Californication s04e03 review

Last time Californication ended on a massive cliffhanger. It looked like Hank had drunk far too much and taken far too many random pills and he was slipping away. The letter he wrote to Becca could have just been a letter, but it could easily have been a suicide-note. We open on this episode to see that Hank is fine, although he's had to have his stomach pumped, and he's crackin' wise and seems just fine. Karen, however, does think he was trying to commit suicide. (While we're on the subject of Karen, was it her that found him? Is that ever mentioned?)

pictured: worlds worst dad. also Becca is getting ugly.

Karen takes Hank back to the family home and takes care of him. She explains how much she loves him, how scared she was, that she never wants him to try that again. Hank can't help himself, he goes along with it and lets her think he was trying to kill himself. We know by now whats going to happen, the lie is gonna come bite him in the ass. Damn you Hank, think in the long term!

The rest of the episode kind of just shows Hank trying to wedge himself back in the family unit until finally Becca makes him see that suicide would be giving up - something she can't bring herself to believe Hank is capable of. He confesses to Becca and the Karen, who kicks him out once again. I'm beginning to wonder if we'll ever see Hank grow as a character. There's been so many times when we've thought 'okay, he's gonna clean up his act, he has to this time'... only to see him lie, joke and sleep with any woman who'll let him. I don't know if I even like Hank, really.

There was a B-plot focusing on Charlie and Marcy, the usual brilliant back and forth, but nothing of note.

Considering how perfect the last episode was, this third episode was something of a let down. I find myself having very little to say about it. The episode ends with Hank sitting down in a hotel room, with his typewriter as he starts to script the Fucking and Punching screenplay. I dunno if writing will help or hurt him, but I hope we see real hope for Hank in the next few episodes before I give up on him.

SIX THUMBS UP