Nothing about this season of Californication has been transparent or easily discernible. We’ve talked numerous times about how unclear the grand arc of the season was, and we’ve ventured plenty guesses about where the various plots were going. I’ll say this: I never figured it was going where it did. Which is to say, I never would have guessed that season five of Californication would be going nowhere.
I can’t say I’m surprised that Batesy called it quits with Karen. Despite their mutual history I always found it weird that they were suddenly married; the intimate moment that Hank walked in on last week only highlighted how strange it was. But suddenly Karen has cycled back to Hank? I’ve always been a huge Hank fan, but at some point one has to judge Karen for bringing so much drama upon herself. This is serious relationship number two — that we know of — that Karen has run into Hank’s arms from. At some point even Hank has to tire of it.
Tyler proposed to Becca and she said yes? Huh? I find it silly that the writers are trying to recreate Hank and Karen’s relationship with Becca and Tyler … Tyler’s no Hank, and Becca is absolutely no Karen. And while I realize that Becca’s pretty much run out of “kid” problems to deal with, fast forwarding her into a ridiculous relationship with a guy the Becca we know would never put up with is absurd. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: as big a Scott Michael Foster fan as I am, this story line is not doing him or anyone else any favors.
Marcy’s ill-fated marriage to Stu seems to be over after Stu’s little misstep with Lizzie (Camilla Luddington). Theirs was a relationship that also didn’t make much sense — Marcy couldn’t stand Stu for a long time, and yet suddenly they’re so compatible that they can’t keep their hands off each other. Sure. And I’m not claiming to understand the romances Charlie has enjoyed over the years, but his relationships never reached the level that Stu and Marcy’s did, thereby ratcheting up the disbelief. Maybe now things will get back to normal.
Hank was perhaps the most sane part of a finale that included weird dream sequences with a dead Lew Ashby tending bar, while in reality ex-girlfriend Carrie (Natalie Zea) was drugging Hank in an effort to start the ball rolling on a staged double suicide by the star crossed lovers. I honestly don’t even know what to say to that.
The biggest thing in the episode was the rekindling of Hank and Karen’s relationship, which perhaps could have been what the season’s story was all about — although, isn’t that what the entire series will ultimately have been about? Yes Karen — and perhaps Hank, too — grew this year, so maybe for her part she’s more ready for forever with Hank, but how can a mini arc be the same thing as the series arc? In what way did we move forward this season, if the inevitable cyclical nature of the series arc is simply waiting to hit us again when we least suspect it?
I don’t know about you, but I didn’t learn a single thing this season. I sat back and enjoyed as a great series played out a drama in twelve installments, but of the five the latest season made the least progress by far.
Does that mean they’re setting up an endgame that’s right around the corner? I have no idea … but it would explain a lot.
Clacked by Aryeh S.
on Apr 03, 2012 @ 01:27 EST5EDT
you keep saying suddenly with these relationships but you realize 3 years have passed since we last saw them?
This was my favorite show, but you’re absolutely right about everything. It was way too contrived.
I think you’ve made some and fair points, not that I agree with all….a couple maybe.
You neglected to mention anything about callum Keith Rennie’s appearance….
Maybe they should take the opportunity to circle back to the first time he OD’ed and start again.
I feel The purpose of this season Was simply to reintroduce Hank to California, in order to set the stage for another season. I have to admit that I saw the whole drugging the booze coming, And for a moment i believed they were going to end the show forever, almost wished it to end this way. As for Tyler, he represents the cliche of how daughters always fall for guys who are like their father. Becca grew up in a dysfunctional family and has had to forgive her father endlessly, it makes sense she would choose a relationship where her BF shits all over her.
I think it was great that Hank went to heaven in the last scene, instead of the hell predicted in the first scene.
I still find the series as entertaining as ever, maybe people expect too much from a tv show – but thanks to all cast and crew for another fun season – looking forward to 6!!
Watching the last scene I could not help but think it was the perfect end to the series. Could there be anything more fitting than Hank, mere moments from finally laying claim to all that he has sought, being taken by the lifestyle he had lived. It seemed perfect.
There’s no need to psychoanalyse anything, the only reason this series continues is because it makes some money for someone or some group of people. That’s it.
As a story arc it should have finished after Series 4. It will go on until no-one cares anymore about anything and no-one is watching it, and then it will end. Then you can psychoanalyse why it ended. You can look at any number of things that you want, including pointless ruminating on the characters. The psychoanalysis can start with the sound of a cash-register closing.
Your writing is absolutely unbearable, as is your childish analysis and its shitty veneer of false sophistication. Don’t quit your day job.