Article originally written for Seat42F.
Showtime’s CALIFORNICATION kicks off its final season with
“Levon.” Hank (David Duchovny) leaves the road to fly back into the arms of the
woman he loves, Karen (Natascha McElhone). But although the series gives us the
storybook ending up front, that’s all in Hank’s head, and their actual first
encounter is not anything like Hank had hoped for. Now, Hank must finally work
on improving himself if he ever wants to win back Karen for good.
All of CALIFORNICATION has been about Hank’s arrested
development. Time after time, Hank has screwed up. He’s screwed up with love,
he’s screwed up with work, he’s screwed up at being a father to Becca
(Madeleine Martin). Now, the end is nigh and Hank is tired of screwing up.
Season seven might actually be the year in which Hank (gasp!) matures.
I really, really hope Hank gets the ending he wants. He’s a
flawed man, to be sure, but he’s still the protagonist, and he never has done
anything to deserve misery. Almost all of his mistakes are simple, forgivable
errors, and circumstance plays as much as role as Hank’s own actions, though he
doesn’t usually do himself any favors, either. Yet, there’s something earnest
and sweet about Hank that makes one root for him, even when there’s not an
overwhelming reason to do so. This part of Hank must be cultured so he can be
rewarded.
Obviously, Hank is motivated to better himself for Karen’s
sake. But Karen isn’t the only reason Hank needs to grow up. By Karen refusing
to just get back with Hank, it takes away that immediate goal. This gives time
Hank to improve for his own sake, and while Karen will always be in the back of
his mind, he may actually find intrinsic motivation, too.
Step one of the New Hank is to find a job. Atticus has fired
Hank and Charlie (Evan Handler) out of boredom, and because Aaron Sorkin became
available, so Hank must find some bridge he hasn’t yet burned, a rarity in Los
Angeles. Charlie points out that Hank has ruined writing jobs for books,
movies, and Broadway shows, so there aren’t a lot of options left. The obvious
experience still remaining? Television, the lowest art form in Hank’s mind.
Can Hank overcome his prejudices? His opinions and pride are
things that have caused trouble in the past, and Hank isn’t much for being
humble. Still, given the right carrot, perhaps Hank can find a way to get over
himself, and maybe even come to like the medium.
Hank’s new boss, Rick Rath (Michael Imperioli, The Sopranos),
should be able to help him succeed. He admits to seeing a bit of himself in
Hank, believes in a good redemption story, and won’t humor Hank if his behavior
goes to crap. At least this is the right environment for Hank to do well in, so
if he puts his mind to it, he’s got a chance.
In true CALIFORNICATION form, the opportunity that presents
itself is tied to Hank’s past, no one in the show ever escaping what’s come
before. I won’t spoil what the project is, but Stu (Stephen Tobolowsky) is
involved, and the title will be familiar to fans of the show.
There is another element to Hank’s story that I haven’t mentioned
yet. The name of the episode is “Levon,” and there’s a character named Levon
(Oliver Cooper, Project X) in it, a college kid who wants to interview Hank for
his newspaper. I will say, the twist concerning Levon, one sure to keep him
around for the rest of the series, is easy to see coming from a mile away, and
feels tacked on in the final season of the show. And yet, the music choice for
the ending of the episode and Duchovny’s trademark sneer nails the emotion so
damn well that I find myself excusing the predictability, and even seeing a way
this could really be good for the show and the character of Hank.
Of course Charlie and Marcy (Pamela Adlon) have a bit of
story in “Levon,” too. Their renewed marriage isn’t going so well because
Charlie is haunted by their time spent apart, especially what they did with
others during their break. It’s regrettable, but also not unexpected. At least
they seem committed to making the union work, so getting back to a good place
will give them a satisfying arc for season seven.
To be honest, it took a lot not to just marathon the whole
seventh year of CALIFORNICATION in one sitting today (thank you, Showtime, for
making them all available, by the way), and it’s an impulse I likely won’t be
able to resist long. This is such a good, solid show, and the growth and
exploration of the characters is very compelling. “Levon” not only continues
that trend, but also really tees up what looks to be a near-perfect last year,
so I am eager to watch it. I hope you will be, too.
CALIFORNIATION airs Sundays at 9:30 p.m. ET on Showtime.
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