Overview: The Showtime Original Series Californication ended season three with bad-boy novelist Hank Moody being hauled off to jail for assaulting the boyfriend of his troublemaking, underage, former fling Mia. His home life with Karen and Becca is in ruins, but the scandal surrounding the publication of his latest book has turned him into a hot Hollywood commodity – in more ways than one.

DVD Verdict: As you should all know the premise of 'Californication' by now, and over-stretched one, admittedly, let's get straight into the season opener, shall we. The hit Showtime series kicked off its loooong-awaited fourth season bringing us the revelations of the previous season-ender. The one where Hank Moody’s big secret (of sleeping with an under-aged girl) is fully revealed. And markedly so, as he is consequently arrested, handcuffed and frog-marched away.

Here, as the fourth season opens, Hank walks out of jail (with a seemingly-perfect for the scene Alice in Chains song being played out as backing) only to be greeted by his agent ... with a bottle of whisky in one hand, cigarettes in the other! As Moody has always said throughout the series, 'Classic Bukowski'! Anyway, the scenes play out well, and the entire premiere episode is a joy to watch unravel, for sure. And, in all honesty, this fourth season wasn't the best, a kind of filler season, if anything, it still is jam-packed with so many laugh-out loud, outrageous moments that it will keep you glued to it, for sure.

Admittedly, season four is wrapped around the main plot line of Moody battling against accusations of rape, pending from his under-age escapade with Mia. Charlie is barely getting along after being separated from Marci, and has now decided to try and sleep with 100 women before he dies!! And, for the record, as the season begins his number stands at a low 11, so we (and he) know his inner 'man whore' needs to surface sometime very soon!

As 'Californication' progresses, Moody's character does progress, albeit slowly, but as he himself says, "It’s true; I am kind of retarded, but I’m also kind of amazing.” Ha, couldn't have put it better myself, Mr. Moody. But, as a viewer, outside his box of reality, his overloaded moments of self-reflection can seem too much. Especially as he doesn't seem to appreciate them, or learn from them himself!

Indeed, you find yourself continuously awaiting for some sort of big fish round the face awakening to occur to our main man. But it simply doesn't. At times finding himself, much like the script, in the midst of a slumber, Moody and co. we watch him getting (mentally) older by the episode.

And, without giving away the ending of this fourth season, you should all guess by now it's nowhere close to being as overlly dramatic as the previous season. That said, it does possses a rather nice, cozy wrap, for sure. In short, it was a good season, not a great season, but still an admirable attempt to keep the legacy of 'Californication' alive. These are all Full-Screen Presentations (1.77:1), and come with the Special Features of:

- Gigolos - Episodes 1 and 2
- Episodes - Episodes 1 and 2
- E-Bridge Technology - The Borgias - Episodes 1 and 2