Big Love – The Complete Third Season (HBO DVD)
Picture:
C+ Sound: C+ Extras: C+ Episodes: B-
Only
cable TV could now do a drama like Big
Love, an hour-long nighttime soap opera-like series about polygamy and the
families and power behind keeping such screwy arrangements together. Enabled by religious fanaticism (yes,
including the Mormons), companies who do not care, government not enforcing the
law (until it is too late in some cases) and rogue corporations, households
with one husband and several wives are more common than you might think.
Bill
Paxton continues as the head of the Henrickson house, adding wives and getting
involved in affairs that now involve kidnapping and murder. Harry Dean Stanton is here in great form as
his (SPOILER!!!) now-imprisoned father-in-law, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Chloe
Sevigny and Ginnifer Goodwin are his first three wives so far and just about
everyone involved here is out of their minds to think they are living normal
lives in any way, shape or form.
But the producers
(including Tom Hanks) know this and have found a way to make this into a
well-written show that is more watchable than expected; disturbingly so. You may also find yourself comparing to Dallas of all shows in a good way and I
can see why though a hit, it is still hitting enough of a nerve with people
that it is not the most discusses show at this time. Amanda Seyfried also stars in the 10
hour-long shows on 4 DVDs included here.
The
anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1 image was shot on film, but has shots that are
softer than expected throughout with some shots looking very bad (note some
Video Black moments that look worn and crushed) and a few good shots that
cannot offset the poor ones. The Dolby
Digital 5.1 mix is more in the center channel than I would like, especially he
dialogue, but music (like the ironic use of hit records) produces a much better
soundfield. Still, this is inconsistent
throughout and why they are mixed like this is odd. Extras include a recap of the first two
seasons and a three part section involving the characters in character.
- Nicholas Sheffo
