'Big Love' keeps big mo as fourth season begins
HBO SERIES 'The sunny face of polygamy'
 
BY PAIGE WISER
TV Critic
Chicago Sun-Times
HBO
Big Love cast

In the fourth season of "Big Love" on HBO, Bill (Bill Paxton) and his wives - Jeanne Tripplehorn (from left), Chloe Sevigny and Ginnifer Goodwin - are cleaning up in their new casino.


'BIG LOVE'
3 and a half stars
8 to 9 p.m. Sundays on HBO

As it begins its fourth season Sunday, "Big Love" hasn't lost any momentum as Bill Henrickson (Bill Paxton) and his sister-wives continue to represent, as one character says, "the sunny face of polygamy." Where were we?
  • Resident prophet Roman (Harry Dean Stanton) remains at large and wanted by police.

  • Nicki (Chloe Sevigny) is back in the fold, but ambivalent about her feelings for Bill.

  • Roman's son Alby (Matt Ross) commits an indiscretion that complicates his life profoundly.

  • Bill's son Ben (Douglas Smith) is fronting a Christian rock band that I rather enjoy.

  • Bill's daughter Sarah (Amanda Seyfried) wants to get married, but can't decide on a church.
The episode's highlight for me was a geriatric knock-down, drag-out fight ("My hip!" "My back!"). And coming up: Bill contemplates a career in politics -- insert incredulous pause here -- and Sissy Spacek guests in episode three as a lobbyist.

The financial stakes get considerably higher this season. Bill's new "casino and family fun center" results in briefcases full of cash, and Margene (Ginnifer Goodwin) gets serious about her career hawking jewelry on television. No matter what their affiliation, everyone on this show worships the almighty dollar.
 
SunTimes.com
Originally published January 7, 2010
 
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