Carnivale: Season 2 [DVD] [2003] [2006]

This is the 2005 follow up to the original series carrying directly on from where the cliff-hanger left us. You will need to see the first season in order to follow this and get the most from it, so I won’t divulge the plot. However this actually starts much more strongly, reverting to the mythological conflict that was pushed aside in the first series and is actually series 1 part 2, as it is in reality the first book of three –the other two never being filmed due to the series being cancelled because of low viewing figures. This actually delivers far more of the ‘good vs evil’ conflict than the first series but the message is a very mixed and twisted one, it being seemingly okay to take one life to save another or destroy vast tracts of land and wildlife in order to save a human life -amongst other things.Each of the 6 discs carries 2 episodes with the following features; discs 5-6 carrying bonuses [series index, commentaries], the language selection is audio [5.1 default, or 2.0 in English or Magyar] with further subtitles, mainly European]. Selecting the episode goes to a plot summary. Rated 15 this actually has a much stronger adult theme than the first, with a greater fear factor, With scenes of rape, murders, themes of prostitution, murder and some nudity and use of the F word, this will offend some viewers. The final two discs show what this could have been and although better than the first series it just falls short of *****.

Carnivale is a long overdue cinematic triumph and a must have box-set.Far more tangible and exciting than just a supernatural thriller Carnivale tells so many truths of the hardship realities of travelling fairs; bare naked risks that came with such on-the-road performing territory - not at all glamerous as we would perhaps immagine. As Wikipedia informs us mere mortals, 'Carnivàle evolved as a result of Knauf's childhood fascination with carnivals and his interest in "freaks": we are now conscious and morally aware of these degrading labels attached to disability and wholly deplete our past ignorance with refreshed acceptance of human diversity. What makes this phenomenally insightful television drama series so captivating, the fact that none of the cast fully A-list Hollywood material, despite the pure individual talents and achievemens of all participants.I did not feel that I was watching anything particularly horrifying despite a creeping build towards eventual paranormal fright. Throughout each and every episode, there felt a consistency of subtle evil darkness lurking beneath the hats and beards of non-specific gender form; the directors placed far more emphasis upon character than actual 'good v's evil' elements of horror we are now so readily acustomed and unable to separate our own thoughts and judegments whilst writing reviews of writing and filming direction. Carnivale should be compared more acurately to that of a scarce painite crystal mineral - to be wholly cherished and nurtured without handling or manipulating its unique finite properties.

I am so glad I finally discovered this show, albeit years after it came to a premature end. It has so much to recommend it, it's hard to know where to start. The setting is highly original, being a travelling carny in 1930s dust-bowl America. The period is reproduced beautifully. The cinematography gives it the look of old sepia photographs, the vehicles all seem to be genuine vintage models, the clothes, buildings, technology and language are all spot-on. Then, of course, there's that casting, which is as near perfect as any tv drama I've ever seen, each actor seeming to have been born to play their given role. Worth singling out for special praise is Michael J. Anderson, who plays the carnival's floor manager in a performance of great depth and subtlety, suggesting volumes with the twitch of an eyebrow. Clancy Brown is also outstanding as preacher, Brother Justin, a figure whose slides from benign indulgence to towering rage are deeply scary. Amy Madigan as Justin's sister, Iris, is equally good in a role that calls for much more control, a tight, restrictive control that makes the moments when it breaks down all the more disturbing. In fact, all of the main actors (and, indeed, the minor ones) are pitch-perfect.Then there's the story, which has a similarly unsettling surreal quality to David Lynch's Twin Peaks, whilst still delivering plot and character developments that weave together into a deeply engaging, nuanced tale of good versus evil in which, initially at least, the viewer is never quite sure where one ends and the other begins. Much of the series' success in achieving this lies with some very, very good scriptwriting which rises way above the standard of most television drama.It's a tragedy and a travesty that the show was cancelled after only two series although, having said that, the final episode of series 2 does provide an ending that is much more satisfactory than that of many other shows that get cancelled. It would be wonderful to think the cast might be reassembled and the show rebooted, but, after seven years, I guess that's unlikely. Which is a shame, since tv dramas of this quality come along all too rarely.

If you like the first series then the second series is a must.If any thing it is better.At the leaset it is a continuation of the first brilliant series.This is slow story telling with a brillant plot, characters and acting.Such a shame that the original idea of seven series was not green lighted by the networks.