Carnivàle

Season 1

TV-MA

92%

Carnivàle is an American television series set in the United States during the Great Depression and Dust Bowl. In tracing the lives of two disparate groups of people, its overarching story depicts the battle between good and evil and the struggle between free will and destiny; the storyline mixes Christian theology with gnosticism and Masonic lore, particularly that of the Knights Templar.

Where to Watch Season 1

12 Episodes

Milfay
E1
MilfayBen reluctantly joins the carnival after the bank forecloses on his family's Oklahoma farm. Brother Justin has a bizarre encounter with a poor parishioner. Sofie has a run-in at a small-town gas station.
After the Ball Is Over
E2
After the Ball Is OverBen uncovers a piece of his past as a result of Jones' sense of humor. Justin tries to persuade a parishioner to make a deal in real estate. Sofie endures a frightening mishap involving her mother. Samson changes the carnival's course.
Tipton
E3
TiptonBen is the main attraction when Samson refashions the carnival as a religious revival to satisfy a town's moral underpinnings. Justin has a powerful ally in a fight against city hall. Sofie accompanies Ben on a journey into his past.
Black Blizzard
E4
Black BlizzardOn the road to Babylon, Texas, the carnival encounters a horrific dust storm, called a 'black blizzard.' Intrigued with clues about his past, Ben follows Lodz into an abandoned house where the seer tests Ben's powers. Meanwhile, a lonely Sofie socializes with a handsome café owner.
Babylon
E5
BabylonThe carnival finally arrives in Babylon, a tapped-out silver mining town in rural Texas with few inhabitants. Samson tries to improve the troupe's spirits with a night of revelry at the local bar while Sofie and Libby (one of the chooch dancers) get closer and decide to attend the local cinema.
Pick a Number
E6
Pick a NumberThirsty for payback after the murder of Dora Mae Dreifuss, one of the chooch dancers, Samson and the rest of the carnies, including Stumpy Dreifuss and Rita Sue, get caught up in an obscure, but fascinating phenomenon called "Carnival Justice" to root out the person responsible.
The River
E7
The RiverWhile Brother Justin rediscovers his "birthright" on the banks of a river, Iris gets some unexpected support from an attentive radio reporter, named Tommy Dolan, whom offers to spread the word about Brother Justin's parish. Also, Samson goes to work on the bally, and Libby and Sofie see stars on the western horizon.
Lonnigan, Texas
E8
Lonnigan, TexasSamson sends Ben on a road trip to enlist a new attraction, where Ben encounters a longtime carnival rival named Phineas Boffo. Meanwhile, back at the carnival, Sofie debates whether to defy her mother and join Libby on the bally of the chooch tent.
Insomnia
E9
InsomniaBen tries to stave off the torments of his dreams by staying awake, but the lack of sleep is taking its toll. Meanwhile, Samson looks to drum up new business by resurrecting several tried-and-true scams, including "turtle boy" and "man eating chicken".
Hot and Bothered
E10
Hot and BotheredBrother Justin returns to Mintern from his stay in the asylum to chart out a new direction for his ministry. Libby catches on to her mother's deception of her lustful fling with Jones, while Sofie accuses Apollonia of "breaking the rules" when she forces Sofie to tell the truth to their tarot clients about their bleak futures.
Day of the Dead
E11
Day of the DeadWith Management's blessing, Lodz hatches a devious plan to "reach" Ben, who is vulnerable after letting his guard down after his night of seduction with Ruthie. Rita Sue upstages Catalina's debut routine in the Gay Paree tent. Meanwhile, Sofie reads Stumpy's cards and doesn't like what she learns.
The Day That Was the Day
E12
The Day That Was the DayA distraught Ben finally meets with Management. In California, Balthus and Justin deal with the tragic undercurrents of their ministry. Stumpy and Rita Sue try to save their marriage. Samson must think fast when the law comes to the carnival.