So I DVRd the last couple of episodes of Big Love. Wasn't able to watch them at first broadcast the last couple of weeks.
We've watched this series from it's start and haven't missed an episode. As the cultishness of the compound and even Bill's family became more central to the story...and the off-hand criticisms of the 'real' Mormon church are leveled, I sense mild anxiety at times while watching the show. While beliefs between the Mormon church, the cult off-shoots and the JWs are different, there are similarities in how members are coerced to believe, obey and not question. There are strong similarities in how they treat those that seek to look outside the confines of the church/doctrines.
Each episode I watch I catch something that makes me say, "I undertand that. It's just like being a JW..." It's amazing how well the writers of this show get it. Ex-mos, ex-JWs, other ex-cult members can relate to some aspect of what is happening to the characters of this show.
It has been my hope that my wife would feel some discomfort watching this show and actually see some similarities in how these people act and react and how we, as JWs, acted and reacted. Up till now though, she hasn't expressed anything out of the norm while watching. We could have been watching Deadwood or the Sopranos for all the reaction she expressed. Just another HBO soap opera.
But we watched the last two episodes back to back and I think something finally clicked. This is the last season and they're building up to some big climax. Hopefully it's the downfall of the compound and even Bill (as I personally don't think he's much better than the compound leaders - but I'm biased... I'm a cult survivor) We're seeing different facets of the sister-wives. I've especially appreciated Barb's independant streak and the reaction that it has brought. Even Nikki shows hope. She confronts Albie about being a victim of the cult but hasn't totally given up the belief system. Margene, cute as a button though she is, is just a flake...
Anyway, each week I kinda expect to see some reaction from my wife, some introspective comment or demeanor but it never happens...until this week. It's not so much anything she said, but she physically cringed during certain scenes and afterwards said nothing, when usually she'll try to analyze next week's drama. She sat quietly, didn't move for a while and then left the room without a word and for the rest of the evening basically isolated herself. No more TV, no conversation. She went to bed without a 'goodnight' or asking if I was coming, unusual for her. I don't know what part of what episode did it, but something, or maybe two hours of it, did something to cause her to withdraw. I'm hoping it's a crack that widens as she analyzes her feelings and thoughts. And I can't wait for next week's episode.
Anyone else have similar experiences with this show?