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COLLECTION · Series · 2003

Carnivàle

Carnivàle is an American television series set in the United States during the Great Depression and Dust Bowl. In tracing the lives of two disparate groups of people, its overarching story depicts the battle between good and evil and the struggle between free will and destiny; the storyline mixes Christian theology with gnosticism and Masonic lore, particularly that of the Knights Templar.

Source: TMDB
* 7.9 (459)DramaFantasyMysteryScience FictionUnited States
Creators
Daniel Knauf
Countries
United States
Studios
HBO · 3 Arts Entertainment
Runtime
54 min/ep
Age rating
TV-MA
Release
14/09/2003
Score
7.9 / 10 (459)

Awards and nominations

  • Win – Artios Award : "Best Casting for TV, Dramatic Pilot", 2004
  • Win – VES Award : "Outstanding Special Effects in Service to Visual Effects in a Televised Program, Music Video or Commercial", 2004
  • Win – Costume Designers Guild Award : "Excellence in Costume Design for Television – Period/Fantasy", 2005
  • Nominated – two Golden Reel Awards , 2003
  • Nominated – two Saturn Awards , 2004
  • Nominated – two VES Awards , 2004
  • Nominated – Costume Designers Guild Award , 2005
Where to watch
Streaming
HBO Max Amazon ChannelHBO Max Amazon ChannelYouTube TVYouTube TVHBO MaxHBO Max
Rent
Amazon VideoAmazon Video
Buy
Amazon VideoAmazon VideoApple TV StoreApple TV StoreGoogle Play MoviesGoogle Play MoviesFandango At HomeFandango At Home
Seasons and episodes
Specials
Specials
3 episodes
Episode 1. The Making of Carnivàle
54 min

Behind-the-scenes featurette detailing how set and constume designers collaborated to achieve the look of the Dustbowl in the 1930s.

Episode 2. Discussion With Cast and Creators
54 min

Courtesy of the Museum of Television & Radio.

Episode 3. Magic & Myth
26 min

The Meaning of Carnivàle - a half-hour documentary exploring the apocalyptic writing and mythology behind the series with cast and crew.

Season 1
Season 1
12 episodes · 2003
Milfay
Episode 1. Milfay
2003-09-14 · 58 min

Ben reluctantly joins the carnival after the bank forecloses on his family's Oklahoma farm. Brother Justin has a bizarre encounter with a poor parishioner. Sofie has a run-in at a small-town gas station.

After the Ball Is Over
Episode 2. After the Ball Is Over
2003-09-21 · 57 min

Ben uncovers a piece of his past as a result of Jones' sense of humor. Justin tries to persuade a parishioner to make a deal in real estate. Sofie endures a frightening mishap involving her mother. Samson changes the carnival's course.

Tipton
Episode 3. Tipton
2003-09-28 · 50 min

Ben is the main attraction when Samson refashions the carnival as a religious revival to satisfy a town's moral underpinnings. Justin has a powerful ally in a fight against city hall. Sofie accompanies Ben on a journey into his past.

Black Blizzard
Episode 4. Black Blizzard
2003-10-05 · 47 min

Jones looks to management when the crew turns mutinous. Appolonia is displeased with Sofie's romantic tastes. Justin faces a difficult choice between his congregations. Ben is tested by Lodz.

Babylon
Episode 5. Babylon
2003-10-12 · 49 min

Samson tries to improve the troupe's spirits with a night of revelry. Ben has an enlightening experience at the bottom of a mineshaft. A group of miners is anxious for entertainment.

Pick a Number
Episode 6. Pick a Number
2003-10-19 · 57 min

Revenge-minded carnies practice their own form of retribution. Justin encounters a group of hobos on his journey of self-discovery. Ben returns from another strange experience.

The River
Episode 7. The River
2003-10-26 · 52 min

After a recent tragedy, Stumpy and Rita Sue debate their future in the carnival. In her brother's absence, Iris receives help from a radio reporter. Ben helps Ruthie with her act.

Lonnigan, Texas
Episode 8. Lonnigan, Texas
2003-11-02 · 58 min

Lodz disagrees with Samson's decision to send Ben on a business trip for the carnival. A radio-show host tries to help find a wandering Justin. Sofie considers a career change.

Insomnia
Episode 9. Insomnia
2003-11-09 · 46 min

Ben tries to escape his dreams by staying awake. Iris uses a radio ally to help locate Justin. Samson goes back to the drawing board to increase business.

Hot and Bothered
Episode 10. Hot and Bothered
2003-11-16 · 53 min

Ben and Samson go in search of the mysterious Scudder. Sofie accuses her mother of foul play. Lodz waits patiently for Ben to fall asleep. Justin returns to Mintern with a new plan.

Day of the Dead
Episode 11. Day of the Dead
2003-11-23 · 55 min

Rita Sue teaches a newcomer a few tricks of the trade. Balthus is nervous about Tommy Dolan's allegations. Lodz gets approval from Management to help Ben.

The Day That Was the Day
Episode 12. The Day That Was the Day
2003-11-30 · 55 min

A distraught Ben finally meets with Management. In California, Balthus and Justin deal with the tragic undercurrents of their ministry. Stumpy and Rita Sue try to save their marriage. Samson must think fast when the law comes to the…

Season 2
Season 2
12 episodes · 2005
Los Moscos
Episode 1. Los Moscos
2005-01-09 · 51 min

The Dust Bowl circus troupe deals with the fallout from a fatal fire and, in California, Brother Justin reaches new converts on the radio. Lila wonders what happened to Lodz. Ben takes off to find Scudder.

Alamogordo, NM
Episode 2. Alamogordo, NM
2005-01-16 · 52 min

The troupe sends out search parties when a distraught Sofie goes missing. Justin and Iris welcome a new housekeeper. Samson accuses Stumpy of skimming. Ben visits an old acquaintance of Scudder's in New Mexico.

Ingram, TX
Episode 3. Ingram, TX
2005-01-23 · 51 min

Dolan continues his quest to get to the bottom of the Ministry arson. Gabriel gets into the act with Ruthie, who experiences another supernatural vision. Ben happens upon some distant relatives.

Old Cherry Blossom Road
Episode 4. Old Cherry Blossom Road
2005-01-30 · 57 min

Lila hasn't given up trying to find out what happened to the missing Lodz. Iris begs her brother not to harbor so many secrets. Jones finds new work for Sofie. Balthus sees another display of Justin's power.

Creed, OK
Episode 5. Creed, OK
2005-02-06 · 57 min

After a conversation with Ruthie, Sofie reaches out to Ben; Stumpy wagers on an important fight. Dolan puts pressure on Justin, who sees things in a new light after receiving a mysterious gift. Stroud's quest to find Ben continues.

The Road to Damascus
Episode 6. The Road to Damascus
2005-02-13 · 57 min

Samson runs into an old acquaintance when the troupe crosses paths with another carnival. Rita Sue's business decisions give Stumpy fits. Justin and Iris struggle with a tough sermon. Libby's honor is in need of defense.

Damascus, NE
Episode 7. Damascus, NE
2005-02-20 · 46 min

Stroud is closing in on Ben, who pays a visit to a run-down hotel. Justin and Iris pacify a bishop with a good meal. Sabina shares her secrets with Libby; the troupe is concerned about Sofie. Jones gets a favor from Libby.

Outskirts, Damascus, NE
Episode 8. Outskirts, Damascus, NE
2005-02-27 · 54 min

A local politician receives Iris and Justin's support. Ruthie tries to hide from her visions. Rita Sue takes charge of Stumpy's debt. Smith sees trouble for Justin. Sofie gets new work. Libby has shocking news for her parents.

Lincoln Highway, UT
Episode 9. Lincoln Highway, UT
2005-03-06 · 53 min

Ruthie's latest vision leaves evidence behind. Lila hasn't given up her search for the missing Lodz. Eleanor goes on a picnic with Iris. Justin's powers calm a chaotic gathering.

Cheyenne, WY
Episode 10. Cheyenne, WY
2005-03-13 · 52 min

Justin has help avoiding a disaster. Iris locates another branch of her family tree. Stroud tries a strength-in-numbers approach. Libby is cowed by her mother's authority. Ruthie pays another late-night visit to Lila.

Outside New Canaan
Episode 11. Outside New Canaan
2005-03-20 · 56 min

Lila voices her opposition to Samson's itinerary for the troupe. Justin's baptism of the faithful coincides with another tragedy and a startling event in the migrant camp. Libby pleads with Jones to reveal his secret. Sofie sees a…

New Canaan, CA
Episode 12. New Canaan, CA
2005-03-27 · 53 min

Samson tries to stay a step ahead of impending chaos. Stroud does his best to protect Justin. Ben's powers face the ultimate test.

Cast by season
Nick Stahl
Nick Stahl
Ben Hawkins
Clancy Brown
Clancy Brown
Brother Justin
Michael J. Anderson
Michael J. Anderson
Samson
Tim DeKay
Tim DeKay
Clayton Jones
Clea DuVall
Clea DuVall
Sofie
?
Cynthia Ettinger
Rita Sue Dreifuss
Carla Gallo
Carla Gallo
Libby Dreifuss
Adrienne Barbeau
Adrienne Barbeau
Ruthie
Amy Madigan
Amy Madigan
Iris Crowe
Toby Huss
Toby Huss
Stumpy Dreifuss
Debra Christofferson
Debra Christofferson
Lila
?
Brian Turk
Gabriel
Ralph Waite
Ralph Waite
Norman Belthus
Diane Salinger
Diane Salinger
Apollonia
John Fleck
John Fleck
Gecko
Comments

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User reviews
T
tsdenizen
★ 7.0 / 10
This show was insanely cool and had the potential to be one of HBO's best ever shows. Seriously, I'd take these two seasons over just about anything the premium channel has put out. There's a level of creativity and thoughtfulness that is near unheard of in TV. Unfortunately, these seasons amount to god-tier set-up for shit-hits-the-fan moments that we never got to see. As soon as we were going to get some big pay-offs, Carnivàle was cancelled. Nobody watched it: it was too slow, too smart, too weird for its time. This is one of the biggest creative what-ifs ever in my opinion. I still love these seasons, but rewatching them know that the story doesn't get its proper end isn't too appealing. Still can't rate it lower though: what we got was way too good.
TMDB
Keywords
tarot cardscarnivalchosen onestripteasegreat depressionsurrealismevil preacherperiod dramatraveling circuscarny
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