The best, most gripping TV show in years. Carnivale is like nothing else made (if anything Twin Peaks for odd-but-works) and the genius is never far from the surface. After 3 episodes I was immersed and cared about the fate of the characters, intrigued by the unique settings and the storyline baffled/elated/hypnotised me.

Bored of the flat characters and overdone stunts of modern TV? Able to predict storylines and plot before they happen? This will leave you boss-eyed and sorry that you even attempted to guess what happens next.

Buy it, watch it. If you don't like it, buy a cup with a ball on a string.

I have to say that at first I wasn't too keen on Carnivale but the characters really absorb you into the story. It's very well written and has some good plot twists that you won't see coming. I think that the second series is even better (although also weirder) and obviously you need to see this one first. It's just a shame that they had to cancel it after the second series (mostly due to high production costs and HBO being a complete set of idiots). Anyway, you should definitely get the DVDs if you haven't seen it before, I recommend it very highly!

a truely groundbreaking series,one of the best things that has ever been on.at its dark heart is the tale of good vs evil but setting it in americas dust bowl during the depression was a stroke of genius.a twisted,scary,explicit tv show worthy of david lynch and with fantastic production values,all shot in a sepia tone.dwarves,mind readers,whores and a lead character who may be ( or not ) christ.pitted against an evil which spreads outwards and onwards and who could turn out to be the devil.sounds simple but its so engrossing and complex that it deserves repeated viewing.throw in references to world war 1,the knights templar,monsters and you are left with a spellbinding show that should have gone on for more than 2 seasons.damn the networks !

You just can't go wrong with HBO. I bought Carnivale simply because of that fact and boy was I glad I did.
This is poignant, haunting drama at its best dealing with a subject matter and time in US history that seems to have been conveniently forgotten. Think of Steinbeck's Grapes Of Wrath and add a supernatural, superstitious element and you have the bones of Carnivale.
The script is fantastic and the fact that you are never quite sure what is going on adds to the mystery and suspense. Will be buying season two as soon as I finish writing this. Absolute must-see tv.

I cannot wait to see the second series! Bought this and watched the whole lot in 2 days! it is gripping! well worth a look!

Carnivale is without a doubt one of the finest TV series ever made. The language of America during the time of Great Depression is deliciously and often hilariously authentic. Not one single member of the cast seems to be doing their job and acting, but rather just getting on with it in front of our very eyes, come hail or high water...
The story never - not once - pauses and ponders about its path, or offers the viewer any of the usual stocking fillers a less generous and talented writer might try and bribe us with.
Buy it, borrow it, steal it - but, as they say, make sure you watch it! It's bound to leave you wanting for more.
Actually, HBO, sir, isn't it about time to get one of your greatest shows back on the road?

A story of good and evil in the most unlikely of places. Carnivale belongs to a school of quality American television thats been prevailing over the past few years. Deadwood took us the wild west, Lost to a desert island, The Sopranos into the world of organised crime, and Heroes now brings us a world of `everyday superheroes. Like these shows Carnivale is about the lives of its characters.

The series biggest folly is perhaps one of its most alluring characteristics. Set in a fanatically realised dustbowl USA, Carnivale never wants for visual storytelling; from period outfits to the amazingly captures travelling carnival, Carnivale is, simply put, a visual wonder. No wonder then, its high cost of production led to HBO cancelling after series two.

An ensemble cast of deeply interesting characters populate Samsons travelling carnival where young Ben Hawkins (Nick Stahl), a young man with a strange gift, finds refuge from the law. Its impossible to give each of them full credit here, but has to be noted is the very skilled writing that weaves such a intricate web of character relations and constantly surprises us with new developments.

On the downside the show moves at a very slow pace, and Bens refusal to face up to anything can wear a bit thin, but in the final few moments of the last episode it all pays off nicely.