“That is not true! I’m trying to do everything that I can so you won’t become like me! I don’t want you to be afraid of yourself, to be afraid of the world!”
- Nicolette “Nicki” Grant

As always, we hope you were able to tune in last Sunday to the newest episode of Big Love, the critically acclaimed HBO polygamist drama series starring Chloë Sevigny in her Golden Globe-winning role of Nicolette “Nicki” Grant opposite Bill Paxton, Jeanne Tripplehorn and Ginnifer Goodwin. Here’s our coverage of last Sunday’s episode, 4.03 “Strange Bedfellows”; the recap is another long one and therefore hidden under the cut. Please mouseover to read:

Margene is excited about her producer having the confidence in Margie to move her to primetime, but is unable to share her joy with her busy and largely absent family. Nicki arrives in Washington D.C. for a romantic weekend with Bill, where she is to be his public wife, but surprises Bill by bringing Cara Lynn along with her. While in D.C., Bill runs into obstacles seeking an endorsement from Utah Congressman Paley, when he butts heads with the congressman’s strongwilled head lobbyist, Marilyn Densham. His situation isn’t exactly aided by Cara Lynn’s presence, and Bill urges Nicki to dress her less conservatively. Unfortunately, Cara Lynn begins to feel increasingly uncomfortable in her new robes and the “liberal” atmosphere of the city.

Back home, JJ continues with his veiled threats to Wanda about knowing of Joey’s involvement in Roman’s death. Wanda panics and tells Joey, and in fear of Roman having Joey’s DNA under his fingernails, they decide to exume his body. This is revealed to have been JJ’s intention all along. At Margie’s, Jodean Marquart mourns her dead sister, whom she betrayed last season in court, and she bonds unexpectedly with the lonely Margie. But their evening is abruptly interrupted by an enraged JJ, who has finally realized Nicki has run off to Washington with Cara Lynn. When JJ tries to get violent with Margie, Ben suddenly steps up as her protection and shoves JJ out of the house. Before he leaves, however, JJ tells Ben he has just made a mistake. After the incident, a distraught Margie calls Nicki to tell her what’s happened and to compel Bill to return home just as Nicki and he are having a romantic dinner and Nicki begins to feel she is making progress with him, and instead of putting Bill on the phone she hangs up on Margie, infuriating the latter. A frightened Margie then asks Ben to stay for the night on the sofa, to which he agrees. Nicki’s romantic evening with Bill is regardlessly short-lived when JJ calls up Bill and tells him off. Nicki swears she thought JJ had been told about Cara Lynn joining them for their D.C. trip, but Bill seems unconvinced. It seems, however, that Nicki is telling the truth, as she later confronts Cara Lynn about not asking JJ for permission to go.

Elsewhere, Alby and the state-appointed Juniper Creek funds trustee Dale continue to seek each other’s attentions. Alby is aggressive in his pursuits, while Dale has strong doubts, unwilling to continue his “sinful” and “unethical” relationship with Alby. Alby reveals he doesn’t consider himself gay, that he believes homosexuality is a sin, and that he’s simply “likes fooling around” with Dale. After a night together, while Dale is asleep, Alby takes a photo with his phone of the two together in bed. The implications of this remain to be seen. Meanwhile, Sarah joins her mother at the casino, where Barb runs a course for the staff on improving working relationships and cultural understanding, but the Indian workers are not quite as ready to sympathize with Barb as she thinks. Leaving the casino, Barb runs into an Indian woman with her car. Although the woman survives with minor injuries, Tommy suggests the incident might lead to a deeper rift in the relations of Barb and the casino staff. Sarah, however, feels guilty, and offers her a job at the casino. When Barb hesitantly agrees, Tommy tells her the woman is a meth addict and a defeated Barb lets go of the idea, unaware that Sarah has taken the woman and her child under her roof.

Back in Washington, Bill is unrelenting in his hunt for an introductory meet with Congressman Paley, and is able to squirm his way into a political fundraiser, much to Densham’s dismay, when Nicki and Cara Lynn make a surprise appearance at the venue. Eager to advance Bill in Densham’s eyes, Nicki introduces herself to Densham in the women’s bathroom as “Daphne Curtis”, someone working for Bill. Though initially disinterested in Nicki’s praise of Bill, when Nicki lets it slip that he has recently opened a casino back in Utah, Densham suddenly makes an U-turn in her disposition towards Bill, even going as far as recommending him to Paley at the fundraiser, much to Bill’s amazement, and with Densham’s help he is able to secure something of Paley’s support. When Nicki then returns to Cara Lynn, waiting in the lobby, Cara Lynn, tired of Nicki’s lifestyle, angrily confronts Nicki about abandoning her. Back at the hotel, a mortified Nicki cries to Bill about wanting a different life for her daughter than the one she’s had, and the two seem to be on a path to reconcile their differences.

Back in Utah, where Margie is about to make her primetime TV debut, Ben unexpectedly shows up on the location of the shoot to support her. The situation gets a lot more complicated, however, when an exhilarated Margie, in the spur of the moment, kisses Ben passionately backstage. Having caught a glimpse of the kiss and from there making conclusions of her own, Margie’s producer suddenly zooms in the camera on Ben mid-live broadcast, citing him as “Mr. Margene Heffman”. Barb and Teeny observe via their home TV, astonished.

Well, that was some episode! I hope you enjoyed it. Unlike with the previous episode, this week’s focus was somewhat shifted from Nicki, but Chloë was nevertheless nothing short of terrific in her role. Personally, I’m really glad the writers have chosen to pick up on certain storylines introduced Season 3, because it brings about a nice sense continuity to the overall series and showcases the writers’ attention to detail. I was also really pleased with Harry Dean Stanton’s cameo appearance; was almost beginning to miss him. Though I am slightly concerned we might not see DA Ray Henry again. I hope we do. Oh, and we shan’t forget the wonderful Sissy Spacek in her guest role of Marilyn Densham!

Media coverage-wise, we have a great set of new Big Love photos for you today. Today, we’ve updated the gallery with 579 HD screen captures of Chloë’s appearance on the show + some great new Season 4 promotional stills and other photos. Hopefully, we’ll be able to add more of those Season 4 stills as the series progresses this year. We’re kind of behind in episodic video clips at present, but we’ll be sure to upload those soon as well. Also, check out our screen captures of the new opening credits, now in HD.

Finally, don’t forget to tune in again next Sunday for episode 4.04 “The Mighty and Strong”!

New & Updated Photo Albums:

• Television Work > ‘Big Love’ Episode 4.01 Promotional Stills
• Television Work > ‘Big Love’ Episode 4.02 Promotional Stills
• Television Work > ‘Big Love’ Episode 4.03 Promotional Stills
• Television Work > ‘Big Love’ Episode 4.03 Screen Captures
• Television Work > ‘Big Love’ Season 4 Opening Credits Screen Captures
• Television Work > ‘Big Love’ Season 4 Posters & Promotional Photography