Watch Carnivale

Carnivale was an Emmy award-winning television series that aired on HBO from 2003 to 2005. The show was created by Daniel Knauf and starred Nick Stahl, Michael J. Anderson, Adrienne Barbeau, Patrick Bauchau, Clancy Brown, Debra Christofferson, Tim DeKay, Clea DuVall, Cynthia Ettinger, John Fleck, Carla Gallo, Toby Huss, Amy Madigan, Diane Salinger, Steben Twins, Brian Turk, and Ralph Waite, among others.

The show was set during the Great Depression in the 1930s and focused on two main storylines that eventually converged. The first storyline followed Ben Hawkins (Nick Stahl), a young man with mysterious powers who joins a traveling carnival called Carnivale. The carnival is led by Samson (Michael J. Anderson), a dwarf, who is both the carnival's boss and spiritual leader. The carnival's performers are a mix of freaks, con artists, and scam artists, each with their own goals and secrets. Ben's arrival at the carnival sparks a series of events that will change the lives of everyone involved.

The second storyline revolves around Brother Justin (Clancy Brown), a minister in California, who has his own mysterious powers. As the story progresses, his path intersects with Ben's, and the two become intertwined in a supernatural battle of good versus evil. The show also features Adrienne Barbeau as Ruthie, a carnival worker, Clea DuVall and Cynthia Ettinger as a mother and daughter who have their own mystic talents, and John Fleck as Gecko, a carnival worker who is both loyal and treacherous.

The show's themes revolve around the supernatural, faith, destiny, and morality. The characters are complex and have ambiguous motivations, making it hard to tell who is good and who is bad. The show deals with the harsh realities of the Depression era, and it is clear that the carnival workers are struggling just to survive. The show's dark and murky atmosphere is perfectly suited to the time period and the supernatural elements of the story.

One of the show's strengths is the slow-burn storyline that builds over time. Each episode reveals something new about each character, and the intricate web of relationships and motivations keep the viewer engaged throughout the two-season run. The dialogue is well-written and realistic, and the acting is uniformly excellent. The show is visually stunning, with moody lighting and exquisite period detail.

Carnivale was a critical success during its run, but it struggled to find a wider audience. The show was expensive to produce, and after two seasons, it was canceled due to low ratings. However, the show has gained a dedicated following over the years, and its cult status has only grown since its cancellation.

Fans of the show appreciate its atmospheric storytelling, complex characters, and supernatural elements. The show's exploration of morality and faith also resonates with a lot of viewers, and the show's overarching themes are still relevant today. The show's ending was controversial, and it left some questions unanswered, which only adds to its mystique.

In conclusion, Carnivale was a groundbreaking show that explored complex themes through its supernatural storytelling. The show's intricate web of relationships and moral ambiguity kept viewers engaged throughout, and the show's haunting atmosphere and exquisite production design made it a visual feast. While it was canceled after only two seasons, the show's cult following has only grown over the years, and it remains a classic of the television landscape.

Carnivale is a series that ran for 2 seasons (24 episodes) between September 14, 2003 and on HBO