What I’m Watching: Californication

Californication: Season 4, Episode 10 “The Trial” (B+)

It’s always a bit weird to have flashbacks on a show that doesn’t usually incorporate them, especially a comedy such as this. Fortunately, the device works decently well as it brings us back to a time when Hank had to fight hard for his family before he managed to screw things up even more. There’s a certain degree of nostalgia in the air as well, and it’s fun to see more of Hank’s shenanigans, such as his rather crude and rude defecation on Bill’s car. Seeing Bill was quite a surprise since I had all but forgotten that character, and I didn’t even think about the fact that he was Mia’s father and we hadn’t yet seen his reaction to the revelation that Hank slept with her. His speech to Hank, coupled with our hero’s sincere apology, was rather intense, and I’m not so sure that Hank’s going to get off clean this time. What’s so intriguing about this process is that Mia is still the same old troublemaking teen with absolutely no regard for the consequences of her actions, and therefore she is unconcerned with legalities and harbors no resentment towards Hank for his unlawful act. By contrast, it’s Karen who Hank most risks losing, and the latest revelation that he may have been introduced to Mia before he slept with her is definitely a major black mark against him. His episode-ending cab ride is uncharacteristically melancholy, and I do hope that, legal verdicts aside, Hank can earn back the trust and respect of the woman he loves most.