trip because she had figured out what to do with her life but was afraid it was too late - Bill told Margene that "it's because you're so young." Bill told Nicki that they were all free - Bill's words to Nicki I thought changed Nicki's feelings about Margene going on mission trips - Nicki told Barb that she (Nicki) is spiteful & jealous to which Barb replied "I know" then held her on the bed.
I think Bill's death is interesting because even if we thought that Carl had become a lose cannon & was a deadly threat to Bill - none of us would have guessed that Bill sodding Carl's yard would be the event to push Carl over the edge.
Bill's death also shows us that Barb, Nicki, and Margene are together without Bill - that they choose to be a family even if Bill isn't around. This is important because each wife for whatever reasons had thought about leaving the family - yet we see them without Bill loving each other & enduring the ups & down of life together.
Perhaps knowing that The Henricksons chose to be together after Bill's murder is what is important - it's important for us to know that Barb, Nicki & Margene are committed to each other no matter what.
I was hoping when The Henricksons are at home almost a year after Bill was shot - that Bill would be alive & would walk into the room at any minute. Probably by Wed. I will have sorted out my emotions about the finale of Big Love to see the big picture.
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Post by G on Mar 21, 2011 0:29:05 GMT -5
The message is that all three of the women were fighting for women's rights. IN the end Bill realizes and finally makes a compromise at last! the message is " HAVE LOTS OF LIFE INSURANCE " Anyone interested in getting a piece of the rock, let me know
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Post by corajack on Mar 21, 2011 0:48:29 GMT -5
Corajack, Thank you! I urge you not to feel as though you need to "hold" back on your posts. You are a regular poster & are invested in the show. Fiction is wonderful because it allows us to experience a range of emotions via imaginary people. I don't think any of the regular posters here along with the majority of newer posters would be hostile towards you because of your opinion. Some posters may disagree with you - but that's okay because you will find yourself disagreeing with some posts too. I see what you mean about drawing the conclusion that women are superior to men. I don't know the meaning of Bill's murder. I think that if Bill would have lived - for one thing there would always be a possibility of Big Love returning - so the writers pretty much ended such a notion by having Bill shot & killed by a man angry at him for sodding his lawn. I'm sure Bill thought about being shot & killed by an extremist who didn't agree with polygamy, an enemy such as Alby - but I doubt Bill ever thought that he would be shot due to the act of planting sod in a neighbor's yard. This is interesting to me because it's very similar to real life - the life changing "bangs" & "whimpers" usually are things we never anticipated. If Bill would have lived - I think that Barb would have still been Priesthood Holder, Margene would have traveled the world doing Mission Work, and Nicki would have blossomed into a person capable both of receiving & giving love. Prior to Bill's murder, I thought all of these things had taken place - After Margene told Bill that she considered going on a mission trip because she had figured out what to do with her life but was afraid it was too late - Bill told Margene that "it's because you're so young." Bill told Nicki that they were all free - Bill's words to Nicki I thought changed Nicki's feelings about Margene going on mission trips - Nicki told Barb that she (Nicki) is spiteful & jealous to which Barb replied "I know" then held her on the bed. I think Bill's death is interesting because even if we thought that Carl had become a lose cannon & was a deadly threat to Bill - none of us would have guessed that Bill sodding Carl's yard would be the event to push Carl over the edge. Bill's death also shows us that Barb, Nicki, and Margene are together without Bill - that they choose to be a family even if Bill isn't around. This is important because each wife for whatever reasons had thought about leaving the family - yet we see them without Bill loving each other & enduring the ups & down of life together. Perhaps knowing that The Henricksons chose to be together after Bill's murder is what is important - it's important for us to know that Barb, Nicki & Margene are committed to each other no matter what. I was hoping when The Henricksons are at home almost a year after Bill was shot - that Bill would be alive & would walk into the room at any minute. Probably by Wed. I will have sorted out my emotions about the finale of Big Love to see the big picture. Thank you albertaleon for your kindness and very insightful post. I have been "smited" before when people didn't agree with me and I thought it was childish because smiting is for trolls; not for someone who has a different opinion! I think BIG LOVE is just that...the BIG LOVE that the women and Bill had together. Even with Bill gone, that Big Love continued because of what HE built and what the WOMEN worked on and grew together. So in the end it's a combination of the marriage (Bill) and the women working together to grow the love that endured for at least 11 months as we see at the end. What happens after many years is up for speculation, but it's my guess that it would be like any other relationship....some endure and some do not....and that's up to the viewer to decide.
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Post by duets on Mar 21, 2011 1:33:35 GMT -5
That would be up to Nickie since she was the legal wife, & well, we all know Nickie! I wonder? Nickie being the legal wife would have to do with who could get SSA as the mother of dependent children but not much else if Bill left a will. And we know he did. Who gets the insurance would depend on who he listed as beneficiaries. Barb had insisted that financial decisions had been addressed before she would agree to a divorce and his marriage to Nickie so I am sure that they are okay and Nickie is not in charge of money. Whew, whatta relief.
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Post by samantha on Mar 21, 2011 6:08:52 GMT -5
I would imagine that Bill had a large life insurance policy. Bill seemed to me to have the knowledge & capability of having a large life insurance policy. Bill also thought about his family's future a great deal - I think he would have made the arrangements that his family would be taken care of financially in the event of his death. I'm sure I'm not supposed to be - but I am a little ticked at Margene for going on missions that last for months. Regardless of Margene's desires - her choices have put her in the position to have 3 young children. I know that Margene's children are supposed to look at Barb & Nicki as mothers too - but I think that Margene's children would need their mother - to me Margene's top priority should be her children. I agree. And if family is suppose to be the most important, why is Margene leaving her children to "find herself"? She could have found something in town, like Bill said, and still been a mother to her young children. I think it's terribly selfish of Margie to go off on these mercy cruises and leave her children with Barb and Nikki. I just really don't like what they did with Margie's storyline - they had other possibilities and this one just doesn't feel real to me.
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