The Gayest (And Saddest) "Big Love" Episode Ever

***Warning! This post contains major spoilers on Sunday's episode of Big Love.***

It was obvious that Alby Grant's secret gay affair with the government appointed Juniper Creek trustee, Dale Tomasson (Benjamin Koldyke) wasn't going to end well. Still, I was sort of hoping it would last for a bit longer. Unfortunately, disaster struck this past Sunday night in what might possibly be Big Love's gayest and saddest episode ever.

Lately the villainous Alby (Matt Ross) has been positively giddy about his secret affair with Dale, and it's been interesting watching the romance light up Alby's usually dead eyes and black heart. To me, it seems like the most normal, "human" thing we've ever seen of Alby has been his newfound realization that he can love another man.

Unfortunately, Dale, though equally taken with Alby, has been wracked with religious guilt about giving in to his "homosexual tendencies." He attends ex-gay support groups and tearfully seeks advice from his Mormon pastors. Fat lot of good that's going to do him.

This episode Alby rents an apartment for them to meet secretly. Unfortunately, his suspicious and calculating wife Laura follows them to the love nest. Rather than confronting Alby, she first goes to Bill to get Dale fired as trustee. Then she goes to Dale's home, where presumably she spills the beans to Dale's wife.

Bill confronts Dale about his relationship with Alby. When Dale tearfully admits to it, Bill actually seems empathetic: "I think I can understand how difficult this must be... keeping a secret."

You could always read the polygamy on this show as an allegory for being gay, but I think Bill's statement in that car is the first time that a character within the show has noticed the parallel.

Later on in the episode, Bill takes his three wives to a huge house with a "for sale" sign in front of it. It's the home he wants to buy for them.

"This is what the campaign [and plan to come out publicly as polygamists] is about. In just over a month this could be ours. A place where we can be ourselves. Together under one roof. No more hiding. A place where we can love each other. To be proud of who we are."

In almost perfect symmetry the scene cuts to the hallway of Alby's rented apartment. He's on his cell and leaving a message for Dale.

"I need to see you. We can't let them destroy us. They're envious of what we have. Everything will be all right as long as we're together here."

You can see what is coming from a mile away of course. Alby enters the apartment and finds Dale dead and hanging from a rafter.

Just because the tragic ending could be predicted didn't make it any less powerful. Alby's shattered reaction to finding Dale dead was incredibly moving. 

My reaction as a viewer to Dale's suicide was: "What a waste." I think that was exactly the reaction the show was aiming for. These two characters could have been happy together, but their society and their f**ked up religion made it impossible. What a sad and terrible waste. And bravo to Big Love for making that case so eloquently.

What did you think of Sunday night's episode? (Please avoid show spoilers in comment titles!)