 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Big Love
Common Sense Media says
For adults only, and for good reasons.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the main character in this edgy polygamy drama has three different families with three different wives -- but even with all of those families, very little in the show is appropriate for kids. Instead of focusing on how one man juggles three families, it focuses on how he satisfies his three wives. Everything else -- his job, his kids -- is less important. It's important to note that although this show is about polygamy, the characters are not Mormons.
What's the story?
HBO has made its bread and butter through its slate of quirky original series, and BIG LOVE is no exception. Unassuming, mild-mannered Bill Henrickson (Bill Paxton) owns a Home Depot-type store and maintains three wives in three adjacent homes that share a giant backyard. And that's not all -- they also share the ups and downs of a poly-amorous life. But the viewer is left without enough insight as to why four adults would decide to forge this unusual household (some episodes seem to indicate that sex -- and there's plenty of it -- is the main reason). It's bold stuff, garnering plenty of buzz for HBO.
Is it any good?
Too bad the producers couldn't restrict their focus to the entangled, sometimes mangled, relationships built into a situation of a family like this. Though Big Love is highly entertaining -- and compelling to watch given its stellar cast (including Jeanne Tripplehorn and Chloe Sevigny as two of the wives; Ginnifer Goodwin plays the third) -- the show does disappoint. Instead of mining its fascinating premise, creators have decided to dilute the series by introducing other unusual supporting characters.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about the show's polygamy concept with older teens. Why would HBO make a show like this now? Since polygamy is often associated with the Mormon religion, despite the fact that the Mormons have long since banned the practice, could the show be considered an implicit lampoon or criticism of their faith? Or does it actually show some of the benefits -- or at least the complexities -- of the practice? Who is the intended audience? How does each character come to terms with the complexity of a "big love" household?
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- Teens & kids
Teen, 16 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
Addictive
I found Big Love incredibly addicting and intriguing. It really gets you thinking about a wide range of issues including: religion, gender roles, family, and more. I thinking one of the biggest themes is what is 'good' and 'normal' and how things are rarely black and white. There is definitely a lot of nudity/sex and other mature elements, but depending on the teen I think it can be an okay show to watch, due to how the issues are handled. Appropriate for ages 15-17 (again depends) and up.
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Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
Favorite Midnight Drama
My husband and I are crazy about this show. It is our sinfull thing that we can't tell anyone. The story is good, but there is a lot of sex and other questionable things. But I would not let kids in the room or in ear shot of the room (sex scenes are graphic at some points)! Have fun!
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Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
Not for kids
This program is not for kids maybe for teens but defonitally not for kids. It shows male nudity (butt) and in every episode there is sex. The main charictor has wives and the whole shoe is about pleasing them. He went to the DR to get Viagra and uses it in every episode.
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Teen, 15 years old
August 7, 2009
AGE
Great for teens, but not for kids.
Big Love has amazing story lines. It deals with mature things but overall is ok for teens to watch.
What other families should know:
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Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
Another good reason to dump HBO...
Terrible shows like this one are why we dumped HBO. They just love portraying the sick and twisted as just "another lifestyle." Well, they're not getting my $$ to do it any longer.
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Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
For open minded only
First off, I don't agree with polygomy!! Second of all, I don't believe in over sheltering children. I was very sheltered as a child, and it did me more harm than good. In this show they use actual terms which is refreshing. Seeing as how sexual children are at such young ages, I think that it is important that parents sit down with their children and talk about what their children are watching, and explain the consequences that tv often doesn't address. As long as parents are watching this show with their kids I don't think this show is bad for the minimum age group of middle schoolers. When I was in 6th grade (almost 9 years ago) kids were already having sex, I can't imagine things have gotten better. Kids know so much at young ages but if parents don't talk with their kids, the kids are more likly to go out and find out first hand through experimentation, which ends with teen pregnancy and kids with STDs. I can understand why some are weary but if the parent sits with their child and can explain some of the show then it doesn't have to be a bad experience.
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Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
Unrealistic Portrayal
I doubt this show will last, it's not near the caliber of The Sopranos and once the novelty of a man married to multiple spouses wears off, there's not much left. Despite the lip service that the show does not depict Mormons, it does drop subtle hints that imply a connection, which is unfair to Mormons who have gone to great pains to distance themselves from the practice since the mainstream Mormon church discontinued it decades ago. Don't waste your time.
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Adult
March 1, 2011
AGE
Interesting show regarding the frailty of belief systems
What several other reviewers have failed to mention is that the show has a lot to do with belief systems and how we come to have certain beliefs, not to mention the compromises and deceits made in the name of those beliefs. I think it would be a good show for parents to watch with older children to discuss what goes into belief systems, how fragile (and often silly) they can be. Ironically, the best role model is Sarah, Bill and Barb's oldest child. In my opinion, the show is extremely cynical, but that's what often makes it interesting although it tends toward redundant and very soap operatic in the later episodes.
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Adult
January 21, 2009
AGE
Big Love Is Great
Great love is great with some stellar story lines. Yes there is quite a bit of sex, but this is an HBO series and what are you expecting. Big Love would probably have an R rating if it were a movie, but I think that does not mean kids cannot watch it with their parents. When I was a kid I watched movies that had adult themes with my parents and that was the best way, so they could explain things to me. However, most of the time those things really went over my head and it did not make me go out and have lots of sex. I think some parents are overly concerned about the amount of sex on Big Love because there is much more about from what kids say at school to each other on a daily basis. Come on, it is just a show and cannot corrupt you!
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Adult
February 24, 2013
AGE
In the show or Out it's not for kids.
All of the Contents all rolled into one show. This show is not for kids and kids in the show it's not for them nether.
What other families should know:
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| TV rating: | TV-MA |
| Network: | HBO |
| Cast: | Bill Paxton, Chloe Sevigny, Ginnifer Goodwin, Jeanne Tripplehorn |
| Genre: | Drama |
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