“Damascus, NE” is an exceptionally fast-paced episode – for Carnivàle, at least. Put simply, a lot of narrative work is done in this episode. And if the stylistic changes continue to be an issue, at the very least the series feels like it is building to a major payoff. To that end, the episode concludes a minor payoff of its own, making it one of the few Carnivàle episodes to end with a measure of narrative satisfaction (even though the final scene is a bit gruesome).

The minor plotline for the episode involves Brother Justin’s continued work at his ministry. He is visited by Bishop McNaughton who has arrived to inform Brother Justin that the “supervisory committee” is not at all pleased with the content of Justin’s sermons. As a result, McNaughton is there on behalf of the committee to request that Brother Justin submit each radio sermon for editing and approval – essentially, they wish to censor Brother Justin.

Surprisingly, Justin calmly agrees. However, when Justin finally does give his sermon, the one approved by McNaughton, his performance is distinctly subdued. He then seems to come to a decision within himself, tears up the sermon, and launches into an impromptu tirade about the evil of those who would seek to control him. He concludes with the slightly overblown statement, “Where Jesus had twelve at his side, I will have 12,000! You will hear the voice of one man, and that is the sound that they will fear!” It comes across as a bit hokey, however, it conveys the fact that Justin is stepping completely out of the shadow of his church and heading off in a direction of his own.

The main plot involves Ben Hawkins’ search for his father, Henry Scudder. Using the Tarot card, “the moon,” Hawkins arrives in Damascus. As soon as he does so, Hawkins begins to have waking visions of a man with a grotesquely disfigured face. Next, he has visions of his father. They all lead him to the Hotel Astoria, where Hawkins learns that Scudder was indeed a tenant, but has since left. After a few more visions, Hawkins realizes that what he is seeing is his father, Henry Scudder, literally burning off his own face in an attempt to become anonymous and hide from his destiny.

The twist? Henry Scudder is the assistant behind the hotel manager.

Hawkins confronts his father, who tries denying the truth until Hawkins uses his power to heal Scudder’s face. After finally relenting, Henry Scudder allows Hawkins to take him back to the carnival for a fateful showdown with Management. What ensues is a bizarre kind of fight between the invalid Management, and the hesitant Scudder. Eventually, Management gets the upper hand (with his only hand, mind you) and is on the verge of killing Ben’s father. At that moment, Ben takes the knife he received from his grandmother and repeatedly stabs Management, who bleeds blue blood.

At that moment, all of the power at the carnival goes out.

It’s a powerful moment, in part, because of its unexpected brutality. But more importantly is the symbolic act of Ben killing Management. Within the construct of Carnivàle, it’s a significant part of the journey. But the episode doesn’t there: the lights suddenly return to the carnival and Management somehow reaches up and grabs Hawkins throat.

Overall Grade: C+

“Damascus, NE” is all about the narrative. Individual characters don’t seem to do or change much, rather they are more like pawns on the board to be moved around and put through their paces. Even so, enough happens in the episode to make it worth watching.

Filed under: Carnivàle

Related Articles:

• Carnivàle - 2.08 - Outskirts, Damascus, NE
• Carnivàle - 1.08 - Lonnigan, Texas
• Carnivàle - 1.10 - Hot and Bothered
• Carnivàle - 2.06 - The Road To Damascus
• Carnivàle - 1.09 - Insomnia
• Carnivàle - 2.05 - Creed, OK
• Carnivàle - 2.01 - Los Moscos
• Carnivàle - 2.11 - Outside New Canaan
• Carnivàle - 1.12 - The Day That Was The Day
• Carnivàle - 2.10 - Cheyenne, WY