Carnivale: Season 2 [DVD] [2003]

I am so glad I finally discovered this show, albeit years after it came to a premature end. It has so much to recommend it, it's hard to know where to start. The setting is highly original, being a travelling carny in 1930s dust-bowl America. The period is reproduced beautifully. The cinematography gives it the look of old sepia photographs, the vehicles all seem to be genuine vintage models, the clothes, buildings, technology and language are all spot-on. Then, of course, there's that casting, which is as near perfect as any tv drama I've ever seen, each actor seeming to have been born to play their given role. Worth singling out for special praise is Michael J. Anderson, who plays the carnival's floor manager in a performance of great depth and subtlety, suggesting volumes with the twitch of an eyebrow. Clancy Brown is also outstanding as preacher, Brother Justin, a figure whose slides from benign indulgence to towering rage are deeply scary. Amy Madigan as Justin's sister, Iris, is equally good in a role that calls for much more control, a tight, restrictive control that makes the moments when it breaks down all the more disturbing. In fact, all of the main actors (and, indeed, the minor ones) are pitch-perfect. Then there's the story, which has a similarly unsettling surreal quality to David Lynch's Twin Peaks, whilst still delivering plot and character developments that weave together into a deeply engaging, nuanced tale of good versus evil in which, initially at least, the viewer is never quite sure where one ends and the other begins. Much of the series' success in achieving this lies with some very, very good scriptwriting which rises way above the standard of most television drama. It's a tragedy and a travesty that the show was cancelled after only two series although, having said that, the final episode of series 2 does provide an ending that is much more satisfactory than that of many other shows that get cancelled. It would be wonderful to think the cast might be reassembled and the show rebooted, but, after seven years, I guess that's unlikely. Which is a shame, since tv dramas of this quality come along all too rarely.

1934. America's dustbowl the setting for the imminent great clash between Good and Evil, the travelling Carnivale to play a crucial part. Ben Hawkins (Nick Stahl) is the unlikely hero - the taciturn youth apprehensive about his secret powers and reluctant to assume the responsibilities required. Formidable adversary is preacher Justin Crowe (Clancy Brown), Evil personified. All around, people are poverty-stricken and without hope. They yearn for a Saviour - pickings thus ripe for those keen to exploit, the invention of wireless for them an asset. Here is a David and Goliath situation, with no guarantee how this one will end. Season 2 builds on the first's considerable strengths - the result, quality television on an epic scale. Visually stunning, it is filmlike in its depiction of wide open spaces. The script is excellent ("when it comes to livin', dyin's the easy part"), the performances terrific (Stahl and Brown especially). Involved is a rich gallery of grotesque characters. Ben's grandmother is amongst them - she only in one episode but chillingly memorable. Throughout, the tension is palpable - the show full of surprises, some very real shocks, moments of horror and much to mystify. Music is used to good effect (this nowadays seemingly a dying art). Although denied the third season expected, events here reach a climax that satisfies. (A nicely rounded conclusion would have been inappropriate because, by its very nature, Good v. Evil is an ongoing struggle.) Coming over strongly is the community spirit within Carnivale (Michael J. Anderson excellent as the dwarf in charge). To outsiders this may be just a troupe of freaks, but their little world contains much that is preferable to the lives in places visited. 12 episodes of about fifty minutes. Bonuses include commentaries. (These, though interesting, perhaps involve too many people and need greater focus.) There are also a thirty minute interview of creators and cast, and a helpful twenty five minute feature on the show's mythology. Thank you, fellow reviewers. Your praise alerted me to a series I knew nothing about. CARNIVALE is quality television - well off the beaten track, challenging and involving, its worth appreciated all the more on DVD. In short? Highly impressive in every respect.

This series is fairly old, I think it was originally shown in 2003 but somehow I must have missed it when it first came out. I bought series one just to see if I would like it as it was fairly inexpensive for 12 episodes. However, I enjoyed series one so much that I ordered series two after only watching a couple of the episodes. The series is set in the 1930s and set within a travelling carnival. There are numerous characters that you quickly grow to like - and the obvious few baddies that get your hackles up. I always found that after watching one episode I wanted to see the next one. However, the storyline is fairly slow paced and if you had been watching this on the TV at one episode a week you might have given up on it. But having the series means that you can watch them at your own pace without losing momentum. If you like fast paced action series then this one probably isn't for you. A but a lot of the time is spent building up the characters involved and the storyline around how the central character, Ben Hawkins, is looking to find his father. I found it a fascinating insight into what life might have been like during that era and more especially for people living and working in a carnival during that time.

I finally discover a TV show that is stimulating and it is cancelled after two series. It is sad that such an excellent TV series wasn't appreciated by more people although I can perhaps understand why people of a 'religious' nature might find some of the content inappropriate. There is also the matter of political messages within the series that might be described as subliminal and hard to define but they are there. Nevertheless, if you don't want to delve too deeply into all its subtleties, it is a very entertaining series filled with a strong plot and very good acting.

A Brilliant Watch. NOTE: Not For The Squeamish or Easily Offended.

When the first series was released it was something totally different and a real must watch experience. It was always going to take something of an effort to better it and you have to give credit where its due they have certainly tried. Nick Stahl continues to struggle with his powers but this time around he's starting to assert himself and searches continually for answers. Clancy Browns preacher goes from mad and scary in the 1st series to a complete loon in this.The writers have tried something different with this series, it's much more quickly paced and the characters rapidly begin to show their true colours. The editing lingers far less over detail and atmosphere but if you saw series 1 then thats already been set up and now the show goes straight for the throat and hurtles towards the inevitable showdown. It may sound odd to say a series that lasts over 10 hours hurtles but this is in a real hurry and before you know it you're taking out the last disc and it's all over. The show on it's own would be value for money but it's nice to see some extras added, a doc. on what it all means, scene breakdowns, a discussion and some commentaries on chosen episodes. The picture is strangely not as good in quality as last time, there is some grain and even though it is meant to have a sepia tinge colour is a little disappointing. Sound on the other hand is very good even by film standards and detail and effects are spot on. This carries on the main character arcs of the 1st and there's not a duff turn by anybody involved, including the writers and directors. Eventually it's Nick Stahl and the screen filling Clancy brown who grab you the hardest and so it is only fitting that their face off is the apocalyptic high point that satisfyingly finishes this great series. A 3rd series would have been nice but may well have been a bit of a stretch. As it is this is a good conclusion that answers much but refuses to tie everything up neatly, a brave and intelligent move that pays off. If you've not seen Carnivale then get series 1 first then go for this one. If you're after something different and aren't easily offended,( this has some disturbing scenes and even the'good guy's' are ruthless ), then you will enjoy every moment of a compact,well written and acted series. roll up, roll up.

Carnivale is a long overdue cinematic triumph and a must have box-set. Far more tangible and exciting than just a supernatural thriller Carnivale tells so many truths of the hardship realities of travelling fairs; bare naked risks that came with such on-the-road performing territory - not at all glamerous as we would perhaps immagine. As Wikipedia informs us mere mortals, 'Carnivàle evolved as a result of Knauf's childhood fascination with carnivals and his interest in "freaks": we are now conscious and morally aware of these degrading labels attached to disability and wholly deplete our past ignorance with refreshed acceptance of human diversity. What makes this phenomenally insightful television drama series so captivating, the fact that none of the cast fully A-list Hollywood material, despite the pure individual talents and achievemens of all participants. I did not feel that I was watching anything particularly horrifying despite a creeping build towards eventual paranormal fright. Throughout each and every episode, there felt a consistency of subtle evil darkness lurking beneath the hats and beards of non-specific gender form; the directors placed far more emphasis upon character than actual 'good v's evil' elements of horror we are now so readily acustomed and unable to separate our own thoughts and judegments whilst writing reviews of writing and filming direction. Carnivale should be compared more acurately to that of a scarce painite crystal mineral - to be wholly cherished and nurtured without handling or manipulating its unique finite properties.

Great series! Lots going on! Hope there’s a series 3

One of the best TV Shows of all time. From the acting, to the directing, to the editing, to the story, to the dialogue, to the camera work, to the atmosphere and the audio, this tv show is one of the best of all time. It is a shame we only got 2 seasons, I still hold hope that one day HBO brings it back for more seasons or allows the creator to do the books he wants to do. Heck, Twin Peaks came back after 25 years when we all thought it was over, so you never know! Please bring this back HBO! Hands down one of the best shows of all time, for me its up there with Twin Peaks and The Wire as my 3 favorite tv shows of all time. If you have not seen this wonderful show, please check it out! Me and my family all loved this show to death. It is a show about good vs evil, religion, life and yes also about a travelling Carnivale, during the Dustbowl era. Wonderful setting and locations, this is truly a once in a lifetime show. Get this show ASAP if you have not seen it!

There has never been a show that has had such an impact on me like HBO's "Carnivale." You can only imagine the heartbreak I went through when I found out that the show would not be renewed for another season. In a world where there is so much pointless garbage on TV with no substance, no emotion and no thinking behind it (again, this is not always a bad thing), it was refreshing to see something that challenged us to the core like "Carnivale" did. At long last, the second season has found its home on DVD. It's hard to describe such a show without giving too much away, but I will do my best. The first season left off with Ben Hawkins (an unlikely savior and healer) and Brother Justin (a man who once served religion has now found his place along darkness and an ultimate evil)finally realizing their path in life and knowing who they really are. Ben is scared and instructed by the mysterious Management on what he has to do in order to prevent the end of the world as we know it, but Ben is not so sure who is using him and who he can trust. Yet, he knows that the key to the final battle between good and evil is his father, Henry Scudder. The problem is that Brother Justin is also looking for Scudder, as he has some terrible, awful plans of his own for the world. These two are states away, but finally they will meet and the fate of the world ultimately depends on who ends up coming up on top. And that's only a part of the overwhelming and forceful epic that is known as "Carnivale." The second season is much more darker and unsettling than the first, and it never slows down. As good as the first season was, the pace was very slow--but it had to be in order to set the pieces into place. A lot of things that didn't make sense in the first season will come to light in this one. The scenery, the look and feel of it all really cements this as a memorable and solid series that was quite possibly ahead of its time. Not only does this show rely on great and hypnotic writing, but also the actors who give it their all and bring their characters to life. With a show as complex as this, you have to have the writing and the characters, and this show has no problem delivering the goods on that front. The DVD contains all 12 episodes and some very cool "behind the scenes" features that are worth seeing, along with commentaries on selected episodes. "Carnivale" is not a show for everybody. It's extremely dark, brutal and the themes can get pretty disturbing and unsettling, especially since it deals with the religous and spiritual world. If you are a fan of the first season, then this is a must-see, even if we may never get another season ever again. Sure, not everything will be answered, the last episode does leave us hanging, but all in all this season is very satisfying and is even more exciting and thrilling than the first. If you're looking for something you've never seen before, check it out. I'm just happy the second season has finally found a home. I just wished that such a great show had more of a chance. I don't think I'll ever see anything that will ever surpass this, and I believe I will think that way until my last breath. -Michael Crane

Wie auch schon die erste Staffel ist auch die zweite Staffel absolut genial und kann nur jedem Fan von epischen Serien mit einem Schuß Mystik und viel Dramatik empfohlen werden. Die Ereignisse der ersten Staffel werden hier konsequent fortgeführt und der Kampf gut gegen Böse (in Form der beiden Avatare) spitzt sich gegen Ende immer weiter zu. Allerdings werden auch neue Fragen und Handlungsstränge aufgegriffen und man erfährt auch mehr über die anderen Reisenden des Wanderzirkuses. Dadurch wird die Welt um einiges lebendiger, da man sich nicht nur auf die "Hauptpersonen" beschränkt, sondern auch Charakteren Spielzeit zugesteht, welche sie in anderen Serien so wohl nicht bekommen hätten. Im Vergleich zur ersten Staffel merkt man, dass die Produzenten hier schon etwas Druck von HBO hatten die Serie etwas schneller zu machen, weshalb hier die Ereignisse etwas schneller voran schreiten als es noch in der ersten Staffel der Fall war. Aber es bleibt trotzdem eine Serie, welche viel mit ihren Bildern spielt und sich Zeit für alles nimmt ohne jedoch auch nur Ansatzweise Langweilig zu werden. Das einzige was richtig Schade ist ist die Tatsache, dass die Serie nach dieser zweiten Staffel leider aufgrund schwacher Quoten eingestellt wurde und so viele Handlungsstränge nicht abgeschlossen sind. Die Serie war von Anfang an auf sechs Staffel ausgelegt, wovon jeweils zwei einen bestimmten Zeitraum abdecken sollte. Die ersten beiden Staffel decken so den Zeitraum Anfang der 30er ab, Staffel drei und vier hätten 1939 und 1940 gespielt und die Serie hätte dann in den Jahren 1944 und 1945 geendet. So kann man leider nur die ersten beiden Staffeln geniessen, aber was einem da geboten wird ist schon mehr als genial. Fazit: Kauft diese Serie und vielleicht, wenn die DVD-Verkäufe gut genug sind, kann man die Verantwortlichen von HBO dazu bringen die Serie zu vollenden, so wie sie von Anfang an geplant war. Verdient hätte sie es auf jeden Fall.

i thought this series was very different to what i thought it was going to be about. i liked it very much. it was a bit out there, but good viewing. i do hope they decide in the future to do another series.

une série qui sort de l'ordinaire j'ai aimé l'ambiance mystique et particulière Contente de mon achat j'ai pris l'intégrale des 2 saisons