Big Love

- Season 5

(2011)

After restful post-election days in the wilderness, reality hits the Henricksons on their return to Salt Lake City. At Home Plus, Billʼs attempts to bolster morale in the wake of his polygamist revelation fall on mostly deaf ears, and he faces an uphill battle for his political life even before the swearing-in. At home, he tries to assuage the concerns of his wives and kids, who face psychological - and physical - threats around town. To stem this growing tide of ill will, Bill decides to hold an open house for his 40,000 constituents, some of whom may actually ...

Bill's attempt to stage a "safety net" meeting for polygamist leaders is hindered by Alby and Home Plus objectors. In an effort to find common ground with her mother, Barb asks Nancy to join her at a symposium focusing on mother-daughter Mormon challenges. Nicki learns the extent of Adaleen's isolation; Marge despairs over the quandary involving Ana and Goran; and Cara Lynn impresses her math teacher, and Greg.

The Henricksons try to put on a unified face during Christmas, but are tested amidst numbing revelations from Barb, Marge and Adaleen. Meanwhile, Lura takes drastic measures in response to Alby's zealous efforts to "purify" the compound; Lois drifts towards the deep end; Bill tries to soften up a senator; Ben bonds with Heather; and Cara Lynn looks for answers about her father.

With his swearing-in ceremony only days away, Bill searches for ways to overcome the anti-polygamist sentiment swelling among state officials. Meanwhile, Barbʼs strategic attendance at a First Ladiesʼ fashion show triggers lingering resentment between Nicki and Margene - and between Barb and Nicki. Rhonda and exiled polygamist Verlan try to shake down Alby; Margene and Pam find their niche with Goji Blast and Michael Sainte; Nicki pushes for Cara Lynnʼs adoption; Lois learns the source of her ailment; Ben rewards Heather for her sensitivity.

Bill makes a deal in the Senate, but finds new obstacles to his livelihood being raised by LDS officials. Fed up with interning, Barb considers a dramatic life change that could have far-ranging consequences for the family. A legal obstacle hinders Bill and Nicki's efforts to adopt Cara Lynn. Margene preaches the Goji gospel; Rhonda encourages Verlan to do Alby's bidding; Lois longs for her old life with Frank; Don takes another hit for Bill.

Barb capitulates on Billʼs marital plans, but not on her hopes to attain the priesthood. To shore up her case, she enlists ex-Mormon feminist Renee Clayton, much to her mother Nancyʼs chagrin. Meanwhile, Bill faces new impeachment pressure in the senate, and scrambles for new clients in the wake of LDS boycotts of his stores. With her eye on a new prize, Nicki chafes at the status quo. Margene eyes a sponsor for her pro-polygamy childrenʼs rally; Cara Lynn puts in extra hours with her tutor, Greg; Alby vows to combat Safety Net with a purification ...

Bill eyes a wedding as a chance to reseal his commitment to his three wives, though Barb remains skeptical. In the meantime, Nicki looks to take full advantage of her special day. Alby makes a game-changing power play; Lois resists Barbʼs vision of her future; Marge is cautioned about the financial pitfalls of Goji Blast; Cara Lynn brings a guest to the theater; Heather changes her mind about Ben.

Bill looks to Albyʼs past in an effort to thwart his ambitions, leading Alby to concoct yet another diabolical scheme to bring down the Henricksons. Meanwhile, in the wake of a festering investigation into Billʼs private life, an incredulous Barb finds herself targeted as her husbandʼs accomplice. Nickiʼs "rescue" of a skittish compound wife complicates life at home, and lands her in hot water at Juniper Creek. Stung by an assertion by Michael Sainte, Margene finds herself at the crossroads in her business with Goji Blast. Don suffers emotional ...

With Alby on the run and posing an imminent threat, the Henrickson family finds itself in lockdown mode. Frazzled though not incapacitated after a near-death experience, Nicki decides to break Cara Lynnʼs "dependencies" by enrolling her in boarding school. Barb spars with Bill about her new churchʼs stance on polygamy, and her commitment to the family. Lois begs Frank to rescue her from confinement; Margene vows to repay Pam for her Goji investment; Ben (Douglas Smith) and Bill debate what to do about Rhonda.

With the specter of jail time looming, Bill charts out contingency plans for the family, while orchestrating a last-minute preemptive referendum on the senate floor. Meanwhile, Barb goes forward with her plan to join a reform-minded church; Margene contemplates taking a hiatus to serve as a volunteer abroad; and Nicki despairs being left alone as her family splinters. Cara Lynn considers a return to her roots; Ben enlists Rhonda to help him win over Heather; Don shares some bad news with Bill about Home Plus. As Easter arrives, the Henricksons receive heartening ...