By Michelle Lerner

Hard, shiny surfaces don’t absorb things easily. And, the bright façade of western American life doesn’t admit differences easily. That’s one of the lessons on BIG LOVE’s second episode of the season. It’s not a didactic lesson; the writers let the plot do the talking, which is nice. Bill Henrickson (Bill Paxton) believes he is a good and righteous man, and he is tired of living in the shadows. But, what he doesn’t realize is that to the rest of the world he is dead wrong. It’s a fascinating juxtaposition.

This episode of BIG LOVE raises another interesting question: to what lengths will people go to protect their families? Each character demonstrates to some extent what s/he will and won’t do. As a result, loyalties are tested.

Roman Grant (Harry Dean Stanton) tells his son, Alby (Matt Ross), who has recently recovered from being poisoned by Wanda Henrickson (Melora Walters), to drop it. And, Alby does drop it, like a bomb. Instead of letting the Pine Creek police handle the investigation, Alby goes to the state. Alby knows well that Roman would do anything to avoid unwanted attention; after all, they are all polygamists there. So, Alby demonstrates that he is willing to bring state scrutiny onto his family’s land, in order to seek his own personal justice. His father, on the other hand, would rather see his community safe and protected in the long run, than avenge his own son’s death. Is either right? Who knows, but Alby has certainly opened up an entertaining can of worms.

Bill Henrickson discovers that a vandal has defaced a billboard of his with a polygamist slur. He is mortified that his family will see it, and spends the whole episode going nuts over how to get rid of it. It stressed me out to watch him. It reminded me of the wild goose chases I used to go on for things when I was a production assistant. Back then, at the end of the day, it really didn’t matter if the water bottle I had to fetch was perfectly blue, or slightly purple. But, Bill has more on the line.

Everyone is still treating Barb with kid gloves. It’s funny how Jeanne Tripplehorn’s eyebrows are almost in the shape of a question mark, because Barb always seems to be wondering how she got to where she is. I don’t blame her; how does one end up a polygamist, if it is the furthest thing from normal? I wish I cared more about the answer to that question, but, honestly, I find Barb’s indecision tiresome.

Give me Nicki (Chloë Sevigny) any day. Nicki’s eyebrows are set in a straight, thick line — more like an exclamation point. She is certain of one thing, and that is her duty to her family. She will do anything to protect them, care for them, whatever. She is devious about small things, because she doesn’t like being bossed by Barb, but when it all hits the fan, she’s the one I would want on my side. I love her petty behavior. It’s real, and funny too.

Margene’s (Ginnifer Goodwin) eyebrows are precise and sparse. I am not sure if they have any meaning, but she looked great in tonight’s episode. She’s all beatific smile and smooth, baby skin. She looks younger then Ben Henrickson’s girlfriend, Brynn. Every time I see her, I wonder if there aren’t enough actual 17-year-old actresses in Hollywood to play the role.That girl looks about 35. It’s kind of disturbing, actually.

Anyway, Margene, for once, gets some answers to some questions when Nikki lets her go to the compound with her. It’s great to see Pine Creek fresh, from Margene’s stunned but accepting point of view. I wouldn’t be surprised if she didn’t want to move there at some point. Margene also shows herself to have a certain amount of grace under pressure; she will do anything for her family too.

As always on BIG LOVE, the real drama creeps around the edges of the main plot. Alby may be gay. Sarah is tearing away from the family. And again, what’s up with Brynn? It’s the kind of show that sits with you and makes you think a little. It rewards close watching. Oh, and look for Emmylou Harris’s hilarious but brief cameo.