Californication season 3 – Professor Hank?

Yes, you’re reading that correctly. At least as far as I can tell from the cover of the screener that I have yet to have a chance to screen. Plus Showtime commercials … I’d say it’s a fair bet.

So, what the hell, right? I thought maybe I’d forgotten something, but after having just re-watched season two, I know this is a brand new story. And a rather surprising one, considering Hank’s (David Duchovny) disdain for people, other writers (I assume he’s teaching a writing class), and conformity in general. And yet, the tagline “He’s easy” is perfect. Right?

Let’s back up a second to last season. Hank stayed behind in California with Becca (Madeleine Martin), while Karen (Natascha McElhone) followed a job to New York. Charlie (Evan Handler) and Marcy (Pamela Adlon) are split, and Mia’s (Madeline Zima) off on a book tour. Oh, and the great Lew Ashby (Callum Keith Rennie) is deceased.

It’s a real shame about Ashby, because I thought he was a really great addition to the show. Believe it or not, but Californication is really about characters, and Hank Moody is a tremendous one. He’s really a fascinating person, and I absolutely love watching Duchovny explore him. While Ashby started as a bit of a caricature, he grew into a tremendous ying to Hank’s ying.

Yes, two yings, because of how alike the two were. Not across the board — I think Hank had more courage, while Lew had a bit more insight — but the mirror of their lives, who they were, and how they’d gotten there, was some very artful writing. And acting. While I didn’t like Lew going after Karen, but was okay with Lew’s Janie (Madchen Amick) chasing Hank (I know it’s hypocritical, plus I’m not a Karen fan), I think the message was a strong one for Hank: Karen might not be right for you, but a “Karen” might. Is that Janie? Who knows, but open your mind beyond Karen being the be-all-and-end-all. I know, love of your life, but how many times going wrong will it take to prove it to you?

I like Charlie, even if it’s really weird that Hank’s so close to his agent, but good riddance to Marcy. First of all, she talks like some teenager from the hood, instead of a married middle-ager who owns a business. Second, she’s a coke-head. No, that doesn’t excuse Charlie’s cheating, with Dani (Rachel Miner) or with Daisy (Carla Gallo), but I just can’t stand her. I do hope they settle him better this season, though; selling BMWs in the Valley? Low, Runkle.

I think too many people on the show talk in a way out-of-character sort of way, first and foremost Becca and Mia. I realize it’s a show-specific stylistic thing, but adding the word “the” in front of everything you say is annoying. Not that that’s the only reason I dislike Becca; I think she’s way too whiny, and extremely unappreciative of what she has in life.

And, Mia? It makes me sick that she stole Hank’s book and is passing it off as her own. How in the world Hank doesn’t strangle the life out of her is beyond me, and I don’t think it makes him a better person, or more loving of Karen, or a better father to Mia than her own. It just sucks, a ridiculous understatement if there ever was one.

I liked Damien (Ezra Miller, who played Tucker on Royal Pains) for Becca, and I wonder if he’s back this season (he better be; that’s what Becca and Hank stayed behind for last season). Karen, on the other hand? I’d be fine with it if she only existed on paper, and not as an actual character, come this season. I mean, if the writers were asking my opinion. I think she plays a huge role in Hank’s life, but I’m not sure if that’s their screen time, or just who she is to him. I’d like to see which this season, and would love it if she were MIA, for that purpose, as the season opens.

So, Hank as a teacher, huh? Not sure how he gets there, or why, but anything Hank Moody does is enjoyable to watch. The show disgusts my wife, but it really isn’t about sex, cursing, drugs, and drinking. There’s a real character study on Californication, and I’m extremely excited for class to return this season.

Catch Hank and the Californication gang on Showtime this Sunday night, September 27.

Clacked by Aryeh S.
on Sep 24, 2009 @ 13:00 EST5EDT