Californication - Season 1-3

This box set covers the first 3 seasons from 2007-2009. Hank Moody (David Duchovny) was a successful idealistic novelist but when his third book was turned into a shallow romantic hit movie his whole world collapsed, now his long term partner Karen (Natascha McElhone) is living with [and engaged to] another man and has taken their 12 year old daughter with her. Hanks life is further complicated by his prolonged writer's block, excessive drinking, womanizing, and drug abuse but can he get his ‘family’ back?I must admit I nearly turned this off 10 minutes in, the nudity, profanity and almost every other ‘ity’ seemed so gratuitous it was painful, but then you sense there’s more to it and you gradually see there is far more to Hank than the self righteous, arrogant a-hole he first appears. Quite early on, you realise that Hank actually does love his family and you really watch to see if this hapless guy can win out in the end as in simple terms, this becomes a romance with a difference and has a strong anti hero ’Weeds’ type vibe to it.Series 2 starts strong and explains more of the relationship between Karen and Hank, but most is revealed in a single episode which weakens the series.Series 3 is just a filler and seems to be written as a teen fantasy ‘right of passage’ but with a middle aged man instead.The card case holds 8 discs in three DvD cases, each case containing a season. Each DvD typically holds 6 [half hour or so] episodes with play all, set up [audio 5.1/2.0, subtitles English, English SDH, off] and special features [usually a commentary with disc 3 being all bonus features]. Rated 18 for its swearing, nudity and adult dialogue and themes, this is not ‘family’ viewing, so if you are offended by swearing, sex or frank discussions then this probably isn’t for you, but they do slacken after the third episode. This box set is a giveaway at the moment so if your uncertain about it –as I was, its worth the gamble trying this as a cheap sampler before plunging into the full set and the ending of this is open to interpretation –either being a good finale or a cliffhanger for the next series.

Hank Moody is perhaps not everybody's ideal man (in fact, I think for very few he is not) but the character nevertheless has several endearing qualities which captivate the viewer. His passion for sex and women is undeniable, but perhaps the most admirable thing about Hank is that he does not do it because they are another 'brick in the wall' (to quote Hank himself), he on several occasions is a gentleman and says on numerous occasions that he loves all women, a statement I believe.At the core of the series however is the 'unfaithfully yours' relationship of Hank and Karen. I do love that pair a great deal, and I think Showtime ALWAYS do a fantastic job of casting. The on screen chemistry (good or bad) between Duchovny and McElhone is infectious and it's their relationship that really inspires me to keep watching. They are wonderfully energetic but equally poignant and hilarious.I would be here all day writing about just how much I love all the characters in this series. I think everyone can identify with at least one of them, because for all the surreal lifestyle Hank leads he is at the core simply a man trying to be a father and a lover and a friend all at once, and I think everyone can sympathise with him that at best multi-tasking can be problematic.

Bought as a gift. No watched it.

Sex. more sex and more sex, no wonder that I read that David Duchovny, was admiited to some rehab clinic with sexual problems!

We heard about this series through a friend and thought it would be entertaining and perhaps a bit saucy (ahem). Well it didn't really deliver on the sauce but it made up for it in so many ways. It is funny and entertaining and we were hooked from the start. Not quite finished the set, just taking a break from it and gearing up for season 2 and 3. Service/ delivery from Amazon excellent as ever.

I'm not that impressed with this series. I've started to hate all the introverted selfish characters, and I don't care what happens to them, which takes the fun out of watching things.

I was introduced to this series by a friend, and it is verrrrrry good! Rather 'naughty', again and again....! It's hilarious and I can't stop watching it! Plus David Duchovny is lush and obviously a brilliant actor-I only knew him from The X Files previously, and this series proves he can act as any character!

Different kind of atmosphere, combination of intelligent and thrash.Fun to see D.D in another role than his famous one in X-files.