446:, there's an episode or two that goes in for red, hot doctrinal differences, and “The Special Relationship” was that episode for this season. These episodes are always best when they tie those ideas in to some sort of personal relationship between the characters (since doctrinal differences so rarely make for satisfying drama), and “Relationship” struggled with that until, somewhat predictably at this point, the last half."
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wrote, "His first wife may have come to plural marriage later in life, but it’s clear here that she has convictions about it as deep as his, even if they are not the same as his own. And as they find in more than one way, making a seemingly symbolic gesture — being ending a legal marriage or making a
427:
In its original
American broadcast, "The Special Relationship" was seen by an estimated 0.99 million household viewers with a 0.4/1 in the 18–49 demographics. This means that 0.4 percent of all households with televisions watched the episode, while 1 percent of all of those watching television at the
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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 realizes that adopting Cara Lynn will require him to divorce
Barbara, while Verlan acts as an enforcer for
389:) to get her out of the house. Bill interferes and reveals her diagnosis to Frank, who subsequently leaves without her. Despite her complaints, Bill refuses to let her stay alone or unsupervised. Fearing that her mother is not considering her feelings, Cara Lynn decides to move in with Greg (
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wrote, "Tonight's episode at least dealt with some interesting issues, with the “priesthood holder” issue moving to the forefront, Margene's ambition colliding with her reputation and Bill perhaps taking Barb a bridge too far with his latest request."
393:). Bill is asked by LDS officials to refrain from referring to himself as a Mormon, as they fear he is tainting their image by linking it to polygamy, but Bill refuses. At an intern mixer, Barbara finally tells Bill that she will agree to the divorce.
304:, the episode was seen by an estimated 0.99 million household viewers and gained a 0.4/1 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received mostly positive reviews from critics, who praised the storylines and performances.
366:) cannot adopt as they are not legally married. Nicki is delighted upon hearing the news, and despite Bill forbidding her from influencing Barbara, she explains that she needs to stay close to Cara Lynn as she fears that
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323:) is willing to move past their previous arguments over the impeachment if Bill avoids another PR disaster. Bill agrees, and also asks for funds for Safety Net, which Barn immediately obtains. Bill decides to let
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time of the broadcast watched it. This was a 28% increase in viewership from the previous episode, which was seen by an estimated 0.77 million household viewers with a 0.4/1 in the 18–49 demographics.
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wrote, "This whole series is about special relationships, really, and the right to declare them, and I give props to writer
Patricia Breen for corralling so many into an hour."
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s final season, folks. And for a hot second during this episode, titled “The
Special Relationship,” it almost looked like things were looking up for the Henricksons."
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346:) for help, as he is facing a possible manslaughter charge. Alby agrees to help him, but he needs to work as an enforcer for him. To legally adopt Cara Lynn (
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483:- for about five minutes, anyway. And then we're swiftly deposited back into the endless bickering match that is this final season." Aileen Gallagher of
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Henrickson long seemed like the only sane member of her family, the only one who wasn't damaged goods from the start. On last night's
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gave the episode a "B+" grade and wrote, "Every season of
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16:5th episode of the 5th season of Big Love
805:Blankenship, Mark (February 16, 2011).
779:"'Big Love': Breaking up is hard to do"
745:Gallagher, Aileen (February 14, 2011).
689:Poniewozik, James (February 14, 2011).
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479:wrote, "All is well in this episode of
629:St. James, Emily (February 13, 2011).
377:On Alby's orders, Verlan attacks Don (
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374:) will be a bad influence on her.
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1:
811:Wife Watch!: Season 5, Ep. 5"
691:"Big Love Watch: Only Words?"
635:: "The Special Relationship""
546:Writers Guild of America West
1329:When Men and Mountains Meet
93:February 13, 2011
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846:"The Special Relationship"
350:), Bill needs to divorce
261:. It originally aired on
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241:The Special Relationship
24:The Special Relationship
1023:The Writing on the Wall
724:The Wall Street Journal
476:The Wall Street Journal
167:Cody Klop as Gary Embry
1280:Certain Poor Shepherds
1058:Good Guys and Bad Guys
302:Nielsen Media Research
265:on February 13, 2011.
1213:The Mighty and Strong
1037:Rock and a Hard Place
278:fundamentalist Mormon
268:The series is set in
90:Original release date
1308:Til Death Do Us Part
991:Where There's a Will
977:A Barbecue for Betty
823:on December 10, 2011
610:on February 10, 2011
579:on February 17, 2011
379:Joel McKinnon Miller
144:Joel McKinnon Miller
1273:A Seat at the Table
1139:For Better or Worse
1355:Barbara Henrickson
1315:The Noose Tightens
1220:Sins of the Father
1206:Strange Bedfellows
751:Recap: Barbed Ire"
410:, and directed by
391:Christian Campbell
356:Jeanne Tripplehorn
257:, and directed by
247:television series
192:Episode chronology
158:as Elder McCrackle
150:Christian Campbell
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1079:The Happiest Girl
1072:Circle the Wagons
956:Roberta's Funeral
784:Los Angeles Times
604:TV by the Numbers
573:TV by the Numbers
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183:Audrey Wasilewski
179:as Michael Sainte
162:Christopher Hanke
156:Robert Clotworthy
114:Guest appearances
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1370:Sarah Henrickson
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1093:Oh, Pioneers
1065:Kingdom Come
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998:The Ceremony
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171:Kevin Rankin
152:as Greg Ivey
146:as Don Embry
105:Running time
85:Chris Figler
31:
23:
1380:Roman Grant
1248:End of Days
1160:Rough Edges
1111:Block Party
1051:Dating Game
984:The Baptism
928:Viagra Blue
402:Development
317:Bill Paxton
77:Rob Sweeney
54:Directed by
1423:Categories
1375:Alby Grant
1343:Characters
1125:Prom Queen
523:References
397:Production
387:Bruce Dern
177:Grant Show
123:Bruce Dern
108:59 minutes
97:2011-02-13
82:Editing by
64:Written by
1174:Sacrament
418:Reception
344:Matt Ross
338:) visits
284:, having
164:as Stuart
49:Episode 5
1322:Exorcism
1287:The Oath
1258:Season 5
1184:Season 4
1132:On Trial
1103:Season 3
1008:Season 2
963:Eviction
913:Season 1
905:Episodes
896:Big Love
816:HuffPost
809:Big Love
749:Big Love
633:Big Love
539:Big Love
516:HuffPost
504:Big Love
491:Big Love
481:Big Love
444:Big Love
334:Verlan (
282:polygamy
250:Big Love
208:The Oath
203:Previous
41:Episode
33:Big Love
1030:Reunion
942:Eclipse
827:May 22,
790:May 22,
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756:Vulture
730:May 22,
702:May 22,
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614:May 22,
583:May 22,
552:May 22,
486:Vulture
423:Viewers
352:Barbara
286:Barbara
216: →
201:←
95: (
36:episode
1408:Awards
1266:Winter
1118:Empire
970:Easter
949:Affair
668:HitFix
455:HitFix
368:Rhonda
325:Margie
297:Alby.
294:Margie
1394:Other
921:Pilot
507:'
360:Nicki
290:Nicki
245:drama
859:IMDb
829:2024
792:2024
764:2024
732:2024
704:2024
696:TIME
676:2024
648:2024
616:2024
585:2024
554:2024
466:TIME
340:Alby
313:Bill
308:Plot
292:and
276:, a
214:Next
857:at
850:HBO
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