Search - Big Love: The Complete First Season on DVD

K. K. (GAMER)
Reviewed on 3/17/2024...

Fun show and then went downhill when the cat was let out of the bag!

Marianna S. (Angeloudi) from HOLIDAY, FL
Reviewed on 7/22/2015...

What a fascinating look at the life of a polygamist family in Utah! Bill Hendrickson lives with his 3 wives and 7 children in 3 adjoining houses on a residential street somewhere in Utah. He had been thrown out of a polygamist compound in rural Utah where his grandfather was the "prophet," in a coup for power orchestrated by Roman Grant, the new "prophet." His second wife, Nicki, is one of Roman's daughters! Polygamy has been outlawed by the Mormon Church since 1890, so polygamist families must go underground and hide their illegal way of life. The family dynamic between Bill and his 3 wives is fascinating, and constantly changing. Barb, the first wife, is a cancer survivor and wonderful human being and mother. Second wife Nicki is beautiful, younger, and somewhat insecure. She has a shopping addiction which helps her compensate for being second wife. The third and newest wife, Margene, is only in her early 20s and new to life in polygamy. I learned a lot about the Church of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) and the FLDS (polygamist group which sprang out of mainstream LDS. The show, which was a tv series on HBO, has the obligatory loads of sex scenes, but despite that, is a very interesting and addictive series. I watched the whole season in 2 days! Highly compelling.

Shannon W.
Reviewed on 1/8/2013...

one of the best shows I have ever seen.

1 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.

Suzanne B.
Reviewed on 1/18/2008...

Fantastic!!!! Draws you in, emotionally, to the lives of a modern polygamist family. High drama, extremely interesting characters, first-rate acting. Absolutely wonderful.

6 of 6 member(s) found this review helpful.

Very worthwhile debut season

Bryant Burnette | Tuscaloosa, AL | 08/05/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"As a big Bill Paxton fan, I was determined to watch "Big Love," and I would not say I was at all disappointed.



The series has been criticized by some for "glorifying" polygamy, but I think some of those critics have missed the point. The show actually takes a very even-handed look at what a polygamist family COULD be like: Paxton's family is far from perfect, but it seems to be held together by the sheer force of his character's love for all three of his wives. Whether or not you think it is practical, feasible, or even moral for one man to genuinely love three women, on this show that's what's going on.



This is balanced by some of the creepier, more cultish aspects of organized polygamy, personified by Harry Dean Stanton in a wonderfully understated villainous turn.



Where the show really shines for me is in the depiction of the extremely complicated relationship Bill's three wives have with each other. They see each other as sisters, as rivals, as friends, as enemies, as servants, as bosses . . . sometimes all within the same scene. These are very deep relationships, and all three of the actresses are very well suited to their roles.



Another fine aspect of the show is the depiction of how difficult it is for this family to keep the fact of their polygamy to themselves, lest they be looked upon as pariahs. It is a difficult task for them, and has great practical and moral implications within their lives, and the lives of their children.



Like most of HBO's original shows, this one works both as terrific entertainment, and as fundamentally sound art TV. Also like most of HBO's shows, this box set is probably a bit more expensive than it ought to be. But the episodes are terrific, and hopefully this will be merely the first season of a long run."

I've Got A Case of Very "Big Like"

K. Harris | Las Vegas, NV | 09/24/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"HBO has crafted another complex, well made show. "Big Love" with it's polygamy background hits DVD as a "hot button" concept show, and as such has achieved the requisite controversy that it was banking on. Well, I'm not particularly shocked and nor will I comment on any political/religious debate. I will review this show as a family drama, which is exactly what it is, albeit with a particularly large and extended family.



The show is extremely successful when dealing with the intricacies of raising three families in the modern world. I particularly enjoyed the details paid to the lifestyles in the home. The juggling, scheduling, jealousies, and secrets are all shown to good effect as the wives attend to the daily logistics of their situation. Home as politics--this is an interesting living arrangement, and one that hasn't been presented dramatically very often before. Throw in kids and in-laws and things can be very messy. But as the wives compete with each other in many regards, they support and love each other as well. The complexity of the relationships in "Big Love" stand as it's greatest achievement.



Some of the other storylines were a bit extravagant. The biggest plot driver involved the polygamist sect that our family had distanced itself from, and yet could not break free of. The power struggle played out here was entertaining, but not always as compelling as normal, everyday life. It was a bit overcooked....while a few lesser storylines were undercooked.



The actors are beyond reproach. Some veterans--Harry Dean Stanton, Mary Kay Place, Bruce Dern and Grace Zabriskie--are all used to good effect. Chloe Sevigny is a delight in perhaps the showiest role. The rest of the cast is solid. But I must make particular mention of Jeanne Tripplehorn. She's been around such a long time, but has never had a better role or performance. It is quiet and understated, but by Season's end--you've come to realize that she's the heart and soul of this family and this show.



I recommend this show as something different and adult. Dramatically, it's a bit inconsistent--but has so much talent behind it, it's definitely worth the time. It has the potential to be GREAT, so I'm looking for season 2. KGHarris, 9/06."

Great for monogamous couples

RaDadIndy | Indianapolis, IN USA | 02/20/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A number of great strengths of this series:



(1) My only wife loves it.



(2) A common premise with the Sopranos -- a family is trying to live a normal, suburban life while dealing with a huge secret that is anything but normal and suburban. Engaging.



(3) Yes, there is swearing. But the Mormon characters take the swearing seriously and even apologize for it.



(4) The Mormonism also gives an edge to issues like teen sex that, unfortunately, are no big deal in most of the broader society.



(5) Spicy but tasteful treatment of other sexual themes.



(6) Engaging stories about how the characters got where they are, and I love that this part is told slowly and without flashbacks.



(7) An overall tone that is not condescending to religion, and at times quite moving.



(8) Neat characters. Good writing."