Two men, one for goodness, one for evil, will meet in the sands of a tent village known as New Canaan and the outcome of their confrontation will either lead those in need to salvation or damnation. The chess board has been set, the remaining pieces have taken their last places and now the final move is at hand. For the pawns that have been sacrificed and for the knights that have fallen, this is either the end or the beginning, depending on who is the victor, and all shall bear witness to the outcome.

Season two of Carnivàle picks up right where season one left off as the final battle between the young healer Hawkins and the menacing Brother Justin comes to fruition as each man has finally accepted what is inside him and what must be released.

The deeply diverse and haunting Carnivale continues to roll on and “shake some dust” as the caravan of characters head into the eye of the storm and try to prepare for the final showdown.

Season two gives us many answers to the questions that season one raised, family trees are connected, dreams are revealed, prophecies fulfilled and people are tested in the dusty winds California. Like season one, Hawkins and Brother Justin are at the center of the story as the two are the true opposite of one another, but once again the staff of writers does a great job of allowing the rest of the cast to not only enter but become a part of the larger story as well. Faces new and old, and a few forgotten, resurface to guide us into the final battle of good and evil.

But take heart dear brethren, there are many twists and surprises along the way to be had as some of the characters will make choices and take actions that could change the entire outlook of the events to come, some will be lead to the light and others shall fall into darkness.

Season two also has moments of treachery and harsh brutality along the journey to keep the viewer on their toes as well. Along with the impending battle of good and evil, little Samson must also deal with a power shift within his own caravan as his followers begin to question the guidance of the mysterious being known as management. The brutality comes in the form of lynch mobs, inbred hillbillies and spiteful lovers, but mostly in the form of Brother Justin’s smug enforcer Varlyn Stroud.

The worst part about season two is it is the last season as well, as the show was cancelled soon after by HBO. At first I was distressed by this but the season ends in a way that makes the series end as well. Yes, there are a few ends left untied and there is most definitely a reason to return, and I would like to see that happen, but the ending leaves the viewer wanting more, and if you're going to go out, that’s the way to go as they say.

9.5 of 10