Carnivale: Complete HBO Season 2 [DVD]

When the first series was released it was something totally different and a real must watch experience. It was always going to take something of an effort to better it and you have to give credit where its due they have certainly tried.

Nick Stahl continues to struggle with his powers but this time around he's starting to assert himself and searches continually for answers. Clancy Browns preacher goes from mad and scary in the 1st series to a complete loon in this.The writers have tried something different with this series, it's much more quickly paced and the characters rapidly begin to show their true colours. The editing lingers far less over detail and atmosphere but if you saw series 1 then thats already been set up and now the show goes straight for the throat and hurtles towards the inevitable showdown. It may sound odd to say a series that lasts over 10 hours hurtles but this is in a real hurry and before you know it you're taking out the last disc and it's all over.

The show on it's own would be value for money but it's nice to see some extras added, a doc. on what it all means, scene breakdowns, a discussion and some commentaries on chosen episodes.

The picture is strangely not as good in quality as last time, there is some grain and even though it is meant to have a sepia tinge colour is a little disappointing. Sound on the other hand is very good even by film standards and detail and effects are spot on.

This carries on the main character arcs of the 1st and there's not a duff turn by anybody involved, including the writers and directors. Eventually it's Nick Stahl and the screen filling Clancy brown who grab you the hardest and so it is only fitting that their face off is the apocalyptic high point that satisfyingly finishes this great series. A 3rd series would have been nice but may well have been a bit of a stretch. As it is this is a good conclusion that answers much but refuses to tie everything up neatly, a brave and intelligent move that pays off.

If you've not seen Carnivale then get series 1 first then go for this one. If you're after something different and aren't easily offended,( this has some disturbing scenes and even the'good guy's' are ruthless ), then you will enjoy every moment of a compact,well written and acted series. roll up, roll up.

This is really, very good. Usually I'd use a term such as "awsome" or "amazing" to describe something I'd admire so much, but these words do not do justice to this beautiful, compelling masterpiece of modern television.

In a world full of neon sit-coms, pathetic "reality" television and ludicrously benign game-shows, Carnivale stands out like a diamond sceptre in a mudfield. The acting is some of the best you'll find anywhere, let alone television. The sets and costumes are so authentic and tangible it feels like the cast and crew were transported back to the 30's just to make this show. The characters are deep, three (sometimes four) dimensional people. So much so that by the end of the series you feel like you know them. Everything about this programme feels like it has been lovingly hand crafted from the studios of masters, and the story.Oh the story! A centuries spanning duel between good and evil by the use of prophetic pawns and vicious vicars.

If you're sick of what has become of Friday nights and long for something a bit deeper than a bunch of folks screaming at each other in a house, buy this. Buy it now! Then join the crusade to get Carnivale back to our screens. (HBO cancelled it after 2 seasons, foolish TV executives).

If you thought the first series was good, the second is ten times better!

It hits the ground running and never flags from there, building up to a showdown between dirty-but-good Ben Hawkins and clean-but-evil Brother Justin that delivers on all accounts.

Nick Stahl, this guy is amazing, and Clancy Brown head a uniformly excellent cast that is well served by a gripping plot and breath-taking visuals.

WATCH THIS! You won't be disappointed!