I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed the Hendricksons/Grants/Heffmans until the Big Love season premiere aired tonight.

They have got to be the most dysfunctional family this side of The Simpsons. More so, even.

As usual, Nicki is keeping tons of secrets from her families. I have to say, though, she just always looks so guilty about everything; I don’t understand why anyone ever believes a single word she says. Seriously – can anyone remember a single time when she told the truth?

That said, her rooftop declaration was, for a change, brave and selfless (though still dishonest, but for a good reason for a change). Chloe Sevigny is truly a fabulous actress. I’ve never seen a character I so intensely disliked who managed to worm her way into my heart in almost every single episode. Before, of course, she totally ticks me off again.

And while I feel badly for Barb, facing another cancer scare, I’m tired of her feeling sorry for herself. I mean, at least she is trying to take matters into her own hands by bringing Ana into the family, but she’s still playing the, “I want to have a say in my family” victim card.

Look, Barb, you’ve had the chance, more than once, to leave this family. You haven’t taken it. Sure, you love your husband. And you have a love, of sorts, for Nicki and Margie. But you only have part of a husband. And you have two wives. I mean, my husband could tell you that’s just not fair.

As for Margie, she’s basically insane. I mean, let’s face it. She wants a fourth wife in the family so she can have more responsibility. She is no longer the naif. She is as calculating as Nicki is, in her own way. She’s the public face of the company to the gambling interests; she’s been dating Ana along with Bill, for all intents and purposes. And if she can get Ana in the family, she’ll no longer be the newbie.

And Bill? I realized tonight that he just ticks me off. All this preaching about what is holy about the afterlife and all that, it’s really all about him and his needs. Granted, his wives have a lot more freedom than the wives on the compound. A LOT more. But does he not see the toll this is taking on his children? And does he not see history repeating himself with Frankie being kicked out of the compound?

OK, obviously he does. And he’s been conflicted in the past. But I can’t help but feel it all is about what he wants and his hormones. I just somehow got really pissed off last night.

And poor Ana. I got kind of mad at Margie last night when she was basically telling Ana that she’s a loser and being a sister wife is her destiny and the fulfilment of her life. Ana’s got some serious self-esteem issues if she believes that one.

The only person I still hold out hope for is Sarah. She does need to get out of Utah, and far away from her family. She knows this is all wrong, and it’s killing her to see her family fall deeper and deeper into the life.