Ep 2. The Great Ashby

In the second episode of the second season of Californication, titled "The Great Ashby," Hank is seen grappling with his sexual frustration and trying to come to terms with the fact that his ex-girlfriend Karen is now involved with someone else. In the midst of all this, he's thrown a curveball when his old friend and love interest, Ashby, shows up in town after a long absence.

At the same time, Hank is working on a script for a movie adaptation of his novel, "God Hates Us All." When he's asked to pitch his script to a group of Hollywood producers, things quickly go awry. In a classic Hank Moody move, he has a bit too much to drink and ends up making a fool of himself in front of everyone. His performance is so bad that he's mocked mercilessly by the producers, who refuse to option his script.

Meanwhile, Ashby tries to reconnect with Hank, but he's having none of it -- at first. He resists her advances and tells her that he's not interested in rekindling their old flame. But as the episode goes on, it becomes clear that Hank might be more vulnerable to Ashby's advances than he wants to admit. He starts to have some deep conversations with her about his life and his fears, and it seems like she might be able to help him get over Karen once and for all.

Ultimately, the episode ends with Hank and Ashby having a wild night out on the town, partying and drinking until the early hours of the morning. As Hank stumbles home, he realizes that maybe he's not as over Ashby as he thought he was -- and that maybe, just maybe, there's still a chance for the two of them.

Overall, "The Great Ashby" is a classic episode of Californication, full of all the humor, sex, and drama that fans of the show have come to love. It's a great showcase for David Duchovny's performance as Hank, who continues to be one of the most complex and fascinating characters on television. And it sets the stage for some truly explosive plot developments to come as the season unfolds.