The Big Bang (Entourage)
Episode of Entourage featuring Vince's romantic troubles and Drama's strike resolution.
"The Big Bang" serves as the sixth installment of *Entourage*'s eighth season, marking the 94th episode overall. Doug Ellin, the series' creator, co-wrote the episode with cast member Jerry Ferrara, while David Nutter handled directing duties — his ninth time directing for the series. HBO aired it on August 28, 2011. The show follows Vincent Chase, a top-tier movie star, and his Queens-born friends as they try to build their own careers in Los Angeles. This episode finds Vince still pursuing Sophia, while Drama gets unwelcome news about his strike. Turtle welcomes the owners of his go-to restaurant, and Ari has a confrontation with his wife. Nielsen Media Research reported that roughly 2.16 million viewers tuned in, a 15% decrease from the previous episode's 2.53 million viewers, with a 1.3 rating share among adults aged 18 to 49. Critics gave the episode mixed feedback, often pointing to Vince's storyline and the overall pacing as weak points.
At a *Vanity Fair* photo shoot, Vince (Adrian Grenier) gets upset after learning Sophia (Alice Eve) painted him as a womanizer in her article. Shauna (Debi Mazar) urges him to focus on the positives, but Vince worries about his mother's reaction and leaves to confront Sophia. She refuses to alter the piece, reiterating that he means nothing to her. Turtle (Jerry Ferrara) brings John (Sonny Marinelli) and Gina DeLuca (Elizabeth Regen), the owners of Don Pepe's, to Los Angeles to start setting up the restaurant. The couple, however, is more interested in sightseeing, which frustrates Turtle. Meanwhile, Jim Lefkowitz (Rob Morrow) tells Ari (Jeremy Piven) that Melissa (Perrey Reeves) will get half his earnings and half of the agency, since he took $11 million from her. Eric (Kevin Connolly) ignores calls from Melinda Clarke until she gifts him a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. She claims the car is thanks for getting her cast in a series, then insults him for still pining over Sloan. The network grows impatient with the strike affecting *Johnny's Bananas*. Drama (Kevin Dillon) panics when his accounts are frozen, and Yagoda (William Fichtner) threatens to wreck his career if the strike continues. Drama forcefully rejects the demands, but feels relief when he and Andrew Dice Clay get their desired salaries and return to work. Ari confronts Melissa at the agency office, annoyed she's cooking with Bobby Flay.
Quick Facts
- Series
- Entourage
- Season
- 8
- Episode
- 6
- Director
- David Nutter
- Writer
- Doug Ellin / Jerry Ferrara
- Photographer
- Todd A. Dos Reis
- Editor
- Gregg Featherman
- Released
- 2011-08-28
- Length
- 28 minutes
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- Episode List
- List of Entourage episodes
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
In the episode, Vince is upset during a Vanity Fair photo shoot after learning that Sophia's article portrays him as a womanizer. He leaves to confront her, but she refuses to change the article. Turtle brings the owners of Don Pepe's restaurant to Los Angeles, but they are more interested in sightseeing. Ari is informed by Jim Lefkowitz that his wife Melissa will receive half his earnings and half of the agency. Drama receives bad news about his strike, and after his accounts are frozen, he is threatened by Yagoda. He eventually gives in and returns to work with Andrew Dice Clay. Ari confronts Melissa at the agency office, accusing her of hiding her true nature.
Reader's Guide
The episode received mixed reviews from critics, who criticized Vince's storyline and pacing. According to Nielsen Media Research, it was seen by an estimated 2.16 million household viewers and gained a 1.3 ratings share among adults aged 18–49, a 15% decrease from the previous episode. Steve Heisler of The A.V. Club gave it a "C+" grade, noting that the show resolves some plotlines but leaves others open. Nate Rawlings of TIME commented on the writers' attempt to develop Vince's character by having him chase a woman. The episode is notable for being written by series creator Doug Ellin and main cast member Jerry Ferrara, and directed by David Nutter.
Origins & Creative Vision
Entourage was conceived as an HBO comedy-drama by writer-producer Doug Ellin, drawing directly from Mark Wahlberg's real-life encounters in the movie business. The show was never pure invention; it was filtered through the lens of a real actor's journey into Hollywood, lending it an authentic texture that distinguished it from other industry comedies. Beyond Ellin, the production was backed by a heavyweight slate of executive producers including Wahlberg himself, Stephen Levinson, Dennis Biggs, Rob Weiss, and Ally Musika. This collective gave the series both creative direction and genuine industry credibility from its very first week on air. The premise centers on Vincent "Vince" Chase, a New York-born performer who has relocated to Los Angeles and is navigating the unpredictable highs and lows of a film career. His story is never told in isolation; it is constantly shaped, supported, and complicated by the small orbit of people who surround him.
The Ensemble & Character Dynamics
The emotional core of Entourage is its tightly knit group of five men whose relationships drive nearly every storyline. Vince Chase, portrayed by Adrian Grenier, is the central figure, yet the show's real energy comes from the friction and loyalty among his circle. Johnny "Drama" Chase, played by Kevin Dillon, is Vince's half-brother and a fellow performer who never quite breaks through to the level he craves. Eric "E" Murphy, brought to life by Kevin Connolly, serves as the manager and childhood companion who navigates the business side of their shared ambitions. Jeremy Piven injects electric intensity as Ari Gold, an agent defined by his unrelenting drive whose devotion to Vince is perpetually tested by his own hunger for success. Rounding out the group is Turtle, played by Jerry Ferrara, a companion who has been by Vince's side for years and whose role, while more peripheral, is a constant presence. Together, these characters form a microcosm of Hollywood relationships where friendship, ambition, and ego are perpetually in tension.
The Eight-Season Run
Entourage launched on HBO on July 18, 2004, and maintained a steady presence on the network's schedule for nearly seven years, with its final episode airing on September 11, 2011. Across its entire run, the series delivered a total of 96 episodes spread over eight seasons, each one building on the evolving careers and personal lives of the core group. The show's longevity on a premium cable network speaks to its ability to sustain a comedy-drama tone that balanced workplace satire with genuine character development. Each season, from the 2004 debut through the 2011 conclusion, offered new professional challenges for Vince and his friends while deepening the interpersonal dynamics that made the ensemble feel like a real group of friends navigating a chaotic industry. The consistent weekly cadence over eight years gave audiences a reliable anchor within the broader HBO landscape and allowed the characters to grow in ways that shorter-run shows rarely permit.
The 2015 Film & Narrative Continuation
After the series finale in 2011, the Entourage story did not simply end. On June 3, 2015, Warner Bros. Pictures released a feature-length film bearing the same title, effectively extending the narrative well beyond the television conclusion. This cinematic continuation allowed the characters' story to evolve in a new medium, giving the ensemble a chance to explore themes and scenarios that the episodic format of television had not fully addressed. The film's production under Warner Bros. marked a significant shift from the HBO television environment, placing the franchise in a broader theatrical context and reaching audiences who may not have followed the weekly broadcast. For fans who had tracked the group's journey across 96 episodes over nearly a decade, the movie represented a natural next chapter rather than a nostalgic callback, carrying forward the momentum of Vince and his friends as they continued to navigate the entertainment world on their own terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who directed The Big Bang (Entourage)?
David Nutter was behind the camera for this episode, which marked his eighth directing credit across the series.
Who wrote The Big Bang (Entourage)?
Series creator Doug Ellin co-wrote the script alongside cast member Jerry Ferrara, giving Ferrara a writing credit on the show.
What happens in The Big Bang (Entourage)?
Vince keeps pushing forward with his pursuit of Sophia, while Drama is hit with unwelcome news that complicates his ongoing strike situation.
When did The Big Bang (Entourage) air on HBO?
It broadcast on August 28, 2011, serving as the sixth episode of the eighth season.
What number episode is The Big Bang (Entourage) in the overall series?
It is the 95th installment in the full Entourage run, landing in the middle stretch of the show's final season.
More in Entourage episodes 1-24
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