Post by DavieI will admit that this season's finale surprised me. More questions
were brought during this finale. In a weird way, I really liked this.
It keeps me guessing and creating theories until a third season starts.
(I really hope that "Carnivàle" could get renewed for another
season.) It was frustrating to see Sofie accepting her dark side and
willing to help Justin. At least, this is what it looked like.
In practice I believe either the producers or HBO have decreed that
every finale could be the final. In the first season, albeit a
terrible ending, one could suggest that Ben's job was ultimately
handled by Apollonia in capturing Sophie in the fire... the fact
Jonsey dies is just restitution for his deceit. In the second season
finale we again have an end simply if for no reason than as Sampson
indicates in his first monologue, "the never ending battle between
Light and Darkness".
Every attempt of producing an Armageddon is coming has failed because
the pubilc does not have an appetite to see that snake and apple out
there on the limb for that long. This is why the horror movies do so
well but the concept falls flat on TV. Point Pleasant is the latest
failure, before than Millineum, and before that countless attempts at
series where the Devil lives in your town. Just doesn't work because
the viewing public doesn't have the ability, or more importantly the
need, to acede that sense of disbelief that long.
The end reality is that it cannot end for if either side wins then it
is Armageddon... well post Armageddon. Sophie carries Ben's child who
given the history of the show may or may not adhere to the dark side.
But even then it cannot be fixed, there cannot be a resolution. These
Avatars exist because of humanity's failings and as such there cannot
be a ending just this eternal battle.
Despite the 'Armageddon thus all those in rapture go as they shall"
one cannot deny the alternative, "without darkness what is light."
All that said and because of the curse of any series of this type
trying to push much past season 2... this might be it because I don't
know that people have the stomach for much more.
Certainly I don't think I could go through another Babylon... I still
feel a bit odd handling those two CDs... ;)
Post by DaviePersonally, I do not think that Jonesy is dead. Daniel Knauf, in one
of his recent chats, pointed that the place where Sofie shot Jonesy was
relevant to the plot. In another chat, Tim DeKay was asked about the
possibility of being healed or brought back to life by Ben. Tim said
that it is also possible that Jonesy could heal himself. Make of that
what you will. (For more information regarding this matter, go to
"CarnivàleHBO" at Yahoo! Groups.)
There is no reason to assume that Jonsey could heal himself. Could he
survive the wound? Maybe?
To me Jonsey represents Humanity. We look at him at the end of the
first finale as he goes to save Sophie even though she has hurt him
terribly and one wonders whether or not he would have gone in for any
of the other Carnies. He is a drinker and everything bad about
humanity but also everthing honourable.
That said I would be most disturbed to see a 3rd season go on, (which
btw I would prefer not to happen), without Jonsey showing up at some
point.
Post by DavieRegarding Justin, I do not think that he is dead either. It is true
that the show presented the possibility of Ben succeeding in his quest
to kill the Usher of Destruction. However, Daniel Knauf also pointed
that Ben's failure to "plunge" the dagger in the right place was
relevant to the plot as well. During the second attempt, Ben was hurt
and really tired. He could have "plunge thee deep" but not deep
enough. Once again, there is the possibility that the audience could
have perceived success in Ben's attempt, but not everything that we see
is necessarily the truth. "Carnivàle" is full of the element of
surprise. Anything can happen... What if Ben was supposed to kill
Justin at his first attempt? What if the second attempt was not as
fatal as killing Justin the first time? I really thing that Justin is
severly wounded, but not dead. For this reason, Sofie is not bringing
him back to life but healing him. These are my two cents.
One cannot forget that Ben isn't exactly mature yet. Only in the last
few episodes does he really take charge and even then only with
Sampson reluctantly accepting that Tartekoff, (his friend), died with
intent to have Ben take his place does he make things happen. Justin
is experienced in life and knows the tricks, Scutter would have been
ally to Ben but he was a coward... except to show himself and heal Ben
in the 2nd last episode of season one.
Good/Light always has to behind the eight ball. Otherwise where is
the courage?
And like I said what happens when Sophie reanimates Justin with the
souls of 17000? Just how strong does he become? Just how committed
to evil is Sophie?
As you say questions.... btw I have no idea where I have this idea but
when I hear Brother Justin speak to the politician and say the number
of 17,000 (might be wrong but when I heard it I thought the number was
signifigant), that are at his control that number reminded me of a
Biblical number as well.
I should have researched this before bringing this up but that number
or a number in that range rings a bell for some reason. And as I have
said before I believe that Sophie takes the souls of the Okie's in the
camp to revive Justin.
Post by Davie*** I am really glad to 'see' people posting still. It was really
'quiet' over here, hahaha... Take care. ***
Well I shall be very interested to see whether this is it or it
continues. I am not entirely sure where they can go that would make
sense but then again there is so much to this series that we dont'
know. For example I lent my CDs to a co-worker of my wife and she
said, "on the 1st seasons finale the last 6 minutes of the last CD
won't play."
Okay so I look at it and realize that some smudge has gotten on the CD
so I clean and play it back.. only this time with the knowledge of
having seen the end... and hear Brother Justin's speech, (which I
think is amazing), and the timing when he says "THE DEVIL IS HERE" and
you see Sophie's face and Apollonia grabbing her arm.
Man you need a program to watch this show!
S.