Smallscreen News

“End of Days” for Big Love caps a terrific season on HBO

By April MacIntyre Feb 19, 2010, 16:46 GMT

Bill Paxton - Fame Pictures, Inc - Santa Monica, CA, USA -

For years I resisted the siren call of HBO's polygamy potboiler "Big Love," despite friends and TV showrunner/writers like Joe Mallozzi (Stargate Atlantis) who raved to me about the series when we got together and talked all things smallscreen.

I am late to the party, admittedly, and this season is to blame for snaring me hook, line and sinker by the excellence in guest casting, writing, and performances from a cracking powerhouse of female talent, including my favorites of Mary Kay Place and Grace Zibriskie. 

The actress Mireille Enos, who plays the suffering traditional wife Jodeen Marquardt of evil Frank Harlow (Bruce Dern), is stuck with him and Lois in what Frank's son Bill (Bill Paxton)calls their "rag-tag posse" of bird wranglers.  Her subtle performances, mostly reactions to the things Frank utters, are brilliant.

HBO has announced the overview for “End of Days”, the season finale) which will air Sunday, March 7 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT)

Other HBO playdates:  March 7 (11:00 p.m.), 9 (11:00 p.m.), 10 (10:00 p.m.) and 12 (8:00 p.m., 4:00 a.m.)

HBO2 playdates:  March 8 (10:00 p.m.), 9 (7:00 p.m.), 13 (1:30 p.m., 11:00 p.m.) and 14 (8:00 p.m.)

According to HBO, the state enate election ramps up - just days away, as Bill (Bill Paxton) puts the squeeze on Paley (Perry King) in an attempt to protect his candidacy. 

But Marilyn (Sissy Spacek) has an ace up her sleeve that threatens to wreck Bill’s chances, or so it seems. 

At the casino, Jerry (Robert Beltran) and Tom’s (Adam Beach) tribal leadership is jeopardized by the illegal actions of family members. 

Caught in a tangled family web, Margene (Ginnifer Goodwin) weighs her allegiance to Bill with her desire to keep Ana (Branka Katic) and Goran (Steve Bacic) in her life. 

Desperate to get pregnant, Nicki (Chloë Sevigny) gets news from Dr. Roquet Walker (Eric Ladin) – J.J.’s son – that seems too good to be true. 

A late-breaking polygamist scandal in Kansas becomes national news, forcing Bill and his three wives to rethink their bold post-election plans.

The episode was written by Eileen Myers; directed by David Petrarca.