Carnivale

[D.Shaffer]

Has ANYONE been watching this show but me? I've been waiting for people to discuss it, but it either hasnt, or I've just been missing the posts?

So far...it's interesting. I wish things would progress a bit faster with the entire Good vs. Evil bit, but I do like the imagery they use in a lot of places. I like how it's not quite cut and dry who the real villain and hero are yet either. The priest is an especially sympathetic character, even if he has a tendency toward melodrama with his 'moments'.

 

[Shawn Hopkins]

Has ANYONE been watching this show but me? I've been waiting for people to discuss it, but it either hasnt, or I've just been missing the posts?

So far...it's interesting. I wish things would progress a bit faster with the entire Good vs. Evil bit, but I do like the imagery they use in a lot of places. I like how it's not quite cut and dry who the real villain and hero are yet either. The priest is an especially sympathetic character, even if he has a tendency toward melodrama with his 'moments'.

Sounds interesting. What channel does it come on and what time?

 

[MAXIMUS]

yes i never miss an episode love the show. cross between twin peaks and the stand. The time frame is very well done and the show has a great supporting cast.
SPOILERS
for those who arent aware, the show is about 2 men Benjamin Hawkins, an Okie who recently escaped from a chain gang in the south. After his escape, he returns home to a mother who fears and hates him. Soon afterward she passes away and Ben is picked up by a rabble of Carnivale folk who make their living by travelling the country. Ben is given the job as a simple "technician" in that he sets up tents and does various other jobs. Towards the end of episode 1 we learn Ben has a very intersting gift in that he has the power to heal with his hands....but at a price. What follows is the Carnivale mysterious connection to Ben, Ben's father and Ben's discovery and attempt to harness is power.

The show also follows the story of a preacher named Reverend Justin..i forget his last name. Anyways, Reverend Justin is a simple preacher living out in California, unaware of the Carnivale or Ben Hawkins existence, except for in his dreams which haunt him as well as Ben. One day, a poor old woman migrant attends one of Reverend Justins sermons, which outrages many of the regulars. Justin on the other hand feels the migrants are the ones who need his attention most. Soon afterwards Justin is given what he believes to be a vision from God. A vision that the migrants should be given his utmost attention so he dedicates his time to them. Also, as the show progresses we learn Justin too has mysterious powers....that of telepathy, and the ability to see peoples thoughts and somewhat control their actions.

Now, there is supposed to be somehwat of a connection between these two men, yet each episode only gives a small piece of the puzzle. I read that these two will never meet by seasons end, yet they have seen each other in dreams many times. It should be intersting how everything fits when its all said and done.

Big fan of the show

 

[D.Shaffer]

Sounds interesting. What channel does it come on and what time?

It comes on HBO. Pretty much shows up at least once per day in rerun, though new eps premier on Sunday at 9'ish EST.

 

[Brainiac]

I. Love. This. Show.

Haven't missed an episode yet...it's creepy, mysterious, has great acting, and is just a really fun watch! Clancy Brown is BY FAR my favorite on the show, playing the evil Brother Justin...funny how I watched Carnivale and Justice League back to back--double Clancy Brown!

My one gripe with the show is this...it needs to go somewhere. There are only 12 episodes, and we're a third of the way into it, and still know very little. I really hope the writers know where they're going with it...I heard that the show was on shaky ground before, with some conflicting ideas between writers and HBO...So I really hope it pulls through, because it has the potential to be fantastic.

So far, so good!

-Brainiac

 

[freakboy86]

oh yeah, definatly digging this show!
true, it is a bit slow but it's really interesting to not only try and figure out which side is good and which is evil (sure, the carnival is probably on the 'good' side of the fight, but there are so many things leading up to it being the 'bad' guys) but, surprisingly, the thing i like the best is the portrayal of the dust bowl. Living in Arkansas my grandparents would tell of their childhood in Oklahoma during those years. I never could comprehend what it was like (how do you express to a child the level of pain, death and dispair they went through) until now.
great show.

 

[DisneyBoy]

We should really compile the various Carnivale threads into one talkback for season one, and another for season two...

A friend turned me on to this series, and I'm now almost done watching the first season. I've really enjoyed the blend of period costumes and characters with the high-concept ''Good VS Evil'' set-up. All this nutty stuff is going on - from a town filled with ghosts who still have a physical presence, to the girl with the creepy mother who can mentally speak to her and attack her - but at the same time, it's balanced out by a very slow, ordinary casual portrayal of people interacting. Little by the way of high-brow dialogue, except from the characters you expect it from.

Patrick Bauchau as Lodz is easily a favourite character of mine...I love his voice and presence. Very happy to hear that shorter actress from Kindergarten Cop as the voice of ''Management''. And Adrienne Barbeau? Well, she's flat-out loveable.

This is a stellar cast...and I'm looking forward to watching the rest of the series play out. I know it all ends on a massive cliff-hanger, but that's all I WANT to know. NO SPOILERS PLEASE! This is a fun ride, and I have no idea where it's going...

Oddly, Clancy Brown isn't working so well for me. I like him...but I don't. He's odd on-screen, after all these years voicing Lex. I almost don't believe him here....