That’s exactly why people should invite Hank Moody to dinner

Writing my preview piece last week, I got so excited about the coming season of Californication that I dropped everything else that I had to do and popped in the screener DVD right then and there. And it was so good that I insisted that my wife — who hates the show — watch the entire dinner scene, from cigarette flick to jump out the window. Neither she, nor I, was disappointed.

When’s the last time a show far surpassed the hype and excitement you’ve built up for it in your head? I still can’t believe how fantastic the premiere was! (And, spoiler, but the next three episodes do NOT disappoint!)

I’m glad that Karen (Natascha McElhone) appears to be spending at least part of this season away from the action, but I’ll tell you something: their late-night chat notwithstanding, the episode opening with Hank (David Duchovny) in bed with another woman didn’t do much to make me believe that his life is any worse for her not being with him. Nor did his attempt to pick up TA Jill (Diane Farr) at the dinner party. This is Hank, I’ll grant you, but I didn’t feel a hole in his life until we were told to, when he was on the phone with Karen. That’s what I wanted to find out this season, and so far so bad for them.

That dinner party scene was really hilarious, male nudity aside. I knew from the moment Hank pulled up alongside him that the cyclist was going to end up being his host, and not because I knew that Peter Gallagher (as Dean Stacy Koons) was going to be on the show this season — I had no idea. And then there was the set-up for getting Hank to teach: he helped fellow author Richard Bates (Jason Beghe) tumble right off the wagon, getting his drunk on in quite the elaborate fashion. The nude speech was a bit much, but, “Have you ever spent time with an 11 year-old boy and wanted more from him than he was willing to give?” Yikes.

It’ll be up to Felicia (Embeth Davidtz) to make Hank feel obligated to assume Richard’s teaching position … it’s not in Hank to feel guilty about anything, or obligated as a result of his actions. In truth, I don’t see anything convincing Hank to do this, but I guess that’s what the next few episodes are for. At least the premiere set in motion the idea, whose trajectory I couldn’t fathom beforehand.

Elsewhere, Charlie’s (Evan Handler) working at a new agency … on commission. His stock has definitely taken quite a fall since last season, but at least he’s back in the business. His new boss, Sue (Kathleen Turner), is, um, apparently very into him. I know she’s really famous, but the only thing I connected her with was her voice — she’s Chandler Bing’s dad!

Charlie’s actually lucky Sue wants him so badly (or that she’s just so horny), because he only has one client right now, whose latest manuscript he can’t sell. Not good for Charlie, or for Hank, which may be what forces Hank’s hand in deciding to teach — although I can’t imagine that even a full-time professor’s salary in the Ivy League could maintain his lifestyle.

Lastly, apparently single fatherhood is keeping Hank on his toes: “I barely even have time to get loaded anymore.” Well, that’s not entirely true, right Hank?

All in all a really great episode, from start to finish. I’m extremely excited for this season — Collini out!

Clacked by Aryeh S.
on Sep 27, 2009 @ 22:30 EST5EDT