Big Love Season 5 Episode Descriptions

Amanda Seyfried in Big Love.
(Image credit: HBO)

Big Love is back with its fifth and final season, and fresh off news that both Amanda Seyfried and Aaron Paul will return for the finale, HBO has sent over episode descriptions for the first three weeks. As followers of the show no doubt remember, last season ended with the family outing themselves after Bill’s victorious political run. There has to be fallout. We all know it’s coming. The only question is how bad will it be.

The following HBO episode descriptions are not too spoilery, but they do, none the less, contain information we don’t have. If you’re the type of person that likes to be surprised by every last detail, go ahead and click off this page. If you’re the curious sort who likes a little tease to increase anticipation, take a look below. Big Love premieres on Sunday January 16th at 9PM ET/PT. It then continues each Sunday until its conclusion in March.

Episode #44: “Winter”Debut: SUNDAY, JAN. 16 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT)Other HBO playdates: Jan. 16 (10:05 p.m.), 18 (11:00 p.m.), 19 (10:00 p.m.), 20 (8:30 p.m.) and 21 (3:10 a.m.), and Feb. 2 (8:00 p.m.)HBO2 playdates: Jan. 17 (10:00 p.m.), 18 (7:00 p.m.), 22 (1:00 p.m., 11:15 p.m.) and 23 (8:00 p.m.)After restful post-election days in the wilderness, reality hits the Henricksons on their return to Salt Lake City. At Home Plus, Bill’s (Bill Paxton) attempts to bolster morale in the wake of his polygamist revelation fall on mostly deaf ears, and he faces an uphill battle for his political life even before the swearing-in. At home, he tries to assuage the concerns of his wives and kids, who face psychological – and physical – threats around town. To stem this growing tide of ill will, Bill decides to hold an open house for his 40,000 constituents, some of whom may actually show up. Alby (Matt Ross) returns from his desert exile with a newfound desire to “purify” the compound, and exact vengeance on Bill.Episode #45: “A Seat at the Table”Debut: SUNDAY, JAN. 23 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)Other HBO playdates: Jan. 23 (10:00 p.m.), 25 (11:00 p.m.), 26 (10:00 p.m.), 27 (8:00 p.m.) and 28 (2:55 a.m.), and Feb. 2 (9:00 p.m.)HBO2 playdates: Jan. 24 (10:00 p.m.), 25 (7:00 p.m.), 29 (1:00 p.m., 11:00 p.m.) and 30 (8:00 p.m.)Bill’s attempt to stage a “safety net” meeting for polygamist leaders is hindered by Alby and Home Plus objectors. In an effort to find common ground with her mother, Barb (Jeanne Tripplehorn) asks Nancy (Ellen Burstyn) to join her at a symposium focusing on mother-daughter Mormon challenges. Nicki (Chloë Sevigny) learns the extent of Adaleen’s (Mary Kay Place) isolation; Marge (Ginnifer Goodwin) despairs over the quandary involving Ana (Branka Katic) and Goran (Steve Bacic); and Cara Lynn (Cassi Thomson) impresses her math teacher, and Greg (Cody Klop).Episode #46: “Certain Poor Shepherds”Debut: SUNDAY, JAN. 30 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)Other HBO playdates: Jan. 30 (10:00 p.m.) and Feb. 1 (11:00 p.m.), 2 (10:00 p.m.), 3 (8:00 p.m.) and 4 (3:05 a.m.)HBO2 playdate: Jan. 31 (10:00 p.m.)The Henricksons try to put on a unified face during Christmas, but are tested amidst numbing revelations from Barb, Marge and Adaleen. Meanwhile, Lura (Anne Dudek) takes drastic measures in response to Alby’s zealous efforts to “purify” the compound; Lois (Grace Zabriskie) drifts towards the deep end; Bill tries to soften up a senator; Ben (Douglas Smith) bonds with Heather (Tina Majorino); and Cara Lynn looks for answers about her father.

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Mack Rawden is the Editor-In-Chief of CinemaBlend. He first started working at the publication as a writer back in 2007 and has held various jobs at the site in the time since including Managing Editor, Pop Culture Editor and Staff Writer. He now splits his time between working on CinemaBlend’s user experience, helping to plan the site’s editorial direction and writing passionate articles about niche entertainment topics he’s into. He graduated from Indiana University with a degree in English (go Hoosiers!) and has been interviewed and quoted in a variety of publications including Digiday. Enthusiastic about Clue, case-of-the-week mysteries, a great wrestling promo and cookies at Disney World. Less enthusiastic about the pricing structure of cable, loud noises and Tuesdays.