I watched Carnivale with all the zeal of someone who falls in love with a TV show. When it had its depressingly unfulfilling finale I was as disappointed as I was excited for the next season. However, in my search for info on Season 2, I found out something more disturbing even then the show itself: I missed the point entirely.

Here is a quote from www.carnivale.org, an unofficial fansite:WHOA!

When did that happen?

This is not the first place I've seen such a claim. Everybody seemed to understand so easily that an eventual confrontation between Brother Justin and Ben Hawkins will be the ultimate decision in the battle between good and evil. Maybe I missed it because I spent all my time wondering WHEN the confrontation would be rather than what it was about. Or maybe I'm just dumb.

You didn't see it because that tidbit comes from a "sneak-peek" e-mail about the second season. Presumably, Ben will have his vision in the upcoming season.

I was under the impression, going into the series, that there was something apocalyptic in the air. The opening scene, where Samson introduces the theme of the series, mentioned something to that effect.

And, when you're dealing epic battles of good vs evil, the fate of the world is generally in the balance.

WWII, maybe?

HBO commercials for Carnivale were constantly saying "the Ultimate battle of good versus evil" (or something along those lines). I was so disappointed in this show. I felt it started out with enough intrigue that my curiousity of it was peaked on where it would go, but it went nowhere. At the end of the season, it is still not completely obvious on who is good and who is evil. There were more episodes that had little to no bearing on the overall plot than plot-filled episodes.

So you're not the only one who "missed the point," Neeperando.

Exactly .... which is why I went away.

What's the point of this thread?