Glambert’s AMAs make-out session was but a little blip on the gaydar compared to what Big Love has in store for season four: Alby (Matt Ross), the HBO soap’s closeted villain is about to go courting his first beau — oh, and controversy. Lots of that, too.
The character is “being groomed for an incredible season,” teases co-creator/executive producer Will Scheffer. Adds counterpart Marc V. Olsen: “Alby’s boyfriend, Dale (Benjamin Koldyke), is appointed head of the UEB — a trustee. They stumble into a relationship, and this guy is [just like Alby] struggling with his urges. He’s been going to [reparative therapy] for several years… unsuccessfully. Alby is going as well.”
But attempts to “pray the gay away” are just the tip of the iceberg. “There’s a provocative nature to what we’re doing,” Olsen suggests. “It’s more than just the Mormon culture. We’re highlighting certain aspects of the church’s relationship with its gay members that I think, as the story unfolds, is going to cause no [small] amount of controversy.”
The hot topic is also likely to cause no small amount of acclaim for Alby’s portrayer. “Matt is in the middle of a career-defining season,” marvels Scheffer. Chimes in Olsen: “We gave him a great story, and he’s delivering with the kind of performance that is astonishing.”
So what do you think? Do you expect to be astonished? Shocked? Scandalized? (Additional reporting by Andy Patrick)
What do I expect? I expect not to watch.
because they’re introducing a gay character? you better start watching tv show reruns from the 50s because every new show today is about life TODAY, which includes out homosexuals. deal with it.
when I say “introducing”, I mean outing
Thanks for taking the time to add this. Your thoughtful and articulate response really added a lot to the discussion, and we’re all better for having read it.
As did yours.
You’re homophobic. Pure and simple
I expect nobody cares what you watch while you knit mittens for your 50 semi feral cats.
semi-feral cats…can’t breathe, laughing so hard!!! mittens!
moron
me too; you have made my day. knitting mittens for feral cats. LMAO
amendment: all 3 of you are morons
What, are you surprised? They’ve alluded to Alby being gay since season one… My only problem with it is that I’ve never liked the character.. Not that we’re supposed to, but I have never been as interested in the people at the compound…
Right. Because it’s totally not controversial to have two closeted, High ranking Mormons get into a relationship. Especially considering the Church of LDS’s stance on Homosexuality and it’s extreme efforts to strip the LGBT community of it’s rights. Nothing controversial about that.
I have a feeling that this is going to be the greatest season of TV’s greatest drama (or quite possibly, show in general.) Oh yeah. Its better than Mad Men. Take that. Alby has always been very interesting, and this is just going to be the icing on the cake. Just one question, will Rhonda be back?
As a “once upon a time” baptised Mormon I for one am glad the show is FINALLY bringing out the true nature of the religion known as LDS. Polygamy is surely alive and well all over Utah and rampant in Salt Lake and other “temple” cities. They change their religion as politics dictate, for example abolishing polygamy when pressure grew, allowing blacks into the church when it was politically correct to do!! Someone high up in the church will have another revelation and the religion will change again. Watch and see. I will resubscribe to HBO when this series starts again.
This is MOST DEFINITLEY going to be the best season of this show. I was already expecting a lot from this season but wow
It’s not going to be better than MAD MEN. NOTHING is better than MAD MEN, at least currently.
LOST is… Mad Men is a distant 2nd though
I’ve given up trying to decide whether Lost, Big Love, Mad Men, or Friday Night Lights is better. I accepted the fact that at different times, I prefer one over the rest. And they’re all so different, too. I’ve chosen to stop labeling them as Best of Better and to instead just be happy that we’re currently enjoying a new age in television, when I can turn my tv on most nights and enjoy more creativity, intelligence, and exquisite writing and direction than in any previous point in TV broadcast’s short life. Stop arguing, guys, and just enjoy the ride.
I seriously LOVE me some Madmen, Breaking Bad, and Big Love, but Sons of Anarchy, which just finished season 2 was incredible. It’s hard to pick a favorite. Do we really have to????
ITA—Damages, Big Love Mad Men and Lost in that order are the best available programs currently
when does the new season start?
JANUARY 10 HBO
I thought Alby getting a boyfriend this season was really old news?
I know! I’m excited about the new season and what it entails but I thought we heard this a while back….
Can. Not. Wait.
It’s ridiculous how much I can’t wait…Go Alby!
I am excited to see how this storyline will unfold i always thought Alby was a very deep and complicated character but you know wat else i thought that him and Nikki has some weird flowers in the attic(if you don’t look it up) type relationship going on up until she got married to Bill
yeah, I picked up on that too.
I thought I was the only one who thought that!
Yeah, I defintely picked up some weird vibe there.
Awesome. I finally caught up last week on the last season. I can’t wait for the new one.
I’m not sure why I still watch ‘Big Love.’ Maybe I’m holding out for a creep-tastic Margene/Ben makeout sess. I doubt compound gay-capades will be “astonishing.” I’m sure I’ll think something more along the lines of What took you so long?
So glad the show’s back on soon, I’ve really missed it.
Big Love is the BEST drama on TV!!
I can’t wait. This is going to be so good!!!
Matt Ross looks so different on BL. The only thing I remember him in was Rose Red..He’s actually cute now LOL
OMG, I knew I recognized him from somewhere! No wonder I couldn’t place him, that was like 10 years ago!
He was Ottie(sp?) in The Aviator, too. Also played a closeted gay character in American Psycho. Great actor!
I saw “Good Night and Good News” on HDN last week — and Matt had a role in it also.
This is gonna be so Great!!! Maybe Alby won’t be so creepy now- maybe he’ll actually be more likeable- I guess we’ll see lol