Ep 3. Kicking the Habit

The Spoils of Babylon is an American comedy series that parodies the melodramatic mini-series of the 1970s and 1980s like The Thorn Birds and The Winds of War. Season 1, episode 3, titled "Kicking the Habit" continues to follow the dramatic story of the Morehouse family, spanning decades and covering themes like love, war, and wealth.

In this episode, Devon Morehouse (Tobey Maguire) returns home after serving in the military, traumatized by the experience. His sister Cynthia (Kristen Wiig) tries to comfort him and tells him about her newfound passion for a religious cult called the "Parish of the Redeemer." Meanwhile, Cynthia and Devon's father, Jonas Morehouse (Tim Robbins), is facing financial troubles as the oil industry crashes.

As Cynthia becomes more involved in the cult, she starts to pull Devon into their beliefs and practices, much to the chagrin of their mother Lady Anne (Jessica Alba). Cynthia convinces Devon to attend a Redeemer meeting where the charismatic leader, named Winston (Played by Will Ferrell) gives a provocative sermon about the evils of the Morehouse family, leading to a showdown between Jonas and Winston.

Throughout the episode, the plot thickens as secrets are revealed and tensions escalate. Devon's post-traumatic stress disorder worsens, causing him to become more unstable. Meanwhile, Jonas makes a deal with a wealthy businessman to save his oil company, but at a great cost.

The writing is intentionally over-the-top, parodying the exaggerated dialogue and dramatic music of classic mini-series, and the performances are equally tongue-in-cheek. Kristen Wiig steals the show as the cult member Cynthia, delivering absurd lines with deadpan sincerity. Will Ferrell's Winston is a hilarious caricature of manipulative cult leaders, complete with an impressive mane of hair.

Overall, "Kicking the Habit" is a entertaining episode that keeps the absurdity level high, while still managing to maintain a compelling story. The Spoils of Babylon may not be for everyone, but fans of off-beat humor and playful satire will find plenty to enjoy.