What I’m Watching: Californication (Season Finale)

Californication: Season 3, Episode 12 “Mia Culpa” (B+)

To think that after he slept with every female guest star except Sue Collini this season, it was a sin from Hank’s past that ultimately proved unforgivable in the eyes of his one and only Karen. It’s not as if the return of Mia in this episode serves to negate everything that happened this season, but rather to resolve the fact that Hank and Karen can’t be together and that Hank’s acts, however unintentional some of them may actually have been, will always haunt him. It’s too bad that Mia didn’t have a chance to meet all of the other ladies Hank romanced this season, but it’s probably for the best. James Frain (“Invasion,” “24”) was a fantastic guest star as Mia’s boyfriend whose subtle threatening suggestions served to rub Hank just the wrong way. The music playing while the two had their conversation really added to an already impressive scene which served to show Hank’s blood boiling as his livelihood and his relationship with his family was threatened. The final scene of the season was one of the most powerful I’ve seen recently, especially for a show that’s supposedly a comedy. Not letting us hear the words Hank used to admit his deed and instead watching the horror and disgust appear on Karen’s face was immensely effective, and their blowout, coupled with Becca running to her father’s defense, was a particularly tragic and stunning way to close out the season. It has been a great and usually entertaining year of this show, probably just as good as the first, filled with so many excellent guest stars, like Embeth Davidtz, Peter Gallagher, Eva Amurri, Diane Farr, and Kathleen Turner that it’s difficult to highlight just one. I’m eagerly awaiting the fourth season, though my excitement has been turned a bit more serious with the considerably devastating but still extraordinary finale.

Season grade: A-
Season MVP: Diane Farr