Review: Californication Season One

HBO was always Cable's darling with The Sopranos, Deadwood, Carnivale, Sex and the City, among others critics and fans alike loved and devoured their shows. I have to say those days might have come and gone because Showtime is taking over.

With shows like Dexter and The Tudors, Showtime is bringing fresh new shows that viewers are connecting with.

One such show is Californication.

If you don't want to read this entire review, I'll sum it up for you right now: Californication is the best show on television right now. Hands down, this show is utterly and undeniably perfect in every conceivable way.



When I first saw the previews for the show I wasn't interested in it. I thought it was just another sex romp about a neurotic struggling to hold onto his glory days and I wrote it off as something I'd rather not waste my time on. Besides I had enough shows to follow.

Here we are now, Showtime was kind enough to send Californication Season One along with Dexter Season 2.

I could not be happier to be honest. It is an unexpected joy to see this show.

Tom Kapinos has created a masterpiece. A touching, funny, sexy, and deeply human show that is unlike anything else we are seeing on television today.



Californication is about writer Hank Moody and his struggle to deal with career (he is a writer who isn't writing), his daughter and her mother (whom Hank still loves), and various women and vices he has. He isn't neurotic, he's just Hank. Nothing he does is entirely thought out or smart but he does these things because he wants to. He certainly comes off as an asshole (pardon the french) but you cannot help but love the guy. This is a testament to David Duchovny who simply makes this character come alive. He is simply brilliant in this role. Brilliant is a word used a lot, especially by me, but in all honesty, Duchovny is just that. He handles every scene and line like a virtuoso. He is more than deserving of the Golden Globe he received for the part.

This is a show that expertly weaves comedy and drama in perfect thirty minute bites. It is rich with emotion and stories that border on genius. I could not stop watching and really want more (I guess it's good I also received the first four episodes of Season 2).

I mentioned David Duchovny but I also have to bring to light the rest of the cast. They are all simply amazing. There is a great chemistry with everyone and interact with each other like a cast that has been working together for years.

Pamela Adlon, Evan Handler, Rachel Miner, Damian Young, and Madeline Zima are the supporting players and are all fantastic. None of their characters are less important than the others. Everyone in this show is intricate to what is happening and its rare for a show to have such great characters throughout. There isn't a single one you want to see go away.



Hank is extremely devoted to his daughter Becca, played by Madeleine Martin. Becca is a Wednesday Addams type girl who leads a rock band and wants a dog and loves her Father. She is complex and smart beyond her years. She wants so much for her Mother Karen, played stunningly by Natascha McElhone, and her Father to get together. She hopes for this to happen even as her Mother is preparing to marry someone else.

I don't want to give too much detail as this is something you really need to watch. I can sit here and type all night as to how much I am in love with this show.

There is not a bad episode in the 12 that make up season one. The music is perfectly placed, each song you hear almost feels like it was written specifically for the moment, even songs decades old. The acting amazing, the writing is incredible. I can't say enough good things.

I will say that Season Two starts this Sunday, September 28 at 10PM, right after the Season Three premiere of Dexter.

Californication Season One is on DVD now. Do yourself a favor and go buy it. Immediately.

With all these great shows Showtime is putting out there, I think it might be time to say that Showtime is the new HBO.

I really need to start catching up on the rest of their shows...