This unusual HBO series, which lasted just two brief seasons, employed a unique premise: the Great Depression of the 1930s served as a metaphor for quasi-Biblical “End Times,” with the Dust Bowl-ravaged American plains becoming the backdrop for Apocalyptic revelations and a possible Armageddon. The 12 episodes of the second season continue to follow Ben Hawkins (Nick Stahl), an 18-year-old psychic who took a job with a small, traveling carnival. Ben is searching for his father, the elusive Henry Scudder (John Savage), who is also sought by the malevolent evangelist, Brother Justin (Clancy Brown). The looming battle between Good and Evil is never far from the forefront of Carnivale, even though the show sports a variety of subplots involving members of the supporting cast, which includes Michael J. Anderson (who, as the diminutive Samson, brings the same eerie energy to this series as he did in Twin Peaks), Clea DuVall, and Adrienne Barbeau, to name just a few. The best episodes are clustered at the end of the run: in “Damascus, NE,” Ben finally meets his dad and gets an inkling of his importance in the cosmic struggle yet to unfold, while “Outside New Canaan, CA” builds suspense as Justin baptizes a small army of followers, and “New Canaan, CA,” the series finale, tears the lid off with shocking revelations and amazing feats on the part of Ben, whose powers have been underestimated. Well-written and smartly acted, Carnivale was unfortunately not renewed for a third season, and while many of the questions raised in the first season are answered here in the second, others remain frustratingly unsolved. DVD extras include three audio commentaries, a quartet of “Creating the Scene” featurettes, a panel discussion with cast and crew, and a near half-hour look at the mythology of the show. A strong optional purchase. (E. Hulse)
Carnivale: The Complete Second Season
HBO, 6 discs, 720 min., not rated, DVD: $99.98 October 2, 2006
Carnivale: The Complete Second Season
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