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thomfra
Guest
Has anybody been watching this show in the US? Has it been controversial?
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ecp007
Guest
When I lived in the US ( 2 years ago) I used to watch this show regularly. It was one of my favorites. I’m sure it would not pass the moral standards of most people on this forum. It is typical adult television from HBO akin to The Sopranos or 6 Feet Under. Extremely well made, great story lines, but adult themes, brief nudity, and sex scenes.
I’m not sure what you mean by controversial? The Mormons were opposed because it (in their opinion) attached the practice of polygamy to their church and made members of the Church of Latter Day Saints look like backwards thinking people. I believe most conservatives would be opposed due to the moral content raised above (but no more so, then any of the other HBO shows).
Interestingly enough, in the country I live in now (Malaysia) having up to 4 wives is legal for Muslim men. There are entire societies where the practice of polygamy is common place. Its been in place here for thousands of years, and appears to work for them.
Just curious, why do you ask?
I’m not sure what you mean by controversial? The Mormons were opposed because it (in their opinion) attached the practice of polygamy to their church and made members of the Church of Latter Day Saints look like backwards thinking people. I believe most conservatives would be opposed due to the moral content raised above (but no more so, then any of the other HBO shows).
Interestingly enough, in the country I live in now (Malaysia) having up to 4 wives is legal for Muslim men. There are entire societies where the practice of polygamy is common place. Its been in place here for thousands of years, and appears to work for them.
Just curious, why do you ask?
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thomfra
Guest
I just started watching the show and I think it is a really interesting concept. For some reason, I kind of thought it would cause a lot of contoversy given it is a “sin” that doesn’t seemed to have been protrayed on TV before from the prospective of the main protagonists…
I have only just started watching the show (live in Europe…so way behind in episodes etc), and it would seem that they show protrays polygamy in a very good light…In most other TV shows the protagonists who sin get their comeuppance/just deserts at some point…This doesn’t seem to be happening in this show. It intrigues me…
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Rolltide
Guest
Clearly you haven’t caught up yet! lol
The really interesting thing about the show is that it seems to portray polygamy relatively fairly. It starts out by showing it as relatively benign, and that it seems to work just great. However, as you begin to learn the backstory and see the characters develop and discover their problems, you really begin to see the train wreck their lives are. The constant threat of being discovered by the authorities, the hatred of mainstream Mormons combined with the cult-like grip of the ultra-fundamentalist Mormons, the disgust of other family members, the in-family tension, and the serious and almost unnoticed problems of their children make polygamy, as portrayed in the show, FAR from appealing! It makes for a great soap opera though!
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whatevergirl
Guest
I have watched it a few times…just can’t get into it. VERY WELL written, however. Good script. Great acting. But, out there. I will never understand how women could ever tolerate such a life, but if one is raised with that religion, then it makes sense, I suppose. I would run away from that life, if it were me.
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ecp007
Guest
Calling polygamy a “sin” is interesting. There are many cases of polygamy in the Old Testament that wasn’t considered sinful. Adultery is sex outside of marriage. But considering that the people are married, I think the sinfulness of it could be debated, especially given the culture.
I’ll tell you, you see Muslim men walking around this country, with 3 wives, and all thier kids following behind. It is the way of life here. Neither the men nor the women would have it another way.
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whatevergirl
Guest
I agree with this post…the director does a very good job of really helping you understand the various wives, and other characters. I would say that the wives are not always pleased and accepting of their arrangement. I had to laugh on the one episode…not sure if you saw it or not…but where the one wife’s anniversary with the husband was forgotten, and the other two wives got upset with the husband for forgetting the other wife!!! I nearly died laughing so hard.Clearly you haven’t caught up yet! lol
My boss LOVES this show. I think because it’s so well written and funny at times, it is definitely watchable. But, I always forget when it’s on…and it isn’t my cup of tea exactly. I can see why people like it though.
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bpbasilphx
Guest
I would say that the wives are not always pleased and accepting of their arrangement.
Then why did they deliberately enter into it?
Then why did they deliberately enter into it?
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whatevergirl
Guest
I didn’t write the show…I don’t know. lol
In all seriousness, some sects of mormonism are like cults. These women grow up in compounds–and really think there is no other way of life. It’s not like living the way you and I live. But, I don’t know why a woman would remain in that, if she really wanted out, and knows the Truth…that this is not what God intended for women.
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ecp007
Guest
So the women I have talked to here agree / want their husband to have multiple wives for the following reasons:
- Only very wealthy men are allowed to marry more than one wife. Therefore, if their husband has multiple wives, it gives them a status in the community – they must be very wealthy.
- Many marriages are arranged, so romantic love is not the basis of most marriages. They are more marriages of status, convenience, finances, and their willingness to do God’s will (in their eyes) and raise children.
- They enjoy the companionship & advise of the other women who share common experiences of their daily lives. In this culture, men stick with men, and leave their wives alone. Wealthy families have nannies, which leaves the women very lonely, without much to do.
- To Muslim’s it is a man’s responsibility to bring his wife and children to God. They are taught that if you have a good man, you should share him, so that more people will be brought to God through him.
- They may have grown up with several mothers, and tons of brothers and sisters, and just enjoy having a huge family. They see the value of having several “mothers” to be able to turn to in times of need. Seeking different “mothers” at different times depending upon their personal strengths.
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duskyjewel
Guest
The women don’t really get a say, do they? I mean, in a culture where their father will kill them for sitting in a car with a boy, that believes that children belong to the father and if he divorces the mother she has NO right to them… I am supposed to believe that the women have veto power over their marriages or whether their husband will expand them?
Women accept what they have no choice over, and may even look happy about it, but is that because they know they will pay a huge, dangerous price if they express dissatisfaction?
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thomfra
Guest
One question which did come to my mind when I was watching this series was **why **exactly this is illegal in Western countries?
I mean, it is no longe illegal to have “open marriages” etc, or extra-marital affairs. What is the basis for the law now?
I mean, it is no longe illegal to have “open marriages” etc, or extra-marital affairs. What is the basis for the law now?
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