In season four, things turn to a different path as Hank is saved from prison to find that the literary sex scandal is in front of him. Now, this scandal seems to have made Hank a Hollywood toast and a target for a new lawsuit as he drove him away from Karen and Becca in a short period.
Hank is without a doubt a modern day version of many tragic figures from the pages of William Shakespeare, but unlike Othello and Macbeth, Hank's story is not yet finished.
While this series' destination and journey might not aspire to high levels of sophistication, this season does feel as if it's hurtling toward something of consequence, which is more than a certain serial-killing Showtime hit can say for itself of late.
If there's something constant found [here], it's the return of Californication's combination of clever writing, intriguing character development and an overdose of sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll.
The fun of Californication lies as much in watching Hank try to get his life together as it does in seeing him let it all fall apart when temptation proves to be too great to resist.
If you're able to get past the inconsistencies of tone, the first eight episodes of the season are still a lot of black-and-blue fun, which is to say they're darkly humorous, prolifically sexual, and purely entertaining.
The adult-only themes and humor are still enjoyable, but if the main character continues his unapologetic slide downwards, it's hard to see how the plot will stay compelling.
