Big Love (2006–2011): Season 5, Episode 6 - D.I.V.O.R.C.E. - full transcript

Barb capitulates on Billʼs marital plans, but not on her hopes to attain the priesthood. To shore up her case, she enlists ex-Mormon feminist Renee Clayton, much to her mother Nancyʼs chagrin. Meanwhile, Bill faces new impeachment pressure in the senate, and scrambles for new clients in the wake of LDS boycotts of his stores. With her eye on a new prize, Nicki chafes at the status quo. Margene eyes a sponsor for her pro-polygamy childrenʼs rally; Cara Lynn puts in extra hours with her tutor, Greg; Alby vows to combat Safety Net with a purification program of his own; Bud Mayberry warns Bill of an imminent threat. Reunited by Bill, Frank and Lois strike a deal; Heather makes a decision that deflates a vulnerable Ben.

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( Theme music playing )

♪ Home,
is this my home? ♪

♪ been starting over ♪

♪ bathe in the water ♪

♪ home,
is this my home? ♪

♪ been starting over ♪

♪ bathe in the water ♪

♪ home,
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♪ been starting over ♪

♪ bathe in the water. ♪

It's a special "short notice
free expression" permit,



so we can go forward with
the rally next weekend.

I love Salt Lake city.
They were so willing to play ball.

Make sure to put down "the new assembly
of mormon pioneers" as the sponsor.

We want to get our
church's name out there.

We can have up to 500 people.

We just need to reimburse the city
for porta potties and security.

I love you for this idea.

A pro-polygamy children's rally
right in the heart of downtown...

- it's perfect.
- We have to leave in an hour.

Where are you going?
French toast is almost ready.

Lee called and can squeeze us
in before I go see my father.

Oh right.
You have that divorce to finalize.

Really, Marge,
it's no big deal.

Maybe it's not such a great
time for a divorce.



There's so many problems
between you.

Anyone ever think of that?

A marriage always
changes and evolves.

And it's not always easy, right?
You know that.

Barb and I are gonna
work things out.

I just want to take this moment

to express my deep gratitude

to you, Barb,

for giving up your
marriage to Bill.

I know it wasn't easy.

But it demonstrates the
kind of selfless generosity

that made me fall in love
with you in the first place.

Ms. Clayton.

Barb Henrickson.
Oh, it's so nice to meet you.

I thought I had time to fill
my kettle before you got here.

Come in.

Have a seat.

You know, it was

the practice of polygamy

that emancipated mormon women

from the many constraints

of victorian family life.

They were the first feminists.

Well, I don't think
of myself as a feminist.

You feel you have a calling
for the priesthood though?

Yes, I do.

Well, you're not alone.

I'm terrified of the division
it's sowing in my family.

I don't want it
to compromise my marriage.

Well, why should it?

You've started
a dialogue with them.

You're Miles ahead
of where I was

when I was in your
exact same shoes.

But you got divorced.

Not over the priesthood.

It was over trying
to deny it and hide it.

That's what made things
so unbearable.

Do you think you could help
me explain it to them,

to help me show them that
there is nothing in this

that has to tear us asunder?

I think you're
a very brave woman, Barb.

And I'll do whatever I can
to help you,

even if it means
being an object lesson

in how to get it wrong.
( Chuckles )

( Distant dog barking )

Dad.

Dad.

Get out of my house

and leave me alone.

I'm not here by choice.
I'm here for mom.

You're gonna take her in and
you're gonna take care of her.

I'm not taking care
of anything.

In case you hadn't noticed,

my wives are gone
and disappeared.

Of course they've disappeared.
My wife Barb called them

- and told them to get themselves checked out.
- Checked out for what?

The same venereal disease you gave
mom that caused her dementia.

Your wife is
a stinking, filthy liar

and ought to have her mouth
washed out with soap.

- ( Dishes clatter )
- Watch your mouth.

I never gave anything
to anybody.

If you've got
problems down here,

it has absolutely nothing to
do with the problems up here.

Look, if Lois
got herself v.D.,

then give her some medicine
and fix her up.

It's too late for that.

You want someone to stand
in judgment over you?

'Cause I'm ready.
Is that really what you want?

You're gonna take care of her.

Not by myself, I'm not.

Clean this dump up, 'cause
I'm bringing her to you.

I'm ranging
for a home nurse to come

and make sure you take
good care of her,

because for reasons
I will never understand,

she's forgiven you.
She's determined to be here.

Is something wrong?

No. Not at all.

Did I do something wrong?

I skipped breakfast,
so I have a headache is all.

( Door opens )

Hi.

I'm not too early, am I?

We were just finishing up.

I'm ready. I just need
to use the restroom.

I haven't really thanked
you yet for taking her on.

It's very important to me that
I'm the best mother I can be.

She's doing well.

I'd like to understand
what she's learning.

Sometimes I get on the computer

and look up things about math,

but I didn't have much
of a formal education.

Well, it can be all Greek

if you don't have
the foundation for it.

I was wondering
if you had something...

a book that could teach me
something about it.

Why don't you take
this home, look it over?

It's not quantitative.
It's more of a philosophy.

I bet you'd really enjoy it.

Thank you.

We could talk more about it

whenever you have
the time, Ms. grant.

Nicolette.

Please call me Nicolette.

And we'll start in front of
the city and county building.

Now this whole rally
depends on you.

And we don't want anyone
to feel forced into this.

I don't feel forced.
I want to stand up and say

that I love my family,
that we're not freaks.

That we actually have
thoughts and opinions.

What was it like
growing up in your family?

We're just like any other family.
There's been good and bad.

Well, I want to tell people

what's truly in my heart
about all my four moms.

We can constitute
ourselves any way we want,

but I lean toward small...

a quorum of four.

And you gentlemen and I are it.

Should I use the template of what
your grandfather did at juniper creek

to frame the charter
and bylaws?

No, we want no prophets
and no u.E.B.

This is a new day, Kevin.

I don't know how much exactly
we have in the coffers

until tithing kicks in,
but it's not much.

Well, here's 40.

That should cover supplies
and program costs.

Bill, what about legal...

church status
and exemptions?

Want to proceed with that now?

The sooner the better.

Take a look around, gentlemen.

This is where it starts...

in this storefront.

I just want to say, Bill,
you make me proud.

This church isn't
about me, Kevin.

I mean proud of myself.

No, thank you.

Wait, can I talk to you
a second?

I downloaded this and I
want you guys to read it.

It's about problem-solving
in a marriage.

Honey, we understand

this maybe is
uncomfortable for you,

but these things happen
in a marriage.

No, mom.

Divorce doesn't happen in a marriage.
It ends a marriage.

Benny, it's not a real divorce.

- Well, what the heck is it then?
- Careful of your tone, son.

You're fighting about
most everything.

Last year it was about the election.
Now it's about the priesthood.

Ben, that's enough.
We're okay.

No, dad.

We're having
an ongoing dialogue.

Okay? All right?

Did you get character references
for your Navy application?

Can we talk about
my plans another time?

We are concerned about your
plans and want to help.

How's Heather?

You seem to be spending
a lot of time together.

Heather's fine.
And I put in my application for the Navy.

I know what I'm doing
in my life.

( Phone ringing )

Dad.

Look, I'm worried too.

- Barb: Hello.
- Your mother's restless.

She's dissatisfied
with things in her life.

I don't know how deep
it goes, or will go.

She refused to take sacrament.

I'm aware of that.

I'm worrying so you
don't have to, okay?

Stay focused on your own life, because
that's what I want you to do.

That's what your mother
wants too.

Oh, Barb, this is what
was read in every ward

of the 318 stakes
in the Salt Lake area,

including Provo and Orem.

Pam, just slow down.

I can't even understand
what you're saying.

"From the office
of the church president."

The church maintains that
the intentional conflation

of the word 'mormon'
with the word 'polygamy'

is an oxymoron
as well as a Provocation.

The church is unequivocal
in urging its members

to repudiate such confusion
when encountered

"and to decry those
who would assert otherwise."

I have absolutely no idea
what they're saying.

Maybe you don't, but it's a code
everyone in the church speaks.

They might as well come out and
ask for your head on a platter.

They're retaliating
because we didn't give in.

They hate not getting
their own way.

We pushed them beyond the
limits of what they'll allow.

Fine, let them go ahead and shun us.
What else is new?

It gives any zealot
in Salt Lake city

the license to stab you in the
back, and I'm talking literally.

Barb, don't overstate it.
It's bad enough as it is.

Bill, the church rarely goes
out on a limb like this.

Sure, they suggest subtly
to its membership

that they might want to get
involved in certain causes.

We've been calling ourselves mormon
polygamists for years on the compound.

I don't understand
what the big deal is.

Let's everyone just
take a deep breath.

There'll be more protests.
We'll survive.

No. There will
be blockades.

They'll put you
out of business.

We could end up destitute
and on the street.

Now you're getting hysterical.

I have been a member of
this church my entire life

and I have never seen them
put out a statement

as personal and as brazen
as this before... never.

The Murray store's
the most vulnerable.

Its demographic
is hugely l.D.S.

That's where
it'll hit the hardest.

Murray has huge
accounts receivable.

We can lean on collections
to get payments moving

to help ride this out.
But even here in Sandy

we've lost three big commercial
accounts already in one day.

- We'll replace them.
- How?

Well, I don't know how, don,
but we'll figure that out too.

And call the landlord
about an easement

to get rid of the g.D.
Protesters out front.

I called them three times.
They're in the middle of a deal

selling the building to some
Nevada holding company.

To whom?
And what are they asking?

$2.5 million,
in this economy.

Well, did you hear me?

Bill. Bill.

I'm listening.
It's just...

I'm getting divorced;
My son's adrift;

My daughters have left home; And
the church is out to destroy me.

Someone came along
and tried to kill me.

The cops have no evidence except
a couple chunks of melted ice.

Well, I just discovered
I married an underage girl

and my soon-to-be
ex thinks

she'd make a better
priesthood holder than me.

- She said that? - No, she said she
already holds the priesthood, don.

Well, that's just not right.

What's going on
with us here, Bill?

No one's ever tried
to kill me before.

I'm having nightmares over it.

Don, we're gonna
get through this.

I paid you for a job
and you failed.

You're a failure.
Do you understand what I'm saying?

It's not my fault he lived.
I did the best job I could.

You led me to believe you
weren't some kind of amateur.

Where's the rest of it?

- I paid you $2200.
- It's all I have left.

Don't be petulant with me.

You're not only a failure.
You're a fool.

Aren't you?

Aren't you?
Say it.

How do you plan
to redeem yourself?

Tell me.

Tell me.

Show me.

You failed at your
first assignment,

but with some supervision

and attention to the details
of your education,

you may be able
to overcome your natural

and inbred
character deficiencies.

You said I was a fool.

Even a fool can be useful to a man
who knows how to use him well.

Look,

I need money.

I'll stay,

but you gotta give me money.

Go to your room.

I have meetings with lawyers
and real estate advisors.

Leave now.

( Exhales )

I appreciate your continued
participation in safety net,

and I'm hopeful
we'll have the funds

to send some housing
assistance your way soon.

Well, that's not
why we're here.

What is it?
What's on your mind?

Albert grant is making
a grab for power.

He's exerting his
purity campaign over us all.

He has a new program
for us too...

a program
of "moral toil."

"Moral toil"?

At the last safety net
meeting he spoke

of abolishing any further
cooperation with the state.

He spoke about
abolishing you too.

Abolishing me?

He said you y not be
around much longer.

You have a target on your back.

He actually made a threat?

Mm-hmm.

Should we kill him?

No, bud. Let's hope
it doesn't come to that.

Did he say anything
about my business partner?

Not to me.

( Knocks )

Why won't you talk to me?

- Why are you rejecting me?
- I'm not angry with you.

Is this because we kissed?

Well, big deal.
I'm not sorry about it.

Come in.

I...

I got some bad news.

It's not you.
It's me.

Um, it's my granddad.

He got cancer

and it's probably inoperable.

I'm so sorry.

It's not your problem.

In fact, it's...

it's kind of the opposite
of your problem.

You came here
in the first place

and you were upset about your
father and the adoption.

And I comforted you.

And then we kissed.

Greg.

I'm falling in love with you.

You said you had the money.

You said you were going
to be back two days ago.

There were complications.

What complications?
Are you going to get it or not?

Yes. Babe, I've got him
where I want him.

I'm making progress.
Trust me.

I can't stand staying
at crystal's house.

She keeps the heat
too low.

I miss you.

And we'll probably get
pneumonia there.

I left you that $100, honey.

Go check into
a nice motel.

I'll have us back in Vegas before
you know it, and with cash to burn.

You tell him if he
doesn't pay up now,

he'll have to pay us
double later.

That's exactly
what I'll tell him.

I really love you.

Just hold on
to that.

I love you too.

I've got blankets
and a space heater.

Is there anything else
you could use?

Do you think you could
get me some French fries?

I really should eat something
before I nurse the baby.

I think you should eat
more than that.

I'm gonna make you a hamburger.

You could use the protein.

Thank you, Ben,

for watching out for me
like this.

I used to think
you were a dope.

I used to think you were
pretty awful too.

Where are all
the sisterwives, Frank?

I told 'em all
to get the hell out

and go stay
with their relatives.

But when are they coming back?

Who knows?

They can go stay
in a fleabag motel

for all I care,
or sleep on the street.

You and I...

we're gonna have some quality
time, just you and me.

You okay over there?

I'm just thinking

about the radio.

Well, you want me
to turn the radio on?

No.

I was thinking about
something on the radio...

an old show.

Well, tell me the name of it.
Maybe I can help you remember it.

I don't need help
remembering it, Frank.

It was "the cisco kid."

And it always ended
the same way.

Yeah, I remember
"the cisco kid."

No, you don't.

You didn't listen to it
with me.

Lois, everybody remembers
"the cisco kid."

Then how did it end?

Cisco or Pancho

would tell this corny joke

about the adventure
they'd just had.

And then they'd laugh.

Then cisco would say,
"oh, Pancho."

And Pancho would say,

"oh, cisco."

And they'd
gallop away laughing.

And that was it?

That's how it ended.

Well, Louis, that don't
sound all that great to me.

I didn't say
it was great, Frank.

I just said
that's how it ended.

I would like some water.

Water?

We're battening down
the hatches at the stores.

We've lost some large
commercial accounts.

We need to find
non-l.D.S. Replacements.

I was looking over
the divorce petitions.

There are riders on financial
arrangements, alimony and child support.

Well, we can initial them
as not applicable.

Oh, I don't think so, Bill.

What, you've come to doubt me
in such a fundamental way?

Oh, no.
Not you.

I know the can of worms
that this will open,

but I can't allow Nicki

to take over the finances
of the family.

God forbid, but if anything
happened to you,

Nicki would be in control of a
significant part of your estate.

And given her history,

that's not something
I'm very comfortable with.

I think I've earned the right to
stay in charge in that department.

I don't know.
Nicki's changed.

Maybe taking on the financial
duties may help her confidence.

What are you saying?

I'm saying sharing that with you was
a part of sharing everything else.

But now it feels like
we're sharing less and less.

Are you taking those
responsibilities away from me?

I'm asking why you didn't take
sacrament in church today.

I felt it wasn't right.

I am experimenting with my
actions and my thoughts.

And I can't have you
judging me for it.

I'm not judging you,

but it's wrong for you to be in
our church and refuse sacrament.

- What are the children supposed to think?
- I'll explain it to them.

- We, I'd appreciate it
if you didn't. - Why?

Because they're too young
to understand these issues.

I am not going to turn the children
against their father, Bill.

And I can't help but think
underneath everything

there's a small part of you that wants
this divorce because you're mad at me.

I would never be
that small-minded.

For the first time in our
marriage, I'm worried

about us.
Without a shared faith,

this paper divorce feels like
it's becoming a real divorce.

I don't want it
to be that, Bill.

What would the priesthood
give you

that you don't already have?

The power to grant blessings,

to comfort through
the laying on of hands,

a powerful, direct connection
to heavenly father

and the generations of prophets
and priests who came before,

to be saved and to be able
to save others

and lead them into the
celestial kingdom on my own.

And you know that.

( Door slams )

Hi.
This is Michael Sainte.

I just want to update
my Goji Blast army

on the amazing job
you have all been doing.

You have helped take
this last month's sales

and recruitment

and reach
the highest numbers

this company has ever seen.

Hi, Margene.

I like you.

No, I really do, Margene.

You are very special.

People who are deeply religious

do have sex...

a lot.

And actually it's...
it's hotter,

because it is deeper.

When you let down
your barriers

and truly let

the love of heavenly father
flow through you...

- ( knocks ) - We are
getting the message out...

- hi.
- Cara Lynn.

What are you doing here?
It's almost midnight.

I was out with Gary.

Have you seen my mom
in the last couple of hours?

No. Why?

Well, we lost track of time.

And mom started calling me

at 11:00 on the dot
and I didn't answer.

Could I say
that I was with you?

Oh, I can see you are
just about to burst

with gooey lovesick lovey love.

- Is that what this is?
- Mm-hmm.

It's kind of
a terrible feeling.

Mm-hmm.

How do you know?

I mean, how do you know

if it's real, if it's love?

I guess you just know.

How did you know with Bill?

He was so much older than you.

Did that make a difference?

No no, I don't think his age

made a difference in knowing.

Girls on the compound
used to say

that older men were better,

more experienced.

You didn't have to
teach them anything.

They could teach you,
make you feel safer.

Yeah.
I mean, maybe.

Cara Lynn, I've been meaning to
talk to you about something.

I guess you know that
I'm having a hard time

with Bill and Barb's divorce.

I don't want you
to take it personally.

It has nothing to do with you.

I'm fine. I know that.
It's okay.

Okay.
Go on, go to bed.

Don't worry.
We were playing scrabble.

Thank you.

I'm worried about this rally.

I know your heart's
in the right place

and that's why I forgive you
your impulsiveness, but...

I'm not being impulsive.

You just don't want me speaking
out in public, do you?

I don't mind you speaking.

But I was looking over
the program,

the order of speeches
and the songs.

What is this
"bridge over troubled water"?

It's a very
popular song, Nicki.

It's moving. It's about
reaching out from loneliness.

Wouldn't something
a bit uplifting be more suitable...

a hymn I have a few in mind.

It's gonna be "bridge over
troubled water," Nicki.

Look, if you're using
my daughter in the rally,

I think I should have some say.

If this is about you being jealous because
I have a life outside the houses,

- I can help you get one too.
- This isn't about jealousy.

It's about sharing.
Things are going to change.

I'm going to finally be a full
partner in this marriage, Margene,

and I expect my voice
to be heard.

Maybe this isn't
the right time for a rally.

Oh, so now because you can't get your
way, you want to shut it all down.

No, I just said maybe
it wasn't the right time.

Well, I completely disagree.

I'm proud of our family.
And I'm proud of our faith.

When is it ever wrong to say
we're all decent people?

This is gonna make a
situation better, not worse.

There's something
I need to tell you all.

There's gonna be an unmarked car
out front in a couple of hours.

- Why?
- For protection.

I hired them.

Somebody made an attempt on don's
life while he was at the lake.

I thought it was an accident.

- Who was it?
- We don't know.

It may be something
in don's personal life,

or it may be something larger.

"Larger" meaning involving us?

Something involving
the stores, the casino?

Or anything you're not
telling us?

Absolutely not.

It may turn out to be
nothing at all.

It probably is nothing.
We go about our normal lives...

the same rules as when
we visited Disneyland:

Be aware, be alert.
That's all.

Mr. speaker,
I move that this Bill

to institutionalize
funding for safety net

be reported out of committee.

Senator Henrickson, there are
insufficient votes in the chamber

to constitute a voting quorum.

- Personal privilege?
- Senator Covellis.

I take leave to note

hearings on joint house-senate
Bill 114 will convene at 2:00.

- Personal privilege?
- Senator Forderer.

That Bill is entitled "amendment
to penal code chapter 27,

recriminalizing polygamy,
bigamy and plural marriage,"

otherwise known as the "impeach
Bill Henrickson" Bill.

Objection.

Senator Covellis and Forderer
have usurped my allotted time.

I ask that their
comments be stricken.

Object all you want,
but in one half hour

the "impeach Bill Henrickson" legislation
will be formally reintroduced.

Then for that one half hour
you will sit there

and respectfully listen
to what I have to say

or leave the chamber.

Look, you and I haven't seen eye
to eye on a thing for 20 years.

You and Barbara have only been
in polygamy for nine years.

Nancy, with due respect,

we had our issues
well before that.

True.

I'm deeply concerned.

Well, you should be.

Thank you.

You've got 12 million
angry mormons after you.

Technically, I think it was
only read here in the city.

Actually I'm referring
to Barbara.

Yeah, well, I'm worried
about my daughter too.

What she's experimenting with
jeopardizes our family and our values.

That whole thing.
I know.

She's started drinking, and then
there's these priesthood ideas.

She's insisted on a divorce

that has to do with
adopting Nicki's daughter.

She won't listen to me alone

and she won't listen
to you, but...

well, I wish I could scrape
these ideas out of her head.

If I could, I would.

Well, maybe we could together.

No, I don't think that'd work.

She'd balk.
She's stubborn as a mule.

But she has such a full heart.

Yeah, but that
independent streak...

no, I don't think it'd work.

No, I think we should
just let it be.

But now there's this
Renee Clayton thing.

Renee Clayton?
What about her?

Barb's struck up a friendship with
her and has asked us to meet her.

Not with Renee Clayton.

Why, that woman's a...
she's a flake.

Now she's...
she's dangerous.

Barb said you used to
be friends.

Yeah, before she turned
into what she is now.

So when I heard

that missive being read in
church, I said to Cindy,

"we have got to get over
to your sister right now

and show her
our support."

Mother.

So, Barbie,
how are you holding up?

Is there anything
we can do for you?

Well, I think we're doing
as well as can be expected.

Anything personal...

any other personal problems
that we could help you with?

No.

Bill told mommy that you
were getting a divorce.

We finalize the papers

and file them in Nevada
in one week, but yes.

When did you speak with Bill?

This afternoon.

All right, why is she
doing all the talking?

Bill says that you're the one

who wanted this divorce

and that you're drinking
just a little bit.

I enjoy a glass of wine
now and then.

I'm exploring new things.

Would you like to talk
about Renee Clayton?

Well, as a matter of fact,

she's becoming
kind of a mentor to me.

Well, she understands me
in ways no one else does.

All right,
what is this all about?

Oh for Pete's sake.

Look me in the eye.

Are you and Renee Clayton
being lesbians together?

Mother!

Heavens no.

Is that what this is all about?

Of course it is.
And, Barbara, I just want to tell you

that Renee Clayton is a lonely,
unhappy, bitter woman.

You think I'm a lesbian?

I don't know.
Maybe. Why not?

I mean, it's exactly the kind
of thing that you would do.

You've done everything else you can
think of to complicate your life.

Following my conscience does not
necessarily complicate my life.

Why does Bill have to say
the word "mormon"?

Why do you have to say
the word "priesthood"?

You have these children.
You have three houses.

Why do you have to be
so unhappy?

I am working
through this with Bill.

And Renee Clayton
is your friend.

She was before she
started spouting off

about priesthood
and sex and gender

and became a lesbian.

Well, I didn't know
she was a lesbian,

but it seems totally
beside the point.

- Really?
- Yes, really.

It's a children
of polygamy rally.

And you want Goji
to sponsor it?

Yes.

I know that Goji Blast is
a heavily l.D.S. Company,

but this rally is about reaching
out and transcending divisions.

You know, the church
has issued a statement

against your husband.
Is this his idea?

Actually, it's mine.
I'm organizing it.

And since you support kids

in Malaysia and Nicaragua
and Guatemala...

you know, Margene, I was a
missionary for two years.

In a way, it's where
I learned sales.

You've become a bit of a
missionary for your faith.

So sell me.

Convert me.

I'm not really into pushing
my beliefs on others.

I came into my marriage
with nothing...

a bit of hand-me-down
catholicism

and a need to be loved.

And I couldn't have cared
less about our religion.

But that's changed.

I've begun to feel
something deeper.

And I think that's why
I'm here,

why I've been brought to Goji.

And you're a really really respected
member of the l.D.S. Community.

And if you didn't follow the
church's unfair shunning of us,

maybe others wouldn't either.

I see.

So why don't you pony up a
little something for the cause?

I tell you what...

I'm not entirely sold
on the message yet,

but I think I'll put a little
something down on the messenger.

You will leave the other groups
alone to follow their own path.

Your attempts
to coerce others

with your program of moral
toil is unacceptable.

I am a uniter
like your grandfather, Bill.

I want to bring the wandering
tribes of polygamy together.

And you are not
pulling out of safety net.

I will do exactly as I see fit.

Try it.

I'm in the senate, Alby.

I can remove juniper creek's
municipal certification

and stop the flow
of state money.

"Money"...

I'm sure you know that word.

Did you really come
all the way down here

to juniper creek to talk
about the safety net?

And why have you brought
your sidekick?

You keep looking at him like
you're surprised to see him.

Bud Mayberry tells me you've
been speaking off the cuff

about your feelings for me.

Bud Mayberry
with his ridiculous

"doctrine of multiple
mortal probations"?

His wife Francy
is a necrophiliac.

She has a pink altar and she
communes with the dead.

If that's the company
you keep...

or maybe bud is a double agent.

You ever think of that?

Listen to me, you creep.

You come after me again,
you do it to my face,

you pathetic, subhuman scum!

You'll leave now,
before night falls,

before someone drops
a house on you.

You think you're unpopular with the
apostates of the l.D.S. Church?

You should only know how
dangerous it is for you here.

Let's go.

How are your hardware shops
doing, Bill?

I hear you've had
a few protests.

( Gasps, chuckles )

Hey Carl.
I didn't see you there.

- How are you doing?
- I'm fine, Bill.

Yeah?
What's wrong?

They read a statement
in church yesterday

about you.

What I don't understand is

why you can't have your
religion and leave us alone.

Carl, that's all I want.

Then why are you rubbing
our noses in it?

Why do you have to have your
special rights and attack us?

No one's attacking
anyone there.

I think you need to get your
facts straight, my friend.

What about that car...
your private security?

That's gonna be here
for the duration?

Just for a f days.

I'm sorry I even
have to say this stuff.

Yeah, Carl, I'm sorry too.

( Seagulls cawing )

( Coughing )

Where are we?

We're at the ocean.

I drove us here.

I got us a motel.

I thought you might like it.

You've been out of it
since yesterday.

Look at that water.

That is very pretty.

What color blue
do you think it is?

Just blue.

I don't want to make
small talk, Frank.

I need every bit of will
I still have in me

just to make sure I'm really
where I think I am.

Well, you're with me, babe.

You are with me.

What are you doing in here?

Nothing.

Really, I wasn't
snooping, I swear.

I was just trying to see if I
could understand any of these.

Mr. Ivey gave me a book.

And I was hoping it could help
me understand what you do,

but it didn't.

I thought I might find something
you had that was a simpler.

You can't start with
advanced calculus, mama.

What?

Nothing.

Just the way
you said that... it was...

I never thanked you for helping
me escape the compound.

You gave me a chance
to pursue my education.

You protected me
from a forced marriage.

I owe you so much more.

I know how hard it's been.

We've been tested.

But things are gonna be
better now for both of us.

I admit this marriage
does mean a lot to me.

We're gonna have everything
we ever dreamed of.

We'll be happy.

I already am happy, mom.

You should be happy too.

I am.

I am happy.

Hi. You wanted to talk
to me about something?

Hon, pull up a stool.
Barb and I want to run something by you.

Fire away.

Bill and I both feel

after the finalization
of the divorce

it will be for the best if
we keep doing certain things

the way we are now.

What certain things?

Preserving our existing
financial structure.

For instance?

Well, I've assumed
the burden

of the books and accounts
for years,

so I told Bill I'd be perfectly
comfortable continuing to do so.

Oh, you did?

And the estate...
Nicki, as a legal wife,

you have an automatic claim to a
large part of its disposition.

So we have a couple
of agreements

we'd like you
to take a look at.

Who, may I ask, suggested this?

Lee. Lee said
it was a legal thing.

- Lee Hatcher?
- Mm-hmm.

Lee Hatcher said
just be sure to x Nicki

out of all the financial
obligations and privileges

that come with being
your legal wife?

I know this must seem
like a blow.

Right now I want
to punch you in the face.

Nicki!

Let's just sign the documents and move on.
It's not about Barb.

You were shamed into agreeing to this
divorce and now you're lashing back.

Oh, for heaven's sake, Nicki.
Let's see...

You only rang up
$50,000 in debt

and kept it hidden for as
long as you possibly could.

Maybe we should just
forget about that

and just see how
it all works out.

- So I have no choice in this?
- Oh, you do,

but I need these prenups signed
before I grant any divorce.

You say the priesthood
is held by everyone,

- but it certainly doesn't seem to apply to me.
- Come with me, please.

You'll go to your grave
to keep me

from having my rightful
place in this marriage.

No, once I'm in my grave,
Nicki, you can have it all.

Shame on you.

On me? Did you hear
what she just said to me?

You're being hypersensitive
and inconsiderate.

This is a paper divorce
and a paper marriage.

- I know that.
- Do you?

Because it sounds to me like you
have a different idea about it.

Nothing changes.
Barb relinquishes nothing.

There's a divorce and a wedding
and everything stays the same.

Stays the same?

She's in open rebellion to
your position in this family

and now in obvious
contempt of mine.

You're doing this and giving in
because you're afraid of losing her,

and you're taking it out on me.

Well it isn't fair, Bill,
and you know it.

Thanks for the ride

and for the blankets.
I appreciate it.

You're welcome.

Let us know if we can do
anything else to help.

Can you lend me $30?

Sure.

I got it.

I can pay you back after
my shift tomorrow night.

Just come by and
I'll give you your money.

You got a job?
That was fast.

- Where?
- The golden fleece.

It's a bar.
I'm a hostess.

I tell them I'm a librarian
and everyone protects me.

It's funny.

She makes me so sad.
She's such a dead-end kid, you know.

I don't think she's gonna
live to see 20.

I feel so bad for her.

I don't think we need
to worry about her.

She's gonna be okay.

In what way, Ben, is she okay?

She has a life.

She has a husband.
They have each other.

I turned in my deferred applications
for the Navy yesterday.

I've got four months
before I report for duty.

I didn't tell you that I was
seeing someone at b.Y.U.

He started school for a year
and then he took his mission.

Ben, don't.

So you have plans with him?

Huh?

No. I mean,
I write to him.

And m gonna see him again

when he gets back.

Heather, I thought
we were okay.

I'm really sorry, Ben.

I am... about this,

about everything that the
church is doing to your family.

You all mean so much to me.

Great.

Thanks for telling me.

It's about communication.

Couples need
to be able to express

their views with each other,

no matter how controversial
they seem to be.

Oh, I'm sorry, Renee.
I forgot to mention

that you've been a tenured
university Professor for 20 years

and that you lecture across the
country on mormon studies.

I think we have to start
by recognizing

that women have an innate and
inherent priesthood authority.

Based on what?

Well, Joseph Smith
certainly implied it.

He left no written
record of it.

No, but there were
many witnesses.

By well-known
dissenters.

Quite apart from any record,

it shows itself
in women's instincts.

They are priestly

in the way they care
for their babies

as soon as they are
delivered from their wombs.

What is she talking about?

There is a female archetype that I
would like to call heavenly mother.

It is a goddess figure

that is imbued with
the same power and mystery

as the male godhead.

Oh, Renee.

You mean like the virgin Mary?

She means like
don't even think about it.

You know, there are
four people in this marriage.

Nicki, where do you stand with
your sisterwife's feelings?

Me? Well, I think she's gone off
the reservation is what I think.

Do you?

Well, this is something I wrote

for "the Western
historical quarterly"...

"lesbian female bonding

as resistance to frontier
mormon patriarchy."

And it would be
well worth remembering

that many other churches
are facing up

to the fundamental role
of women in their church.

Lesbian pioneers, Barb?

Yes, everyone,
Renee is a lesbian.

( Laughing ) Yeah.

But it has nothing to do with
my marriage falling apart.

I met Judy long after that.

Yes, some of us remember
your swooping down

and taking her away from Paul.

Oh, you know, Nancy,

you have no right
to judge my life

when you have lived yours in
the shadow of your husband's.

Look, the fact is

either you believe in the
book of mormon or not.

Either you believe
in Joseph Smith

and the restoration
of the priesthood or not.

And if you do, then I don't
know what we're talking about.

Barbara, listen to me.
You can have a place in my home

where you can come and sort
through all these issues

without all this pressure.

So the leopard doesn't really
change its spots after all.

No, no one's leaving anyone.
Doesn't anyone get that?

Honey, I know you have faith
in what you're saying,

but religion is
divinely inspired.

It's not just "I feel"
or "I'd like."

The woods are full of kooks

wandering around in robes saying,
"this is what God wants."

Without a divinely inspired
gospel to ground a religion,

anyone can say
anything they want,

and that's why I'm having a
real hard time with all this.

What is it you want?
What do you have to have?

I have never asked

for anything for myself
in all these years.

This is an opportunity for us,

for our church, for a church
that we can grow together.

That would destroy a church that's
barely establishing its roots.

Even the l.D.S. Church

has evolved
on present-day revelation.

And that's how they manipulated the
truth to cut off the principle.

What's left the church divided
and bleeding all these years.

Barb, I can be moved
to make many compromises.

But this is one thing
I just will not do.

Then I can't go
to your church anymore.

Excuse me.

♪ I'll be there ♪

♪ when all your dreams
are broken ♪

♪ to answer ♪

♪ your unspoken prayer ♪

♪ when the little things
you're doing ♪

♪ don't turn out right ♪

♪ don't you worry, darling ♪

♪ I'll be there ♪

♪ so if your new love ♪

♪ isn't a true love ♪

♪ don't your worry, darling ♪

♪ I'll be there ♪

♪ don't you worry, darling ♪

♪ I'll be there. ♪

( Applause, whistling )

Frank.

I don't forgive you, Frank.

But I'm not gonna kill you.

I need you to promise

to put me out of my misery
when the time comes.

I can't do that.

I'm gone for two days
at a time now.

When it gets to three...

do it.

I don't want to be stuck in
some putrid old people's home

wearing diapers and
not knowing who I am.

Please, Frank.

I'm gonna take care of you.

Take care of me?

You're older than I am.
You're half-cooked yourself.

I got wives, your sisterwives.
They're coming back.

They're gone because of you.

You'll have no one
to wipe your own behind

or clip your dirty
old toenails.

You'll be alone,

all alone with your
miserable old self.

At this particular
moment, Frank,

we're all we got.

We've got to be able

to count on each other.

We gotta go.

♪ When you're weary ♪

♪ and feeling small ♪

♪ and tears are in ♪

♪ your eyes ♪

♪ I'll dry them all ♪

♪ I'm on your side ♪

♪ when times get rough ♪

THE NEW ASSEMBLY
OF MORMON PIONEERS