Common Sense Media Review
By S. Jhoanna Robledo
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
For adults only, and for good reasons.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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.
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
- Premiere date : March 12, 2006
- Cast : Bill Paxton , Chloe Sevigny , Ginnifer Goodwin , Jeanne Tripplehorn
- Network : HBO
- Genre : Drama
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 26, 2022
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