Vision Thing (Big Love)

In its original American broadcast, "Vision Thing" was seen by an estimated 1.86 million household viewers with a 0.9/3 in the 18–49 demographics. This means that 0.9 percent of all households with televisions watched the episode, while 3 percent of all of those watching television at the time of the broadcast watched it.^[2] This was a 14% increase in viewership from the previous episode, which was watched by an estimated 1.63 million household viewers with a 0.8/2 in the 18–49 demographics.^[3]

"Vision Thing" received positive reviews from critics. Dan Iverson of IGN gave the episode a "good" 7 out of 10 rating and wrote, "While "Vision Thing" may not have been the most entertaining episode of Big Love this season, it definitely did a good job of continuing the show's storylines, while creating some new problems for the Henricksons. So don't get us wrong, we think that this show is technically a great show, but the entertainment derived from viewing Big Love is less than that of most of the other big programs on HBO. Still, those wanting a more low-key program on Monday nights, as well as a show with a realistic view of what it is to be in a family (as large and screwed up as it may be), than Big Love is definitely worth your time."^[4]

Trish Wethman of TV Guide wrote, "Having gone to Catholic school for 16 years, I could really sympathize with Nicky's plight tonight as she attempted to navigate the “black magic hocus pocus Catholic pageantry” of Wayne’s summer school. I will be the first to admit that it all must seem somewhat surreal, daunting and intimidating to an outsider, but I did think that Nicki let her paranoia get the best of her."^[5] Emily Nussbaum of Vulture wrote, "So this is how you pick up fourth wives? Over pie? Isn't that a little, we don't know, Freudian? Then again, as we watched Bill flirt, ringlessly, with his savvy waitress, it occurred to us that this was a man who already married his first wife's nurse and then their babysitter — making it awfully hard to differentiate Bill's notion of a polygamist calling from the nonmonogamous urges of your more ordinary traveling salesman."^[6]

Emily St. James of Slant Magazine wrote, "Big Love is at its best when it’s contrasting the notion of an individual with the notion of a larger organism. Usually, the show pits its individual characters up against their various creeds, but “Vision Thing” suggested that these individuals also have to work to differentiate themselves from the society they live in."^[7] Shirley Halperin of Entertainment Weekly wrote, "Gambling can certainly mean big bucks to a smart investor, but does Bill have the business acumen to spot a sure thing? Or will this backfire the way his attempt to infiltrate the UEB did? Then who will he drag down with him? Obviously, Eddie's not as liquid as he made himself out to be, and Bill is likely up to his eyeballs in debt. This latest venture could seriously jeopardize the Henricksons' livelihood."^[8]

Meredith O'Brien of TV Squad wrote, "Watching Margie, with her car full of kids, happen upon Bill flirting with Ana in the cafe, was heartbreaking. But in the final scene, Margie seemed happy, sitting at that same counter at the Wild Thyme Cafe & Bakery while Ana served her a piece of pie. Was it the prospect of no longer being the lowest ranking wife that brought a smile to Margie's lips?"^[9] Television Without Pity gave the episode a "B" grade.^[10]

Amanda Seyfried submitted this episode for consideration for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, while Brian Kerwin submitted it for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series at the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards.^[11]

• "Vision Thing" at HBO
• "Vision Thing" at IMDb