While I’m not giving refunds to dissatisfied customers, I am asserting my claim that this was quite possibly the best episode of television that Showtime has ever aired.

I mean, just the perfectly executed confluence of events that didn’t play as over-the-top. Each knock at the door could have popped the balloon, but it just kept on rising higher and higher — and there wasn’t even a kid riding in it! In fact, this was not an episode meant for children, especially not Hank’s. Shot that one to hell.

The only downside I see is that less than a million people watch Californication every week (not sure how many airings that accounts for). But we’re going to do something about that. I’m proposing a campaign, ala the “save our show” movements founded by fans. Here’s what to do: buy a gross of condoms, and write the word Californication in permanent marker on each individual wrapper. Then hand them out all over town! At the very least that might land us all in jail … hey, any press is better than none. Read the rest of this entry »

I have seen the future, and it is good. The fine folks at Showtime were kind enough to share screeners of this entire season of Californication, and what seemed a bump in the road for the past two weeks was actually just an anomaly. And if you thought tonight was good, you have no idea what’s coming next week.

With Karen back in the mix, it was expected that Hank would be putting to rest the three quasi-relationships that he’d been building since the season premiere. You’d think that the nature of each coupling was such as to make that an easy assignment. But then I suppose you never pondered the wonder that is Hank Moody. Read the rest of this entry »

What’s going on out there on the West Coast, folks? For two seasons, you carried Californication high on your shoulders, through different plots and different settings, everything gelling together for one great and interesting series.

But now? Ever since entering the realm of the classroom, the show’s failed for me — well, these last two weeks — whenever it’s ventured outside of it (”it” including people, places, and things). Where’s Jill? Why must we enjoy Felicia only as she relates to a mad Karen? Even Jackie was MIA … so is Professor Hank merely a tool for filling in the down-times? Read the rest of this entry »

I guess, as they say, what goes up must come down. After loving the first four episodes of this season of Californication, I found myself totally and completely disappointed with last night’s outing. In fact, I’m not sure that I saw a single thing that I liked, aside from always enjoying one of David Duchovny’s performances.

I actually wonder if it’s merely coincidence that led Showtime to only include the first four episodes on the screener that they sent out before the season premiere…. Not that I imagine that the rest of the season will suck like last night (I hope not) — it will take a lot more than one bad episode to turn such a terrific start completely around — but last night really sucked. Read the rest of this entry »

The real estate market is a fickle beast, so when you get lucky enough to find and fall in love with something that’s already been built, you pounce on it. In fact, it’s such an unlikely scenario that you should realize just how lucky you are. So why is it that one insignificant little thing will always tank the deal?

I’m not saying that the clogged toilet off of Marcy and Charlie’s master bedroom was a pretty sight, but to be the breaking point for a couple who’d been back repeatedly to check out what was clearly their dream house too? We accept mates with more flaws than we allow our properties to have. Also, the couple’s not being turned off might have forestalled the Runkles from reuniting, so it would have been good for them and for us. Stupid erratic consumers. Read the rest of this entry »

I’d say Hank’s about what I’d expect him to be as a teacher. Aside from the loving care he shows his students — one was so passionate about Hank’s feedback that he attempted to commit suicide last week — he draws naked doodles during staff meetings, makes crude jokes to the head of his department, and attempts to get out of commitments at the dean’s house.

Which isn’t to say that I’m disappointed … just because something conforms to certain expectations doesn’t mean it lets you down. I’m enjoying Hank’s attitude, as I’m sure he is for just as long as he manages to keep his job. Read the rest of this entry »

Why, oh why, must Hank be saddled with these dark daughter figures? From his own daughter, Becca, to “daughter” Mia, to new addition to the club Jackie (Eva Amurri), Hank has a hell of a lot of angst from the women he technically shouldn’t be sleeping with. I mean, I can see why he puts up with it from Becca, but the rest of them?

I know I’m assuming that Jackie’s going to be a problem, but the combination of student and stripper does not bode well for who she’s likely to become in Hank’s world. At least based on what we know of him so far.

Oh, did I not mention that Hank’s a professor now? My forgetfulness may have something to do with how unfulfilling Hank’s ascension to the position was: he simply was teaching (okay, texting) as the episode opened. But that missing story is all that’s disappointed me thus far in Californication’s latest season. Read the rest of this entry »