delga | { how to catch a train while it's moving. }

Episodes about Barb always make me a little sad, especially when it comes to her family. Her mother surprised me, in a good way, whilst her sister continued to irritate. It was interesting to hear about her mother's marriage, too. I am wrong, was her mother's new husband (Ned) in the gambling business? And was he actually fairly okay with Bill and Barb? I think the idea was that they new one another from the church. Barb's handling of Ben was a little horrific, considering the family situation, but I find myself oddly sympathetic to her intentions, mostly because I think Ben's suffering a bit of a headfuck.

I'm normally quite fond of Margene, and whilst her resentment seems natural, it's also petulant and childish. She looked lovely at the end of the episode, but this idea that Bill 'always sides with Barb' is grating, more so because Bill and Barb have been in complete disagreement through this season. I know a lot of the drama in the household comes from the wives being in opposition, but I'd like it if they were solid on some things, too. The end of last season was painful, but when that support system comes through, I think you get a clearer idea of family.

Nicki and Albie continue to be a little weird and fairly fantastic. Nicki, telling her brother she's cooking when she's playing bingo online (oh boy); Albie and that ridiculously hilarious scene with Bill when he keeps opening and closing the car window. I feel for Nicki, too, because she, much like Barb, wants that familial connection and is losing it. Her husband and her family are at loggerheads, this time because Bill is an outcast, not Nicki. (In that respect, Margene is interesting. She wants to buy into the family because it's the only one that she's got, but she wants it on a level playing field.) There's something equally tragic about Barb and Nicki's respective stories, and the way in which they mirror one another.

I really wish Teensy wasn't a sideshow. She needs more exposure!

Was that Wanda trying to poison Kathy/Cathy? Oh, the irony. I guess she's feeling the sting of jealousy. Lois' hysterics are always a treat to watch, and I feel for Joey who is finally trying to make this whole polygamy thing work (because he thinks his wife wants it) and is now having it backfire in a multitude of ways.

Mostly I feel for Sarah, and whilst I would have liked a nod back to Heather this week, I guess that's being saved for the season finale? I liked Sarah's boyfriend, and he's a sympathetic character, so the real focus is Sarah herself. When she tells Bill - rightly so - that he has no authority to her in the advice capacity, it was a moment of sadness, because she is so practical sometimes, and so wistful at others. Bill going to see the boyfriend was played nicely, too, because I thought he was less of an asshole than he has been all season. I still think he's an asshole, actually, compared to season 1 where I thought he was more humble. But it's his lack of humility, his pride that is getting his family into so much trouble. When you bring together the compound troubles with his wives' lives, there's the rub.

I can't freaking believe it's the season finale next week. I love this show somewhat fiercely.