Discussion of episodes (beware spoilers).

Episode 3: Tipton

Big Sky Farms

Having turned around and headed south as Management have requested (against the better judgement of Lodz and Jonsey), the Carnivale rolls into town just as the funeral procession from the dream in episode one is taking place. This is shot in quite a dreamy and melodic way, again there is a touch of the Lynchian about it (although I don't want to belabour these intertextual references, they do seem to have become established as generic tropes in general since Twin Peaks and his earlier films). The mother of the girl Hawkins healed in episode one spots Hawkins and proclaims his miracle.

The Carnivale then proceeds to set up, but the local sheriff (who has had dealings in the past with Samson, albeit not unfriendly ones from the tone of the conversation, denies Samson permission to open to the locals. He claims this is because his people will be ripped off. Samson is inspired instead to visit the local church and offer the preacher half the gate from his revival. Samson convinces the sheriff (grudingly) that they have given up their past ways when a young healer - Hawkins obviously, although his 'gift' does not yet seem to be common knowledge - came their way. They have found God and now offer healing services instead of sideshows. Hawkins is dressed up in Scudder's evening suit - inspiring a spark of recognition amonst the carnies - and plays his part in a (faked up) healing.

Hawkins, however, has plans of his own. Having spotted a vehicle bearing the Big Sky Farms logo, he goes in search of further clues as to the significance of Scudder's photograph of his mother.

 Dream/Vision Quotient:
2

  • Hawkins' dreams of a couple on a veranda of a white house. The young woman is being entertained by a man who does tricks with a coin. He holds the coin up and it turns to a wisp of smoke.
  • Hawkins, tracking down the Big Sky Farms van with Sofie, follows a clue that leads him to Mrs Donovan - who lives in the white house from the dream. As Hawkins approaches the house he sees the couple on the veranda for a moment.


  

 Miracle Quotient:
-3 (1 fake, 1 curse, 1 narrowly avoided)

  • During the first revival service, Hawkins pretends to heal Ruthie who is playing a woman crippled with cancer. (It is implied there is a second fake healing during the morning service we are not shown.)
  • As Brother Justin, righeously indignant that the local politicians plan to demolish his new ministry, screams 'No,' Templeton (uncle of the Templeton who died in episode 2) is taken ill.
  • Sheriff Donovan forces Hawkins into a position where he is about to heal his mother. Mrs Donovan, knowing the cost, refuses Hawkins 'gift.'

Voting so far: 5 (mean score)
5stars = 7 votes
Comments: "I'm confused... how could the healed girl from ep 1 show up in ep 3, if the carnivale has presumably been travelling long distances between towns?" [Maybe becuase they had turned around and broken their regular itinery. Or maybe because the healed girl's family were relatives of the dead person. Ed.]

VOTE

Carnivale Home Page

Return to the Hall of Broken Mirrors