Carnivale Revisited--"Black Blizzard"

Episode Guide--Season 1, Episode 4: "Black Blizzard"

This fourth episode of the series is at once quiet and loud, slow-paced and action-packed.  The loneliness of carny life is emphasized as Samson and Sophie individually leave camp to seek sexual release from a local.  And the danger of the Dust Bowl circuit is underscored as the titular storm (carrying "the topsoil of 10,000 farms") suddenly rages.

Professor Lodz senses the coming of the storm and uses the occasion to try to force Ben to demonstrate his powers.  The blind mentalist is onto Ben, telling him "You can't hide what you are."  Lodz also hints at his own integral role in the Carnivale backstory when he exclaims in exasperation to Ben, "I gave up my eyes for a fraction of what you possess!"  He tries to tempt Ben with the offer of serving as a mentor, but Ben isn't interested.

The episode itself might not have been that interesting if not for a couple of other developments.  As the carnival continues on the road to the dreaded Babylon, Texas, the constituents grow increasingly restless.  Jonesy's crew is verging on mutiny, and while the unhelpful Samson is away, Jonesy ventures into Management's trailer to discuss matters directly with the never-before-seen leader.  But Jonesy is in for quite a surprise when he draws the curtain on the compartment where Management lies.

Finally, on the Mintern front, Brother Justin continues to receive opposition to his ministry for migrant workers.  Both the town's councilmen and Justin's own superiors in the First Methodist church seek to dissuade him, but he insists that tending to the migrants is his calling.  That mission suffers a serious setback, though, in the shocking conclusion to the episode.