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Carnivale ranks 902 out of the 18,477 shows on TV.com.

The 1,758 users who count themselves as Carnivale fans have written a total of 95 reviews.

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Carnivale. The credits alone were the most costly and timely to make. The show does not lack in the quality that the credits bring. Set in the 1930s Dust Bowl, 18-year old Ben Hawkins finds himself all alone in this world when his mother passes on. But a travelling Carnivale takes him in. We also see the story...  more

Carnivale. The credits alone were the most costly and timely to make. The show does not lack in the quality that the credits bring. Set in the 1930s Dust Bowl, 18-year old Ben Hawkins finds himself all alone in this world when his mother passes on. But a travelling Carnivale takes him in. We also see the story of Brother Justin, a priest who is trying to find his way in the world. Little do Ben and Justin know, but they are to fight in a biblical battle. With help on the side (Ben with the carnie folk (Sofie, Libby, Apollonia, Ruthie, Samson, Lila, Lodz, Management) and Justin with his sister, Iris) they find out which side each are on and try to battle with the other for what they believe. less

• Why not continue as Book-Series?

  I have a question that I ask myself so often with all those great shows that suffer an untimely death without any sort of conclu...more

  I have a question that I ask myself so often with all those great shows that suffer an untimely death without any sort of conclusion: Why can't the creators of those shows like Carnivale, Deadwood and so on not just continue their stories in a series of books? That wouldn't need any tv-station and wouldn't cost much.........and good books can be almost as good as a great show as long as the story is great... So why for example not write three Carnivale books according to the three planned chapters? The first just by putting the story of the two seasons in a book and then the other two books with the two never filmed chapters to conclude the series... less

  Mageta44
  5 comments, last one Aug 20, 2009 + Add Comment

• Bad characters?

  Do you think this show has those? The usual kind of shows have at least one character that annoys the hell out of you. but Carnivale? I don't think there is a single pointless character during the show. There are a very few that i'm not a fan of, but none of them seems pointless, badly written or anything else.

  Do you think this show has those? The usual kind of shows have at least one character that annoys the hell out of you. but Carnivale? I don't think there is a single pointless character during the show. There are a very few that i'm not a fan of, but none of them seems pointless, badly written or anything else. less

  SleepTight Last online 3 days ago
  5 comments, last one Aug 20, 2009 + Add Comment

• Your personal most shocking moment

  *spoilers* --- --- --- what did you find the most unexpected moment of the entire series? I think that mine was when Iris murdered Eleanor, I totally did not see that coming.

  *spoilers* --- --- --- what did you find the most unexpected moment of the entire series? I think that mine was when Iris murdered Eleanor, I totally did not see that coming. less

  SleepTight Last online 3 days ago
  5 comments, last one Aug 20, 2009 + Add Comment

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  10 Perfect

  One of the most original and entertaining series i've ever watched hide show

  I have fell in love with HBO produced TV. this is one of the best .Its just a shame it finished early and without a final episode that wrapped up the series neatly. Non the less its definately worth the watch. The characters in this show are amazing and the story is brilliant. After finishing the final episode i spent hours on the internet looking for more. Like a junkie i need more! But unfortunately all the good tv shows are expensive to produce and usually discovered as remarkably brilliant shows long after they have been cancelled. But if your looking for something else after watching Carnivale i suggest The Wire or Deadwood.

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  marktv123 Added Aug 31, 2009 All my reviews
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  9.5 Superb

  A Carnival in a special, magical time not too long ago.. hide show

  Amazing, simply amazing show. Brutal, wicked, magical authentic and honest. I cannot believe the cancelled this work of art so soon. I admire the writers and everyone involved so much.
  
  I initially crossed over from BSG, because I knew they had the same writers, and what a pleasant surprise.
  I understand now why a show about a travelling carnival in the dust bowl of the thirties could work so well. You become enraptured in a really special way from watching it, it truly is it's own universe. And a universe where anything is possible, where good and evil combat in the eternal struggle.
  
  Cannot recommend it enough, especially if you liked Twin Peaks and the X-files.

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  goldtop2007 Added Aug 14, 2009 All my reviews
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  10 Perfect

  Highly advisable. A great mythological/historical show. The best, probably. hide show

  I watched this show due to someone's advice and I wasn't disappointed.
  
  Its mythology and overall story was brilliant, the photography was fantastic, costumes and make-up equally great, the characters and actors portraying them were pretty damned good... and I think HBO should have allowed it to be completed as the creator imagined it, if nothing else, because it was such a well made piece of art... ars gratia arsis.
  
  HBO disagreed and I will hate them for that always. Not like they care, but I still will.
  
  If by any (small) chance you're deciding whether to watch it or not and you think my opinion counts, then do watch it. Really.

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  insinity Added May 25, 2009 All my reviews
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  10 Perfect

  My friend lent me season 1 of this show, and I was quite reluctant to watch it. It sat in my living room for almost a month. Then one night I was bored and put in the first episode. Now, one week later, I have watched both full seasons! hide show

  Carnivale may very well be the best television series I have EVER watched. As I said, I was quite ambivalent about throwing in the first episode, but after that, I was HOOKED! The sets, the casting, the performances, all top notch. What really captures you though, is the storyline. Hands down it is one of the most compelling, intense stories I have ever witnessed. The mythology, the battle betweeen good and evil, and the twists and turns you run into along the way are all thought provoking, brilliantly written, and addictive. Honestly, I've read a lot about how it was too "out of the box" for general audiences or that the story threads were "far too complex" for the average viewer. However, I would have to disagree with all of that, this show and it's plots are easily accessible to the "average viewer." This show had one downfall and one downfall ONLY, and it had nothing to do with ANYTHING in the production. The failure of this show was in the marketing. I'd heard of it for years and even remember seeing trailers on HBO for it. However, the advertising never even came close to making me want to watch the show. If anything, it made me write it off as something to be avoided. However, as soon as I began watching, I was hooked. As I said, I went through all the episodes in the span of a week, I just couldn't stop watching.
  That's the tragedy of this show. One of the greatest shows of all time in my opinion, fails to get an audience, and I truly do believe it was due to poor marketing. Anyone that's thinking of watching the two available seasons, I would highly recommend you do so. The only thing that will disappoint you about the series is that it didn't have a chance to continue and tell it's entire story.

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  paulbehin Added Mar 6, 2009 All my reviews
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  10 Perfect

  A fabulous show about the constant battle between: good and evil, light and darkness, black and white, ying and yang. Who's going to win at the end... we will never know thanks to HBO. hide show

  Set in the 1930s Dust Bowl, a traveling Carnival finds Ben Hawkins and not by chance, but because the mysterious Management led them. He represents the creature of light.
  On the other hand we have Brother Justin Crowe with the help of his sister Iris, preaching his beliefs tries to gain followers. He represents the creature of dark.
  They don't know it but they are destined to battle in a biblical fight. They have to find and kill the person that will give them the power, Ben Hawkins has to kill Belyakov and Brother Justin to Scudder respectively.
  Great sets, wonderful costumes, creates the atmosphere of the time, and takes you to a awesome trip full of magic and mystery. Very well done, engaging and intriguing.

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  ultimate-tv-fan Added Dec 13, 2008 All my reviews