TV Review: Dawn Porter: Polygamist's Wife, Channel 4, Tuesday, 21 October, 10pm

TV Scoop The Telegraph - London, England

Of all of Dawn Porter's new series on Channel 4, this was the one I was looking forward to the most. She'd covered free-love, which ticked the box for all those that just want to ogle our Dawn, as well as investigating the Geisha and mail-order brides. As meaty or flighty as the subjects were, the last in the current series, Dawn Porter: Polygamist's Wife (Channel 4, Tuesday, 21 October, 10pm) was always going to be the most revealing. Polygamists are often derided and seen as 'cultish', as testified by the opening bars of this show, showing clips of a 'sect' that was stormed by federal agents... but was Dawn going into a seedy den, or would she find the lighter side of Mormon living? Thankfully, it erred more on the latter, even if it was filled with weird. As I mentioned, the show started with a raid on a polygamy camp, with claims of child abuse and the like thick in the air. It was hardly the best time for Dawn Porter to try to spend some time with a polygamist family. However, it was clear that Porter wanted to delve into the world to see if was as wrong as many think it is, or whether it was like any other family (dysfunctions and all), only with more parents. In the initial meeting, where Porter was vetted, the board of Mormon wives were aggressive, awkward and prickly - not surprising really when you take into account that their way of living is forbidden by federal law. This sees families retreating to baron wastelands in the middle of sod-all, to live in peace. However, The Dawn Porter Charm works a treat and she's granted time with a family (with one lady giggling "You're as cute as a button!"). Dawn's first house tour was bewildering to watch, and bewildering for her. I think there were a million kids, and twice that in rooms. Of course, that's being a bit glib, but that's what it felt like. Even mum lost track of how many people come and went in her house. However, she was keen to point out that this was all about sharing, which on the surface, can't be that bad a thing. However, when that includes the sharing of sex between a husband and his various wives, Porter's (and mine to be honest) mind boggled - how can that ever be normal? I guess it's understandably that everyone who Porter met was so defensive. I mean, people on the outside just keep saying that the whole thing is weird. I mean, you only have to look at the preconceived notion of what a Mormon family is, to understand why these folks can be so surly. It must also be immensely irritating to have people think of The Osmonds every time someone mentions your belief system. Thankfully, these notions are pretty quickly dispatched and dealt with by Dawn who clearly wanted to get deeper. "Is it polygamy or just a really high sex drive?" Dawn asks Moroni, a husband to two wives. Through this line, jealousy reared its ugly head and was addressed. Thankfully, it was all honest and self-effacing. Again, you have to step back and note that many monogamous relationships suffer from jealousy just as much... but not quite so in-your-face. So what makes someone want this lifestyle? For the men, it's obvious what the attraction is: You can have as many wives and girlfriends as you like. But what's in it for the woman. It's never addressed, presumably because it's reasonably well known to everyone but me, but the women aren't granted the same freedom with their bed. One of the reasons given for wanting to be a Mormon wife is to become a Goddess, in the spiritual sense of course. One thing was clear at the close of the programme is that the Mormon polygamy lifestyle isn't all weird and full of drawbacks, and though you may not agree with it all, you can certainly see plus side. At times, it almost looked like people were living their lives in a hippie commune, all chipping in to help and offer advice. However, it's clear that there are those that abuse this way of living to abuse and control... but is that any different from any other way of life? Even though Porter's show didn't answer many questions, it did enable us to peer into a world seldom seen, and for that reason alone, she should be applauded.

tvscoop.tv Originally published October 22, 2008

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