"The Greater Good" is the second episode of the fourth season of the American drama television series Big Love.
The series charts the family's life in and out of the public sphere in their suburb, as well as their associations with a fundamentalist compound in the area.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 1.54 million household viewers and gained a 0.8/2 ratings share among adults aged 18–49.
Barbara (Jeanne Tripplehorn) and Margie (Ginnifer Goodwin) oppose to his plans, as they fear this could expose their polygamy status.
They ask Heather (Tina Majorino) and Ben (Douglas Smith) to serve as their witnesses, but decide not to inform Sarah's family.
That night, Bill tells Barbara, Nicki and Margie that he will still run for Senate, and makes a big announcement: when elected, he will finally reveal their polygamy status, which will allow them to be more content with their lives.
"[4] Alan Sepinwall wrote, "I'm not going to have a lot to say about Big Love each week, but I thought "The Greater Good" was a really strong showcase for Chloe Sevigny, as she played Nicki's epiphanies about her marriage, her upbringing and her entire outlook on life.
"[5] Nick Catucci of Vulture wrote, "If the season opener was madcap, parading a frozen Roman and culminating in a first-day casino haul to rival a bank heist, episode two gently set us on a long arc, highlighting Bill's next scheme, Margene’s hard-won independence, and Nicki's (perhaps insurmountable) heartbreak.
"[7] Allyssa Lee of Los Angeles Times wrote, "Sevigny really clinched it in the end, when Nicki, who now knows what it's like to be madly in love with someone, shed tears not so much for Sarah and Scott's union but in mourning for her own misspent life.
There among the dirty plates, Barb frets about what it would be like to have cancer on a compound, and her main concern for the poor woman outside... is the fact that she has a terrible wig.
"[10] David Knoller submitted this episode for consideration for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series at the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards.