Carnivàle

7.9
200354m

Production

Logo for 3 Arts Entertainment
Logo for HBO

Carnivàle is an American television series set in the United States during the Great Depression and Dust Bowl. In tracing the lives of two disparate groups of people, its overarching story depicts the battle between good and evil and the struggle between free will and destiny; the storyline mixes Christian theology with gnosticism and Masonic lore, particularly that of the Knights Templar.

Trailers & Videos

Thumbnail for video: Carnivále Season 1 Trailer

Carnivále Season 1 Trailer

Seasons

12 Episodes • Premiered 2003

Still image for Carnivàle season 1 episode 1: Milfay

1. Milfay

6.5

Ben reluctantly joins the carnival after the bank forecloses on his family's Oklahoma farm. Brother Justin has a bizarre encounter with a poor parishioner. Sofie has a run-in at a small-town gas station.

Still image for Carnivàle season 1 episode 2: After the Ball Is Over

2. After the Ball Is Over

6.6

Ben uncovers a piece of his past as a result of Jones' sense of humor. Justin tries to persuade a parishioner to make a deal in real estate. Sofie endures a frightening mishap involving her mother. Samson changes the carnival's course.

Still image for Carnivàle season 1 episode 3: Tipton

3. Tipton

8.3

Ben is the main attraction when Samson refashions the carnival as a religious revival to satisfy a town's moral underpinnings. Justin has a powerful ally in a fight against city hall. Sofie accompanies Ben on a journey into his past.

Still image for Carnivàle season 1 episode 4: Black Blizzard

4. Black Blizzard

6.9

Jones looks to management when the crew turns mutinous. Appolonia is displeased with Sofie's romantic tastes. Justin faces a difficult choice between his congregations. Ben is tested by Lodz.

Still image for Carnivàle season 1 episode 5: Babylon

5. Babylon

6.9

Samson tries to improve the troupe's spirits with a night of revelry. Ben has an enlightening experience at the bottom of a mineshaft. A group of miners is anxious for entertainment.

Still image for Carnivàle season 1 episode 6: Pick a Number

6. Pick a Number

8.4

Revenge-minded carnies practice their own form of retribution. Justin encounters a group of hobos on his journey of self-discovery. Ben returns from another strange experience.

Still image for Carnivàle season 1 episode 7: The River

7. The River

8.6

After a recent tragedy, Stumpy and Rita Sue debate their future in the carnival. In her brother's absence, Iris receives help from a radio reporter. Ben helps Ruthie with her act.

Still image for Carnivàle season 1 episode 8: Lonnigan, Texas

8. Lonnigan, Texas

8.8

Lodz disagrees with Samson's decision to send Ben on a business trip for the carnival. A radio-show host tries to help find a wandering Justin. Sofie considers a career change.

Still image for Carnivàle season 1 episode 9: Insomnia

9. Insomnia

6.7

Ben tries to escape his dreams by staying awake. Iris uses a radio ally to help locate Justin. Samson goes back to the drawing board to increase business.

Still image for Carnivàle season 1 episode 10: Hot and Bothered

10. Hot and Bothered

6.7

Ben and Samson go in search of the mysterious Scudder. Sofie accuses her mother of foul play. Lodz waits patiently for Ben for fall asleep. Justin returns to Mintern with a new plan.

Still image for Carnivàle season 1 episode 11: Day of the Dead

11. Day of the Dead

6.7

Rita Sue teaches a newcomer a few tricks of the trade. Balthus is nervous about Tommy Dolan's allegations. Lodz gets approval from Management to help Ben.

Still image for Carnivàle season 1 episode 12: The Day That Was the Day

12. The Day That Was the Day

6.6

A distraught Ben finally meets with Management. In California, Balthus and Justin deal with the tragic undercurrents of their ministry. Stumpy and Rita Sue try to save their marriage. Samson must think fast when the law comes to the carnival.

Cast

Photo of Nick Stahl

Nick Stahl

Ben Hawkins

Photo of Clancy Brown

Clancy Brown

Brother Justin

Photo of Tim DeKay

Tim DeKay

Clayton Jones

Photo of Cynthia Ettinger

Cynthia Ettinger

Rita Sue Dreifuss

Photo of Carla Gallo

Carla Gallo

Libby Dreifuss

Photo of Amy Madigan

Amy Madigan

Iris Crowe

Photo of Toby Huss

Toby Huss

Stumpy Dreifuss

Photo of Brian Turk

Brian Turk

Gabriel

Photo of Ralph Waite

Ralph Waite

Norman Belthus

Photo of John Carroll Lynch

John Carroll Lynch

Varlyn Stroud

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Reviews

T

tsdenizen

7/10

This show was insanely cool and had the potential to be one of HBO's best ever shows. Seriously, I'd take these two seasons over just about anything the premium channel has put out. There's a level of creativity and thoughtfulness that is near unheard of in TV. Unfortunately, these seasons amount to god-tier set-up for shit-hits-the-fan moments that we never got to see. As soon as we were going to get some big pay-offs, Carnivàle was cancelled. Nobody watched it: it was too slow, too smart, too weird for its time. This is one of the biggest creative what-ifs ever in my opinion. I still love these seasons, but rewatching them know that the story doesn't get its proper end isn't too appealing. Still can't rate it lower though: what we got was way too good.

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