Big laughs from 'Big Love'

Published on October 27, 2007

HBO’s

It should provide a reliable source of enjoyment for fans of episodic drama - I, for one, have been waiting months for a new series to spring up.

Right now, I'm quenching my thirst with "House", "CSI: New York" and "Nip/Tuck" on AXN as well as "Midsomer Murders" and "Wire in the Blood" on Hallmark. I'm also passing the time between now and the new season of "Crime Scene Investigation" - which should come next year - watching reruns of past episodes. 

On True's Series channel, "Prison Break" and "Lost" are keeping many entertained.

To my surprise, though, I seldom have time for Series these days, despite it being the obvious choice for fans like me. At one time, with great shows like  "ER", "Roswell" and "Gilmore Girls", it was my channel of choice.

Over the past few years, HBO has stepped up with a few original series. Regular readers might not need to be told that "Sex in the City" has been my favourite, but I also found the satirical set-up in "Six Feet Under" full of humour. Falling shortest for me on HBO was "Rome", for its dull treatment of the subject matter.

Earlier this week the channel screened the first episode of "Big Love". My verdict: amusing. The scenario alone is interesting: a man with three wives and seven children under the same roof. Things are going to get busier and busier for Bill Henrickson (Bill Paxton), a modern-day Utah polygamist who lives in suburban Salt Lake City. 

Any fans of "Sex in the City" should feel right at home with the saucy language and action.

In Monday's episode, Bill took Viagra before going to bed with his first wife Barbara (Jean Tripplehorn). Climbing into bed, he cuddled up to her back. The camera cut to Barbara's eyes opening wide - all it took to signal to viewers where the crux of the matter lay. As Bill backed away from his wife, we watched his gaze shift down to his new-found virility.

Scenes from the preview also had me absorbed. Margene (Ginnifer Goodwin) told Nicki (Chloe Sevigny) that she knew she had slept with Bill in her (Margene's) bed. Then we got a snippet of a wife telling Bill of a message she'd sent him about swapping her "night duties" with another wife.

With a scenario this clever and original, no wonder a second season is now on the roll in the US.

Comments can be sent to e_nang30@yahoo.com.