Parents' Guide to

Big Love

By S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 17+

For adults only, and for good reasons.

TV HBO Drama 2006
Big Love Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

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age 11+

Based on 2 parent reviews

ecw0647
ecw0647 Adult
March 1, 2011
age 14+

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.
sweetbearies
sweetbearies Adult
January 21, 2009
age 8+

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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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?

Our review:
Parents say (2):
Kids say (1):

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.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • 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?

TV Details

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