Oh that darn HBO! I just don't get why they insist on delivering such high quality original programs only to cancel them in their prime. In the past they stuck by "The Sopranos" and "Six Feet Under", the former of which is still running. Yet they announce the cancellation of "Deadwood" after its third season and cut "Carnivale" of at the end of its second. What are the 'suits' thinking? While I cannot complain outright as I do not have HBO on my satellite dish at home, I do get to enjoy these shows once they make it onto DVD. As a matter of fact, that is how I was introduced to most of them. Last year I ended up receiving the first seasons of both "Deadwood" and "Carnivale" and was blown away by both. I'll even go as far as to say I think they are both better shows than the often celebrated "The Sopranos." Both shows are dark, dirty and transport their viewers to a more decadent era (as if a more decadent era than the one we are in now is possible…).

"Deadwood" delivered an American West unlike any we had seen on film, where the language of the day would make a sailor faint. "Carnivale", on the other hand, brought us into the American Dust Bowl of the 1930's to view the life on the road of the average carnival.

Well, maybe not the average carnival. This particular carnival is destined to become the battle ground between the forces of good an evil and at every turn viewers were made to feel as though they were going to bear witness to a coming apocalypse. During the first season of the series, we were introduced to a drifter, Ben (Nick Stahl), who joins up with a mysterious carnival. Here he meets one of the most disparate groups of people you could imagine. All of them hold secrets within, including Ben. All of these secrets in one way or another employ the supernatural and the question viewers constantly faced was, "Who is good, and who is bad…?" Though we never see for sure what Ben's destiny is to be, we are assured it is somehow tied to that of the right Brother Justin (Clancy Brown). The first impression of Justin is that he is a good man with good intentions, but it becomes obvious that he is chosen to become an instrument of consummate evil. Throughout the first season, the two do not meet… but there is little doubt that they will.

I was completely drawn into the mythos surrounding the series and loved it for its style and incredible production design. The season was short, but in those few episodes, the storyline was so beautifully set up that I was completely frustrated that I would have to wait for the release of the 3rd season on DVD. But added to that frustration was the knowledge that the episodes of the second season would be the last, and as I understood it, news of the cancellation came too late for the show's creators to prepare for a proper series finale.

So when the announcement came that the second season DVD set was preparing to be released I knew I was going to have to get hold of a copy in order to alleviate at least apart of the anxiety caused by the first season's cliff hanger. When the set arrived, I was immediately struck by the cover artwork which showed a bedraggled Ben standing on a lonely road with the image of Brother Justin (with arms raised to the heavens) behind and above him. Then of course, I always love the packaging that comes out of HBO Home Entertainment. I think the higher price of these sets has to defray the cost of producing such nice DVD cases and boxes.

As the second season begins, the enigmatic Professor Lodz (Patrick Bachau) is dead and it would appear that Ben is responsible. Samson, the manager of the carnival, helps Ben get rid of the body and lies to everyone else about his whereabouts. In the meantime, Brother Justin has built a temple in California and prepares for whatever destiny is to be his. As the carnival moves towards California, bringing the two men inexorably closer, tensions mount in both camps. Each of the 12 episodes offers more pieces of the puzzle; leading up to what we gather will be the ultimate face-off between Ben and Justin.

The DVD from HBO delivers a magnificent transfer as each episode looks and sounds perfect. And for dessert, the set offers up a few nicely put together special features. Three of the episodes have commentaries from Creator Daniel Knauf, Executive Producer Howard Klein, Director Rodrigo Garcia and actors Clancy Brown and Clea Duvall. It was especially gratifying to hear from Brown, who I've always felt was one of the more underrated actors in Hollywood. His turn as Brother Justin is often terrifying to watch, and I loved hearing him get to talk about the character. There is also a thirty minute documentary called "Magic & Myth: The Meaning of Carnivale", where the producers, writers and directors all get an opportunity to fill us in on what their answers were to some of the show's greater mysteries. Add to this a featurette on how the creators brought the Daily Brothers Show to life and a look at the Museum of Television and Radio's panel discussion about the show, featuring members of the cast and crew.

There are so many reasons why "Carnivale" appealed to me aside from the terrific acting and mystifying plot arc. I've always had a love for the carnival world, going so far as to having considered running away with one when I was a teenager. Recently I even had the opportunity to work with the Brother's Grimm Side Show, and got to hang out with the likes of The Enigma (who you've seen on "The X-Files"), Katzen, William Darke, Danielle De Meux (who was also part of the rock band Gwar), and Tyler Fyre. These are true people of the carnival, undoubtedly the offspring of those who wandered through the depression era in the carnivals of old. So this series, cancelled in it’s prime, comes highly recommended.

Episodes:
Los Moscos
Alamogordo, NM
Ingram, TX
Old Cherry Blossom Road
Creed, OK
The Road to Damascus
Damascus, NE
Outskirts, Damascus, NE
Lincoln Highway
Cheyenne, WY
Outside New Canaan
New Canaan, CA

Starring: Nick Stahl, Clancy Brown, Clea Duvall, Michael J. Anderson, Adrienne Barbeau
Extras: Commentary by creator Daniel Knauf, executive producer Howard Klein, director Rodrigo Garcia, and cast members Clancy Brown and Clea Duvall on three episodes, "Magic and Myth: The Meaning of Carnivale": half-hour documentary exploring the apocalyptic writing and mythology behind the show, "Creating the Scene" featurettes: Find out how Carnivale's creators brought the Daily Brothers show--and its Scorpion Lady, He/She and Praying Mantis--to life, Museum of Television and Radio panel discussion with cast and crew
Specifications: Widescreen (1.78:1), Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Studio: HBO
Release Date: 7/18/2006
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website

We'll give Carnivale: Season 2 an A.