Mystical Circus

Beguiling. Compelling. Mysterious. These are the words that come to mind as I think about HBO's "Carnivale", a most intriguing show about the endless fight of good versus evil writ in the form of a travelling carnival show.

Set during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s, the show is a mix of mysticism, magic, and allegory as we learn about the forces of light and the forces of  dark that arise in the most unexpected of places.

"Carnivale" reminds me of Stephen King's "The Stand" for its epic themes and strong fantastic elements. It is certainly bizarre at times and down right weird. But it is compelling viewing at every turn, and one of the most visually original works to ever come across our TV screens.