Carnivale

2003 • HBO
4.8
210 reviews
TV-MA
Rating
Eligible
Watch in a web browser or on supported devices Learn More

Season 1 episodes (12)

1 Milfay
9/14/03
In the pilot episode of this one-hour drama series, 18-year-old Ben Hawkins (Nick Stahl) is taken in by a traveling carnival and begins to display mysterious powers. Meanwhile, a preacher begins to have a similar experience.
2 After the Ball Is Over
9/21/03
A practical joke leads Ben to a piece of the puzzle that is his past. Meanwhile, Brother Justin and his sister Iris are going through their own changes--including an effort to turn a Chinese brothel into a house of worship for migrants.
3 Tipton
9/28/03
When authorities of the poor town of Tipton refuse to let the carnival set up, Samson takes Jones's advice and reinvents the troupe as a religious revival show--with Ben as its headliner. Meanwhile, Brother Justin makes a promise to the migrants.
4 Black Blizzard
10/5/03
On the road to Babylon (Texas), the carnies come face-to-face with nature's fury. Lured by clues about his past, Ben reluctantly follows Lodz into an abandoned house, where the seer tests Ben's powers.
5 Babylon
10/12/03
As Brother Justin tries to make sense of a major catastrophe, the carnival rolls into Babylon, a tapped-out silver-mining town with a luckless history--and few visible inhabitants.
6 Pick a Number
10/19/03
Thirsty for payback, the carnies get caught up in an obscure yet fascinating phenomenon known as 'Carnival Justice.' Ben's dark adventure ends, and Lodz is there to welcome him back. Meanwhile, Brother Justin ends up wandering in the wilderness.
7 The River
10/26/03
While Brother Justin rediscovers his 'birthright' on the banks of a river, his sister Iris gets some unexpected support from a radio reporter. At the carnival, Rita Sue and Stumpy argue over their family's future; and Ben and Ruthie hunt for snakes.
8 Lonnigan, Texas
11/2/03
Samson sends Ben on a road trip to enlist a new attraction, where he encounters a rival. Sofie debates whether to defy her mother and join Libby on the bally; and Lodz and Samson have a falling out over Ben's errand.
9 Insomnia
11/9/03
Ben tries to stave off the torments of his dreams by staying awake, but the lack of sleep is taking its toll. Samson looks to drum up new business by resurrecting several tried-and-true scams; and Lodz's psychic act gets a jolt.
10 Hot and Bothered
11/16/03
Brother Justin returns to Mintern to chart out a new direction for his ministry. At the Carnivale, Samson's loss is Lodz's gain; Libby catches on to her mother's deception; and Sofie accuses Apollonia of 'breaking the rules.'
11 Day of the Dead
11/23/03
With Management's blessing, Lodz hatches a devious plan to 'reach' Ben. Sofie reads Stumpy's cards and doesn't like what she learns; and Ben learns that some wounds aren't easy to heal.
12 The Day That Was the Day
11/30/03
In the Season One finale, Ben faces a life-or-death crisis that prompts him to turn to Lodz for advice. Instead, he ends up meeting with Management for the first time. Meanwhile, Balthus and Brother Justin contemplate the former's 'greatest evil.'

About this show

The final conflict between good and evil is about to begin. This HBO series focuses on the battle as it plays out against a pair of unusual backdrops: a traveling carnival working the American Dustbowl circuit, and an evangelical ministry in California.

Ratings and reviews

4.8
210 reviews
A Google user
January 15, 2014
A great series that had its cord cut just as it hit its stride. I highly recommend it for the way the story's complexity evolves but would not recommend it for the inevitable disappointment when we're left adrift at the end of season 2, when it finally hit its stride.
10 people found this review helpful
Did you find this helpful?
Sean A
July 15, 2018
Loved the slow, dreamy pace of the first season. The second season was very hit or miss because it seemed like the powers that be wanted more story.
Did you find this helpful?
Matt Mathews (Deuce)
August 3, 2021
Amazing! Sad to say, it belonged to a television era that required both the audience and the production team to be attentive enough to see the innuendos and pay attention to the plot lines and character development.
Did you find this helpful?

Rate this show

Tell us what you think.