HBO/Isabella Vosmikova A grand finale indeed! After five seasons, HBO's acclaimed family drama Big Love came to an end tonight, and it ended with a bang.
If you haven't watched yet, tune up that TiVo. But if you've watched and you're ready to discuss the Henricksons' final hour, get in here!
So there you have it: Bill Henrickson dies a martyr, as did Joseph Smith (and Jesus Christ) before him. Was his death (on Easter Sunday, no less!) essential to the empowerment of his family, or would they have found their way together had he lived?
In any case, this episode had a pleasant finality on so many fronts:
- Bill (Bill Paxton) will be with his family into eternity, as he is confirmed as the heavenly father to a new church of devoted Mormons who wish to follow the principle of plural marriage.
- Barb (Jeanne Tripplehorn) will continue to be the ultimate wife and mother, now leading a flock of believers in the wake of the prophet's death in much the same way she led the Henricksons.
- Nicki (Chloë Sevigny) learned how to be kind (if just for a moment), and she and Cara Lynn (Cassi Thompson) will make it after all.
- Margene (Ginnifer Goodwin) has finally found a purpose in life, devoting herself to helping others on missions.
- Sarah (Amanda Seyfried) and Scott (Aaron Paul) are living happily ever after with a baby.
- Ben (Douglas Smith) and Heather (Tina Marjorino) are together, perhaps with Heather eventually ending up as Barb to Ben's version of Bill, for better or worse.
Not exactly a happy ending, but surely a satisfying one. What did you guys think of the last hour, and what did you guys think of this series overall? Did Big Love achieve greatness, or did it ultimately fall short of becoming legendary, while certainly expanding our minds and hearts?