Film School Rejects » Californication Recap

Californication 3.3 Review – Verities & Balderdash

Robert Fure — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 18:55:26 +0000

Californication airs Sunday night at 10pm on Showtime.

3.3 Verities & Balderdash

Synopsis: Professor Moody and daughter Becca head out to the annual English Department Fall Mixer at Dean Koons’s house and things go marginally better than one would expect. Consummate lady-consumer Hank attempts to set himself up for the triple play by making advances on student Jackie, sharing a moment with boss Felicia Koons, and teaching teacher’s aide Jill how to cope with relationships the Moody way.

Review: Bravo. Bravo. No, not the network. The accolade. This most recent episode of the show was fantastic. It’s absolutely everything you want from Hank Moody. He is at times brash and at times sensitive, or at least putting on airs to make some headway with a lady. We’re treated to a most excellent sequence of stripper-student Jackie shaking her money makers, a most welcome site that Hank provides delightful color commentary for. At the party, Hank manages to not ruin anything or totally offend anyone, which is surprising. He also, unsurprisingly, manages to score some poontang, which is what we expect of that dastardly fellow.

One strange tidbit though – at the end of last weeks episode Hank and Becca shared some most unloving remarks to each other and absolutely nothing was made of it this episode. It’s strange that there was no aftershock, though I can’t say I’m sad to see it missing. My preferred Californication is all about Hank and the latter part of the title (fornication, duh), as well as some snappy, witty remarks and banter. I’m not turning in for lovey-dovey family shit. Karen was again mostly absent and again I’m not missing it. The Runkle situation has improved somewhat as he signs singer-actor Rick Springfield, makes a questionable dip into the employee pool, and still sets his sights on Marcy, who’s anti-Charlie resolve seems to be dwindling.

This was a good episode with some quintessential Moody moments. Wisely this season the show has managed to figure out a direction they could take for several seasons – Hank as a professor. Season one was all about catching Karen, while season two was all about trying to keep her. There is only so much you can do with that type of plotting and thankfully it’s been ejected and we’re on a path that I would love to see play out for several seasons.

Coming Up: Hank and Becca go shopping where Becca tries to upgrade her look and Hank looks like he wants a crack at the triple-play of Jill-Jackie-Felicia. Sexy times!

TV Review: Californication Season Finale Leaves A Little Death In Your Heart

Rob Hunter — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 16:46:18 +0000

Californication, Showtime, Airs Sundays 10pm E/P

Episode: “La Petite Mort” (Season Two, Episode Twelve)

Synopsis: Hank completes his biography of Lew Ashby. Mia departs LA for her cross-country book tour. Sonja gives birth to a baby who is decidedly not Hank’s. Fortunately, Julian steps up to the plate. Charlie is reduced to working at a BMW dealership in the valley. After Daisy reveals that she slept with another guy, Charlie expresses his regret to an unsympathetic Marcy. Karen decides to take a job in New York City — the family can finally relocate back home. Hank and a heartsick Becca are thrilled. But when Becca and Damien patch things up and she decides she wants to remain in LA, Hank decides to stay behind for his daughter.

Review: Fuck you Tom Kapinos.

Ashby’s dead. Just kidding, Ashby’s alive. No really, Ashby’s dead.

So I say again, fuck you Mr. Kapinos.

Okay, I’ll lay off the show’s creator/lead writer for now, and focus on the what didn’t suck ass about the season finale. Which was basically everything else. Californication has been the funniest and most believably heartfelt show on TV for the past three months, and aside from the Ashby fiasco it ends it’s second season with those same high standards. Everyone’s story line gets a conclusion, and some characters get an actual send-off. Ashby shuffled off his mortal coil permanently, Mia heads on a cross-country book tour with her stolen tome, Runkle gets the boot from Marcy and Daisy, and Karen leaves for New York sans family. Hank and Becca are left alone in LA which is fitting in a sense as his daughter has always been the most important person in his life. He fought for Karen, repeatedly, but inevitably accepted defeat on more than one occasion. He’s never given up on Becca though, and like he tells Karen before she leaves for the East coast, “At the end of the day it’s all about her. It’s always been about her. What happens between us I can’t control… But what I can do is be the absolute best I can be for her.”

Hank and Karen were handled much better in this finale than last. Much more believable as well. It’s clear they love each other, but sometimes that isn’t enough. They, as well as Kapinos, have learned that ignoring reality, jumping into the back seat of a car, and driving off into the moonlight isn’t always the best answer. So this time, Karen flies off into the sunset by herself. Runkle’s chances for a reunion with Marcy look non-existent, which is fine. She’s not entertaining and he’s still a disgusting pig. Jerking off on the living room couch… did he even have a clean-up plan? And how does Hank stand to share breathing space with Mia? She stole his best work in years, blackmailed him with it, acts like a bitch, and has become less and less attractive since the she first punched him post orgasm last season.

The writing in this episode featured some of the sharpest and smartest dialogue of the season. Hank’s argument against Sonja’s unborn child being his was classic Moody. “I’m not entirely convinced it’s mine. I never came inside her, I don’t think I did, unless when she bronco-ed me I spasmed out a little dog water. I’m still holding out hope she banged some dude in the PF Chang’s parking lot while she was looking for Mr. Goodbar. I think that’s an entirely plausible scenario.” He describes Daisy and her new-found interest in acting classes as a “deep-throating Lucille Ball.” And Damien’s defense of his moment of infidelity from last week was pretty convincing too, “If a beautiful girl is kind enough to kiss you, you kiss her right back. Because who knows where that kiss is going to take you.” Maybe ‘convincing’ is a bit of a stretch, but it definitely has a certain charm and wisdom to it.

So… Ashby. It’s not worth bitching and moaning over his death. It’s a done deal, and an irreversible and asinine decision on the part of Kapinos. Some may attempt to argue that Ashby, who was often compared to Hank, represented the unchecked id that Hank always threatened to become. While Hank fought for Karen and Becca, Ashby lived a life where he had given up on love and familial trappings. Killing off Ashby could be seen as a metaphorical necessity to show that Hank made the right choice, and that his fight for his family, while ongoing, will be worth it in the end. Or it could be an incredibly lame attempt at provoking an immediate emotional response from a show that has only done that one other time in it’s history… and yes I’m referring to the final ten seconds of last season. But there was one good thing to come of Ashby’s passing, and it was on display early in the episode. The bronze statue of a golfing, kilt-wearing Ashby, complete with metallic cock dangling to his knees, was a perfect memorial to the man.

I haven’t heard yet if Showtime has picked Californication up for a third season, but I think it’s pretty much a given. It’s a been a big hit for the pay network as well as a source of much critical acclaim. As far as where they could go with the show, your guess is as good as mine. Here are couple suggestions though… I’d like Mia to try to write her own book, and have it fail miserably. And I’d like a crossover episode between Californication and HBO’s Entourage. Hank can visit Karen in NYC… the Chase boys and their friends are already hanging in Queens… Hank’s a screenwriter and Vinnie’s an actor in search of a solid script… what’s not to love about this idea?

TV Review: Californication Sings The ‘Blues From Laurel Canyon’

Rob Hunter — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 03:39:14 +0000

Californication, Showtime, Airs Sundays 10pm E/P

Episode: “Blues From Laurel Canyon” (Season Two, Episode Eleven)

Synopsis: To celebrate the release of Mia’s book, Ashby hosts a soiree at the manor. At the party, Karen reveals to Hank that she hasn’t read Mia’s book. Back from rehab, Marcy tries to avoid the powdered temptation all around her. Becca is devastated when she discovers Damien making out with another girl. And, after spotting Daisy with Ronny Praeger, Charlie tells Marcy he wants a divorce. Later, just as the madness is winding down, Janie Jones arrives. As Ashby tries to work up the courage to go downstairs to see her, he does a line of some very bad coke.

Review: Creator/writer Tom Kapinos is a cruel man. The worst aspect of his particular meanness is that he’s normally so kind. Last season, the first, was one of the best premiere seasons of any show ever. Consistently funny, touching, smart, sexy… then Kapinos fucked it up in the last three minutes of the finale with an illogical family reunion that predictably didn’t last long into this season. Well it looks like Kapinos is trying to out-do himself on the cruelty front this season, albeit an episode early… but let’s review the rest of this week’s episode first.

Ashby’s mansion is the setting for Mia’s book party and most of the episode, and quite a bit happens within it’s walls. Mia continues to be a mouthy, idiotic, and unattractive bitch. Now that the book’s out, I hope this character and plot line gets dropped. I fully expect it to return at some point so Karen can finally discover Hank’s sexual victimization at the hands of Mia, but until then can Mia exit the show gracefully please? She hasn’t disrobed in forever, and honestly what else does she have to offer lately?

The Charlie/Marcy/Daisy triangle explodes with style in the middle of the party, with Charlie making another in a long line of historically stupid moves. Hank’s efforts to avert the disaster are noteworthy and entertaining, but the Runkle disaster train is unstoppable and he proclaims his desire for a divorce and a Daisy. We’re spared Marcy’s wrath thanks to an impromptu chick fight that can only be stopped with a shotgun blast to the ceiling. No one ever questions it, but this is the second gunshot to the ceiling and am I the only one thinking someone upstairs could easily have the foot blown off by these shenanigans?

Ashby meanwhile continues to be the second best character on the show, behind only Hank in the amount of laughter, interest, and sincerity he generates. He steps in to help Becca with her boyfriend dilemma and shows Karen and the audience how sensitive and aware he can be. He helps out Hank with the Rolling Stone reporter’s rumors and while it caters to Ashby’s need for attention it also took the heat off Hank in a quick and painless way. And when Janie Jones shows up at his party and Hank rushes up to tell him she’s there, Ashby becomes nervous, scared, excited… it’s sweet and I thought my expectation that Janie had already left would be the worst-case scenario.

I was wrong. Ashby is quite possibly dead due to some bad coke. And Tom Kapinos is an asshole.

Up Next Week: ** Special Joe G Edition ** Some stuff happens next week. It’s the season finale.

TV Review: Californication Goes ‘In Utero’

Rob Hunter — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 01:36:12 +0000

Californication, Showtime, Airs Sundays 10pm E/P

Episode: “In Utero” (Season Two, Episode Ten)

Synopsis: While Hank nervously awaits the results of his biopsy, he reflects on his relationship with Karen, and we flashback to the beginning of their stormy union — an event that coincides with the tragic overdose of a famous grunge rocker. Meanwhile, Daisy tells Charlie that she’s moving out, but Charlie doesn’t want to let her go.

Review: For the second time this season, Hank finds himself in a chair, legs open wide, and another man playing with his balls. He gets a biopsy on the testicular lump discovered last episode, and spends most of this week’s episode worrying about the result. It’s a sobering event in anyone’s life, and Hank, along with show creator Tom Kapinos, finds a way to balance the seriousness of the situation while maintaining a sense of humor. The doctor, still between Hank’s legs, pauses to ask Hank what he’s working on these days. “I’m working on trying to figure out what that fucking lump in my junk is, that’s what I’m working on.” The wait for the test results is alternated with flashbacks to Hank and Karen’s discovery that not only has Kurt Cobain died, but she’s pregnant as well. So one event that may effect the music world, and one involving a dead rock star.

The story told in the flashbacks, the couple dealing with the pregnancy news and actually becoming a couple, is a fun look back to their beginning. As interesting and ultimately extremely touching as those flashbacks were, David Duchovny and Natascha McElhone playing fourteen years younger is a bit of a stretch. The Forrest Gump movie poster was a nice touch, but the hat Hank was wearing as they said their goodbyes? More goofy than convincing. But that absurdity was minor in the grand scheme of the episode. The struggle was nice, as was the admission that they’re both cheating on others by being together. In the real world that wouldn’t bode well for a relationship, but here it seems fitting. I’m surprised the show took this long to actually reveal the beginning of their courtship, but it pairs perfectly with the revelation of Hank’s mortality.

Hank had funny lines about his cock, “I consider that whole area, general area, like from my knees to my nipples… cock.” Hank has realizations that probably won’t last, “I’m a father, I’m not great. A great father is the guy that gives it all up for his family and leaves his self-destructive bullshit at the door. There isn’t a woman that I’ve met that I haven’t fallen in love with for ten minutes or ten years. What about the one woman who threw it in with me. Took that massive leap of faith just to be with me. What did I do? I fucked that up.” Hank seals the deal fourteen years ago with a perfectly worded letter to Karen that not only begins their relationship, but shows why they’ll go the distance no matter how many obstacles end up in their way. Kapinos is a master at writing truly heartfelt dialogue and observations (yes Cole, even better than Nicolas Sparks.) Hopefully they won’t save the couple’s reunion for the last moments of the season (just two episodes away) like there’s actually a chance they won’t get back together.

And then, as always, there’s Charlie Runkle. His mid-life crisis is in full swing, aided and abetted by the porn star with daddy issues. He should be leaving Marcy soon, and like I said last week, good riddance. She was always more annoying than entertaining anyway. Although I don’t honestly believe his relationship with Daisy has any staying power.

Bottom line? Excellent episode. Excellent show. Excellent season so far…

Up Next Week: To celebrate the release of Mia’s book, Ashby hosts a soiree at the manor. Back from rehab, Marcy tries to avoid the powdered temptation all around her

TV Review: Californication 2.9 – La Ronde

Rob Hunter — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 20:18:10 +0000

Californication, Showtime, Airs Sundays 10pm E/P

Episode: “La Ronde” (Season Two, Episode Nine)

Synopsis: Hank meets Janie Jones for a date at a Venice art gallery, where they bump into a very pregnant Sonja and Julian. After a quick escape, Janie invites Hank back to her place, but he declines. Karen goes on an impromptu date, of sorts, with Lew Ashby. She returns home to find Hank waiting with the big news that he did not sleep with another woman. And, after a congratulatory roll in the sack, Karen finds a disturbing lump on Hank’s groin. Meanwhile, with Marcy in rehab, Charlie is left to hold down the fort at her waxing salon. And he and Daisy bond over Dirty Dancing.

Review: Were I the one in charge of titles for the show, this episode would be called “Musical Vaginas.” Luckily, the job title belongs to someone else. But seriously, this week’s episode found everyone in motion romantically speaking, and none of the women were in the right hands. (Sure the same can obviously be said of the guys as well, but “musical penis” doesn’t have the same ring to it.) Hank was with Janie, Lew’s ex. Lew was with Karen, Hank’s ex. Charlie was with Daisy, and Marcy was in rehab, but spoke of kissing another guy at the airport. And Becca was missing all together.

I’m really enjoying the story arc involving the quadrangle of Hank, Karen, Lew, and Janie. If the wrong two mix too hot and heavy there’s going to be a fantastic clash of egos between Hank and Lew. The two of them continue to be one of the more entertaining duos on TV. Their banter is priceless, hysterical, and sometimes painful as they reveal their pains behind the barbs. “Your labia got in the way of that one,” Lew tells Hank after a mishandled golf swing. Funny stuff. Would the heterosexual soul-mates survive if either the Lew/Karen or Hank/Janie pairings actually rubbed naughty bits? I’m curious to find out the answer to that one, but I don’t want the friendship to end…

And Charlie… oh Charlie. Is he actually falling in love with Daisy the pornlet (porn starlet?) She seems sincere, she’s sexually adventurous, and she seemingly cured him of his quick draw problem, but is she for real? She’s working out some unspoken daddy issues here, and Charlie is bound to get hurt. In the real world I’d say he should drop her now so he doesn’t fall any deeper, but this TV so maybe the pair will actually make things work. Either way, it looks like the end for little Marcy, which wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing.

Hank’s efforts to reunite Lew and Janie would make a great epilogue to the book he’s writing, but I think he’s taking a personal stake in the outcome as well. The two couples have obvious similarities, and maybe Hank thinks a success for one would guarantee a reunion of the other. The first season ended with the absurd and unabashedly gleeful Moody clan driving off together. Will this season give the characters and viewers two happy endings? And will they be spaced twenty minutes apart?

What did you think of this week’s episode? Only three left in the season… where do you see things heading?

TV Review: Californication 2.8 – Down and Out In Beverly Hills

Rob Hunter — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:21:15 +0000

Californication, Showtime, Airs Sundays 10pm E/P

Episode: “Down and Out In Beverly Hills” (Season Two, Episode Eight)

Synopsis: Hank spends the day at the home of Janie Jones trying to get the back story on her relationship with Lew Ashby. When Janie’s husband comes home early, Hank is forced to bide his time in the pool house with the Jones family maid, Rosario. When Karen learns that Mia is having an affair with Ashby, she heads to his house to confront him but winds up having a tender heart-to-heart with the legendary producer instead. Meanwhile, Charlie sends Marcy to her mother’s house to detox and succumbs to temptation with Daisy.

Review: How the show can open with sexpot Mia singing a song entitled “Your Face Is That Place” and not have Hank or Ashby make a reference to her sitting on their respective faces… or maybe I’m just capable of reading sex into absolutely anything. In retrospect though, it was one of only two lazy dialogue choices. The other being Karen calling Hank the “mouth rapist” again. It’s seven episodes later and it’s been referenced almost as many times. Give it a break! The rest were mostly winners though including Charlie’s heartfelt query, “who says shrimping is niche?” and his admission that he shame jizzes. My favorite though would actually be Hank’s aside about “spanglish” being “an underrated movie in my opinion,” which of course is funny due to who starred in Spanglish.

On to the plot! Hank’s quest to explore Janie Jones results in a “dip in the pool and a dip in the maid” but it ends with Mrs. Jones hitting on him. I can’t say I didn’t see that development coming since she was first introduced, but still it bodes well for some fireworks between Hank and Ashby. And while we’re on the subject of Mrs. Jones… Mädchen Amick is stunningly sexy for thirty-eight years old. Just saying. I’m curious what they’ll do with the Hank/Janie plot-line, as I’m thinking it’d be more than a little rude to bang the girl he’s trying to return to Ashby. But there’s a nice symmetry developing by the episode’s end when Karen acknowledges to Hank that Ashby’s “a great kisser.” Should be quite interesting.

Charlie’s life continues to roll onward towards who knows what. The man’s lost his job, his car, and his life savings, but he still manages to hang onto his expensive home. Then he gets to send away Cokie Smurf for some familial rehab leaving him alone and free to screw the porn star. This is a good thing because Marcy is more annoying these days than entertaining, and I’ve been sick of hearing her call him “daddy” for many episodes now. And I realize Charlie is more than a little sick in the sack, but what’s with his fascination with pseudo-youthful sex partners? The skanky, pale, flat-chested secretary, the sweet, not-so-innocent, flat-chested Daisy, and the diminutive wife that calls him “daddy” all show Runkle to be a fan of father-figure fornication. Granted, that’s still better than actually sleeping with an underage girl. (Hank and Ashby take note…)

A good episode overall, but it seems to be more of a setup for future actions than an episode of action itself. What’s going to happen between Hank and Janie? Hank and Karen? Karen and Ashby? Ashby and Mia? Mia and Becca? (Kidding, just making sure you’re paying attention.)

Up Next Week: Hank meets Janie Jones for a date at a Venice art gallery, where they bump into a very pregnant Sonja and Julian. After a quick escape, Janie invites Hank back to her place, but he declines. Karen goes on an impromptu date, of sorts, with Lew Ashby. Meanwhile, with Marcy in rehab, Charlie is left to hold down the fort at her waxing salon. And he and Daisy bond over Dirty Dancing.

TV Review: Californication 2.7 – In a Lonely Place

Rob Hunter — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 05:25:13 +0000

Californication, Showtime, Airs Sundays 10pm E/P

Episode: “In a Lonely Place” (Season Two, Episode Seven)

Synopsis: Hank and Karen attend a parent-teacher conference at Becca’s high school. Hank hits it off with the English teacher, Mrs. Patterson, only to discover that this latest possible conquest is also the mother of Becca’s boyfriend Damien. Meanwhile, Charlie and Marcy take a frightened Daisy into their home. When Daisy’s former manager shows up for reparations, Marcy is forced to reveal that she’s spent their cash stash on cocaine, forcing Charlie to hand over the keys to his prized convertible.

Review: I’ve been saying it, and I’m going to keep saying it… this is one of the best shows on TV, and easily the best at flawlessly combining laughs and heart. We’ll start with the laughs. Hank’s back-and-forth with Ashby continues to entertain as the two of them play off each other beautifully. The duo has awesome timing and chemistry, and I’d almost like Hank and Karen to stay split just to accommodate the living arrangement at Ashby’s abode. As far as the music producer’s fleshy contortions with Mia, I’m fairly certain the affair is illegal in the state of California. She’s seventeen right? I’d think Karen would have a bigger issue with Mia’s fling with an older man.

And hello to Justine Bateman and her generous thicket! I’m a fan of the Bateman siblings, and it’s good to see this one talking dirty. Her banter with Hank before and after they shtup was great, but the highlight was easily Hank’s butt-ass naked reveal to her son… who turns out to be Becca’s boyfriend… who sees the menstrual blood on Hank’s nether regions and asks “Did you hurt her?!” Definitely a laugh out loud dialogue exchange. Bateman is also great when Hank has to promise her son that he’ll never fuck his mom again. Her disappointment is evident and hilarious. “Boys we don’t have to be so quick to… fine.”

The Charlie and Marcy saga continues to be the show’s slightly oddball segment. Aside from Charlie’s stroll through the Hustler store with Hank, he provided no laughs this week. Instead, we get the reveal that Marcy’s drug problem is bigger than Charlie thought, although it seemed pretty damned obvious. Sending her away opens the door for Charlie to stick more than a tip into Daisy’s sweet flower which would normally cause repercussions in a marriage, but I honestly don’t see how it could with these two. Aside from the absence of laughter, the other recent standard in Charlie’s storyline is a healthy dose of the unbelievable. The porno thugs that come busting into Charlie house… call the fucking cops! They’re trespassing, vandalizing, threatening, and physically assaulting (well restraining anyway) Marcy. On top of which, the scummy van dude fired her a few episodes ago when he kicked her out of the Slam Van didn’t he? I’d fight that sleazy contract before I’d give up my car.

As usual with Californication, the meaty heart of it all shows up towards the end. Becca’s given her fair share of speeches to both Hank and Karen in the past, but this week’s was easily the most powerful and true. “I’m sick and tired of parenting you both. I’m a fucking kid! I don’t know what I’m doing half the time.” Madeleine Martin’s usual cadence is disrupted as she chokes up, and much like almost everything about this show, it was perfectly played. Five episodes left, and just like last season, it’s the most consistently great show currently on TV.

Up Next Week: Hank spends the day at the home of Janie Jones trying to get the back story on her relationship with Lew Ashby. When Janie’s husband comes home early, Hank is forced to bide his time in the pool house with the Jones family maid, Rosario. When Karen learns that Mia is having an affair with Ashby, she races to his house to confront him but winds up having a tender heart-to-heart with the legendary producer instead. Meanwhile, Charlie sends Marcy to her mother’s house to detox and succumbs to temptation with Daisy.

For more coverage of your favorite shows, check out the Control Freaks Archive.

Did you catch this week’s episode of Californication? If so, feel free to discuss below.

TV Review: Californication 2.6 – Coke Dick & the First Kick

Rob Hunter — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 03:36:17 +0000

Californication, Showtime, Airs Sundays 10pm E/P

Episode: “Coke Dick & the First Kick” (Season Two, Episode Six)

Synopsis: Hank decides to seek out Lew Ashby’s long lost love. He finds her in the surprising form of Beverly Hills mom Janie Jones. Later, Hank accidentally walks in on Julian going at it with a rocker chick he’s “mentoring.” When Hank confronts Sonja about the discovery she reveals that, much to her frustration, they have an open relationship. Mia spends the day trailed by Rolling Stone reporter Annika Staley. After finagling their way over to Ashby Manor, Hank takes a liking to Staley, but is shocked to discover Mia leaving Ashby’s bedroom later that night. Meanwhile, when a location falls through, the Runkle residence is transformed into the set of Vaginatown. The lead actor’s failings force Charlie is to step in for the money shot.

Review: This show continues to impress as one of the funniest on TV. Californication is firing on all fronts from hilarious prat-falls to hysterically innocuous statements like “I made a mess of your bush this morning.” Hank Moody’s bawdy wit may be “puerile” at times, but how do you resist a man who says he wants to “muff punch you with a typewriter?” Plenty of laughs this week, something which is quickly and happily becoming the norm, but there was a definite lack of heartfelt moments. I’m not complaining though, as the humor and the brief hint of drama we did get will easily tide me over another week.

Runkle’s porn plot-line continued and while it’s at least mildly entertaining, it’s also more than mildly unbelievable. Vaginatown looks to be nothing more than a soft-core romp… the cameras aren’t in any position to capture penetration shots. Obviously the show isn’t X-rated, but can they make the effort to make the shoot look real? The fact that Daisy was wearing a pair of big and tight undies while Runkle was supposedly porking her didn’t help the matter either. The other half of the Runkle storyline is Marcy’s ongoing cocaine addiction. I’m curious how far the show will allow her to spiral, because if she gets in too deep the issue may become a bit too serious for a half hour comedy show.

The two hints of seriousness we did get this week both stem from Hank’s reactions to women he’s banged. First, he finds Julian giving some hands-on mentoring to a young woman on the floor of Ashby’s home, and he’s immediately vindicated and concerned for Sonja. I fully expect Hank to knock Julian on his ass with a well-placed punch sometime in the near future. The second heartfelt moment from Hank comes as he heads to the kitchen for some post-coital lubrication and finds Ashby and Mia are screwing in the room next door. The look on Hank’s face is painful to see, and he could be moments away from punching Ashby. The Rolling Stone reporter comments that Hank’s fiction is misogynistic, but for all his sleeping around and questionable morals Hank cares more about women than anyone gives him credit for. Between his concern for the women he knows and for the women of Los Angeles in general, he’s the biggest fan of pussy on TV. Although I guess we’ve known that for some time now…

Up Next Week: Hank and Karen attend a parent-teacher conference at Becca’s high school. Hank hits it off with the English teacher, Mrs. Patterson, only to discover that this latest possible conquest is also the mother of Becca’s boyfriend Damien. Meanwhile, Charlie and Marcy take a frightened Daisy into their home. When Daisy’s former manager shows up for reparations, Marcy is forced to reveal that she’s spent their cash stash on cocaine, forcing Charlie’s to hand over the keys to his prized convertible.

For more coverage of your favorite shows, check out the Control Freaks Archive.

Did you catch this week’s episode of Californication? If so, feel free to discuss below.

TV Review: Californication 2.5 – Vaginatown

Rob Hunter — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 04:15:12 +0000

Californication, Showtime, Airs Sundays 10pm E/P

Episode: “Vaginatown” (Season Two, Episode Five)

Synopsis: After getting dumped by Karen, Hank is relegated to living at Ashby’s mansion. In order to distract Hank from his heartbreak, Ashby arranges a sex session with popular, yet incredibly annoying, celebrity chef, Chloe Metz. Meanwhile, Charlie takes on a new client, Daisy, who’s eager to land the lead in a porn film called Vaginatown. Charlie meets with the film’s director Ronny Praeger and secures her the part, but only after investing $100,000 of his own savings.

Review: Great shows start with great titles, and this week’s episode certainly has one… Vaginatown. I myself am not a porn aficionado, but if I were I think I’d be partial to the spoofs if only for the creativity that goes into the titles. Charlie’s venture into the world of porn seems fitting, and it’ll certainly provide endless opportunities for naked flesh and flying fluids, so I most definitely approve of this new direction. But on to the main plot-line…

This episode rocked the way almost all of last season rocked with a perfect balance of the raunchy and the heartfelt. The raunch comes courtesy of Hank’s current living arrangement with Ashby, which like Charlie’s new career, is guaranteed to provide a future bounty of sin. Yay! The banter between Hank and Chloe Metz (Meredith Monroe) during their energetic romp was hysterical… “Fuck me like I’m Al-Qaeda!” she screams… “I’m declaring jihad on your pussy!” he responds. She was a foul little minx throughout the episode and I loved it. Speaking of banter, the quick chats between Hank and Ashby have been priceless so far, both insanely funny and dirty as hell, and I hope Ashby stays around for he rest of the season. Callum Keith Rennie is doing a phenomenal job of making Ashby as intriguing as he is disgusting.

The final few minutes of the episode were some of the best of the season in regards to Hank and Karen’s love. Their pining is perfect and almost enough to forget how it was all almost thrown away at the end of last season. This relationship truly is the show’s strength… Hank and Karen’s desperate love for each other is a thing of beauty, as long as it remains unfulfilled. His pining on the side of the road while overlooking the city, her painting portraits she’ll never share with him… these are powerful images. Much like the idea of Hank’s “half black cock.”

Up Next Week: Hank decides to seek out Lew Ashby’s long lost love. He finds her in the surprising form of Beverly Hills mom Janie Jones. Later, Hank accidentally walks in on Julian going at it with a rocker chick he’s “mentoring.” When Hank confronts Sonja about the discovery she reveals that, much to her frustration, they have an open relationship. Mia spends the day trailed by Rolling Stone reporter Annika Staley. After finagling their way over to Ashby Manor, Hank takes a liking to Staley, but is shocked to discover Mia leaving Ashby’s bedroom later that night. Meanwhile, when a location falls through, the Runkle residence is transformed into the set of Vaginatown.

For more coverage of your favorite shows, check out the Control Freaks Archive.

Did you catch this week’s episode of Californication? If so, feel free to discuss below.

TV Review: Californication 2.4 – The Raw & the Cooked

Rob Hunter — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 15:41:07 +0000

Californication, Showtime, Airs Sundays 10pm E/P

Episode: “The Raw & the Cooked” (Season Two, Episode Four)

Synopsis: Hank and Karen throw a dinner party for a few close friends: Charlie and Marcy, who show up high, Ashby, Sonja, Julian and Mia. Becca and her new boyfriend Damien round out the group. Before everyone arrives, Hank pops the question, but Karen begs off to think it over. At dinner, it’s revealed that Hank is the likely father of Sonja’s baby. Becca stands up to Julian, much to Hank’s delight. And Ashby nearly dies of an allergic reaction to sushi. At the end of the evening, Karen makes a big decision about her relationship with Hank.

Review: This episode featured one of the best dinner party scenes ever. It’s extremely funny and terribly awkward at the same time. Hank’s proposal beforehand was both sweet and dirty, and Karen’s decision at the episode’s end was understandable… but all it does is bring us back around 180 degrees to where things were before last season’s finale. It’s definitely one way to bring the tension, hi-jinks, and drama back, but it seems like such an unnecessary three-episode detour. At the same time though, Becca’s response to Hank’s exit was heartbreaking and his reaction and expression towards his daughter’s disappointment was equally as painful.

But back to that dinner party… Charlie hasn’t been funny in a long time as he’s been too busy being annoying or disgusting. But this week’s episode had him tripping on E and entertaining the hell out of me the entire time. His fabric obsession was hysterical, and his helpful pen jab to Ashby’s thigh was fantastic. Ashby’s obtuse decision to bring Hank’s mouth-rape victim from episode one was inspired, and Becca’s date, Damien, had a couple nice lines/reactions towards Hank as well. Becca’s handling of Julian’s critique of “The Satanic Bible” may seem slightly out of line but it was also perfectly in line with her flatly incisive commentary on everything else. That clash began the awkwardness, but it was the pregnancy storyline between Sonja, Julian, and Hank that made things terribly uncomfortable.

And who triggered it? Why Mia of course! Someone please tell me why that nosy, cruel, and bitter bitch is still invited into their house? She’s mean-spirited and unlikable, and while those two traits can sometimes be a plus for a character she has absolutely nothing else to offer aside from causing trouble. She hasn’t even shown her giant nannies since last season.

Overall, a great episode that looks to be getting the show back to its roots of a pining Hank and a fickle Karen. Next week sees Hank shacking up with Ashby which promises a return to the sex and drug fueled Hank we know and love. The big question is can the show keep that momentum going without resorting to another happy reunion in the finale?

Up Next Week: After getting dumped by Karen, Hank is relegated to living at Ashby’s mansion. In order to distract Hank from his heartbreak, Ashby arranges a sex session with popular, yet incredibly annoying, celebrity chef, Chloe Metz. Meanwhile, Charlie takes on a new client, Daisy, who’s eager to land the lead in a porn film called Vaginatown.

For more coverage of your favorite shows, check out the Control Freaks Archive.

Did you catch this week’s episode of Californication? If so, feel free to discuss below.

TV Review: Californication 2.3 – No Way to Treat a Lady

Rob Hunter — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 19:29:50 +0000

Californication, Showtime, Airs Sundays 10pm E/P

Episode: “No Way to Treat a Lady” (Season Two, Episode Three)

Synopsis: On Hank’s (David Duchovny) first day as biographer to Lew Ashby (Callum Rennie), he’s re-introduced to Trixie (Judy Greer), the hooker with a heart of gold, who stirs up trouble by claiming that Hank is better in bed than Ashby. When Karen (Natascha McElhone) and Sonja (Paula Marshall) meet to discuss a renovation project, Julian interrupts to work his guru magic on Karen. Becca (Madeleine Martin) grudgingly starts her first day at Mia’s (Madeline Zima) private school, where she meets an unexpected friend, Damien. Meanwhile, Charlie (Evan Handler) spots one of Marcy’s clients, a porn actress named Daisy (Carla Gallo). While pitching himself as her agent, Charlie hops a ride with Daisy only to realize that he’s in the middle of an impromptu porn shoot.

Review: Hank starts his biography gig in earnest by spending his first full day with Ashby, and as expected, another sexual misunderstanding/coincidence upsets Karen. She walks in as Hank and Ashby are play fighting with Trixie looking on, and the hooker starts blabbering about having had sex with Hank. Karen doesn’t mistakenly think Trixie’s referring to that afternoon, which is good, but it still upsets her enough to cause some over-inflated drama later in the episode. The conversation she has with Hank on the subject is a good one, and it’s very believable (I’ve actually had a similar one…) But like he says, she can’t forgive him with one breath and continue to crucify him for the past with the next. It’s not good for the relationship, but it’s even worse for the show. This is the exact danger that last season’s finale created… how to keep interest and conflict when the couple is together and happy.

The handful of minor plotlines that ran throughout the episode all promise to become bigger later in the season. Becca’s found a new boy, appropriately named Damien, that will hopefully be drama-free for the poor girl. And I’m not sure what to expect from Sonja’s boyfriend, Julian. His move on Karen with the pressure points and racing pulse… is he hitting on her or just a weirdo? Karen doesn’t seem to be responding as of yet, so I don’t expect the show to move her towards a relationship with the guy, but who knows. Charlie meanwhile, unknowingly steps onto the Slam Van, which I’ve been told is a thinly veiled takeoff on the Bang Bus. I of course am not familiar with the series, but per Wikipedia… “Each video consists of a typical everywoman who is picked up on the street, and is then persuaded to engage in sexual intercourse with men in the back of a van – the titular Bang Bus. Each storyline usually ends with the woman being dropped off unpaid and in the wrong location, shouting at the men as they drive off laughing.” Which makes the Slam Van a pretty sloppy imitation as they never filmed her getting picked up or interviewed. Plus, that director dude really can’t have been any good angles from the back seat…

Up Next Week: Hank and Karen throw a dinner party for a few close friends: Charlie and Marcy, who show up high, Ashby, Sonja, Julian and Mia. Becca and her new boyfriend Damien round out the group.

For more coverage of your favorite shows, check out the Control Freaks Archive.

Is anyone besides me still watching this show?

TV Review: Californication 2.2 – The Great Ashby

Rob Hunter — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 03:14:36 +0000

Californication, Showtime, Airs Sundays 10pm E/P

Episode: “The Great Ashby” (Season Two, Episode Two)

Synopsis: Hank finds himself in jail after assaulting a mouthy police officer. Karen, still upset at Hank for his accident at the party, refuses to bail him out. In prison, Hank is reintroduced to fellow inmate Lew Ashby, who proposes that Hank write Ashby’s long-awaited biography. When Hank refuses, Ashby bails them both out and tells Hank a story of the girl he loved and lost. Meanwhile, Charlie gets fired after his former assistant, Dani, plays the agency president a montage of Charlie’s self-pleasuring office sessions.

Review: After last week’s realization of all my Season Two fears, I wasn’t expecting much from tonight’s episode. I was hopeful though, and I’m happy to say my hopes won out this week resulting in a smartly written and interesting episode. Talk of moving to New York seems to be over as Hank accepts a writing gig and Karen entertains a new business opportunity. This was inevitable and the writers dealt with it in a believable way. Lew Ashby is an interesting character, and Callum Keith Rennie (from Battlestar Galactica) plays him with a perfect balance of attitude, fun, and yearning. I expect to be entertained by Hank and Lew in the future, but I also predict more opportunities for Hank to stray from Karen because of it. In the less interesting but usually entertaining department, we have the continued downward spiral of Charlie and Marcy.

In a series with its share of disturbingly hilarious images, this episode sets a new standard… at least in the disturbing category. A sweaty, half-naked Charlie Runkle wearing a plastic lobster bib and yelling until his veins pop is not a pleasant sight. “Cokie-Smurf”, aka Marcy, prancing around in her lingerie adds to the absurdity. (And am I the only one who sees an overdose/addiction plot line coming soon for Marcy?) Their scenes did present some good dialogue though, as well as a potential future story arc for Charlie. He visits Marcy at work while a porn actress is getting waxed, and they discuss the perils of branching out from your safety zone at work. The actress is looking for a change because “One wrong move and you end up the ass-licker, tonguing the guy’s balloon knot… on chocolate starfish duty.” Good stuff, and I’ve learned a new term for sphincter which should come in handy during daily conversation. Who knew Californication could be so educational? The heart of the show, so prominent last season and one of the reasons the show is so strong, returns in the final few minutes. Rebecca, as usual the voice of reason, defends Hank to her mother with an astute observation. “He is who he is mom. You knew that when you jumped into the car with us. If you’re worried you made a mistake, that’s not his fault. You have to love him for who he is, not his potential.” So wise, even if it is spoken with Madeleine Martin’s patented flat delivery. After Karen forgives Hank and welcomes him back into bed, he tells her he loves her. “I love you too,” she responds. “But what if that’s not enough?” Let’s hope the show can explore that realistically adult question slowly and believably throughout the season without anymore Three’s Company-like escapades involving mistaken identity.

Up Next Week: On Hank’s first day as biographer to Lew Ashby, he’s re-introduced to Trixie, the hooker with a heart of gold, who stirs up trouble by claiming that Hank is better in bed than Ashby. When Karen and Sonja meet to discuss a renovation project, Julian interrupts to work his guru magic on Karen. Becca grudgingly starts her first day at Mia’s private school, where she meets an unexpected friend, Damien. Meanwhile, Charlie spots one of Marcy’s clients, a porn actress named Daisy. While pitching himself as her agent, Charlie hops a ride with Daisy only to realize that he’s in the middle of an impromptu porn shoot.

For more coverage of your favorite shows, check out the Control Freaks Archive.

Did you catch this week’s episode of Californication? If so, please feel free to discuss is below.

TV Review: Californication 2.1 – Slip of the Tongue

Rob Hunter — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 00:03:48 +0000

Californication, Showtime, Airs Sundays 10pm E/P

Episode: “Slip of the Tongue” (Season Two, Episode One)

Synopsis: Picking up a few months after the events of last season’s finale, the Moody family is together, (mostly) happy, and planning to move back to New York City. Hank (David Duchovny) and Karen (Natascha McElhone) are both excited about the move and the future, but their daughter Rebecca (Madeleine Martin) is scared that their rekindled love won’t survive. Rebecca’a fears begin to come true when her parents attend a Hollywood party where Hank’s tongue accidentally ends up in a stranger’s vagina. Although that seems to be a valid reward for the vasectomy he suffers through earlier in the episode…

Review: Following on the absolutely terrible and horribly ill-conceived ending to last season’s finale, this episode scares me as much as it scared Rebecca. A quick recap of last season… Hank and Karen are split. He has women dangling from his schlong constantly, but the only woman he truthfully wants is Karen, and she’s engaged to a piece of plywood named Bill. The season follows his quest to earn back her love while dealing with his own drink, drug, and bajango addictions. Karen still loves Hank, but she knows the relationship will never work until he gets control of his own life. Wedding day comes, Karen marries Bill, and then in the worst final ten seconds of any finale ever, she comes running out, jumps into the car with Hank and Rebecca, and the threesome drives off laughing and happy and full of shit. Before that final ten seconds, Californication was a show filled with sex, laughs, raunchiness, brilliant dialogue, and honest observations on loss, desire, and life. After those final ten seconds I had to wonder if the show could continue on any of those levels. Hank got what he wanted so where’s the conflict? If he does fuck up again with another woman wouldn’t that put them back into the same situation they just left behind? But this time he’d no longer be deserving of happiness with Karen.

Which brings us to this episode… and the realization of all my fears. Hank and Karen are together and happy and the only mention of Bill is as a punchline before sex. The conflict of unrequited love is replaced by an impending move to New York City, a move that we know can’t happen because NewYorkification is a ridiculous title. They head off to a Hollywood party with the most disgusting couple on TV, Charlie the agent and Marcy the anal waxer, and the first test of Hank and Karen’s rekindled love occurs. In a ridiculous and predictable scenario straight out of the Jack Tripper School of Sitcom Worthy Mix-ups and Mistaken Identities, Hank leaves Karen undressing in a dark room only to return to a different dark room occupied by another woman naked and ready for sex. He dives right in, mouth first, only to realize several seconds later that it’s not Karen. He didn’t recognize the woman’s breasts were smaller than Karen’s? Or that she had a distinctly different moan? Or even a different pube layout? (Especially since this girl seemed to be wearing a small mammal-sized merkin.) Add to this some horribly forced dialogue throughout the episode, most notably between Hank and the surfer girl at the store, between Hank and Karen on the drive home from the party, and with the cop who pulls them over for the broken headlight… and you have a pretty poor start to the new season. It had the raunchy sex, but it was missing any worthwhile dialogue or honesty. I’m not giving up all hope (partly because I’ve seen the second episode and it’s a huge improvement) but I’m still leery about where the show can go this season.

Up Next Week: Hank meets and befriends a legendary record producer while serving time in jail and entertains the notion of writing the man’s biography; Charlie is fired when his duplicitous former assistant bad-mouths him to the president of the agency.

For more coverage of your favorite shows, check out the Control Freaks Archive.

Did you catch the season premiere of Californication? If so, please feel free to discuss is below.

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