Ep 1. Pilot

Bill Henrickson is a successful businessman living in suburban Salt Lake City with his three wives, Barb, Nicki, and Margene. As the pilot episode begins, Bill is celebrating his recent victory in securing a contract to expand his chain of home improvement stores. However, his success is overshadowed by the looming threat of Utah's new anti-polygamy laws and the upcoming trial of Roman Grant, the leader of the polygamous Juniper Creek compound where Bill's parents still reside.

As Bill juggles his professional and personal lives, tensions rise within his own family as his youngest wife, Margene, struggles to find her place among her more experienced sister wives. Meanwhile, Barb, as the first wife, struggles with feelings of jealousy and perceived inadequacy, while Nicki, Bill's second wife, becomes increasingly defiant and resentful of her role in the family.

As the episode progresses, Bill's relationships with his wives are put to the test when his mother-in-law shows up unexpectedly and demands that Barb return to her previous church, which does not condone polygamy. Barb is torn between honoring her mother's wishes and staying true to her own beliefs and family. Meanwhile, Nicki's father, Roman Grant, is indicted on charges of statutory rape, and tensions between the Henrickson family and Juniper Creek escalate.

The episode concludes with Bill, Barb, and Nicki attending Grant's court hearing, where Bill confronts Grant and asserts his own beliefs about polygamy. As tensions continue to rise, Bill is forced to make difficult decisions about his family and his business and navigate the increasingly complex legal and social landscape of polygamy in Utah.

Overall, the pilot episode of Big Love sets the stage for a dramatic and thought-provoking exploration of polygamy, family, and identity in contemporary America. The show's strong performances from its ensemble cast and complex portrayal of its characters' beliefs and motivations make it a compelling and engaging watch.