Customer Rating: 
Summary: Another first-rate series from HBO
Comment: Big Love - The Complete First Season is not a show that grabs hold of viewers from the opening scenes, like a Nip/Tuck - The Complete First Season or Entourage - The Complete First Season. Instead, this carefully woven and superbly written series builds, slowly, but gracefully. Aside from main character Bill Henrickson being a polygamist, it is not an unconventional family drama. He has problems with in-laws, parents, children and either or all of the three wives. What makes Big Love - The Complete First Season interesting is not polygamy itself, but any number of intricate, rich relionships in what surely is HBO's most underrated series.
Bill is a succussful business owner and survivor of an FLDS compound not unlike those of the infamous Warren Jeffs. He married the strong, lovely Barb and lived a very normal life with three children for a dozen years. It was after this time that Bill received "testimony," an ancient Mormon calling from God to consider the 'principle' of plural marriage. It was then that he married Nikki, the daugher of the compound leader and prophet Roman Grant. Just a year or two before the show begins Bill adds a third, young wife; former HomePlus employee Margine, easily the most naive and likable of the bunch. There are already seven children and more on the way.
Bill and the family live in three connected houses just outside Salt Lake City, a few hours from the compound he grew up in and now despises. There is an excellent supporting cast and each episode in the first season stands up nicely on first and second viewings. There is sex in this series (it is HBO) but it is never gratuitous or pornographic. Do not expect any lesbian or group action, this is a righteous, prayful family that just happens to embrace a taboo principle in Western culture.
Mormons need not take offense, most of the neighbors are LDS members who strongly frown upon polygamy. There is something for everyone in Big Love, if you do not have HBO I highly recommend buying or renting Season 1.
Customer Rating:
Summary: A completely absorbing series
Comment: I love this series. I bought the first season for my daughter who, I hope, will find time in her busy life, with job, children, etc. to watch it. She usually reads novels in her spare time, but I told her to find time to watch this DVD. I cannot imagine she will not love it as much as I do. The episodes are each so interesting and absorbing, whether it has to do with the relationship among the three wives, or with Bill's dealings with his malevolent father-in-law, as well as all the other difficult characters and situations that enter his life.
And my husband enjoys this series as much as I do. So, I recommend it for both sexes!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Addicting and Fascinating- One of the best shows on TV
Comment: The first time I watched this show I wasn't sure what to expect. However, the characters and the complexity of the plot hooked me. Bill Paxton and the rest of the cast do an amazing job and bring this odd, yet unique story to life. I highly recommend giving it a chance.
Customer Rating:
Summary: INTENSE!
Comment: Yes, it does get slow at times, but nothing not would stop me from being glued to this show. It is intensely good! I lent it to my sister & even she was hooked immediantly. Make it past the first 2 episodes & you'll agree :)
Customer Rating:
Summary: God help us!
Comment: There's an old song by the McGuire sisters from way back in the 50's. It's called "Sisters," and the lyric goes something like this:
"Sisters, sisters -- there were never such devoted sisters!
God help the mister who comes between me and my sister.
But God help the sister who comes between me and my man!"
Big Love makes me recall that song, because it's really part of the family dynamic of the cast of characters. This show is totally absorbing. The writing and acting are top notch, and I watch episodes more than once because there is so much subtlety that escapes you the first time around.
This is drama at its best.
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