By Strega
Hiya kids. Thanks to HBO for the preview tapes, which allowed me to ease back into things after my own private hiatus. But time, could you maybe include some closed captioning? Or ask people to enunciate a little? Just a suggestion. Also, thanks to whoever invented this totally cool wireless keyboard for my Palm, so that now I can work on the recaps in the living room and use a better TV set. Whee!
Previously, the economy was a mess, the population embraced ignorance, a religious loon gained power, and those considered "freaks" were permitted to entertain the population, as long as they didn’t demand to be treated like human beings. Those in need of escapism tuned in to Carnivàle, where there were lots of vague allusions and mysterious omens and blurry foreshadowing. And then, just when you least expected it, some stuff actually happened.
Credits. "Moscos" seems to be a generic term for flies, gnats, mosquitos, and other creepy pests. See if you can spot them in tonight's episode! It's fun for the whole family!
As in the Season 1 premiere, we open with Michael J. Anderson pontificating. He tells us that, after WWI, "the dark one sought to elude his destiny, live as a mortal." So even the devil hates his job? I guess there's some comfort in that. Anyway, the dark one hid out in the States, where he "corrupted the spirit of the land," which had been so peaceful and holy until then. Just ask Geronimo. "Into this dark heartland, the prophet stalked his enemy 'til, diminished by his wounds, he turned to the in the ancient line of light. So it was that the fate of mankind came to rest on the trembling shoulders of the most reluctant of saviors." Ain't that always the way?
With that, things pick things up right where they left off. Or slightly before they left off, judging by the way Ruthie is lying there, not breathing. After holding on her for a second, we cut to Brother Justin's radio broadcast. He talks about Job and how we're all being strengthened by our trials. Although Job himself wasn't so much strengthened as embittered by his trials, so this all sounds more like something from Zachariah. Cut to Lodz being judged. Cut to Ruthie's resurrection. But this time, as she gasps for breath, we cut to Justin, who is also gasping and almost collapses. Iris starts toward him, but he recovers and compares the population to a phoenix. Ol' Justin sure does like metaphors, doesn't he?