It probably doesn’t need to be said, let alone written down in a low-profile blog, but I am not Hank Moody. That being said, there are aspects of the character, played by David Duchovny in Showtime’s Californication, that are moderately appealing. Aspects like his quiet desperation for all of life’s pleasures while trying to do very little at all to attain them. What’s surprising is how often he succeeds whether in drugs, sex or alcohol. Others may see it as a silent and consistent downfall, but in his mind he’s succeeding. He’s an optimist for sure. And perhaps that’s what I like most about the character. The blind optimism.
Californication, which just finished its second season, has been renewed for at least one more season pleasing many and confusing many more critics. I for one simply cannot wait. Like another Showtime drama, Dexter, the ended simply encourages you to want to experience more. The thing is the characters in Californication have far more depth to them than the secondary characters in Dexter. They are also far more twisted. Maybe this is how life really is in California, but I doubt it.
And then there’s Hank Moody’s family.
Both Karen and Becca do not really feel like a mother, daughter duo. It could just be Becca’s deal with the devil or Karen’s seemingly lack of parenting skills. Ok, I shouldn’t judge that either as I don’t have kids… nor married, but still. She’s practically pushing her daughter to become everything she distains in Hank.
With all that’s going on in his life, Hank’s most precious item is his daughter. Even after his book is stolen and the perp makes a wad of cash, he doesn’t care. He knows, in the grand scheme of it all, it’s not as important as his daughter. In a way, I wish there were more people like Hank.
