One thing you should know about me: I like TV. Good TV, yes, not that reality TV crap that has invaded the airwaves, but quality shows. Or, failing that, something involving lots of pretty people fighting crime with lots of weapons. What can I say, we all have our guilty pleasures. Aside from really enjoying TV, it’s a also a convenient backdrop to knitting/sewing/crafting of various sorts.

However, owing to the rise in aforementioned reality TV crap, there’s been less and less good TV on actual TV. Especially for those of us who don’t spring for the HBO/Showtime deals. So I watch a lot of DVDs, and Netflix is a very good friend to me. Recently, I decided to check out Big Love.

I’m only a few episodes in, but so far I’m a fan. It’s already brewing some interesting thoughts in my head. One of the things I’ve found most interesting is the conflicting emotions the show has brought up.

On the one hand, I’m horrified. Polygamy, particularly as practiced by fundamental religions, is an unequal power structure that leaves women subject to the man. They, of course, can’t have multiple partners, and to varying degrees are dependent on the man. (Please note: I do not take issue with polyamory, where all involved can have multiple partners if they wish, and which typically isn’t wrapped into the wives-be-subject-to-your-husband rhetoric. I’m not sure I could do that, but I also don’t think it’s something I’d ever consider to be totally off the table, either.) And again, the religious philosophies that show up on the show are not exactly my cup of tea.

On the other hand–there’s something kind of appealing there. The three houses, with the families that can go back and forth at will. Women working together to take care of things. Having someone there, close by, to lend a hand or talk to. Family dinners with lots of people. And a quick scan of the internet tells me I’m not the only one who feels this way. I wonder if there isn’t something about this that’s tapping into what seems like a deep current of loneliness under the surface of our culture that is beginning to be harder to ignore.

It’s not that people don’t have friends–but is that enough? Are friendships more superficial? And were so spread out, that how realistic is it to just drop by and lend a hand? We’re all so busy and over-scheduled, how do you get people together for dinner, or just drop by for a chat or a cup of coffee? To do this by yourself…get up, go to work, come home, take care of the house or more likely pass out out in front of the TV…is this it? Makes me wonder if we haven’t just gone the wrong direction with some things.