Blood Atonement (Big Love)
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Episode 7
| "Blood Atonement" | |
|---|---|
| Big Love episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 4 Episode 7 |
| Directed by | David Petrarca |
| Written by | Julia Cho |
| Cinematography by | Anette Haellmigk |
| Editing by | Byron Smith |
| Original release date | February 21, 2010 |
| Running time | 57 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"Blood Atonement" is the seventh episode of the fourth season of the American drama television series Big Love. It is the 41st overall episode of the series and was written by Julia Cho, and directed by David Petrarca. It originally aired on HBO on February 21, 2010.
The series is set in Salt Lake City and follows Bill Henrickson, a fundamentalist Mormon. He practices polygamy, having Barbara, Nicki and Margie as his wives. The series charts the family's life in and out of the public sphere in their suburb, as well as their associations with a fundamentalist compound in the area. In the episode, Bill and Joey travel to Mexico to save Ben, Lois and Frank, while Margie tries to convince Ana to stay in the country.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 1.71 million household viewers and gained a 0.8/2 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received mixed reviews from critics, with many criticizing the writing and logic.
Bill (Bill Paxton) lies to his family by claiming he is going to Seattle for a business meeting, when he is actually going to Mexico with Joey (Shawn Doyle) to save Ben (Douglas Smith), Frank (Bruce Dern), Lois (Grace Zabriskie). They meet up with Jodean (Mireille Enos), who reveals that Frank was smuggling weapons, and Joey plans to use this to kill the Greenes to avenge Kathy's death.
Margie (Ginnifer Goodwin) visits Ana (Branka Katić) to talk about her baby, but discovers that she and Goran (Steve Bacic) plan to leave the country, as Goran will have his passport expired soon. To get her to stay, Margie offers to marry Goran through name so he can stay, and they agree to her plans. Nicki (Chloë Sevigny) is shocked when Adaleen (Mary Kay Place) claims she is pregnant. She is unable to believe it, until she corroborates the test herself. She goes to talk to Margie, but discovers her taking pictures with Goran to claim they were together for years. Nicki scolds her, also revealing that she is infertile and asking her not to tell anyone.
Bill discovers about Dean's suicide just as Hollis (Luke Askew) calls him up, as his name appeared as the new trustee head of UEB in newspapers. Hollis wants him in his compound, or he will execute Ben, Frank and Lois. The following day, Jodean sneaks into the compound and gets Bill to talk to his family through the phone, but she is captured by Hollis. This prompts him to move up "the trial" where he will order their deaths, but Ben convinces him in filing an appeal, giving them a one-hour heads-up. As Bill and Joey prepare to enter, Bill forces Joey at gunpoint to stay behind, having learned of his plan to kill the Greenes instead of focusing on saving his family. Back in Utah, Barbara (Jeanne Tripplehorn) and Tommy (Adam Beach) face problems at the casino when they are notified of a possible bomb threat. When they suspect Evangelical Ron Reed (Matthew Humphreys) is responsible, they realize that Reed is working alongside Marilyn and Paley.
At the Mexican compound, Frank finally expresses remorse for his actions, lamenting having to exile Bill because Roman ordered him. Bill manages to release them, but he and Ben are forced to carry Frank as he lost his medication. As they near their car, Joey arrives with a shotgun, preparing to kill the Greenes. Bill tries to reason with Joey, until Joey finally reveals that he killed Roman. Hollis and his henchmen arrive, ordering everyone to return. Bill offers himself up in exchange for his family, and Hollis accepts and orders his death. However, Lois chops off Hollis' right arm with a machete, causing him to faint. As Selma (Sandy Martin) tries to stop the bleeding, she allows Bill and his family to leave while she takes Hollis to a hospital. They return to Utah, where Ben is reunited with Barbara at home.
Production
Development
The episode was written by Julia Cho, and directed by David Petrarca. This was Cho's first writing credit, and Petrarca's third directing credit.[1]