Carnivale: Season 1
1934, America. The Dustbowl. A fugitive named Ben Hawkins finds refuge within a traveling carnival comprised of a tarot card reader and her catatonic/telekinetic mother, a blind mentalist, a bearded lady, and conjoined twins, amongst others. The carnival is owned by the mysterious and unseen Management, who has designs on the young Hawkins, for the boy is concealing an untapped gift: he can heal the lame and raise the dead--at a price. Ben also finds himself disturbed by cryptic and prophetic dreams, which he shares with a Methodist preacher in California, Brother Justin Crowe. Brother Justin, convinced he is following God's will, has begun to practice his own extraordinary talents, although the preacher's plans increasingly lead to disturbing and tragic consequences. In this "last great age of magic," Ben Hawkins and Justin Crowe are moving toward a great conflict between Good and Evil, although it not yet clear on which sides these men will stand.
Member Reviews
If you found Twin Peaks too accessible, you'll love this - Peggy
Carnivale is a gorgeously stylized show full of teasing unexplained supernatural elements. So if you like that sort of thing, here you go. I found myself getting a little impatient with the show's repeating way of teasing us with the central character's "gift," but saving any significant reveal for much later. That said, the other characters may make up for what is otherwise a slow pace. Quite literally, this show is Twin Peaks done by HBO set in a 1930's carnival troupe. There's no initiating murder, but there is a central supernatural mystery slowly (VERY slowly) getting unravelled.Very interesting - ronburgundy
Lots of interesting characters. Certainly a lot of previous history between the members of this traveling carnival. It will be interesting to see how the characters/relationships develop. It becomes quickly apparent that there will be a clash between the two story plots as we discover the mysterious "powers" of the central protagonist/antagonist. Interesting in that there is no real hero/main character. I like the way the show develops an anti-hero. Can't wait to see how season 2 develops.The words that come to mind are quirky and steeped in Carnival tradition - Omey
This is not your usual show, mind you HBO shows rarely ever are! The story unfolds at its own pace. Don't expect any loose ends that get created in any given episode to be resolved in that same episode. In fact there are some of the main story lines of the show are still mysteriously separate even though you know they are going to clash. Very interesting story about a Carnivale and the eclectic characters in it, set in the 1930's, I believe. There is definitely a hint of the supernatural at play as well. Actually more than a hint. At the same time and seemingly unrelated is a story about a minister who is getting obsessed with his sense of calling from God. I recommend this show.
Member Reviews
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If you found Twin Peaks too accessible, you'll love this - Peggy
Carnivale is a gorgeously stylized show full of teasing unexplained supernatural elements. So if you like that sort of thing, here you go. I found myself getting a little impatient with the show's repeating way of teasing us with the central character's ...Very interesting - ronburgundy
Lots of interesting characters. Certainly a lot of previous history between the members of this traveling carnival. It will be interesting to see how the characters/relationships develop. It becomes quickly apparent that there will be a clash between the two ...The words that come to mind are quirky and steeped in Carnival tradition - Omey
This is not your usual show, mind you HBO shows rarely ever are! The story unfolds at its own pace. Don't expect any loose ends that get created in any given episode to be resolved in that same episode. In fact there are some of the main story lines of the ...