Come, ye saints .. ye weary .. all sinners, come home.

softly and tenderly Jesus is calling, calling for you and for me. Come home. come home. Ye who are weary, come home. earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling, calling: all sinners, come home.


List of Big Love episodes - Wkp # Season 3: 2009
30 (3-06) 'Come, Ye Saints': writ by Melanie Marnich; dir by Dan Attias; aired February 22, 2009. The Henricksons embark on a 2,500-mile road-trip pilgrimage to a Joseph Smith shrine in Cumorah, NY, where Bill intends to bury a family time capsule in the sacred earth. Along the way, a series of jarring revelations test the limits of their family bonds and Bill’s faith.
HBO: Big Love: episode 30 synopsis

wow. was that the best hour of television I've ever seen? {up against wh? Lost pilot. Lost S1 finale too. (ok I pick part1 of the finale, with Sawyer saying goodbye to Jack & telling him about meeting Christian in Australia. then the launching of the raft! lovely. Vincent swimming after, oh.) Veronica Mars pilot. The Riches pilot, wh still recall as a fine hour of television even if the series d n sustain. Nip/Tuck pilot too I guess: Escobar.}
wow. just really really good.

my wow echoed in first comment on twop forum after this aired *and* a comment on AlanS blogpost:

Big Love - TWoP Forums p78:
-Tonight's ep: wow...just...wow.

What's Alan Watching?: Big Love, "Come, Ye Saints": I will turn these cars right around!:
-I've loved this show since it started, but this might be the best episode. Seriously. Wow. Just....wow.

after watching last nite, collected some of the responses dlcs tele-v a-before: AlanS & comments (13 then, now ~25), JamesP (only 1 cmmt). per twop Ausiello said last week that the coming epis was a masterpiece. I think that's right. so we get the "wow just wow"s and also lots of "I laughed, I cried." wh I tht also, bcs I did! numerous standout darkly funny moments and numerous poignant moments.

The House Next Door: Big Love Mondays (on Tuesday): Season 3, Ep. 6, "Come, Ye Saints" -By Todd VanDerWerff :
“Come, Ye Saints” has a lot going on (most of the secrets the characters have been carrying around since Season One come out, including Bill’s Viagra use and Nicki’s birth control pills and Ben's attraction to Margene*), but it never feels overfull as some other episodes have this season, perhaps because it doesn’t try to shove in a plot at the Juniper Creek compound. It moves with a calm grace of its own as the characters retrace the steps of their ancestors, chased across the country and into the wilderness by angry mobs aplenty. It’s a deeply moving tribute to the idea that a big family can be both a hindrance and, in times of trial, a salvation. It’s easily Big Love’s best episode ever, and, if we’re being honest, one of the best television episodes I’ve seen in a long, long time. yes yes hear hear.

so much happened, didn't it? just being with the family, in different groups and pairs in the cars, for the whole episode was fantastic. all the interactions, among Barb & Nikki & Margene (Nikki responding to Barb saying they are still upset about Ana ~"yes, we're unhappy about that, but right now we've got larger fish to fry.") Barb overhearing Nikki on the phone with Mr.Henry, all blushing in manner. Margene acting with her oddball sincere generosity in trying to help Bill get excited for Nikki. and Ben & Sarah. Sarah & her dad: her tearing up, so happy, at his offer for just the two of them to go out in Chicago. Barb trying to be close to Sarah. Margene emphatically telling Sarah to ride with her mother and she Margene will ride with Benny, because she wants to take charge of what happened, and her later unambigious confrontation with him:"if you have feelings, you need to get over it." and Bill's moments while taking the family photo, being forgotten at the park, at the end praying over the time capsule with the unseen angel rising behind him.
and! death and new life. Margene's mother -"she's gone"- and the baptism. and Sarah with Nikki, then with all of them.


What's Alan Watching?: Big Love, "Come, Ye Saints"
-Best episode by far in the entire run of Big Love, and so good and redeeming that I feel paid off for watching every prior episode. There was just so much pay off in so many ways. Beautifully done.

-Completely agree with all of the praise heaped on this episode so far, but wanted to add that the quick looks we got at Mormon hostory, and a modern polygamous family's view on them, were yet another thing this episode did really well. They really demonstrated how foreign Mormon culture really is to much of America without doing any cliched or hackneyed "fish out of water" stuff. They also found ways to criticize some of Mormon history (the treatment of blacks, the in-absentia baptimisms) without being heavy-handed. What amazes me the most about this show is how well it balances critiques of religion while never mocking or looking down at the character's religious beliefs.

-I thought the incident with the angel was the high point of the entire series. The uncanny music (mystere de la voix bulgare?) fit the awe-inspiring otherness of a divine encounter. The fact that it was a stage-managed pageant, and Bill never saw it--and most of all, as the preacher said, the whole story might have been from the mouth of a charlatan--suggests the position that human beings find themselves in. Possibly duped, lost, and yet in the presence of mystery.

-christy whose Lost posts ~I think after Jughead, re the time travel logic & 12 monkeys~ stood out to me said... I LOVED IT. I haven't been able to stop thinking about this episode since watching it. The moment when Bill was taking the group photo, looked up and finally saw the sadness and worry on the faces of everyone in his family--that hit me like a ton of bricks.
I kept having the feeling during this episode that scenes were ending right before someone was going to say something important. Especially, of course, Sarah telling someone that she was pregnant. The wordless ending finally had me in tears after being close to it at many points in the episode. Effing amazing hour of TV.

-Amanda Seyfried was wonderful tonight. Aside from the scenes with her miscarriage, I was almost brought to tears in the scene she shared with Bill in the car. When he suggested that they spend a day together in Chicago, she was more excited and happy than I remember seeing her. Bill has always seemed more focused on the boys, and you could really see what Sarah lost when the family became plural.
Watching all the secrets come out into the open was riveting. Didn't we see Bill take Viagra in the very first episode? Even without that, seeing all the interactions (who was riding in the card with whom) was interesting. y I love that.

[first name is driver]
in the cars:
Bill & Barb with Nikki's three boys
Nikki & Marge with Marge's baby
Ben & Sarah with Teeny

then overnight Bill w Marge - urn, viagra. Barb w Nikki - phone call fr boss. ...in morning, Nikki talks to Wanda then discovers her boys with Margene's mother's ashes. .

then, in the cars:
Bill & Nikki with her boys - she reads about the show & gives sweet 'wow' to Bill, who touches her hand.
Barb & Sarah
Marge & Ben w her baby - playing travel game spotting y & z

(where was Teeny? I think there are only three cars, since each of these breakdowns includes all six adult drivers in pairs of two. Bill driving both times, Sarah neither. but otherwise switches up with Barb and Marge riding then driving and Nikki and Ben driving then riding)

then overnight Bill w Nikki (Marge comes by in swimsuit)

then, in the cars:
Bill & Sarah

"extraordinary depth"

The 81st Annual Academy Awards :: Liveblog - The Oscars - TIME.com | James Poniewozik:

11:34 PM: The whistle moment: brilliant. Winslet manages to be breathless enough to seem authentic and off-guard, while distracting us from the fact that she's actually delivering a flawless speech.

11:38 PM: So the panorama of Best Actress presentresses includes the likes of Shirley Maclaine and Sophia Loren, older stars we remember from their work way back when; and Best Actor shows us older, regularly working actors like Anthony Hopkins, Ben Kingsley and Robert DeNiro. Welcome to Hollywood. oh: the older women no longer in movies. but the men are. so: that was Shirley Maclaine who gave the lovely speech that seemed sincere and direct. wait, was that to Anne Hathaway? but who spoke to Winslet then? saying that ~' wh we admire in her on displ in The Reader: .. extra-ordinary depth.' I like that of course.

11:44 PM: "You commie, homo-loving sons of guns." Aren't we all wishing a little for Mickey Rourke, who would not have stopped at guns?

Richard Corliss - 11:50 PM: Surprise! Sean Penn for Best Actor, as Harvey Milk. "You Commie, homo-loving sons-of-guns," he told the voters. "I do know how hard I make it to appreciate me." He then boldly spoke out for equal civil rights for gays, and paid tribute to the expected winner, Mickey Rourke.
For those wanting to know what a Mickey Rourke acceptance speech looks and sounds like, go here. [youtube: Mickey Rourke Acceptance Speech Best Male Lead Film Independent's Spirit Awards 2009]
Mickey Rourke Wins 2009 Independent Spirit Best Actor | HairBoutique.com Blog: There was a young female assistant on the stage assisting Laura and Philip Seymour Hoffman. He continued “it’s nice to be presented this award by all these talented, these two talented people, three talented, I don’t know what you do honey. These two are really good.” Laura laughed and applauded. Mickey laughed.
He said “you know I’ve just gotten thousands of letters and shit, from people, strangers, and people that know me, about my dog that died 6 days ago Lokie. He got a little sad aw….Lokie this is for you baby.” He laughed and looked thoughtful. He said “I just got done talking to the Santa Monica police department. They gave me a bed to sleep in ten years ago. And I thanked them. I asked them for two pillows and they told me to fuck off. But anyway.”



Tim Goodman. The Bastard Machine : Random updates on the Oscars...:
Guess I'll have to see 'The Reader' now. Me and Jackman. But I love Kate Winslet. Even if she tends to break down and hyperventilate when she wins. Hell, she had me at 'Extras.' Having her dad whistle was priceless. my mum & dad who are here somewhere, dad whistle so I'll know where you are.

...Even though I wanted Mickey Rourke to win, Sean Penn did an exceptional job in "Milk" and was both gracious and pointed in his acceptance speech.
surprise for him to win not Rourke. and he closed w praise of Rourke, ~"my friend." that was the gracious. and the pointed was about seeing signs of hatred on way in tonight (anti-gay marriage protesters?) and saying If you supported the ban on gay marriage, think of the shame with which your grandchildren will look back on this... ~ more eloquent than I can recall it. and: We must have equal rights now.
also liked his beginning comment, that he wants to be clear that he knows how difficult he often makes it to appreciate him (why? he acts out?).
has he won before? yes, wkp: Oscar 2003 Mystic River.
I think Sean Penn is great.

-I think that was the best speech I've ever seen Sean Penn deliver. grace, passion and a little humility.
-Loved Sean Penn's self-deprecating moment, his calling out the haters outside, and his recognition of Mickey Rourke.
-And, Sean Penn may not have mentioned Harvey Milk by name, but he honored his spirit in carrying on the fight for equality.


-I like the tributes. makes it actually sound like an honor to be nominated. yes.

sun comes up (morning, Amer)

Good morning, Morning. Hello, Sunshine.
Wake up, sleepy head. - - - - - Wake up Maggie, I think I've got something to say to you It's late September and I really should be back at school I know I keep you amused But I feel I'm being used Oh Maggie, I couldn't have tried any more You led me away from home Just to save you from being alone You stole my heart and that's what really hurts The morning sun when it's in your eyes really shows your age But that don't worry me none, in my eyes you're everything ...
Do you love waking up next to me as much as I love waking up next to you?
You make the coffee I’ll make the bed I’ll fix your lunch And you fix mine Now tell me the truth Do these old shoes look funny Honey it’s almost nine Now you be careful Gotta go I love you Have a beautiful day!
And kiss the happiest girl in the whole U.S.A. Skippidity do da thank you, Lord, for making him for me
And thank you for letting life turn out the way I always thought it could be
- - - - - People smile and tell me I'm the lucky one, and we've just begun, Think I'm gonna have a son. He will be like she and me, as free as a dove, conceived in love, Sun is gonna shine above. And even though we ain't got money, I'm so in love with ya honey, And everything will bring a chain of love. And in the morning when I rise, you bring a tear of joy to my eyes, And tell me everything is gonna be alright. [Danny's Song - Loggins & Messina]
There once was a time when I could not imagine how it would feel to say
I’m happiest girl in the whole U.S.A Now shine on me sunshine Walk with me world
It’s a skippidity do da day [YouTube - Big Love - Daveigh Chase - The Happiest Girl]

Good morning, America, how are you? Don't you know me? I'm your native son. I'm the train they call the city of New Orleans... [City of New Orleans]

Sun comes up, it's Tuesday morning Hits me straight in the eye Guess you forgot to close the blind last night. Oh, that's right - I forgot - it was me. I sure do miss the smell of black coffee in the morning... [Cowboy Junkies: Sun Comes Up, It's Tuesday Morning {Tabs, Chords, Lyrics}]

         A                           E
There's something about an afternoon spent doing nothing
A                       E
Just listening to records and watching the sun falling
A                      E       
Thinking of things that don't have to add up to something

 A                       E 
Here comes that feeling that I'd forgotten
A  How strange these streets feel  E   when you're alone on them

A               E
Yeah, sure I'll admit there are times when I miss you
A                          E
Especially like now when I need someone to hold me
A                         E
But there are some things that can never be forgiven
Bsus         A9            E
And I just gotta tell you
That I kinda like this extra few feet in my bed.

.

. mirrormattermoon:

Thoughts after "This Place Is Death"
So Ben's an impostor. Anyone too shocked? My hunch is that there was in fact a wheel-turn during or right after the purge. Ben assumed control immediately afterward, just as John did. But when did John adjust/turn the wheel? Right after Ben did? In the past or future? That date has implications for whether or not there is a periodic timeline on the island. good point, we do not know when in the timeline of the island, what year, it is when Locke sees Christian underground & turns the wheel.
As for the monster, I think the Cerberus/native creature dual role still works. [I've finally bid farewell to the underwater cross-world mimicking idea.] If the temple is "The Temple," then perhaps he's guarding the dead. The afterlife certainly plays a prominent role in the identity of the island.
Maybe the Lamp-Post shows the way to the Shadowlands. For C.S. Lewis, the Shadowlands = Earth. Here (for Foot), the Shadowlands = the world of shadow matter (aka mirror matter).
If Locke is returning in a casket, maybe on a plane, maybe with white shoes, did Christian turn the wheel earlier? Perhaps in '56 or '72? The island could very well be a home for the dead; but why return as a corpse wearing white shoes?

It now seems fairly likely that Jack (and maybe the others in the O6) will return to the island in the past, only to effect a series of events that will lead to the crash of 815. No endless loops, no do-overs, no parallel timelines; just a paradox that must be avoided. what's the paradox being avoided, the non-crashing of 815?
My guess is that Jack will create the problem in the Swan that spurs the button-pushing regimen (with the associated build-up of magnetism when the button is not pushed). That will enable and lead to the crash. The departure of the Oceanic 6 was a complication. But fate will ultimately ensure their return.

Funny how that kind of puzzle might constitute the show, yet I care so much more about what the island is.

Lostwatch: Wishing Well :: Tuned In - TIME.com re 5.5 This Place is Death


natego: Ben's reaction when Desmond showed up. Not sure which of the following that was saying:
- I am happy to see Desmond cause I want to kill Penny.
- How the hell did he know who Daniel's mom was?
- She's Daniel's MOM?!?!
- Hooray, I know he's been in contact with Widmore.
- My plan worked perfectly (there's always a chance of that one haha)


I'm int in Christian~Jacob scolding Locke for not turning the wheel himself, for listening to Ben when Ben said he would do it: "When has listening to him gotten you anywhere?"
If Ben was at odds with Christian~Jacob, ie not acting on behalf of the island, then what is he after?
(or maybe he thought he was going what he was supposed to on behalf of Jacob~the island, but was wrong?)

antilles13: I got the sense from this episode that at the end of S4 Ben was still acting to prevent Locke from taking his (rightful) leadership place among the Others. My theory is Ben knew Locke was supposed to move the Island, that this was the final test for Locke, and that he jumped in to prevent that. I think the whole thing about "he who moves the Island can never come back" was a bunch of crap Ben used as a smokescreen.

natego: I don't think Ben tricked Locke into letting him turn the wheel. Just before Ben did so, he was alone, and said "I hope you're happy now Jacob." yes he seemed sincerely to be doing what he tht Jacob wanted. obviously, Jacob was NOT happy. so why would Ben have been tricking Locke? Seems like Ben just thought he would do it for himself, or that what he thought Jacob wanted was wrong.

dave: Locke didn't say "Jacob says I need to move the Island." Locke said, "He wants us to move the island." good point. Ben assumed that Jacob wanted him to move the Island so that Locke could lead the Others. Apparently, Jacob wanted Locke off the Island. (Clarification: I don't think Jacob and Christian are the same person, nor do I think they're a physical embodiment of Smokey)

natego: Yes, my argument is simply that Locke was not tricked into giving up the duties purposefully by Ben. Ben really thought he was supposed to do it himself. so dave is just agreeing, adding supporting evidence: fr what Locke told Ben, Ben would have no reason to think it had to be Locke who turned the wheel.


____p2
dave: The bigger detail I gleaned from Christian's talk was that CJW wanted Locke to leave the Island, not Ben. I'm not totally sure what that implies, but it seems pretty huge to me

Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert (Penguin Classic) - Google Book Search p7-8

He grew like an oak

He used to
follow the men ploughing
and, hurling clods of earth, chase after
the crows that flew off into the air.

He ate up the blackberries that grew by the ditches
guarded the turkeys with stick in hand,
helped with the harvesting,
ran about in the woods,
played hopscotch in the porch of the church on rainy days
and, on feast days, beseeched the sexton to let him
ring the bells
so as to hang with his whole weight
on the great rope

the bells - peeling - (no this maybe is not the translation I remember, that I arranged as a poem, though yes it certainly was a 'sexton' - not, for example, a 'beadle' - that Clare was impressed by my thinking of, wh I had not, Flaubert had ~ and the translator. but- did I change some words, add some words of my own: the bells - peeling - the rope swing - through the air ~ even now )


Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert: Chapter One:
He went after the labourers the men ploughing, drove away with clods of earth the ravens that were flying about. He ate blackberries along the hedges, minded the geese well was it geese or turkeys? hedges or ditches? with a long switch, went haymaking during harvest, ran about in the woods hmm agreement, played hop-scotch under under or on the church porch on rainy days, and at great fetes begged the beadle to let him toll the bells, that he might hang all his weight on the long rope and feel himself borne upward by it in its swing. Meanwhile he grew like an oak; he was strong on hand, fresh of colour.

feel himself
- - - borne upward
- - - - - - - by it in its swing.
maybe. better than the other wh is feel hmslf pulled aloft by its travel - but - the rest of the other is better, and sure it was a sexton not a beadle. He had strong hands, a good color.

What's Alan Watching?: Lost, "The Little Prince": Family court:

-Lester Freamon said...
So we know that Rousseau's team is going to come down with a mysterious sickness. The question is, which? There seem to be a number of bizarre medical conditions on this island:

1. Minkowski's Syndrome: Symptoms include a consciousness displaced between different periods in a subject's life, fainting spells, catatonia, nosebleeds, and ultimately death.
Cause: Exposure to high levels of radiation or electromagnetic fields combined with travel across a time bubble.
Treatment: finding a 'constant', a person or object present in both time periods to which the subject has a profound emotional attachment.
Known Sufferers: George Minkowski, Desmond Hume, Theresa Spencer, Eloise the Rat

2. Cabin Fever: Symptoms include disorientation, suicidal tendencies
Causes: Prolonged proximity to time bubbles
Treatment: Unknown
Known Sufferers: Regina, miscellaneous crew of the Kahana. right. forgot about this one. good job Freamon.

3. Temporal Jet Lag: Symptoms included nosebleeds, seizures, headaches, double vision, and long term memory loss.
Causes: Time travel
Treatment: Unknown
Known Sufferers: Charlotte Lewis, Miles Straume, Juliet Burke

People seem to be confusing disease number 1 with disease number 3 right, but it should be noted that with the exception of the highly-visible nosebleeds, they have completely different symptoms.
5:48 PM, February 05, 2009

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