Watching A Little Television: Californication

I don't normally admit having emotional reactions to films or television shows but today I took a little time out and watched a couple of episodes of the show Californication. It is billed as a comedy (and, yes, it his hilarious) and features David Duchovny as a novelist and writer (and a lot of naked women) who can't seem to get past his life problems. He has been successful as a writer and has a lot of things going for him - but hasn't been able to write much since his family fell apart. He does start a blog, which I thought was very cool, and appears to find an outlet that way.

The show itself is entertaining but, as the episodes move onward, it started to get to me. The constant struggle of the main characters, their lack of control, their inability to cope with their lives started to pain me in the chest. (Metaphorically, of course.) Even when they appear to have a solution to even one problem, the solution turns out to be nothing more than a bandaid solution and, anyone within shrapnel distance, is taken down.

I am surprised that this show (which begins with a blow job sequence with a nun) has bothered me so much. I went into it thinking of it as nothing more than Mulder running around touching some boobs and girl bums. But, Mr. Duchovny has surprised me. He has put together a television program that is something more than average. It is smart and witty and deals with all of those problems we all suffer through from time to time. I am happy to take on the burden of the characters and share in some of that pain they are living through. It is a very rare glimpse into what good storytelling can do and how well written characters can overwhelm you when you least expect it.

It surprised me, Mr. Duchovny - it really did.

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about me

Shane Birley is a blogger, huge geeky nerd, web developer, poet, and creative writer based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He is a partner at Left Right Minds, a web development, arts management, business blogging and on line marketing company.

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What else do I do? I talk out loud, record it, and post it on line. I chatter about all kinds of things. Some of the things are nerdy, some professional, and some of them are very much NSFW. Why? Because do them for myself and my non-work life. You can be the judge.