"Paul Levinson's It's Real Life is a page-turning exploration into that multiverse known as rock and roll. But it is much more than a marvelous adventure narrated by a master storyteller...it is also an exquisite meditation on the very nature of alternate history." -- Jack Dann, The Fiction Writer's Guide to Alternate History

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Big Love Season 4 Starts with Casino, Psycho, and Birds

Well, I missed the Beachboys and the skating on cracking ice at the beginning, but otherwise, what a splendid return of Big Love for its fourth season on HBO this evening!

Harry Dean Stanton puts in what is likely one last performance as Roman Grant, in the flesh - but it's been frozen, courtesy of Adaleen, and placed in a chair in a pose reminiscent of Norman's dear mother in Hitchcock's Psycho. She's been writing checks and doing business under his name, which attracts the FBI, and a whole lot of aggravation for both Alby and Bill.

Alby, however, may have an ace in the hole, with the new trustee of Juniper Creek. The two have a romp in the woods, prior to either knowing who the other is. Lots of room here for some good story complications.

The FBI dogging Bill may ruin his new casino partnership with the Blackfoot Indians, but so far so good. Kenny Rogers was supposed to sing "The Gambler" at the opening, but Ben and his band step up when Kenny's plane is delayed, and Ben does a great job with the song. The patrons certainly liked it, and gambled away a whole bunch of money.

Bill's relationship with Nikki may at last be soon "repaired," to use that great term of Barb's for sleeping together again. Margene certainly hopes so, she's been picking up Nikki's "share" - "not that I mind," Margene adds, but still.

Zeljko Ivanek's back as Nikki's first husband and the father of their teenaged daughter. At this point, he's apparently off Heroes and Damages, but still on True Blood and it's good to see him in Big Love. With Harry Dean off the show, Zeljko's an excellent addition to Bruce Dern and Grace as inimitable Big Love creepy, crazy characters. Ok, Frank and Lois are sometimes endearing, too, and there were some fine scenes tonight with parrots.

So Big Love is off to a fine new season. And, hey, though I did miss the Beachboys, it was good to hear Johnny Cash singing "Walk the Line" as Frank drove into town.


6-min podcast review of Big Love

See also: Big Love, Season 3 ... 1. a 4th ... 2. Two Issues Resolved, Two Not So Much ... 6. Exquisite, Perfectly Played ... Big Love Season 3 Finale: Bigger Love ...

And from Season 2: 2: Oh, Happy Day, and Not ... 3: Sons and Mothers ... 4. Help Me, Rhonda ... 5. The Waitress and More... 6. Just Lust ... 7. Margene's Mama ... 8. Polygamy and Misgivings ... 9. Swing Vote Margene ... 10. Polygamy as the Ultimate Cool/Bad ... 11. Family in Crisis ... Big Love Season 2 Concludes







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