"Californication" Filthy Lucre (2007)

User Rating:

8.0/10   

Director:

Scott Z. Burns

Writers:

Tom Kapinos (creator)
Ildy Modrovich (written by)

TV Series:

"Californication" (2007)

Original Air Date:

8 October 2007 (Season 1, Episode 9)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Plot:

Things seem to be looking up for Hank. He has finally written something and he receives a fat bonus check.

Plot Keywords:

Los Angeles California | Father Daughter Relationship | Writer | Family Relationships | Male Female Relationship

Cast

David Duchovny	...	Hank Moody
Natascha McElhone	...	Karen
Madeleine Martin	...	Becca Moody
Madeline Zima	...	Mia Lewis
Evan Handler	...	Charlie Runkle
Pamela Adlon	...	Marcy Runkle
Brigitte Bako	...	Car Dealer
Rachel Miner	...	Dani
Damian Young	...	Bill Lewis
Ronnie Gene Blevins	...	Guitar Center Employee
Johnny D'Agostino	...	Rocker Dude
Lou Fusaro	...	Ferrari Guy
Sara Wells	...	Girl with Ferrari Guy
Luis Moncada	...	Carjacker
Alicia Sixtos	...	Girl with Carjacker (as Alicia Marie Sixtos)

Runtime:

29 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

USA:TV-MA

Company:

Aggressive Mediocrity

Quotes:

Mia Lewis: Hi Bill.
Bill Lewis: "Dad" or "Daddy", please.

Movie Connections:

References "CSI: Miami" (2002)

Soundtrack:

Surrender

Time to lighten up

Given the huge emotional content of the previous episode, it was fair to assume Filthy Lucre would have a more joyous tone. And indeed it does: why would Hank want to sulk after finally managing to sleep with Karen for the first time in years?

The story kicks off with Hank's return to L.A. after the old man's funeral. He's very happy since he has, at last, produced a new manuscript, and insists Karen read it before he hands it over to Charlie. In the meantime, he receives a fat bonus paycheck, of which he takes advantage to get a new car for himself and a new guitar for Becca (bonding's important, you know?). As for Charlie, the threesome from the previous episode has unexpected effects when Marcy tells him she's embarking on a lesbian relationship with Dani.

Aside from the usual character quirks, which emerge in all their charm, Filthy Lucre sets in motion a subplot which will define the rest of the season (if you paid attention to the Mia scenes in the last few episodes, it's pretty obvious), a fact confirmed by the charmingly downbeat ending - a bittersweet sequence that reminds us how big a lovable loser Hank can be. There's no beating that guy.