Carnivàle - Magic & Myth: The Meaning of Carnivàle.

Carnivàle /kɑːrnɪˈvæl/ is an American television series set in the United States Dust Bowl during the Great Depression of the 1930s. The series, created by Daniel Knauf, ran for two seasons between 2003 and 2005. In tracing the lives of disparate groups of people in a traveling carnival, Knauf's story combined a bleak atmosphere with elements of the surreal in portraying struggles between good and evil and between free will and destiny. The show's mythology drew upon themes and motifs from traditional Christianity and gnosticism together with Masonic lore, particularly that of the Knights Templar order.
Carnivàle was produced by HBO and aired between September 14, 2003, and March 27, 2005. Its creator, Daniel Knauf, also served as executive producer along with Ronald D. Moore and Howard Klein. Jeff Beal composed the original incidental music. Nick Stahl and Clancy Brown starred as Ben Hawkins and Brother Justin Crowe, respectively. The show was filmed in Santa Clarita, California and nearby Southern California locations.
Early reviews praised Carnivàle for style and originality but questioned the approach and execution of the story. The first episode set an audience record for an HBO original series and drew durable ratings through the first season. When the series proved unable to sustain these ratings in its second season, the series was cancelled. An intended six-season run was thus cut short by four seasons.
In all, 24 episodes of Carnivàle were broadcast. In 2004 the series won five Emmys out of fifteen nominations. The show received numerous other nominations and awards between 2004 and 2006.
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www.twitch.tv/altplanes3001

[@jakemeyer8188]

You may not believe this, but hear me out. I watched this show as each season came out on DVD. It's cancellation had been announced before the 2nd season released on DVD, so I knew going into it that it was canceled, and I didn't want it to end...so I made it to the episode where it's revealed Sophie is Justin's new housemaid, and I stopped watching it. Cold turkey. Knowing there wouldn't be any more of it after I finished the season, I wanted to savor it. I looked at those DVD's on the shelf for years and just kept telling myself, "Not yet." I finished the last episode this afternoon. It took me very nearly 20 years.

[@MarilynRB]

God I still miss this show. It’s literally that one show that I loved so deeply only to see it ripped away after and epic cliffhanger at the end of S2. Curse you, HBO!!

[@Luciana_McC_99]

Same I just got HBO max a few months back the only shows I found that I really enjoyed was Carnivale and Rome both were cancelled after 2 seasons.

[@jstephenj]

@@Luciana_McC_99 Carnivale, Rome, and Deadwood all died so that shows like Game of Thrones, Watchmen, The Leftovers and other could be allowed to soar.

[@AcrylicGoblin]

@@Luciana_McC_99 Rome was also a good show. Having it ended so early wasn't nearly as upsetting to me. This was a story that was supposed to be a struggle of light and dark, culminating in the detonation of the atom bomb. All along, the story expertly mixes light and dark. And many people saw both light and dark in the bomb, so I suppose that theme continues to the end of the story. HBO stuffing the story irked me so much that I sent them a letter, asking them to license the story out for a graphic novel or something so we could see the rest of it. Obviously, that didn't help.

[@RealBradMiller]

Oh, so many shows have done that now.. the OA being one.

[@mercilessforever]

Im literally rewatching it. It’s like being in a Time Machine and being 19 again!

[@MyrddintheBard]

I finished it tonight and feel so lost without it. Sad the story couldnt finish properly.

[@BDOT911]

I feel u bro

[@josschakenraad6415]

One of the best series ever made. So much care, passion and effort have been put into it in so many ways. Just finished it for the sixth or seventh time (6 episodes a day, four days in a row). In a way these 2 seasons finished properly, imho. I like open endings. Although we're left with a giant cliffhanger and we'll never know what happens next, be it with another open ending or not, ultimately. As we probably all know, Knauf had a clear idea about the series; 6 seasons: 2 seasons per period of time. It's very sad indeed that the crew never had the opportunity to finish it off. Obviously the biggest part of the audience wasn't ready for it. Shame on them ;) After all these years since 2005, it's still kind of frustrating...

[@Lis.H.]

Yeah man.... I need someone to write a fan fiction for this. I guess one probably exists....

[@joshlamb8163]

@@josschakenraad6415 yeah, it's definitely my favorite. I'm on my fourth time watching it. Just started it again. I own both seasons. I wonder if you would like the movie the jacket. Totally different themes, but just as interesting.

[@thelonewolf2476]

They could make a movie to conclude it

[@TheAedee]

This show was so beautifully made, shame it got cancelled.

[@philhayhoe1]

Despite being truncated, this remains the gold standard of deep, layered, weird, complex and profound television series. A masterpiece.

[@deandoxtator7137]

I'm still not giving up on this show to go forward on more seasons. I just finished watching the two seasons for the 3rd time. Love the cast and characters everyone brought something to the table.

[@andyquinones1762]

“That way you won’t miss a *single* service.” lmao Clancy Brown was so good in this.

[@ohmslaw6856]

Such an amazing show.. the fact it got canceled is mind blowing

[@dwoodard5717]

It's a god damn tragedy they cancelled Carnivàle

[@kimjoan212]

I’m still 😡

[@SnewpTD]

Yeah, apparently they cut the budget a lot and the writers weren't having it. I was really disappointed there was no "finish".

[@pharaohbronze]

Carnivale & Deadwood.... its always about the numbers... fuck the godamn numbers.

[@GoodDaySunshine]

It's a god damn abomination!

[@KatalistProductionsKozzySasha]

One of the best tv shows of all time (Up there with my all time favorites like Twin Peaks, Foyles War, The Wire & The Shield). I think about Carnivale multiple times every year and rewatch it every year or 2. Just bought the dvd's again, since I wore the old ones out watching it so many times lol. I still email HBO once a year asking them to bring it back (Or let the creator put out the books he has wanted to do). Still as good now as it was back in the day. Such an amazing show, everything about it from the acting, to the story, to the characters, to the pacing, to the camera work, to the music, just perfect imo. We got Twin Peaks back after 25 years, you never know... I hope more than anything we get lucky and it gets brought back or a revive happens or we get books to finish it off.

[@ambergerhamburger]

I wish they could have made this into a video game. I love this show and world so much. It has stories still left to tell

[@Sarumonn]

Just finished watching it again for the first time. Well written, perfectly cast, brilliant acting!

[@eduardo_corrochio]

I'd like to watch it again for the first time. But I'm going to watch it for the second time. ;-)

[@MegCazalet]

Carnivale was ahead of its time, I think.

[@mattgeary9987]

Havent watched the show since probably 15 yrs ago... thought about the episode 'Babylon' from season 1 earlier and how much it shook me. Now I can't wait to re-watch... easily the best show that was cancelled way before its time.

[@joukokulhelm6844]

The clearest memory of this series is the ending of that episode. I didn't remember the episodes name, but out of curiosity i searched carnivale and Babylon. Wow, it seems like you have great taste sir.

[@AmbeeNicole]

This show was INCREDIBLE. So few shows left a mark on me the way this one did!

[@cruddddddddddddddd]

I mean, HBO came back and made a Deadwood movie to cap off that series years later. Why not a Carnivale film to cap this series off? I would love that.

[@siddharthbhoyar9737]

yes it will be great netflix should do this

[@shaise]

@@siddharthbhoyar9737 eww no. Netflix just ruins things

[@silversnail1413]

I would love to see that. Nick Stahl has aged a bit and has had a rough struggle with addiction in the past few years, but I still think he could come back and play a great Ben. Maybe an older and more burned out version of Ben who still hasn't fully recovered from his battle with Father Justin and is struggling to regain his former strength. There were so many great ideas in this show and it would be a shame to never revisit them.

[@cruddddddddddddddd]

@@silversnail1413 That would be awesome

[@KatalistProductionsKozzySasha]

Hell, Twin Peaks came back after 25 years, I pray and hope that Carnivale comes back on day or gets a revive (or books), to finish the story off.

[@pbot2029]

Great show, bizarre, challenging, dark, and definitely epic but also hopeful

[@voltron5128]

Yes, hopeful is right...that was the light

[@desertcogo]

I'm still extremely disappointed that HBO cancelled Carnivale. It's easily one of my favorite series ever on HBO and when it was cancelled my disappointment was comparable to when "Deadwood" ended.

[@shaartvader4830]

Rewatched this last weekend on Amazon first time in years. Forgot what a gem it was. Supporting cast/plots underrated, much more interesting to me than the main plot.

[@truthaddictiontv2488]

I am so glad that Nick Stahl (Ben) is back to acting after everyone thought he would be a dead man.

[@peteyardman83]

Great Show! Breathtakenly beautiful and stunningly smart …. The cast, the writing, the filmography…everything is brillant!

[@smith06374]

I watched when it first aired. I’ve watched it half a dozen times (in full) since then. And every time I’m devastated all over again that @HBO won’t finish the story. 4 more seasons!!!! 😭😭😭😭😭

[@NEOREV_MUSIC]

A brillianty written and beautifully filmed show. HBO, you were dumb to cancel this series. This could've been so amazing if HBO didn't screw it all up.

[@barbaragochenour3113]

I miss this tv show so much, I really enjoyed watching it for real 😔

[@ainiel7602]

This and Penny Dreadful, 2 absolute gems of shows that got cancelled and cannot get over either! Are people dumb or simply tasteless, I don't understand.

[@Long_Tail_of_Finance]

I remember watching this show when it came out and was quite moved. Now almost 20 years later can certainly say it has aged well.

[@k.morris2236]

This show is more than what you see. I own it. Watch it religiously.

[@nadacool]

This show was light years ahead of its time.

[@angelica23luna90]

Interesting! I hadn't fully understood the series the first time I watched it.

[@voltron5128]

This show was so good...so many possibilities...sucks we don't get to see the final battle

[@Luciana_McC_99]

Literally the best shows I found on HBO max was Carnivale and Rome and both were cancelled with only 2 seasons.

[@TheHungrySlug]

$40 million dollars should buy me the rest of the story and the actors time to make it. Wish that it didn't get cancelled at the end of season 2. So much more story to tell!

[@AcrylicGoblin]

My wife and I agree... best show of all time.

[@moniFloresG]

All great actors. But I so much adore you Clancy---*🥃

[@nitrojanks2977]

Need a movie to finish this off! This show unleashed my own Magick potential and a lot of crazy stuff happened, it was fantastic

[@12villages]

Nothing like this was ever made and will be made ever again

[@sroevukasroevuka]

Great show. Was not happy when it was cancelled.

[@elisa_pchelkina]

Большое спасибо создателям сериала. Жалко, что посмотрела его спустя 10 лет. Всем мира ☮️ Санкт-Петербург, 2022

[@theresnocomingback]

I loved this show. I was devastated when they cancelled it

[@EvonneLindiwe]

Carnivale walked so many others could run.. ❤️🙌🏿

[@kinhason46]

I loved this series! Why was this canceled?

[@Long_Tail_of_Finance]

Poor Norman, who was tortured by having to witness Justin's awful acts. Remember Justin in "Highlander"?

[@silversnail1413]

It's kind of funny, because in the show Father Justin decapitates Henry Scudder and gets a boost of power from it. Just like the immortals do when they decapitate another immortal in Highander. I wonder if the writers threw that in as an intentional reference to the Kurgan or if it's just coincidence.

[@aroha9090]

It's criminal this show was cancelled before it got its 6 season arc :(

[@MiriRose13]

F!!k HBO for canceling this show far too soon, especially when they kept garbage like The Sopranos around.

[@ArgotRetro]

Turn this in2 a MOViE

[@MithrilMagic]

ArgotRetro YES! Absolutely agree!!!!! I really need to know what happens! What about poor Clayton and Libby?! She’s just waiting for him now?! Uuuugh. I hate that it ended at season 2!

[@thomasvleminckx]

I don't think Sofie resurrecting Justin at the end makes her evil at all. Up to that point, she has seen nothing to make her believe Justin is anything other than a good man, and a man of God. She's seen him being cruel to some of his henchmen once, okay. But that's it. Then her former carnie associates arrive, straight up murder him for no given reason other than "he's bad, trust me bro", but Sofie is evil for resurrecting the murdered preacher? Nah. She's uninformed, not evil

[@thewisetzar5363]

Ahead of it's time but given the state of cancellation, I would not rank it greater than Leftovers, Sopranos, Wire, Succession, Barry and Deadwood

[@chazarcola7639]

Before Daniel Knauf's CARNIVALE , there was Shaun Cassidy's AMERICAN GOTHIC.

[@chazarcola7639]

Nick Stahl as Ben Hawkins, Clea Duvall as Sofie, Amy Madigan as Sister Iris and Clancy Brown as Brother Justin Crowe are THE ANCESTORS of Gary Cole as Sheriff Lucas Buck and Lucas Black as Caleb Temple.

[@chazarcola7639]

CARNIVALE GOTHIC.

[@nancyvidrio9373]

Good Morning D

[@Kurjistaja]

/ / / - S P O I L E R A L E R T - / / /

[@junjiegaa9489]

What does the cornfield symbolize? Cuz some important scenes they all take place in a cornfield.

[@gbrinkert]

Most likely the cycle of life and death. It's also the first place we see both the creative and destructive power of Ben's abilities, and the last place we see that ability used, albeit not by Ben. (Trying to be as spoiler free as possible.) But ultimately I think it symbolizes the "unnatural" cycle of death and rebirth. I say unnatural because in the case of the cornfields AND in the case of Ben/Justin, there is clearly something else at work trying to control this cycle (like a farmhand who both nurtures and also harvests the corn.)

[@eduardo_corrochio]

Good question here. For me, its meaning(s) would have to be about losing one's way, or-- alternatively-- finding the right path ... since fields of corn can be scary things and yet also hopeful. They are like mazes, visually similar to a small and dense forest, and they also are crops that nourish us and bring money to the grower.

[@user-il6yd1qz5w]

How do we get HBO or Netflix or Prime to understand that this show must be revived? There must be a way to make them see it

[@cob.9831]

All I want to know is would anybody today be willing to join Samson's little outfit on the road for a year or so. "I mean live how they did" (And if so what would your act be?)

[@ohmslaw6856]

I would love to do it.. but not in this day of age.. back during 1920s and 1930s there was still a sense of wonder to the lands.. it was more powerful experience that can not be replicated.. My act would be the "man eating chicken

[@edvardzv5660]

Reading the books of the New Testament, we probably asked ourselves more than once: *"Why 2000 years we do not see those miracles that accompanied the Сhurch of Christ in the I century, as described in the New Testament?"* Why do the so-called preachers of Christ have to prove that Jesus really existed and atheists boldly deny the historicity or divine origin of Christ? Maybe because the Сhurch of Christ has not existed for 2000 years? The Сhurch does not exist in the form in which it is presented in the books of the New Testament, but there are Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant and other christian sects claiming to be the place of the Church, but they not have the only thing that distinguishes the divine from the human and is characteristic of just the Сhurch of Christ -the reinforcement of the word with signs, that is, miracles (Mark 16:15-20). Therefore, some researchers doubt the historicity of Christ, and some of them are not opposed to declaring him a an ordinary philosopher, teacher. But even if Jesus were an ordinary philosopher, his disciples would be ordinary followers of Jesus. And they would not dare to write about the miracles that not only Jesus, but also his disciples, could perform. In this world, the great fertility of atheism can be explained by the fact that there is no main opponent of critics of the Bible - the Church. If there were the Church in our time as described by the authors of the New Testament books, where miracles are performed, the sick are healed, where prophesied, and the dead are raised, no one would doubt the historicity of Christ. Then there would be the same controversy throughout the world as in the first century - Jesus the Son of God or the false prophet who seduces the world by miracles. As a result, we can say that the emergence and development of christian sects and atheism was the result of the fact that over the 2000 years the Сhurch of Christ did not exist. Find *"The Mystery about the Church of Christ"* video on KZbin. The video reveals the prophecy of the disappearance and reappearance of the Church of Christ before the End of the World. Watching this video will give hope to all who sincerely seek God and will interest those who are not too lazy to think freely. Click on my name to watch the video (The video is in Russian, but English subtitles are included).

[@daniellewillis2767]

Loved this show before it went off the rails plot wise.

[@stonathanjokes2142]

Felt the same.

[@danieljohnstone6805]

What a awesome mini series Brother Justin reminds me of donny fuckin trump

[@beyondz55]

Biden lied us into Iraq War killing many innocent. Trump did not. Your comparison isn't valid.