Big Love (2006) s05e10 Episode Script
Where Men and Mountains Meet
**** Big love 5x10 **** Where men and mountains meet - Where's Nicki? - Outside with Marge.
I wish you'd do this with Lee.
We spoke.
I don't need to hide behind a lawyer, not for this.
Reporters: There he is! Senator! Male reporter: Senator, over here.
Senator, senator, right here.
Is there any truth to these allegations, senator? Please.
on trumped-up charges two counts of statutory rape; alleged victim my beloved wife Margene.
It's politically motivated.
We've been harassed and investigated since my election last November.
We intend to fight these charges and I intend to serve out my term.
I'll have more to say later, believe me.
For now, folks, after two days in the clink, I'm kind of anxious to get home.
Thank you.
Reporter: Senator, senator, senator! Let's get out of here.
I'm so glad to see you.
Baby, you said a mouthful.
All right, Nicki, stop it.
Don't cry, not here.
Not in front of them.
Wait until we get home.
Reporter: This was the scene as senator Bill Henrickson and his wives left the county jail the first duly-elected official to be arrested on polygamy-related charges since the mormon wars of the 1880s.
Trial and initial motions in the case are set for four weeks from now.
Meanwhile, Albert Grant, the ousted prophet of Juniper Creek, remains in jail without bail.
His mother Adaleen Grant, out on bail herself, spoke to reporters just moments ago.
My son is not a flight risk.
There's only one reason why Albert Grant rots in jail while Bill Henrickson goes free.
One is a man of God and the other is a sleazy insider with political pull.
- Margene.
- Reporter: Meanwhile Eugene "Salty" Logan It's just all my nerves.
Hon, stop doing that a second.
Come be with us.
We can't let this arrest define us.
We're gonna push back and counterattack.
But whatever we do, we can't let them see us sweat.
Are we all in? We're all in, Bill.
All right.
Let me go make sure everything's on track for tomorrow.
Where are you going? Membership meeting.
- That church of yours? Now? - Today? Don't worry.
I'll be back.
Barb, I just want to say it's good to have an open mind, but not so open that your brains fall out.
When I have these baptism talks with our eight-year-olds, I tell them they're now old enough to commit sin and become accountable for it.
But you've been old enough to commit sin for years.
Old enough and committing it too.
A baptism is usually a joyous event in the life of a family.
I have to ask again, Barb do you think your marriage can survive this change? The marriage this church disapproves of? The marriage we've all chosen to look the other way from.
Your husband's arrest has made it a lot more difficult to do that.
No church is the perfect fit for anyone, but I know this church is for me.
It's the only place that offers me priesthood authority.
Without that I'm lost and of no use to myself or my family.
I'll see you Sunday.
- Dinner's almost ready.
- Hmm? I got the boys and Nell all washed up.
Honey.
Mm-hmm? Before we go over, I want to talk a sec.
I found this in the cupboard beside the mugs.
Oh.
It's not really anything.
Well, it's a passport.
Well, I know it's it's something I thought about doing.
But not anymore.
Not now.
You want to go on a cruise? It's a medical ship.
They go on six-week stints down to central America.
They take volunteers.
I wanted to work in the galley.
You were gonna go away? A little.
Goji taught me there's this whole world out there I'd never been aware of before.
I was so unformed when I came into this marriage, Bill.
You gave me a foundation in life, in faith.
I wanted to fly a bit.
You can do charity work here in town.
There's the shelter, a lot of other good causes.
I can help you choose one if you want.
It's okay, really.
We have three children, honey.
Whom I love more than life itself.
And we're working on a fourth.
We are.
This would have been in addition to, not in place of that.
I think I understand.
What's happening to you pierces my heart, Bill.
You're my anchor.
You're my home.
But someday I do want to meet new people and share what's in my heart with others.
And I'm so scared because I've made so many false starts in my life.
Because you're young, Margie.
And now I know what I want to do.
And I'm so afraid it's too late for me.
Thank you.
I'm gone for two days, and this is what happens? Oranges for dessert? Where's the pudding and the pies? Honestly, Bill.
Who has time to bake? I'm just kidding.
Right, Aaron? We love oranges.
You need them.
You look like you have scurvy.
When are we gonna dye our eggs? Are we doing something special for Easter at the church, dad? We are.
But we'll have plenty of time to talk about all that.
Bill, Stan hasn't gotten back to me.
Is my car door covered for that incident at Harmon's? I'm sure it's covered.
I'll call.
Cara Lynn, we all know you and your mother have been talking and making some progress.
And we wanted you to know that until we can sort out your adoption, because of legal issues we may be facing, your mother's adding a directive to her will.
If anything happens to her, Barb becomes your legal guardian.
Honey, I know you've been taking my apologies to heart, but I just want to say in front of our entire family, I am so seriously sorry for any pain my words have caused you, and I hope that we can, all of us, have a clean, fresh start.
( Growls ) Ha ha ha.
Hi.
I was just taking Barb's turkey roaster back downstairs.
So if something were to happen to you, I would go to Barb? Things seem so up in the air.
Did you really think that you could manipulate me into accepting an apology because it was public? Or was that an attempt to fool them into thinking you didn't mean all the terrible things that you said to me? I would have said anything to you if I thought it would have protected you.
It was a stupid, desperate act trying to send you off to that school.
And I I never meant to speak such hurtful words to you.
I wish you would believe how sorry I am.
I only wanted to help you.
I'm thinking of going back to my other family.
It might be the best thing for both us, I'm thinking.
( Door closes ) The trial could start as early as May.
I just wanted you to know.
Well, thank you for telling me.
I appreciate that you coming here and telling me.
Well Mom, mom, come on, stay.
You have good days and bad days.
It's okay, you hear me? You have crummy days, a crummy week.
And then pow! Something great happens, and you're glad to be alive and wouldn't trade it for a million bucks.
Admit it.
Just nod your head yes.
Just nod.
Or don't.
Boy, you're not gonna give an inch, are you? I don't have any memories.
I can't remember a thing nothing.
Yeah? Well, who am I? My son Bill.
And that's all you need to know.
Now, come on, shape up.
Easter's this weekend our first Easter in our new church.
Dinner at the houses after? Lamb with mint sauce.
We used to wear hats on Easter Sunday.
Do you remember those hats? Sure, sure I do.
They made us feel so full of ourselves, like we were something special.
Paul Westcliffe, "New York Times.
" Elizabeth Starkey, "Washington Post.
" Ana Balaban, "Denver Post.
" Welcome to Utah, folks.
- My wife Barbara.
- Hello.
- My wife Nicolette.
- Hi.
Please meet the woman that I allegedly raped - my beloved wife Margene.
- It's nice to meet you all.
Please sit.
Margene: Bill and I have been married for six years.
We have three lovely children.
The first two our sons Aaron and Lester conceived out of successive rapes, if you believe our D.
A.
It may seem harsh, but this is exactly what our D.
A.
is contending.
The state is using my boys as their evidence of statutory rape: Aaron count one; Lester count two.
Obviously we welcome this opportunity to get our message out.
Westcliffe: And, senator, since you invited us here, what is your message? Starkey: The L.
D.
S.
bishop's handbook states that a bishop must report abuse.
They're told to call the church's There was no abuse.
I don't know how it is in New York and Washington, but here, with her mother's permission Which I had.
Margene and I would have been allowed to marry like any regular, non-polygamist couple in this state.
None of this three-ring circus would be happening.
I'd like to know how you're holding up under such pressure.
How has this arrest, this charge affected your marriage? Bill: Made it stronger, no question.
Starkey: So why these charges? This is take no prisoners.
It's pretty scorched earth, I'd say.
Because we're calling ourselves mormon polygamists publicly.
We're moving forward to clean up the compounds, to reform polygamy.
And to clear our husband's good name.
Heather.
I'm late for class.
I know you don't want to talk to me, but I just want to give you something.
Please.
What is this? It's a certificate.
I named a star after you.
It's in the Andromeda galaxy.
"Heather, you are one in a trillion.
" Seriously? I know it's lame.
It's really lame.
And I know it doesn't fix anything, but it's true.
It's how I feel about you.
I'm sorry.
I'm an idiot.
No, Ben, you made me feel like an idiot for ever thinking we could work.
You're a polygamist.
Of course you're gonna want to mess around with other girls.
I don't want to mess around with other girls.
And that's not how polygamy works.
That's exactly how polygamy works.
You know what I mean.
No, I don't know what you mean.
I want us to work things out.
I don't want to lose you, okay? I have to go to class now.
Barn: Are you crazy? You just got arrested.
I want to take up where I left off.
I want my hearings and to introduce my bill to strip Juniper Creek of its state and municipal status.
You are crazy.
We're wrapping up session in two days.
Not happening.
That wackjob Albert Grant is in jail anyway.
Someone else will come along to fill the vacuum.
A madman invaded our capitol.
Now we have an opportunity to strike at the heart of the compounds.
Have you heard the expression "box office poison"? Just slip quietly off into the sweet good night.
I think that's a better idea.
You can patronize me, but you can't expel me.
I've yet to be convicted of a thing.
I'm gonna be active in this session until the end, however bitter that may be.
Committee rooms are all taken.
Then give me the senate chamber.
Oh, for your dinky hearings on something no one gives a shit about? I got news for you: Juniper Creek decertification isn't exactly star-chamber- alger-hiss-in-the-pumpkin-patch material.
Two hours between votes.
It holds up no one.
I will go on hunger strike.
I will take off my clothes and moon the chamber.
I'll wear a clown costume and ride a trike in a shriners' parade, but the only thing I won't do is go away.
Raymond put cabbage down the disposal.
Before I take the elbow joint apart, do you have any drano? Oh, Nicki, that stuff's so bad.
Use this.
Margie, I don't have time or patience for any of your organic stuff.
I want drano.
Oh, forget it.
Bill's very worried, by the way, about your desire to run away on that ship.
It's not running away.
Whatever it is, I just want to say I agree with him completely.
You don't have to feel so bad.
- About what? - You don't have to feel like you have to run off out of guilt and shame and exile yourself because it was all your fault.
I don't feel that way.
"For as we have many members in one body, so we, being many, are one body in Christ.
" Romans 12:3-12:5.
What does that have to do with anything? I want to be of service.
That's why I wanted to go.
It is? Yes.
That's about the most selfish thing I've ever heard.
How can you not feel guilty? And what about your children? Who? You mean our children? ( Harrumphs ) Nell, you stop it right there.
If you think Barb and I are gonna take over the care and feeding of your children while Bill's in prison and you're on a cruise off the coast I'm not doing it, obviously.
Of course you aren't.
It's too ridiculous for words.
Please don't categorize it as ridiculous.
Because it really hurts my feelings, and I don't believe it is.
( Door closes ) Lee spoke with the D.
A.
If I plead guilty, they'd recommend one to two years instead of seven to 20.
We said I'd consider pleading to a lesser charge of polygamy, but never to rape.
They said no go.
My nerves are just so frayed.
We have to talk about Easter, whether you think you might be able to come to church with us.
Where are you going? The sofa.
I need a night off.
Bill, please.
The reason it's hard for me The reason it's so darn I'm being baptized on Sunday.
You're getting baptized into the reformed church? Yes.
But I just I didn't know how to tell you, obviously, and I didn't think it would really change that much, not really.
Now what are you doing? Going to Nicki's.
No, Bill.
That's not right.
Not right? In the midst of this maelstrom, it's becoming obvious we don't have much in common.
Marriage is about sharing.
There's none of that going on between us, except sharing problems, suspicions and disrespect.
No, I've come to realize that it's unfair for me to expect you to compromise your deeply held beliefs, so why keep rubbing your nose in it? That's why I chose not to tell you.
- How much are you packing? - I don't know.
How long are you staying? I don't know.
Maybe this is just reality.
Maybe things are shifting.
My responsibilities lie elsewhere other children and other houses, other churches.
That's not fair.
And this isn't right.
I followed you into polygamy, and let me tell you, it was pretty alien from my beliefs, but I did it out of love.
We're back in the public eye in a big way.
This will only be seen as your repudiation of us, of me.
Now? At our most delicate time as a family, you just had to go and do this now? Yes, now.
It's deliberately throwing a lit match on the gasoline.
If you're gonna be gone for one year or 20, I need support a spiritual home to draw strength from.
- And it will destroy us.
- How? Your church is antipolygamist.
Church members are judged by their families, and you'll be judged and held back because of us.
You'll be a chipped plate, a second-class citizen.
You'll be ashamed of your church for being intolerant of us, and resentful of us for holding you back.
No, please.
The two nights I spent in jail, I didn't sleep.
I wasn't thinking about rape or or being arrested or the humiliation.
I was thinking about us you and me and how we got to this place.
Well, what am I supposed to do? You have two spouses to be with at night.
I have none.
I'm sure we'll see each other tomorrow, but I just can't be with you right now.
I built this church for you when you were excommunicated for you.
Do you know how much it kills me that you can't find a home in it? ( Door opens, closes ) Cara Lynn? Cara Lynn, are you going out? ( Rustling ) - Bill.
- Hon? I thought you were Cara Lynn.
What are you doing here? Barb and I are taking a little time off.
I'm staying here tonight.
Hi Sarah.
It's mom.
What are you and Scott doing on Sunday? Gee, I'd love to see you and Teenie.
Everyone would love to see you all here for Easter.
Well, I know you're busy.
Call me if you can.
( Sighs ) How are you this morning, Barb? Fine.
Why do you ask? No reason.
You have your planners.
Is this an official wives' meeting? It's just scratch paper is all.
It just felt like we needed to discuss some things.
Sit with us.
All right.
I thought we could go over some bulk supply issues in anticipation of Easter and Easter dinner.
What does bulk supply have to do with Easter dinner? We're short on paper towels and toilet paper.
No, actually I have cases of each in my basement, so you can cross that off your list.
Barb, I don't have a list.
No one's usurping anyone.
But Margie's car does need to get picked up from the shop.
That's something we could have handled informally.
But you can put this on your list: My car needs to go into the body shop for the ding on my driver's side door.
I thought Bill said insurance was covering your ding.
Well, it's not.
Why are you being so overtly hostile and mean to me? We're trying to give you an opportunity to open up to us.
You can talk to us about it, Barb.
We know how much this must hurt your pride.
I don't know what you're talking about.
Bill and I are at a little impasse.
Stop looking like that.
Oh, for Pete's sake, Barb.
Why don't we rip the band-aid off right now? You and Bill are apparently through.
And we're just sitting here, tiptoeing around it.
No, we are most definitely not through.
You thought you could just say, "I reject your church, and I have the priesthood, and I find greater comfort with lesbians and reformed churches than I do with my sisterwives"? "And, by the way, I'm being baptized on Sunday"? Nicki.
Nicki says he walked out, Barb.
Which leaves Margene and me where exactly, we'd like to know? He did not walk out.
And if he did, thank you very much, Nicki, for inviting him in and giving him comfort instead of sending him right back home where he belongs, so we could work out our problems.
He's my husband too, and he was upset.
Of course I comforted him.
I'm going down with the Captain while you two are deserting the sinking ship you off to your new church and Margie sailing away on her cruise to Africa.
It's a medical ship to central America.
Oh, I don't know, Margie.
Do you think this is really a good idea? Central America is awfully dangerous.
I read all the time about Christian groups being held up and carjacked on back roads in the middle of the night.
If you want to be Margene without borders, you hardly have to leave home to do it.
I mean, you're doing a pretty great job of it right here in Sandy for the last five years.
Marge leaving, me leaving it's like a dream come true then, Nicki.
That is so mean.
All I've ever wanted is for you both to be happy.
If you don't fix things with Bill, the next official wives' meeting just might be here in my dining room.
Fine.
And the first order of business is I need that $700 for my ding.
That car is a piece of junk.
Do you really think $700 wasted on that car is worth it? You worry way too much about appearances, Barbara.
You always have.
( Knocks ) Hey sunshine.
Look what I got for you two of your old Easter hats.
I spared no expense in getting them.
Don't ask me how.
I got my sources.
Didn't I tell you good things could happen? I remember this one.
You remember? You sang that funny song while you wore it to make us laugh.
What was it? You changed the words around.
Oh, come on.
I bet you remember.
Here.
- Here, let's try it on.
- Argh! Hey, what's the big idea? Now come on.
Let's get you looking like a million bucks.
There.
A real Easter bonnet.
Mom, look.
Look.
Oh, she's ugly.
Why is she wearing my hat? No, mom, it's you.
God save me.
( Knocks ) Don, what did you want? What is it? Tell me.
It's the end, Bill.
No, buddy, it's not.
Whatever it is, I can help you.
Come on down.
We got free balloons and popcorn for the kiddies.
( Music playing on stereo ) Get in.
Oh! A new car? Oh, it is so cute.
Bill got you a new car? Actually I got me a new car, and it's all mine.
I can afford the payments out of my allowance.
You were right after all, Nicki.
I needed a new car.
Get in.
It's cramped back here.
I figured I didn't need the extra space since I'm no longer hauling kids and groceries full-time.
My responsibilities have changed, as both you and Bill keep reminding me.
Make it go really fast.
Where do you want to go? Downtown? No, out of town.
Past the airport, way way out.
Could you put the top up, please? Just relax.
Enjoy the ride.
It's the last time we'll all be together for the first time in honey bee.
You named your impractical little car "honey bee"? Mm-hmm.
I think "in your face" would be a better name.
All right, everyone, be quiet.
Let's go! I'd like to go with you to your baptism.
I'll be fine on my own.
Let's go pick up Bill and all of us just keep on driving.
- A new car out front? - Yes.
And where's the station wagon? I traded it in.
Obviously, Barbara.
Where? Trans-Metro motors.
- Where are you going? - I'm going to get it back.
Honestly, Bill, I'm sure it's on its way to the trash compactors by now.
How could you? It was shot.
It was a good old car, but we drove it into the ground.
How could you just get rid of it like that? How could you? It was just a car, Bill.
It was our car.
I got you that car for our ninth anniversary, before you got sick, before Nicki and Marge and these houses.
Sarah and Ben learned to drive in that car, and you just went and got rid of it.
You got rid of us.
You threw us away without so much as a second thought.
I'm sorry.
No, you can't do that.
You can't just walk away.
What exactly the heck is happening between you two? Should we expect you to resolve this or is it over? All right, I really don't want to discuss it like this, with all of this emotion.
Well, too bad, because this is our marriage, and what happens to you right now happens to us too.
You think the survival of this family isn't the foremost thing on my mind every waking minute? Just hire a private detective and ferret out some unsavory facts about this new church of hers and end it once and for all.
We lost Home Plus.
Sales were down, then the protestors, the boycotts and everything else.
With the arrest, Valley National called in all our loans.
No other bank will touch us.
I'd have to sell the houses to keep the stores afloat.
They stole our store because I'm a polygamist, and polygamy is illegal.
I'm going to prison because our marriage is illegal.
Everything keeps coming back to that.
Well, we may be going down, but if we are, we're going down in flames.
I've got the senate floor tomorrow, and this state, this church is gonna deal with some issues whether they like it or not.
Are you awake? Yes.
So am I.
I figured.
Are we gonna be all right? If Margene is serious, I want you to get behind her and support her desire to go away and do some kind of mission.
It's loving and it comes from her heart.
I know that.
But what? I just don't think she has any right to leave.
That's what.
This is the best place for her.
She was nothing without us.
Everyone has a choice, Nicki to go, to stay.
Understand? That's the thing everyone's free.
Close your eyes.
Get some sleep.
( Birds chipping ) ( Knocks on door ) Come in.
Bill.
Hey sleepyhead.
We're all downstairs.
Your mom made a nice breakfast.
I don't eat with Nicki anymore.
We're on different schedules.
Her name's mom.
And yes, you do.
We don't solve problems in this family by avoiding each other.
We dig in for the long haul.
I see you trying to do that, Bill.
I do.
But I don't see it as necessarily working.
Because it isn't always working.
But isn't that reason enough to dig deeper? That is, if you really love someone, I mean.
I loved him with my whole heart, Bill.
I don't think that any of you understand that.
What's going on? What's the matter? Are you all right? I'm fine.
We're just awfully busy here.
You ran off without telling anyone.
People here need help real help.
Why didn't you call? It's not like I can call in every minute of the day with my exact whereabouts.
Is that what it's come to? Doesn't anybody trust anybody in this marriage anymore? - We can't flag, not now.
- I'm not flagging.
Nicki, please calm down.
What on earth is the matter with you? I will tell you what's the matter with me.
Everyone is leaving.
Margene is going eventually, you know, and you're leaving us.
We're not enough for you anymore.
Suddenly we're all free to choose? It's the latest thing.
Our husband is going to prison.
My daughter is virtually out the door.
And there's nothing I can do.
And I don't want to be alone, Barb.
I'm frightened too, but you won't be alone, sweetie.
I promise you that.
Yes, I will.
I don't have one ounce of the milk of human kindness in me.
I'm spiteful and jealous and mean.
I know.
No, I really am.
I know.
What do you think you're doing? Please just sit down with me.
- No, I'm not.
- Please sit on the bed.
Just get on the bed, Nicki.
Don't.
You know I don't like to be touched.
I know.
I don't like it, and you know it.
Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, so help you God? Senator, I stand corrected.
Who'd have thought decertification would be such a hot ticket? I suspect it's me.
The devil is a top draw, second only to Jesus Christ, and he hasn't been seen a lot lately.
Proceed with your opening statement.
I wish I could.
I started all this thinking that decertification would strip the compounds of their power, but I've come to realize that's not enough.
- Senator? - Juniper Creek is a grotesque manifestation of the Principle that's been allowed to fester and bloom like a cancer in the dark closet of illegality.
And we have three hours before the session comes to a close.
I wish to offer an amendment to decertification.
Wait, I came for these hearings.
Now if you have no questions for these witnesses, I certainly do.
I offer an amendment to the bill that rescinds municipal certification of Juniper Creek.
Name of amendment then? The legalization of polygamy.
- Oh, come on.
- ( Crowd murmuring ) We are not wandering off into the weeds here.
( Banging gavel ) - Senate resolution 312.
- No.
( Banging gavel ) An act for the legalization of plural marriage.
You are not hijacking this body.
A 19th-century ban that's based on comparing polygamy to religious murder and actual human sacrifice and cannibalism doesn't even pass the stink test.
In this respect, it does: It is a remnant of a neolithic time, something from the dark ages that that enslaves women for 50 years the Utah territory a polygamist territory was progressive, idealistic.
Our polygamist women demanded and received the right to vote decades before the rest of this nation.
And it was this chamber that stripped them of their voices when you voted to make polygamy illegal, casting them into the shadows and then turning your backs on them.
My husband's right.
We share a sisterhood.
You are out of order.
I am the presiding hearing officer, and if I decide to invite comment from the gallery, then I can.
And I'm the presiding officer of this chamber, and I say you can't.
And and you're not one to talk.
Your L.
D.
S.
religion suppresses women as well, - excommunicating us for speaking out - ( Gavel banging ) And attempting to bury the mother in heaven doctrine.
- Are you talking to me? - No one's talking to anyone.
Clear the gallery.
Senator, you will sit down.
For the first time in 120 years this body and this state will discuss and debate the merits of the legalization of polygamy.
Oh no, we won't.
And failure to do so lays its abuses, its victims at your feet, not ours.
We've stepped out of the shadows and demand our day in the sun.
This may not happen in this session or the next or even in my lifetime, but it will happen.
And that conversation has now begun.
Radio reporter: Thrust into the news late yesterday, embattled senator Henrickson lodged a reconsideration of polygamy into the last day of the legislative session, igniting a firestorm in the chamber and a furious statewide debate.
Governor Linton expressed no comments on Henrickson's kamikaze-like strike, and the church has yet to issue a statement regarding Henrickson's allegations of harassment and persecution contained in extensive articles in "the New York Times" and other national papers of record.
We'll have more on this story and also on senator Henrickson's arrest as both ( turns off radio ) This is crazy.
I guess you're off now.
I'm really proud of you, Bill, for yesterday.
You lit a fuse.
I never planned on this.
I'm not a prophet or some figurehead.
I want you to know I'm trying, Barb.
I'm trying.
I won't ask you not to go.
I do still love you, you know.
If you'd like to join us after, you'd well, you'd be welcome always.
We need to get ready.
I replaced the button on the gray sweater, sent it to be cleaned.
Thanks.
Anytime.
I know what you're going through.
This was your first real love.
It was dangerous.
You chose something that couldn't last, and that felt safe.
Because maybe you wanted to learn about what love really is, because you didn't understand it.
How do you know that? Because I've been through that.
Because it scares me too.
Because it still always feels dangerous somehow.
What's happening? I don't know.
( Applause ) Man: Thank you, Bill.
- Thank you.
Woman: Thank you so much.
- Thank you, Bill.
- Thank you, Bill.
- Appreciate it, Bill.
- We appreciate you, Bill.
- Thank you so much, Bill.
- Thank you, Bill.
- Thank you.
Child: Thank you, Bill.
- Thank you, Bill.
- Thank you, Bill.
Don.
They started driving up from the compound at 3:00 a.
m.
, and from all over town too.
We can't hold them all.
Can you get some loudspeakers? We can put them out front.
Congratulations.
Sister Dutton.
Barbara? - It's okay.
- Yeah.
Ready? Having been commissioned of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.
Amen.
I can't.
I'm sorry.
I'm not Barbara Dutton.
I am Barbara Henrickson.
If my family's not here, then I'm not here.
I know.
It's okay.
I'm sorry.
I'm so sorry, everyone.
- The speakers are all set.
- Okay.
( Exhales ) I think I might need a minute here.
Next week, I promise, we'll have a few more chairs back there.
( Laughter ) I guess you all know the rules here.
No one holds the keys.
We're just custodians of the word until heavenly father designates a true prophet to lead us.
Until then, well, I I guess we'll do the best we can.
Easter Sunday a joyous day.
We're promised that one day all the people we have ever loved will be resurrected.
Our parents, brothers and sisters, our grandparents and friends will all live again together forever.
But for now this this is our home a true spiritual home for the many of us who haven't had a home for a long long time.
This is our meeting place, the place where we come to celebrate the births and marriages, the sealings and funerals ( Wayne coughing ) that make us an eternal family.
Nicki, the stock's boiling for the gravy.
Could you hand me three tablespoons of flour? Mm-hmm.
Where'd Lois go? She wanted to go back to the home first.
She had something to do with Frank.
What's the matter? I chose not to go through with it.
Why not? - Have you told Bill yet? - Hey, give it a rest.
It's okay.
Maybe.
I'm just not sure where it leaves me.
Ben.
Come sit.
Spring is in the air.
You can smell it.
The sky.
I'd like to dip this moment in amber and preserve it forever.
What happened in church today? Everyone sensed something.
I felt a grace descend upon me.
Thanks, Barb.
I see him.
Don, I'm glad you could make it.
Am I ? No no, come join us.
The more the merrier.
Everybody's talking, Bill.
There were 480 people at church 480.
They're trying to throw off the shackles on their hearts.
- ( Door opens ) - Bill, we're mashing the potatoes.
You've got to get your mother now.
Your mom and I are gonna be all right now.
We're all gonna be all right.
The only thing that matters our families, our marriages.
Faith comes from that love, not the other way around.
Do you understand? Do you know what I'm saying? None of them wanted us to marry, said it can't last.
Hmm.
And I moved you into that little trailer.
God, you hated that.
But you stuck it out.
Then we moved into our first house.
You wanted to paint it yellow.
I wanted brown.
You said, "no, I insist, Frank.
It's gonna be yellow.
Yellow's cheerful.
I'm determined to be cheerful.
" Then we married Nita.
( Chuckles ) God, you guys fought like cats and dogs that first year.
I thought you'd kill each other.
Then Bill was born.
You called him the light of your life.
You remember that, Lois? The light of your life.
Went to San Felipe and we cooked fish out on the beach at night.
Then the cops came, tried to shoo us away.
Oh no.
You gave them what for.
Remember, Lois? You gave them what for.
Hey neighbor.
Happy Easter.
Same to you, Bill.
How are you doing? Well, I tell ya, I come home, I see my front lawn has been resodded.
Yeah.
I promised you I would, last fall after the election.
I wonder if if you think I can't do that for myself, if you think I'm unworthy or inadequate or I can't take care of my wife.
Carl, it's okay.
I understand the expectations and all the pressure.
No, it's not okay.
You don't understand.
I love my wife.
I love my church.
I won't be ridiculed.
I will not be a failure! Here, Barb.
Sorry I'm sorry.
Okay.
( Three gunshots ) - Oh my God.
- Bill! - Oh no.
- No.
- Bill.
- Bill, stay with us.
Margene: Please, we need an ambulance.
Sandy, 2115 Linda Vista Lane.
Margie, help me! Give me your sweater.
Stay with us.
Bill.
( Inaudible ) Bless me.
Hold on, Bill.
Please hold on.
I need a blessing.
No, hold on.
Bill, please hold on.
I need a blessing from you.
Please.
Bill Orville Henrickson, by the power of the melchizedek priesthood, I give you this blessing of comfort.
Heavenly father knows what's in your heart.
( Inaudible ) Your family has faith in you.
Your family loves you.
We will always be together.
Your family will be with you, and you'll be there to see it.
( Babies crying ) ( Children playing ) It really was a beautiful ceremony.
I know.
I've never seen her like this.
I didn't get to spend enough time with you guys.
It's okay.
We'll come and visit.
( Baby crying ) He's getting fussy.
Here.
No.
That's 'cause it's almost time to go.
Where's Margene? I swear she's drawn out this goodbye as long as possible.
I think she just likes the attention.
She has a lot to pack, Nicki.
It was a really beautiful blessing, Barb.
I was inspired.
You allowed me to give our first grandchild his grandfather's name.
( Sighs ) We loaded all of my bags into your car.
Hey, Sarah, we should leave, 'cause we might miss our flights.
And Teenie's in my bathroom putting mascara on Wayne.
That girl doesn't know where she's coming or going.
I'll go I'll go get her.
Hey, will you change him, please? Oh yeah.
Come here, come here.
Cara Lynn: I'll help you.
Thank you.
Your father made this possible.
I never thought I'd see you back in this church.
I never thought I'd see you up on that dais.
We're strong.
We've been forged.
We endure.
I'll be right out.
It's nice to see them.
And that baby looks just like Bill, doesn't he? I'll be back in three months.
Just call, okay? I mean, honestly, you can be so selfish.
And we need to hear from you more this time, so we know that you're safe.
Barb was so worried.
- You be careful.
- Mm-hmm.
And Nicki's right.
You call us more.
Okay.
It breaks my heart that he wasn't here to see this day.
I may not always love you but long as there are stars above you you'll never need to doubt it I'll make you so sure about it God only knows what I'd be without you and if you should ever leave me though life would still go on, believe me the world could show nothing to me so what good would living do me? God only knows what I'd be without you God only knows what I'd be without you God only knows what I'd be with you God only knows God only knows what I'd be without you God only knows what I'd be without you God only knows
I wish you'd do this with Lee.
We spoke.
I don't need to hide behind a lawyer, not for this.
Reporters: There he is! Senator! Male reporter: Senator, over here.
Senator, senator, right here.
Is there any truth to these allegations, senator? Please.
on trumped-up charges two counts of statutory rape; alleged victim my beloved wife Margene.
It's politically motivated.
We've been harassed and investigated since my election last November.
We intend to fight these charges and I intend to serve out my term.
I'll have more to say later, believe me.
For now, folks, after two days in the clink, I'm kind of anxious to get home.
Thank you.
Reporter: Senator, senator, senator! Let's get out of here.
I'm so glad to see you.
Baby, you said a mouthful.
All right, Nicki, stop it.
Don't cry, not here.
Not in front of them.
Wait until we get home.
Reporter: This was the scene as senator Bill Henrickson and his wives left the county jail the first duly-elected official to be arrested on polygamy-related charges since the mormon wars of the 1880s.
Trial and initial motions in the case are set for four weeks from now.
Meanwhile, Albert Grant, the ousted prophet of Juniper Creek, remains in jail without bail.
His mother Adaleen Grant, out on bail herself, spoke to reporters just moments ago.
My son is not a flight risk.
There's only one reason why Albert Grant rots in jail while Bill Henrickson goes free.
One is a man of God and the other is a sleazy insider with political pull.
- Margene.
- Reporter: Meanwhile Eugene "Salty" Logan It's just all my nerves.
Hon, stop doing that a second.
Come be with us.
We can't let this arrest define us.
We're gonna push back and counterattack.
But whatever we do, we can't let them see us sweat.
Are we all in? We're all in, Bill.
All right.
Let me go make sure everything's on track for tomorrow.
Where are you going? Membership meeting.
- That church of yours? Now? - Today? Don't worry.
I'll be back.
Barb, I just want to say it's good to have an open mind, but not so open that your brains fall out.
When I have these baptism talks with our eight-year-olds, I tell them they're now old enough to commit sin and become accountable for it.
But you've been old enough to commit sin for years.
Old enough and committing it too.
A baptism is usually a joyous event in the life of a family.
I have to ask again, Barb do you think your marriage can survive this change? The marriage this church disapproves of? The marriage we've all chosen to look the other way from.
Your husband's arrest has made it a lot more difficult to do that.
No church is the perfect fit for anyone, but I know this church is for me.
It's the only place that offers me priesthood authority.
Without that I'm lost and of no use to myself or my family.
I'll see you Sunday.
- Dinner's almost ready.
- Hmm? I got the boys and Nell all washed up.
Honey.
Mm-hmm? Before we go over, I want to talk a sec.
I found this in the cupboard beside the mugs.
Oh.
It's not really anything.
Well, it's a passport.
Well, I know it's it's something I thought about doing.
But not anymore.
Not now.
You want to go on a cruise? It's a medical ship.
They go on six-week stints down to central America.
They take volunteers.
I wanted to work in the galley.
You were gonna go away? A little.
Goji taught me there's this whole world out there I'd never been aware of before.
I was so unformed when I came into this marriage, Bill.
You gave me a foundation in life, in faith.
I wanted to fly a bit.
You can do charity work here in town.
There's the shelter, a lot of other good causes.
I can help you choose one if you want.
It's okay, really.
We have three children, honey.
Whom I love more than life itself.
And we're working on a fourth.
We are.
This would have been in addition to, not in place of that.
I think I understand.
What's happening to you pierces my heart, Bill.
You're my anchor.
You're my home.
But someday I do want to meet new people and share what's in my heart with others.
And I'm so scared because I've made so many false starts in my life.
Because you're young, Margie.
And now I know what I want to do.
And I'm so afraid it's too late for me.
Thank you.
I'm gone for two days, and this is what happens? Oranges for dessert? Where's the pudding and the pies? Honestly, Bill.
Who has time to bake? I'm just kidding.
Right, Aaron? We love oranges.
You need them.
You look like you have scurvy.
When are we gonna dye our eggs? Are we doing something special for Easter at the church, dad? We are.
But we'll have plenty of time to talk about all that.
Bill, Stan hasn't gotten back to me.
Is my car door covered for that incident at Harmon's? I'm sure it's covered.
I'll call.
Cara Lynn, we all know you and your mother have been talking and making some progress.
And we wanted you to know that until we can sort out your adoption, because of legal issues we may be facing, your mother's adding a directive to her will.
If anything happens to her, Barb becomes your legal guardian.
Honey, I know you've been taking my apologies to heart, but I just want to say in front of our entire family, I am so seriously sorry for any pain my words have caused you, and I hope that we can, all of us, have a clean, fresh start.
( Growls ) Ha ha ha.
Hi.
I was just taking Barb's turkey roaster back downstairs.
So if something were to happen to you, I would go to Barb? Things seem so up in the air.
Did you really think that you could manipulate me into accepting an apology because it was public? Or was that an attempt to fool them into thinking you didn't mean all the terrible things that you said to me? I would have said anything to you if I thought it would have protected you.
It was a stupid, desperate act trying to send you off to that school.
And I I never meant to speak such hurtful words to you.
I wish you would believe how sorry I am.
I only wanted to help you.
I'm thinking of going back to my other family.
It might be the best thing for both us, I'm thinking.
( Door closes ) The trial could start as early as May.
I just wanted you to know.
Well, thank you for telling me.
I appreciate that you coming here and telling me.
Well Mom, mom, come on, stay.
You have good days and bad days.
It's okay, you hear me? You have crummy days, a crummy week.
And then pow! Something great happens, and you're glad to be alive and wouldn't trade it for a million bucks.
Admit it.
Just nod your head yes.
Just nod.
Or don't.
Boy, you're not gonna give an inch, are you? I don't have any memories.
I can't remember a thing nothing.
Yeah? Well, who am I? My son Bill.
And that's all you need to know.
Now, come on, shape up.
Easter's this weekend our first Easter in our new church.
Dinner at the houses after? Lamb with mint sauce.
We used to wear hats on Easter Sunday.
Do you remember those hats? Sure, sure I do.
They made us feel so full of ourselves, like we were something special.
Paul Westcliffe, "New York Times.
" Elizabeth Starkey, "Washington Post.
" Ana Balaban, "Denver Post.
" Welcome to Utah, folks.
- My wife Barbara.
- Hello.
- My wife Nicolette.
- Hi.
Please meet the woman that I allegedly raped - my beloved wife Margene.
- It's nice to meet you all.
Please sit.
Margene: Bill and I have been married for six years.
We have three lovely children.
The first two our sons Aaron and Lester conceived out of successive rapes, if you believe our D.
A.
It may seem harsh, but this is exactly what our D.
A.
is contending.
The state is using my boys as their evidence of statutory rape: Aaron count one; Lester count two.
Obviously we welcome this opportunity to get our message out.
Westcliffe: And, senator, since you invited us here, what is your message? Starkey: The L.
D.
S.
bishop's handbook states that a bishop must report abuse.
They're told to call the church's There was no abuse.
I don't know how it is in New York and Washington, but here, with her mother's permission Which I had.
Margene and I would have been allowed to marry like any regular, non-polygamist couple in this state.
None of this three-ring circus would be happening.
I'd like to know how you're holding up under such pressure.
How has this arrest, this charge affected your marriage? Bill: Made it stronger, no question.
Starkey: So why these charges? This is take no prisoners.
It's pretty scorched earth, I'd say.
Because we're calling ourselves mormon polygamists publicly.
We're moving forward to clean up the compounds, to reform polygamy.
And to clear our husband's good name.
Heather.
I'm late for class.
I know you don't want to talk to me, but I just want to give you something.
Please.
What is this? It's a certificate.
I named a star after you.
It's in the Andromeda galaxy.
"Heather, you are one in a trillion.
" Seriously? I know it's lame.
It's really lame.
And I know it doesn't fix anything, but it's true.
It's how I feel about you.
I'm sorry.
I'm an idiot.
No, Ben, you made me feel like an idiot for ever thinking we could work.
You're a polygamist.
Of course you're gonna want to mess around with other girls.
I don't want to mess around with other girls.
And that's not how polygamy works.
That's exactly how polygamy works.
You know what I mean.
No, I don't know what you mean.
I want us to work things out.
I don't want to lose you, okay? I have to go to class now.
Barn: Are you crazy? You just got arrested.
I want to take up where I left off.
I want my hearings and to introduce my bill to strip Juniper Creek of its state and municipal status.
You are crazy.
We're wrapping up session in two days.
Not happening.
That wackjob Albert Grant is in jail anyway.
Someone else will come along to fill the vacuum.
A madman invaded our capitol.
Now we have an opportunity to strike at the heart of the compounds.
Have you heard the expression "box office poison"? Just slip quietly off into the sweet good night.
I think that's a better idea.
You can patronize me, but you can't expel me.
I've yet to be convicted of a thing.
I'm gonna be active in this session until the end, however bitter that may be.
Committee rooms are all taken.
Then give me the senate chamber.
Oh, for your dinky hearings on something no one gives a shit about? I got news for you: Juniper Creek decertification isn't exactly star-chamber- alger-hiss-in-the-pumpkin-patch material.
Two hours between votes.
It holds up no one.
I will go on hunger strike.
I will take off my clothes and moon the chamber.
I'll wear a clown costume and ride a trike in a shriners' parade, but the only thing I won't do is go away.
Raymond put cabbage down the disposal.
Before I take the elbow joint apart, do you have any drano? Oh, Nicki, that stuff's so bad.
Use this.
Margie, I don't have time or patience for any of your organic stuff.
I want drano.
Oh, forget it.
Bill's very worried, by the way, about your desire to run away on that ship.
It's not running away.
Whatever it is, I just want to say I agree with him completely.
You don't have to feel so bad.
- About what? - You don't have to feel like you have to run off out of guilt and shame and exile yourself because it was all your fault.
I don't feel that way.
"For as we have many members in one body, so we, being many, are one body in Christ.
" Romans 12:3-12:5.
What does that have to do with anything? I want to be of service.
That's why I wanted to go.
It is? Yes.
That's about the most selfish thing I've ever heard.
How can you not feel guilty? And what about your children? Who? You mean our children? ( Harrumphs ) Nell, you stop it right there.
If you think Barb and I are gonna take over the care and feeding of your children while Bill's in prison and you're on a cruise off the coast I'm not doing it, obviously.
Of course you aren't.
It's too ridiculous for words.
Please don't categorize it as ridiculous.
Because it really hurts my feelings, and I don't believe it is.
( Door closes ) Lee spoke with the D.
A.
If I plead guilty, they'd recommend one to two years instead of seven to 20.
We said I'd consider pleading to a lesser charge of polygamy, but never to rape.
They said no go.
My nerves are just so frayed.
We have to talk about Easter, whether you think you might be able to come to church with us.
Where are you going? The sofa.
I need a night off.
Bill, please.
The reason it's hard for me The reason it's so darn I'm being baptized on Sunday.
You're getting baptized into the reformed church? Yes.
But I just I didn't know how to tell you, obviously, and I didn't think it would really change that much, not really.
Now what are you doing? Going to Nicki's.
No, Bill.
That's not right.
Not right? In the midst of this maelstrom, it's becoming obvious we don't have much in common.
Marriage is about sharing.
There's none of that going on between us, except sharing problems, suspicions and disrespect.
No, I've come to realize that it's unfair for me to expect you to compromise your deeply held beliefs, so why keep rubbing your nose in it? That's why I chose not to tell you.
- How much are you packing? - I don't know.
How long are you staying? I don't know.
Maybe this is just reality.
Maybe things are shifting.
My responsibilities lie elsewhere other children and other houses, other churches.
That's not fair.
And this isn't right.
I followed you into polygamy, and let me tell you, it was pretty alien from my beliefs, but I did it out of love.
We're back in the public eye in a big way.
This will only be seen as your repudiation of us, of me.
Now? At our most delicate time as a family, you just had to go and do this now? Yes, now.
It's deliberately throwing a lit match on the gasoline.
If you're gonna be gone for one year or 20, I need support a spiritual home to draw strength from.
- And it will destroy us.
- How? Your church is antipolygamist.
Church members are judged by their families, and you'll be judged and held back because of us.
You'll be a chipped plate, a second-class citizen.
You'll be ashamed of your church for being intolerant of us, and resentful of us for holding you back.
No, please.
The two nights I spent in jail, I didn't sleep.
I wasn't thinking about rape or or being arrested or the humiliation.
I was thinking about us you and me and how we got to this place.
Well, what am I supposed to do? You have two spouses to be with at night.
I have none.
I'm sure we'll see each other tomorrow, but I just can't be with you right now.
I built this church for you when you were excommunicated for you.
Do you know how much it kills me that you can't find a home in it? ( Door opens, closes ) Cara Lynn? Cara Lynn, are you going out? ( Rustling ) - Bill.
- Hon? I thought you were Cara Lynn.
What are you doing here? Barb and I are taking a little time off.
I'm staying here tonight.
Hi Sarah.
It's mom.
What are you and Scott doing on Sunday? Gee, I'd love to see you and Teenie.
Everyone would love to see you all here for Easter.
Well, I know you're busy.
Call me if you can.
( Sighs ) How are you this morning, Barb? Fine.
Why do you ask? No reason.
You have your planners.
Is this an official wives' meeting? It's just scratch paper is all.
It just felt like we needed to discuss some things.
Sit with us.
All right.
I thought we could go over some bulk supply issues in anticipation of Easter and Easter dinner.
What does bulk supply have to do with Easter dinner? We're short on paper towels and toilet paper.
No, actually I have cases of each in my basement, so you can cross that off your list.
Barb, I don't have a list.
No one's usurping anyone.
But Margie's car does need to get picked up from the shop.
That's something we could have handled informally.
But you can put this on your list: My car needs to go into the body shop for the ding on my driver's side door.
I thought Bill said insurance was covering your ding.
Well, it's not.
Why are you being so overtly hostile and mean to me? We're trying to give you an opportunity to open up to us.
You can talk to us about it, Barb.
We know how much this must hurt your pride.
I don't know what you're talking about.
Bill and I are at a little impasse.
Stop looking like that.
Oh, for Pete's sake, Barb.
Why don't we rip the band-aid off right now? You and Bill are apparently through.
And we're just sitting here, tiptoeing around it.
No, we are most definitely not through.
You thought you could just say, "I reject your church, and I have the priesthood, and I find greater comfort with lesbians and reformed churches than I do with my sisterwives"? "And, by the way, I'm being baptized on Sunday"? Nicki.
Nicki says he walked out, Barb.
Which leaves Margene and me where exactly, we'd like to know? He did not walk out.
And if he did, thank you very much, Nicki, for inviting him in and giving him comfort instead of sending him right back home where he belongs, so we could work out our problems.
He's my husband too, and he was upset.
Of course I comforted him.
I'm going down with the Captain while you two are deserting the sinking ship you off to your new church and Margie sailing away on her cruise to Africa.
It's a medical ship to central America.
Oh, I don't know, Margie.
Do you think this is really a good idea? Central America is awfully dangerous.
I read all the time about Christian groups being held up and carjacked on back roads in the middle of the night.
If you want to be Margene without borders, you hardly have to leave home to do it.
I mean, you're doing a pretty great job of it right here in Sandy for the last five years.
Marge leaving, me leaving it's like a dream come true then, Nicki.
That is so mean.
All I've ever wanted is for you both to be happy.
If you don't fix things with Bill, the next official wives' meeting just might be here in my dining room.
Fine.
And the first order of business is I need that $700 for my ding.
That car is a piece of junk.
Do you really think $700 wasted on that car is worth it? You worry way too much about appearances, Barbara.
You always have.
( Knocks ) Hey sunshine.
Look what I got for you two of your old Easter hats.
I spared no expense in getting them.
Don't ask me how.
I got my sources.
Didn't I tell you good things could happen? I remember this one.
You remember? You sang that funny song while you wore it to make us laugh.
What was it? You changed the words around.
Oh, come on.
I bet you remember.
Here.
- Here, let's try it on.
- Argh! Hey, what's the big idea? Now come on.
Let's get you looking like a million bucks.
There.
A real Easter bonnet.
Mom, look.
Look.
Oh, she's ugly.
Why is she wearing my hat? No, mom, it's you.
God save me.
( Knocks ) Don, what did you want? What is it? Tell me.
It's the end, Bill.
No, buddy, it's not.
Whatever it is, I can help you.
Come on down.
We got free balloons and popcorn for the kiddies.
( Music playing on stereo ) Get in.
Oh! A new car? Oh, it is so cute.
Bill got you a new car? Actually I got me a new car, and it's all mine.
I can afford the payments out of my allowance.
You were right after all, Nicki.
I needed a new car.
Get in.
It's cramped back here.
I figured I didn't need the extra space since I'm no longer hauling kids and groceries full-time.
My responsibilities have changed, as both you and Bill keep reminding me.
Make it go really fast.
Where do you want to go? Downtown? No, out of town.
Past the airport, way way out.
Could you put the top up, please? Just relax.
Enjoy the ride.
It's the last time we'll all be together for the first time in honey bee.
You named your impractical little car "honey bee"? Mm-hmm.
I think "in your face" would be a better name.
All right, everyone, be quiet.
Let's go! I'd like to go with you to your baptism.
I'll be fine on my own.
Let's go pick up Bill and all of us just keep on driving.
- A new car out front? - Yes.
And where's the station wagon? I traded it in.
Obviously, Barbara.
Where? Trans-Metro motors.
- Where are you going? - I'm going to get it back.
Honestly, Bill, I'm sure it's on its way to the trash compactors by now.
How could you? It was shot.
It was a good old car, but we drove it into the ground.
How could you just get rid of it like that? How could you? It was just a car, Bill.
It was our car.
I got you that car for our ninth anniversary, before you got sick, before Nicki and Marge and these houses.
Sarah and Ben learned to drive in that car, and you just went and got rid of it.
You got rid of us.
You threw us away without so much as a second thought.
I'm sorry.
No, you can't do that.
You can't just walk away.
What exactly the heck is happening between you two? Should we expect you to resolve this or is it over? All right, I really don't want to discuss it like this, with all of this emotion.
Well, too bad, because this is our marriage, and what happens to you right now happens to us too.
You think the survival of this family isn't the foremost thing on my mind every waking minute? Just hire a private detective and ferret out some unsavory facts about this new church of hers and end it once and for all.
We lost Home Plus.
Sales were down, then the protestors, the boycotts and everything else.
With the arrest, Valley National called in all our loans.
No other bank will touch us.
I'd have to sell the houses to keep the stores afloat.
They stole our store because I'm a polygamist, and polygamy is illegal.
I'm going to prison because our marriage is illegal.
Everything keeps coming back to that.
Well, we may be going down, but if we are, we're going down in flames.
I've got the senate floor tomorrow, and this state, this church is gonna deal with some issues whether they like it or not.
Are you awake? Yes.
So am I.
I figured.
Are we gonna be all right? If Margene is serious, I want you to get behind her and support her desire to go away and do some kind of mission.
It's loving and it comes from her heart.
I know that.
But what? I just don't think she has any right to leave.
That's what.
This is the best place for her.
She was nothing without us.
Everyone has a choice, Nicki to go, to stay.
Understand? That's the thing everyone's free.
Close your eyes.
Get some sleep.
( Birds chipping ) ( Knocks on door ) Come in.
Bill.
Hey sleepyhead.
We're all downstairs.
Your mom made a nice breakfast.
I don't eat with Nicki anymore.
We're on different schedules.
Her name's mom.
And yes, you do.
We don't solve problems in this family by avoiding each other.
We dig in for the long haul.
I see you trying to do that, Bill.
I do.
But I don't see it as necessarily working.
Because it isn't always working.
But isn't that reason enough to dig deeper? That is, if you really love someone, I mean.
I loved him with my whole heart, Bill.
I don't think that any of you understand that.
What's going on? What's the matter? Are you all right? I'm fine.
We're just awfully busy here.
You ran off without telling anyone.
People here need help real help.
Why didn't you call? It's not like I can call in every minute of the day with my exact whereabouts.
Is that what it's come to? Doesn't anybody trust anybody in this marriage anymore? - We can't flag, not now.
- I'm not flagging.
Nicki, please calm down.
What on earth is the matter with you? I will tell you what's the matter with me.
Everyone is leaving.
Margene is going eventually, you know, and you're leaving us.
We're not enough for you anymore.
Suddenly we're all free to choose? It's the latest thing.
Our husband is going to prison.
My daughter is virtually out the door.
And there's nothing I can do.
And I don't want to be alone, Barb.
I'm frightened too, but you won't be alone, sweetie.
I promise you that.
Yes, I will.
I don't have one ounce of the milk of human kindness in me.
I'm spiteful and jealous and mean.
I know.
No, I really am.
I know.
What do you think you're doing? Please just sit down with me.
- No, I'm not.
- Please sit on the bed.
Just get on the bed, Nicki.
Don't.
You know I don't like to be touched.
I know.
I don't like it, and you know it.
Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, so help you God? Senator, I stand corrected.
Who'd have thought decertification would be such a hot ticket? I suspect it's me.
The devil is a top draw, second only to Jesus Christ, and he hasn't been seen a lot lately.
Proceed with your opening statement.
I wish I could.
I started all this thinking that decertification would strip the compounds of their power, but I've come to realize that's not enough.
- Senator? - Juniper Creek is a grotesque manifestation of the Principle that's been allowed to fester and bloom like a cancer in the dark closet of illegality.
And we have three hours before the session comes to a close.
I wish to offer an amendment to decertification.
Wait, I came for these hearings.
Now if you have no questions for these witnesses, I certainly do.
I offer an amendment to the bill that rescinds municipal certification of Juniper Creek.
Name of amendment then? The legalization of polygamy.
- Oh, come on.
- ( Crowd murmuring ) We are not wandering off into the weeds here.
( Banging gavel ) - Senate resolution 312.
- No.
( Banging gavel ) An act for the legalization of plural marriage.
You are not hijacking this body.
A 19th-century ban that's based on comparing polygamy to religious murder and actual human sacrifice and cannibalism doesn't even pass the stink test.
In this respect, it does: It is a remnant of a neolithic time, something from the dark ages that that enslaves women for 50 years the Utah territory a polygamist territory was progressive, idealistic.
Our polygamist women demanded and received the right to vote decades before the rest of this nation.
And it was this chamber that stripped them of their voices when you voted to make polygamy illegal, casting them into the shadows and then turning your backs on them.
My husband's right.
We share a sisterhood.
You are out of order.
I am the presiding hearing officer, and if I decide to invite comment from the gallery, then I can.
And I'm the presiding officer of this chamber, and I say you can't.
And and you're not one to talk.
Your L.
D.
S.
religion suppresses women as well, - excommunicating us for speaking out - ( Gavel banging ) And attempting to bury the mother in heaven doctrine.
- Are you talking to me? - No one's talking to anyone.
Clear the gallery.
Senator, you will sit down.
For the first time in 120 years this body and this state will discuss and debate the merits of the legalization of polygamy.
Oh no, we won't.
And failure to do so lays its abuses, its victims at your feet, not ours.
We've stepped out of the shadows and demand our day in the sun.
This may not happen in this session or the next or even in my lifetime, but it will happen.
And that conversation has now begun.
Radio reporter: Thrust into the news late yesterday, embattled senator Henrickson lodged a reconsideration of polygamy into the last day of the legislative session, igniting a firestorm in the chamber and a furious statewide debate.
Governor Linton expressed no comments on Henrickson's kamikaze-like strike, and the church has yet to issue a statement regarding Henrickson's allegations of harassment and persecution contained in extensive articles in "the New York Times" and other national papers of record.
We'll have more on this story and also on senator Henrickson's arrest as both ( turns off radio ) This is crazy.
I guess you're off now.
I'm really proud of you, Bill, for yesterday.
You lit a fuse.
I never planned on this.
I'm not a prophet or some figurehead.
I want you to know I'm trying, Barb.
I'm trying.
I won't ask you not to go.
I do still love you, you know.
If you'd like to join us after, you'd well, you'd be welcome always.
We need to get ready.
I replaced the button on the gray sweater, sent it to be cleaned.
Thanks.
Anytime.
I know what you're going through.
This was your first real love.
It was dangerous.
You chose something that couldn't last, and that felt safe.
Because maybe you wanted to learn about what love really is, because you didn't understand it.
How do you know that? Because I've been through that.
Because it scares me too.
Because it still always feels dangerous somehow.
What's happening? I don't know.
( Applause ) Man: Thank you, Bill.
- Thank you.
Woman: Thank you so much.
- Thank you, Bill.
- Thank you, Bill.
- Appreciate it, Bill.
- We appreciate you, Bill.
- Thank you so much, Bill.
- Thank you, Bill.
- Thank you.
Child: Thank you, Bill.
- Thank you, Bill.
- Thank you, Bill.
Don.
They started driving up from the compound at 3:00 a.
m.
, and from all over town too.
We can't hold them all.
Can you get some loudspeakers? We can put them out front.
Congratulations.
Sister Dutton.
Barbara? - It's okay.
- Yeah.
Ready? Having been commissioned of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.
Amen.
I can't.
I'm sorry.
I'm not Barbara Dutton.
I am Barbara Henrickson.
If my family's not here, then I'm not here.
I know.
It's okay.
I'm sorry.
I'm so sorry, everyone.
- The speakers are all set.
- Okay.
( Exhales ) I think I might need a minute here.
Next week, I promise, we'll have a few more chairs back there.
( Laughter ) I guess you all know the rules here.
No one holds the keys.
We're just custodians of the word until heavenly father designates a true prophet to lead us.
Until then, well, I I guess we'll do the best we can.
Easter Sunday a joyous day.
We're promised that one day all the people we have ever loved will be resurrected.
Our parents, brothers and sisters, our grandparents and friends will all live again together forever.
But for now this this is our home a true spiritual home for the many of us who haven't had a home for a long long time.
This is our meeting place, the place where we come to celebrate the births and marriages, the sealings and funerals ( Wayne coughing ) that make us an eternal family.
Nicki, the stock's boiling for the gravy.
Could you hand me three tablespoons of flour? Mm-hmm.
Where'd Lois go? She wanted to go back to the home first.
She had something to do with Frank.
What's the matter? I chose not to go through with it.
Why not? - Have you told Bill yet? - Hey, give it a rest.
It's okay.
Maybe.
I'm just not sure where it leaves me.
Ben.
Come sit.
Spring is in the air.
You can smell it.
The sky.
I'd like to dip this moment in amber and preserve it forever.
What happened in church today? Everyone sensed something.
I felt a grace descend upon me.
Thanks, Barb.
I see him.
Don, I'm glad you could make it.
Am I ? No no, come join us.
The more the merrier.
Everybody's talking, Bill.
There were 480 people at church 480.
They're trying to throw off the shackles on their hearts.
- ( Door opens ) - Bill, we're mashing the potatoes.
You've got to get your mother now.
Your mom and I are gonna be all right now.
We're all gonna be all right.
The only thing that matters our families, our marriages.
Faith comes from that love, not the other way around.
Do you understand? Do you know what I'm saying? None of them wanted us to marry, said it can't last.
Hmm.
And I moved you into that little trailer.
God, you hated that.
But you stuck it out.
Then we moved into our first house.
You wanted to paint it yellow.
I wanted brown.
You said, "no, I insist, Frank.
It's gonna be yellow.
Yellow's cheerful.
I'm determined to be cheerful.
" Then we married Nita.
( Chuckles ) God, you guys fought like cats and dogs that first year.
I thought you'd kill each other.
Then Bill was born.
You called him the light of your life.
You remember that, Lois? The light of your life.
Went to San Felipe and we cooked fish out on the beach at night.
Then the cops came, tried to shoo us away.
Oh no.
You gave them what for.
Remember, Lois? You gave them what for.
Hey neighbor.
Happy Easter.
Same to you, Bill.
How are you doing? Well, I tell ya, I come home, I see my front lawn has been resodded.
Yeah.
I promised you I would, last fall after the election.
I wonder if if you think I can't do that for myself, if you think I'm unworthy or inadequate or I can't take care of my wife.
Carl, it's okay.
I understand the expectations and all the pressure.
No, it's not okay.
You don't understand.
I love my wife.
I love my church.
I won't be ridiculed.
I will not be a failure! Here, Barb.
Sorry I'm sorry.
Okay.
( Three gunshots ) - Oh my God.
- Bill! - Oh no.
- No.
- Bill.
- Bill, stay with us.
Margene: Please, we need an ambulance.
Sandy, 2115 Linda Vista Lane.
Margie, help me! Give me your sweater.
Stay with us.
Bill.
( Inaudible ) Bless me.
Hold on, Bill.
Please hold on.
I need a blessing.
No, hold on.
Bill, please hold on.
I need a blessing from you.
Please.
Bill Orville Henrickson, by the power of the melchizedek priesthood, I give you this blessing of comfort.
Heavenly father knows what's in your heart.
( Inaudible ) Your family has faith in you.
Your family loves you.
We will always be together.
Your family will be with you, and you'll be there to see it.
( Babies crying ) ( Children playing ) It really was a beautiful ceremony.
I know.
I've never seen her like this.
I didn't get to spend enough time with you guys.
It's okay.
We'll come and visit.
( Baby crying ) He's getting fussy.
Here.
No.
That's 'cause it's almost time to go.
Where's Margene? I swear she's drawn out this goodbye as long as possible.
I think she just likes the attention.
She has a lot to pack, Nicki.
It was a really beautiful blessing, Barb.
I was inspired.
You allowed me to give our first grandchild his grandfather's name.
( Sighs ) We loaded all of my bags into your car.
Hey, Sarah, we should leave, 'cause we might miss our flights.
And Teenie's in my bathroom putting mascara on Wayne.
That girl doesn't know where she's coming or going.
I'll go I'll go get her.
Hey, will you change him, please? Oh yeah.
Come here, come here.
Cara Lynn: I'll help you.
Thank you.
Your father made this possible.
I never thought I'd see you back in this church.
I never thought I'd see you up on that dais.
We're strong.
We've been forged.
We endure.
I'll be right out.
It's nice to see them.
And that baby looks just like Bill, doesn't he? I'll be back in three months.
Just call, okay? I mean, honestly, you can be so selfish.
And we need to hear from you more this time, so we know that you're safe.
Barb was so worried.
- You be careful.
- Mm-hmm.
And Nicki's right.
You call us more.
Okay.
It breaks my heart that he wasn't here to see this day.
I may not always love you but long as there are stars above you you'll never need to doubt it I'll make you so sure about it God only knows what I'd be without you and if you should ever leave me though life would still go on, believe me the world could show nothing to me so what good would living do me? God only knows what I'd be without you God only knows what I'd be without you God only knows what I'd be with you God only knows God only knows what I'd be without you God only knows what I'd be without you God only knows