"Big Love" (2006) TV series 2006-????

User Rating:

8.4/10   

Creators:

Mark V. Olsen
Will Scheffer

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Polygamy Loves Company

Plot:

Big Love centres around a polygamist (Bill Paxton) and his relationship with the three wives, all whom he is married to.

Plot Keywords:

Polygamist | Polygamy | Viagra | Poison | Beautiful Woman

Awards:

Nominated for 4 Golden Globes. Another 1 win & 15 nominations

Cast

Bill Paxton	...	Bill Henrickson / ... (35 episodes, 2006-2010)
Jeanne Tripplehorn	...	Barb Henrickson / ... (35 episodes, 2006-2010)
Chloë Sevigny	...	Nicolette Grant / ... (35 episodes, 2006-2010)
Ginnifer Goodwin	...	Margene Heffman / ... (35 episodes, 2006-2010)
Amanda Seyfried	...	Sarah Henrickson (35 episodes, 2006-2010)
Douglas Smith	...	Ben Henrickson / ... (34 episodes, 2006-2009)
Grace Zabriskie	...	Lois Henrickson (34 episodes, 2006-2010)
Harry Dean Stanton	...	Roman Grant (33 episodes, 2006-2009)
Melora Walters	...	Wanda Henrickson (32 episodes, 2006-2010)
Joel McKinnon Miller	...	Don Embry (32 episodes, 2006-2009)
Matt Ross	...	Alby Grant (30 episodes, 2006-2010)
Keegan Holst	...	Wayne Henrickson (30 episodes, 2006-2009)
Garrett Gray	...	Raymond Henrickson (29 episodes, 2006-2009)
Jolean Wejbe	...	Tancy Henrickson / ... (27 episodes, 2006-2009)
Daveigh Chase	...	Rhonda Volmer (27 episodes, 2006-2009)
Mary Kay Place	...	Adaleen Grant (27 episodes, 2006-2009)
Shawn Doyle	...	Joey Henrickson (21 episodes, 2006-2010)
Bruce Dern	...	Frank Harlow (19 episodes, 2006-2009)
Tina Majorino	...	Heather Tuttle / ... (19 episodes, 2006-2009)
Mireille Enos	...	Kathy Marquart / ... (16 episodes, 2007-2010)

Runtime:

60 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

USA:TV-MA | Finland:K-15 (DVD) | Australia:M | Australia:MA (some episodes) | Australia:PG (some episodes) | New Zealand:M (season 1) | New Zealand:R13 (season 2) | Portugal:M/12 (DVD rating)

Filming Locations:

All American Home Center - 7201 East Firestone Boulevard, Rockwell Defense Plant - Bellflower & Imperial Highway, Downey, California, USA

Company:

Anima Sola Productions

Trivia:

Sarah is the oldest of the Henrickson children but in real life Amanda Seyfried is 6 months younger than her co-star and character's younger brother Douglas Smith.

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): When Barb confronts Margene about her son and their relationship, Margene states that she is only 5 years older than him. A few episodes later he gets his drivers license, presumably at 16. This would make her 21, not 23 as otherwise stated.

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in "Saturday Night Live: Tracy Morgan/Kelly Clarkson (#34.18)" (2009)

Soundtrack:

God Only Knows

Surprisingly good

I will admit I didn't think that I would be at all interested in watching a show about polygamy because I find it bizarre and degrading but I was pleasantly surprised by how good this show is. I love the cast. Bill Paxton as "Bill Hendrickson" is the head of this crazy household and he makes you sympathize with him more than criticize him for the lifestyle he chose. His life is so stressful trying to run an expanding business, 3 households, appeasing 3 wives, hiding the fact that he is a polygamist from his neighbors and employees, dealing with the constant stress brought on by a man called the "prophet" who runs the polygamist compound Bill grew up in (his parents still live on this compound)who is trying to extort money out of his business and recently blocked it's expansion,and dealing with the stress that his brother and parents cause(i.e.his father played by Bruce Dern is a complete jerk and loves to pee in Bill's kitchen sink and his mother allegedly poisoned his father). I also love that he has a favorite wife,his 1st and only legal wife played by Jeanne Tripplehorn, because I love her character (she tries hard to be a good wife, mother, and support to the other wives) and the jealousy that the other wives feel make it that much more dramatic. His conniving 2nd wife played by Chloe Sevigny is so much fun to hate, not to mention she is the prophet's daughter and is loyal to him. And Gennifer Goodwin as his young 3rd wife is so cute and lovable. Though this show is chocked full of jealousy and emotion,you really get the sense that this family of 3 wives, 1 husband, and 7 children (with another 1 on the way)really do love each other. They're just having a hard time dealing with the stress that arises from this very unique lifestyle. Each week I wonder if the prophet is going to win his battle with Bill, if one of the wives are going to say forget it and leave, if this family is going to be exposed for what they are (a few characters have gotten close to discovering their secret), or if Bill is going to have a nervous break down. This show is jam packed with good actors and good acting with such interesting plots that you don't get caught up in feeling conflicted over liking this show because you think polygamy is wrong. You get caught up in the chaos that is this family's life and it is so much fun to watch. I highly recommend giving it a shot.