Big Love - The Complete Fifth Season

The fifth and final season of HBO's "Big Love" begins with the whole state of Utah hating Bill Henrickson. The last season ended with Bill, portrayed by Bill Paxton, announcing that he was a proud polygamist when he wins a seat in the Senate, as his three wives stood at his side. His new colleagues are ready to oust him even before he takes office; the closeted polygamists are angry that he has brought plural marriage to the forefront; the non-polygamist Mormon Church is furious that he uses the word Mormon to describe himself; his employees feel betrayed by him; and his wives and children are feeling the wrath of his actions. And then there's his brother-in-law Alby, who's always ready to bring him down.

This last season deals with the ramifications and backlash of Bill's actions and his determination to live "The Principle" in the wide open. Well, the world still isn't ready for that, and in these last episodes, he risks losing the most valuable things in his life because of his oblivious narcissism. Bill has turned the family into a spectacle and it may be too much for the family to overcome.

His true love, Barb, fabulously played by Jeanne Tripplehorn, has been going through a mid-life crisis since last season. She has realized she doesn't need a man to have a relationship with God and that she finally has to live for herself and not for everyone else. Wife Number 3 Margene, played by the spunky Ginnifer Goodwin, is coming unhinged. She was booted from her Home Shopping Network-ish show selling her jewelry because of the family's exposure and she is feeling hostility from the sister wives because of her 'little lie' when she first got together with Bill and the family. While the middle wife Nicki, played by Chloe Sevigny, is only becoming stronger and more committed to Bill through these crises. But, she still hasn't lost her mean-spirited side that comes out when she feels threatened.

There are moments when Bill realizes the hurt he has caused, but they are brief and much too late. His true unraveling, which begins in the riveting Episode 8 "The Noose Tightens," comes from the authorities finding out that Margene was only 16 when they got together. He might get away with polygamy, but statutory rape is another thing altogether.

The ten episodes come on four discs. Special features include: English, Spanish, and French audio and subtitles, a recap of the first four seasons, Previously On and Next On clips, and Inside the Episodes, comments and analysis from the Creators Mark V. Olsen and Will Scheffer. Disc Four includes a featurette called "End of Days," a segment that covers each of the characters and most of the important plots.

This final season is much more emotional and character-driven (what made "Big Love" so great initially) than the ridiculous shenanigans of Season 4. It is the wives that have always made this show, and this season is no different. The veteran actors, Bruce Dern, Mary Kay Place, Grace Zabriskie, and Ellen Burstyn, who play the older generation, also gave wonderful performances. Grace Zabriskie was especially superb in her portrayal of Lois (Bill's dementia-stricken mother) throughout the series. The character of Bill was still not compelling enough, and this viewer found herself rooting for the wives, especially Barb and Margene, to dump him and his stinkin' principle. It became crystal clear that Bill will never wake up from his delirious dreams of the acceptance of polygamy.

Overall, "Big Love" goes out on a high note. And it'll be missed by its faithful viewers.

"Big Love: The Complete Fifth Season"
DVD
$59.99
http://www.hbo.com