The essential episodes of Carnivàle
Watch these 15 in order and you've got Carnivàle — each pick states its reason.
- 01
Ben reluctantly joins the carnival after the bank forecloses on his family's Oklahoma farm; Brother Justin has a bizarre encounter with a poor parishioner; Sofie has a run-in at a small-town gas station.
- 02
Samson tries to improve the troupe's spirits with a night of revelry; Ben has an enlightening experience at the bottom of a mineshaft; a group of miners is anxious for entertainment.
- 03
Revenge-minded carnies practice their own form of retribution; Justin encounters a group of hobos on his journey of self-discovery; Ben returns from another strange experience.
- 04
After a recent tragedy, Stumpy and Rita Sue debate their future in the carnival; in her brother's absence, Iris receives help from a radio reporter; Ben helps Ruthie with her act.
- 05
Rita Sue teaches a newcomer a few tricks of the trade; Balthus is nervous about Tommy Dolan's allegations; Lodz gets approval from Management to help Ben.
- 06
A distraught Ben finally meets with Management; and in California, Balthus and Justin deal with the tragic undercurrents of their ministry. Elsewhere, Stumpy and Rita Sue try to save their marriage; Samson must think fast when the law comes to the carnival.
- 07
The Dust Bowl circus troupe deals with the fallout from a fatal fire and, in California, Brother Justin reaches new converts on the radio. Elsewhere, Lila wonders what happened to Lodz; Ben takes off to find Scudder.
- 08
Dolan continues his quest to get to the bottom of the Ministry arson; Gabriel gets into the act with Ruthie, who experiences another supernatural vision; Ben happens upon some distant relatives.
- 09
After a conversation with Ruthie, Sofie reaches out to Ben; Stumpy wagers on an important fight; Dolan puts pressure on Justin, who sees things in a new light after receiving a mysterious gift; and Stroud's quest to find Ben continues.
- 10
Stroud is closing in on Ben, who pays a visit to a run-down hotel; Justin and Iris pacify a bishop with a good meal; Sabina shares her secrets with Libby; the troupe is concerned about Sofie; and Jones gets a favor from Libby.
- 11
A local politician receives Iris and Justin's support; Ruthie tries to hide from her visions; Rita Sue takes charge of Stumpy's debt; Smith sees trouble for Justin; Sofie gets new work; Libby has shocking news for her parents.
- 12
Ruthie's latest vision leaves evidence behind; Lila hasn't given up her search for the missing Lodz; Eleanor goes on a picnic with Iris; Justin's powers calm a chaotic gathering.
- 13
Justin has help avoiding a disaster; Iris locates another branch of her family tree; Stroud tries a strength-in-numbers approach; Libby is cowed by her mother's authority; Ruthie pays another late-night visit to Lila.
- 14
Lila voices her opposition to Samson's itinerary for the troupe; Justin's baptism of the faithful coincides with another tragedy and a startling event in the migrant camp; Libby pleads with Jones to reveal his secret; Sofie sees a familiar face.
- 15
Samson tries to stay a step ahead of impending chaos; Stroud does his best to protect Justin; and Ben's powers face the ultimate test.
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