Carnivàle Series Review

Carnivàle (2003-2005)

Season 1 - 12 episodes (2003)
Season 2 - 12 episodes (2005)
Rent Carnivàle on Amazon Video (paid link)
Created by: Daniel Knauf
Starring: Michael J. Anderson,  Clancy Brown, Nick Stahl, Adrienne Barbeau, Clea DuVall, Carla Gallo, Toby Huss, Tim DeKay, Cynthia Ettinger, Robert Knepper, Amy Madigan
Rated: TV-MA
Watch the trailer

Plot
During the Great Depression, an Oklahoma farm boy and a charismatic minister learn that they are key players in a proxy war being fought between Heaven and Hell.

Verdict
This is one of my favorite shows. The first season can seem slow as it sets up the foundation for things to come, but it's importance is realized as season two unfolds the lore and mythology when everything comes to a point. The setting is unique and lends itself to the tale being told. This is the story of good and evil, but it packages it in such a creative and unique way. This weaves a deep mystery that begins to reveal itself in the second season. While this was canceled early and will certainly leave you disappointed, what we do get is definitely worth watching. It's a lot of fun and very intriguing with an ensemble cast and plenty of narratives.
Watch It.

Review
If any show could get one more season this would be my pick. Many shows are canceled too early, but this is the one that stung the most.  I so enjoyed this show when I first watched it as I wondered at the answers to the mysteries. It was planned for six seasons but only two released. A lawsuit against the creator was part of the reason for the show's early cancellation, a lawsuit that was eventually dismissed.

The first season opens with an introduction to the battle of Heaven and Hell. Avatars on Earth represent good and evil with creatures of the light and dark born to each generation.

Set during the Great Depression, we follow a traveling carnival as they pick up Ben Hawkins (Nick Stahl) at the behest of management. Management is certainly a mystery, the faceless leader of the carnival, and then there's something about Ben, but we don't know if it's his past or future. Early on Ben is linked to Justin Crowe (Clancy Brown). They both have abilities and visions of each other though they've never met.

Clancy Brown, Nick Stahl play Justin Crowe, Ben Hawkins

Everyone in this carnival seems to have some kind of gift, whether it's visions, abilities, or appearances. The production values are great. This looks like the dust bowl, and you can almost feel the sand and grit between your teeth. 

The first season is full of questions. Scudder is a reoccurring name that holds answers. The first season asks many questions and reveals very little. At the same time we follow this carnival with their games and tricks as they try to to earn a living during tough times, often through deception.

Ben doesn't seem to like people, cold to everyone, but he also helps people frequently. He seems to derive no joy from it. That's in contrast to Justin who is building a great ministry, but we begin to question just how good he is. There are enough characters and development to keep things interesting as this keeps building the mystery. The entire first season is one big introduction. I'm a big fan of the show, but I forgot how much season one sets up and leaves for season two to answer. The first season is solid, but the show definitely gets better, though the payoffs in season two wouldn't mean anywhere near as much with season one.

With season two Ben is searching for Scudder. Having seen this show once, I see some clues early that the show hasn't explained yet. The link between Ben and Justin is all the more apparent as is their affiliation. With every episode they're closing in on each other. Ben searches for Scudder in the hope that he'll get answers, while Justin is searching for Ben. We also see how the people around Ben and Justin are a part of this.

This season gets into blood lines, followers, avatars, and descendants. This is where the mythology begins coming together. Ben is the prophet and Justin is the usher. They're on a collision course where everyone is going to end up in one place. We're beginning to understand the lore. The way this show slowly built the mystery makes the payoff all the better. In the latter half of the second season people begin to believe in Ben.

Clea DuVall, Nick Stahl play Sofia, Ben Hawkins

This show is the eternal struggle between good and evil manifested physically. The setting makes this all the more intriguing with all the carnival type characters, but it also does an amazing job of building the characters. This show has a complete understanding of these powers and this lore. Nothing every happens because it makes the story easier. There are strict rules and the show is adamant to maintain them. 

The basic premise is that the good guy is a young man convicted of murder and wanting nothing to do with anyone else. The bad guy is a preacher building a ministry. That's a fun setup, but it's the lore that makes this what it is. The last few episodes of season two are excellent. Everything this show started developing in the first episode pays off in season two. I so wish I could see where this show was going to go. While you could call season one a bit slow, and I do enjoy it, season two brings this home all the way. It's clear there was so much more left in this show, and I really think it's the biggest what if in television.