Californication: The Third Season

Through two seasons of this Showtime series, self-destructive novelist Hank Moody (Golden Globe winner David Duchovny) seemed unstoppable in his quest for sex, drugs, and boozy debauchery; now poppa's got a brand new locale. After securing a college teaching position under Dean Koons (Peter Gallagher), Hank indulges in extracurricular activities with a student (Eva Amurri), an emotionally vulnerable T.A. (Diane Farr), and the dean's wife (Embeth Davidtz). But the limbo that is his home life is beginning to affect his sardonic daughter, Becca (Madeleine Martin), paving the way for the return of longtime girlfriend Karen (Natascha McElhone), who suggests the trio go back to New York. Meanwhile, Hank's friends Charlie and Marcy Runkle (Evan Handler and Pamela Adlon)—now separated—are forced by the housing market slump to share their house while awaiting their divorce. Making memorable impressions are Kathleen Turner, as Charlie's sexually aggressive new boss, and Rick Springfield, as a deranged incarnation of himself. And Madeline Zima returns as Mia, who stole Hank's book in the first season; her plan to tell all could shatter Hank's dysfunctional family for good. Although the writing isn't as sharp as it could be and the Runkles' crudeness is excessive—even by premium cable standards—it's hard to turn away from this edgy saga of a life spinning out of control. Compiling all 12 episodes from 2009, DVD extras include a blooper reel, and a featurette in which Adlon dishes with L.A. divorcees. Recommended. (D. Liebenson)