Californication Season 2 Episode 4 Rundown: 'The Raw & the Cooked'

30 minutes.

That’s how long it takes Hank Moody to go from sitting on top of the world to falling back down into relationship doldrums. Let’s be honest his relationship with Karen couldn’t last. And I have to admit, despite Hank’s obvious title of Mr. Wrong, I was rooting for him to be Karen’s Mr. Right.

Unfortunately, this isn’t a 1960’s sitcom, nor is it 2008 broadcast television. After last week’s episode “How to Treat a Lady,” I was almost certain that this episode would begin with more tension between the two. However, it started on an upbeat scene with a lot of levity followed by a Moody proposal. It was then topped off with a vividly alluded to unseen love session between Hank and Karen.

Could it last? Maybe if Hank was the Beav and Karen was Ms. Garrett (Facts of Life).

Unfortunately, in California you’re only as big as the last thing you did. And what everyone found out in “The Raw & the Cooked,” Hank’s last big thing was impregnating Sonja.

Ouch. Easy come easy go. A future with the woman of his dreams and the daughter he loves has been denied once again.

I’ve got to say I admire Karen for staying with Hank this long. But, on second thought, this reminds me of Lana Lang and Clark Kent in Smallville. You kind of want Lana to just walk away from Clark, since he keeps breaking her heart. Yet, she never does. And, you know what? We still loved her - well up until season 7 at least. It just can’t be helped. We love seeing people fall deeper into bad situations. It’s good TV. If everything always went right, it wouldn’t be considered good.

And, quite frankly, Californication is easily rising to be one of the best non-broadcast comedies out right now. Or is that dramedy. Whatever. It’s good. So be sure to tune in.