Californication: Hank Moody

A favorite contemporary television show of mine is Showtime's Californication, starring David Duchovny.  Duchovny plays Hank Moody, a sardonic writer who's success takes him and his family from New York to Los Angeles.  In Los Angeles, Hank's bacheloresque lifestyle of partying and one night stands continually interferes with his familial relationships.  Although he and the mother of his teen-aged daughter have split, her character is an integral role in Hank's life.  Constantly torn between his carnal desires and his desire to reconcile his family, Hank frequently finds himself engulfed in self-deprecation and never-ending apologies.  Hank is a charming, intellectual who flaunts his unrequited love and black humor.  The episodes are riddled with his wry quips as well as his chivalrous intentions.  Despite Hank's attempts to get his drinking, drugging, and sexing under control, he continually finds himself in unfavorable situations (like accidentally sleeping with his ex-girlfriend's fiance's daughter).  In the midst of his social madness, Hank also struggles to maintain his writing career.

A real aspect of this show is Hank.  He is an openly flawed man, yet, despite his shortcomings, is still likable.  He is an honest  and loving man who just can't seem to get his shit together.  An element of the show that I find unrealistic is that no one has outwardly commented on Hank's evident sex addiction.  His alcohol and drug-use has been noted and discussed by his friends and family throughout the show.  What is interesting is that David Duchovny, in real life, suffers from a sex addiction which caused him to attend a rehabilitation center.  Duchovny masters the role of Hank Moody, in part due to his genuine connection to the character.  Every episode Hank has one or more new sexual partners.  Often times, these sex partners are discovered by his daughter and ex-girlfriend, to his dismay.  He also engages in high risk sexual behavior, which leads him to bizarre and sometimes dangerous situations.  Although the show realistically portrays the consequences of Hank's actions (particularly the effects his choices have on his family), Hank's core issues are not discussed.  No one has suggested Hank seek therapy.  No one has suggested that Hank has an uncontrollable disorder.  Hank's friends and family primarily attribute his behavior to his selfishness, his thoughtlessness, or his carpe diem mentality.  The show is entertaining and bursts with Hanks antics.  If the reasons for his wild behavior were addressed, then perhaps Hank would have to actually change, or attempt to make real changes.  As it is, the show could not sustain if Hank Moody was not the infamous Hank Moody: intellectual savage, lover, and penchant for disaster.

Post Script
Each episode features partial nudity, chiefly female breasts.  Hank's sex addition allows viewers to vicariously enjoy his sexual exploits.

As a professional writing major, I enjoy Californication for its portrayal of Hank Moody's writing career.  Hank has found success within print publications as well the film industry.  I aspire to write screenplays, and I can vicariously experience how the industry and success within that industry transpires.  Hank's career has brought him into the realm of agents, publishing companies, producers, cinema studios and more.  Hank approaches these interactions with cynicism and skepticism.  He struggles to maintain his independence as a writer.  He works with these media outlets while simultaneously combating their attempts to swallow his identity (and works) thus turning him into a "sell-out."  For example, Hank scoffs at an offer to become a "blogger" because it does not coincide with his self-image of an old-school writer. (Hank prefers writing on his trusty typewriter as opposed to a computer).  I can identify with Hank in that I also value the typewriter as an organic tool of writing.  As a viewer, I find myself accepting the show's portrayal of Hank's life and success, because I am a beginning writer.  My perceptions of a writer's success makes the show's depictions possible because my experiences have all been vicarious through media presentations.  However, upon application of critical analysis, I can determine that the show features not the norm of success, but the extreme.  And even more so, Hank's behavior and antics within the industries themselves are only commonly seen in the tabloids.  Realistically, Hank would be a liability to every company who bought and sold his works due to his negligence and rebellion.  Hank is a social mess.  And while messes can make companies money with their entertainment fodder, too much of a mess can become a social leper.  In one instance, Hank is charged with having sex with a minor--a charge that is bad publicity for the companies who represent him.  Despite Hank's bad press, I still respect his fortitude in maintaining his core values and beliefs as an old school writer in this digital world.  I hope to do the same.