I've been pretty silent in terms of reviewing or commenting on Californication. I discovered it near the end of Season 2, and have been following it ever since. However, I never felt the urge to review or discuss it with anyone, especially since nobody I knew watched it either. It's a fun show, probably one of the funniest shows on TV right now. With this episode, though, I realized I'm just being lazy by not writing: this was one fine half hour of television, taking all of the plots introduced this season and bringing them together in series of events that culminate in some serious self-reflection on Hank's part.
I'm a sucker for episodes that can take the characters and not move beyond a single setting. One of my favorite episodes of Friends takes place in the apartment and nowhere else, and plenty of Seinfeld episodes have taken a simple plot and allowed the setting to take control. In this episode, we start with Hank by himself, and one by one, his friends, acquaintances and lovers slowly filter in. This was what the show needed: some resolution to the dozen plots flying around. The thing that drew me to the show in the first place was the antics that Hank got into, but lately, starting with the episode with Hank's childhood friend, it's felt like the show has been stuck in a rut. He was still doing the same old stuff, but he was stuck with these three girlfriends who all wanted more from him, but he didn't want anything with them. Obviously, this needed to be dealt with, and finally, in one of the best episodes this season, the writers have done this.
There were some really great moments here. Rick Springfield has proven to be hilarious time and time again so far, and here is no exception. It's starnge to say it, but he seems to be even more of a sex fiend then Hank. Seeing them go at it would be hilarious. Line of the night goes to him, when he says "You hear that? Nothing like the sound of a hooker's head hitting a hardwood floor." Plus, watching Hank deal with Stacy and seeing Stacy and Felicia go at it was hilarious.
This episode gave the show a chance to avoid getting too out of control and from losing focus. I feel like this season has been extremely solid and has had some great moments, but the middle of the season created a sort of lull for Hank where nothing happened except trying to deal with his three differet school related relationships. This episode gave the show a chance to start clearing it up. It'll be interesting to see where the show goes from here.moreless
Episode Summary
EDIT
After a "Skypus interruptus" with Karen, Jackie shows up at Hank's apartment together with two strippers and a bottle of Whisky. The next morning, Hank has an unconscious stripper girl in his apartment. When Charlie shows up with Rick Springfield, they first try to help, but then Jill shows up as well, and she is not the last surprise of the morning.moreless
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GUEST STAR
Rick SpringfieldHimself
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David Duchovny
Hank Moody
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Natascha McElhone
Karen Van Der Beek
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Madeleine Martin
Rebecca
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Evan Handler
Charlie Runkle
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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions
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TRIVIA (4)
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When Jill opens her coat, Hank drops a mug on the kitchen floor and it shatters. A few minutes later as Hank talks with Stacy in the kitchen, he repeatedly walks barefoot over the same spot even though the glass was never cleaned up.
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Hank goes back into the bedroom after talking to Felicia, Jackie puts down Mia's book and Hank has a cigarette which is about a quarter smoked. In the next three to four scene cuts the smoke changes back and forth between having an inch or so left, being almost completely finished, and being about how it was when Hank came in.
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The scene where Becca comes out of her bedroom and asks, "Why is there a naked lady in my bedroom?" is very similar to a scene from the show's pilot episode when Becca asks Hank, "Why is there a naked lady in your room?"
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Featured Music: "Jessie's Girl" by Rick Springfield (Rick "performs") "Love Somebody" by Rick Springfield (Rick "performs") "Lord" by Sleepy Sun (Closing scenes)
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QUOTES (9)
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Karen: (referring to Becca) I tried to check in with her. I texted, I checked her Twitter page, I got nothing. I mean no response. Hank: Duh, we're ruining her life, remember? Or maybe it's game day for the Crimson Tide. You know how edgy you get when Aunt Flow's in town. Karen: Hank, are you trying to piss me off? Hank: You see? Is it? Is it arts and crafts week at panty camp for you too?
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Hank: I think you should hit me. Wanna hit me? Head, gut, doesn't matter. It's only fair. Stacy: No, I don't want to hit you, Hank. I just want to try to understand, how do you do it? Hank: Do what? Stacy: Well, you obviously have this, this...this thing with women. Some strong very strong connection, that no matter what you do, no matter how big of an ass you are, they seem to respond. You're a God damn girl whisperer!
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Hank: I don't know how much more I'm gonna be able to say I'm sorry before it doesn't mean anything anymore. Becca: I don't know either. But I have this funny feeling we're gonna find out.
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(Karen starts stripping, then signs off from Skype) Hank: Wow! Oh, God damn you, that's unfair! To say nothing of bad for my prostate. Skypus interruptus.
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Jackie: (to Hank) God! For someone who loves women so much, you sure don't understand them very well.
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Rick Springfield: You ever shake your ass for me? Stripper: No, but my mom did, back in the day. I think you guys boned. Rick Springfield: Right on! She say good things about my big ten-inch? Stripper: She said you refused to put a rubber on it. Rick Springfield: That's right, baby. Skin on skin, let the love begin.
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Chelsea: What are you guys doing here? Stacy: I believe that question should be directed to you, young lady. Hank: Copy that, motherfucker.
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Becca: You need to talk to me. You need to tell me why you do the things you do when you know that people can get seriously hurt. Myself included. Hank: Goddamnit. I hate it when you're mad at me. Becca: I'm not mad at you. You wouldn't get mad at a big dumb dog for shitting on the road, would you?
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Hank: City morgue: you kill 'em, we chill 'em.
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NOTES (3)
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Original International Air Dates: Czech Republic: February 23, 2010 on HBO Sweden: May 31, 2010 on TV400 Latin America: August 30, 2010 on Warner Channel Germany: September 8, 2010 on AXN Finland: November 1, 2010 on Nelonen
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Although credited, Pamela Adlon (Marcy Ellen Runkle) does not appear in this episode.
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This episode is rated TV-MA for nudity, graphic language and adult content.
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ALLUSIONS (2)
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Rick Springfield: Nothing like the sound of a stripper's head on a hardwood floor. Hank: What the fuck is wrong with you? Rick Springfield: What? Oh, you don't rough 'em up? Well excuse me, George Bailey. This is a reference to the 1946 movie It's a Wonderful Life. James Stewart played the role of George Bailey, a kind, selfless character. Springfield is joking that Hank is too nice because he isn't rough with strippers.
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Jackie: God, for someone who loves women so much, you sure don't understand them very well. Hank: I know this seems all Bridges of Madison County right now, but it's really just more of rite of passage for you. The Bridges of Madison County is a 1995 drama movie based on a novel by Robert Waller. Meryl Streep plays a housewife who falls in love with an older man, a photographer played by Clint Eastwood, as he passes through her Iowa town on a work assignment.
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Season Finale discussion!
04/14/1219
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You Gotta Be Kiddin' Me...
04/08/123
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Season 5 - Ending
04/03/122
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The worst hanging from a roof scene i have ever seen!
04/02/123
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half way through and no discussion?
04/02/127
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Skypus Interruptus
11/5/09
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Comatose Stripper
11/5/09
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Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be
S 5 : Ep 12
Aired 4/1/12
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The Party
S 5 : Ep 11
Aired 3/25/12
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Perverts & Whores
S 5 : Ep 10
Aired 3/18/12
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At the Movies
S 5 : Ep 9
Aired 3/11/12
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