Free at Last (Big Love)
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| "Free at Last" | |
|---|---|
| Big Love episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 4 Episode 1 |
| Directed by | Dan Attias |
| Written by | |
| Cinematography by | Anette Haellmigk |
| Editing by | Byron Smith |
| Original release date | January 10, 2010 |
| Running time | 54 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"Free at Last" is the first episode of the fourth season of the American drama television series Big Love. It is the 35th overall episode of the series and was written by series creators Mark V. Olsen and Will Scheffer, and directed by producer Dan Attias. It originally aired on HBO on January 10, 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 prepares for the grand opening of the casino, while authorities look for the whereabouts of Roman Grant.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 1.73 million household viewers and gained a 0.8/2 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received extremely positive reviews from critics, who praised the new storylines and performances.
Bill (Bill Paxton) has built a church, while getting ready for the grand opening of the Blackfoot Magic Casino. However, Bill and his family are often harassed by the FBI, who raid their houses as they believe they may know the location of Roman, who is reported as missing for the past two months. The FBI is primarily targeting Nicki (Chloë Sevigny), as deposits have been appearing in her bank account on Roman's name.
In Juniper Creek, the FBI is also conducting raids on the Grants. Lois (Grace Zabriskie) has been targeted by Frank (Bruce Dern) for trying to kill him, but she has avoided her attempts. Fed up with him, she offers a percentage of her profits in her parrot smuggling business if she leaves her in peace, which he accepts. Alby (Matt Ross) has a close encounter with Dale Tomasson (Ben Koldyke), the state-appointed trustee of Juniper Creek's assets. When her electricity is cut off, Adaleen (Mary Kay Place) asks Nicki to come and help her get a new generator. She enters her meat locker, and is horrified to discover Roman's corpse. Despite Adaleen's pleas, Nicki tells her to inform the authorities.
Nicki also deals with J.J. (Željko Ivanek) over the custody of Cara Lynn (Cassi Thomson). Eventually, they reach an agreement wherein Cara Lynn can go to school and stay with the Henricksons during weekdays, while staying with J.J. on weekends. However, the grand opening is jeopardized when Roman's body shows up near the area, dropped by Alby. Nicki tries to get rid of the corpse, until she is stopped by Bill. Bill helps her in moving the body back to Alby's house, although this makes them miss the beginning of the grand opening. Despite that, the opening is deemed a success, and Bill forms a prayer circle for himself, Barbara (Jeanne Tripplehorn), Nicki and Margie (Ginnifer Goodwin). Suddenly, Jerry (Robert Beltran) and his son Tommy (Adam Beach) interrupt, revealing that they discovered Roman's hat, asking Bill if this belongs to him.
Production
Development
The episode was written by series creators Mark V. Olsen and Will Scheffer, and directed by producer Dan Attias. This was Olsen's 18th writing credit, Scheffer's 18th writing credit, and Attias' sixth directing credit.[1]