Cast
Nick Stahl
Ben Hawkins
Clancy Brown
Brother Justin
Michael J. Anderson
Samson
Adrienne Barbeau
Ruthie
Debra Christofferson
Lila
Tim DeKay
Clayton Jones
Clea DuVall
Sofie
Cynthia Ettinger
Rita Sue Dreifuss
Carla Gallo
Libby Dreifuss
Toby Huss
Stumpy Dreifuss
Amy Madigan
Iris Crowe
Brian Turk
Gabriel
Diane Salinger
Apollonia
Ralph Waite
Norman Belthus
John Fleck
Gecko
Blake Shields
Osgood
Patrick Bauchau
Professor Ernst Lodz
Matt McCoy
Councilman Ned Munson
Matthew McGrory
Giant
Richard Fancy
Psychiatrist
Judith Hoag
Miss Jolene
Luis Contreras
Proprietor
Spencer Garrett
Young Balthus
John Hannah
Stangler
Aria Wallace
Polly Ann
John Doe
Phineas Boffo
Bill Moseley
Possum
Erin Sanders
Irina
Robert Knepper
Tommy Dolan
Jenna Boyd
Maddy Crane
Gabriel Mann
Harlan Staub
Thomas Kopache
Ike Gukor
Glenn Shadix
Councilman Val Templeton
Cletus Young
Daddy - Tucker
Gary Imhoff
Male Performer
K Callan
Eleanor McGill
Patrick Thomas O'Brien
Clark
Michael Robert Brandon
Bunny
Peter Jason
Lou Edwards
John Savage
Henry 'Hack' Scudder
Lisa K. Wyatt
Minnie
Scott MacDonald
Burley
Jon Gries
Texas Ranger
Jesse Burch
Mackey
Lucinda Jenney
Flora Hawkins
Ritchie Montgomery
Patrolman
George Cheung
Mr. Chin
Deborah Strang
Becca Donovan
Kathleen Gati
Emma Templeton
Amanda Aday
Dora Mae Dreifuss
Jordan Orr
Alexsei
Kim Robillard
Frank Mooney
Charles Robinson
Walter
Brett Rickaby
Barker
Don Swayze
Tattooed Man
Susan Walters
Young Becca Donovan
Brent Hinkley
Slim / Wheel Man
Ron Perkins
Carroll Templeton
Jane Adams
Mother of Dead Baby (uncredited)
Jack McGee
Bulldozer Driver
E.J. Callahan
Lean Man
Joe Unger
Red
Helen Slayton-Hughes
Scripture-Reading Lady (uncredited)
Michael Massee
Russian Soldier
Joshua Harto
Junior
David Darmstaeder
C.L. Dill
Hunter Johnson
Emily
Frank Collison
Jasper / Talker #3
Joe Mellis
Ajax
Laura Owens
Female Performer
Ted Rooney
Talker #1
Susan Savage
Lady with Watch
Richard Wharton
Townie
Mark Ankeny
Announcer (voice)
Clay Chappell
Hick
Valeria Hernandez
Catalina de la Rosa
Bobby Preston
Tommy Crane
Episodes
Milfay
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.
After the Ball Is Over
Ben uncovers a piece of his past as a result of Jones' sense of humor. Justin tries to persuade a parishioner to make a deal in real estate. Sofie endures a frightening mishap involving her mother. Samson changes the carnival's course.
Tipton
Ben is the main attraction when Samson refashions the carnival as a religious revival to satisfy a town's moral underpinnings. Justin has a powerful ally in a fight against city hall. Sofie accompanies Ben on a journey into his past.
Black Blizzard
Jones looks to management when the crew turns mutinous. Appolonia is displeased with Sofie's romantic tastes. Justin faces a difficult choice between his congregations. Ben is tested by Lodz.
Babylon
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.
Pick a Number
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.
The River
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.
Lonnigan, Texas
Lodz disagrees with Samson's decision to send Ben on a business trip for the carnival. A radio-show host tries to help find a wandering Justin. Sofie considers a career change.
Insomnia
Ben tries to escape his dreams by staying awake. Iris uses a radio ally to help locate Justin. Samson goes back to the drawing board to increase business.
Hot and Bothered
Ben and Samson go in search of the mysterious Scudder. Sofie accuses her mother of foul play. Lodz waits patiently for Ben for fall asleep. Justin returns to Mintern with a new plan.
Day of the Dead
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.
The Day That Was the Day
A distraught Ben finally meets with Management. In California, Balthus and Justin deal with the tragic undercurrents of their ministry. Stumpy and Rita Sue try to save their marriage. Samson must think fast when the law comes to the carnival.
Carnivàle Ratings
Overall
Overall rating of the media
Scares
How effective are the jump scares
Atmosphere
How immersive and tense is the atmosphere
Gore
Level and quality of gore/violence
Story
Quality of the storyline and plot
Special Effects
Quality of special/visual effects
Character Development
Depth and growth of characters
Pacing
Flow and timing of the narrative