BEST
5. BIG LOVE (HBO)
In its second season, Big Love got over the novelty of being the ''polygamy drama,'' and evolved into a tense, lively (plural) family drama. Playing the Mormon husband to three wives, Bill Paxton is decent but overwhelmed: Even his grin seems stretched too thin. Jeanne Tripplehorn is so genuine as torn, traditional first wife Barb that you can see her seams; and Ginnifer Goodwin is kitten-cute as youngest, neediest wife Margene. But it's Chloë Sevigny as fundamentalist Nicki who swipes every scene. Tight-jawed and tautly braided, she's righteous but greedy, virtuous but sly. Combine these four headstrong grown-ups, and the result is a bumpy battle of wills: will to love...and to power.