Ep 4. Black Blizzard

In Carnivale season 1 episode 4, titled Black Blizzard, the show takes a dramatic turn as the Dust Bowl wreaks havoc on the carnival. As a massive sandstorm engulfs the town of Tipton, Oklahoma, the carnies are forced to hunker down in their tents and rides to wait out the storm. The sudden onset of the Black Blizzard sends the carnival into chaos, with electrical equipment failing and tents collapsing under the force of the wind and dust.

As the storm rages outside, tensions continue to mount within the carnival's makeshift family. Samson and Ben butt heads as Samson believes Ben is hiding too many secrets, and Ben resents Samson's authority over the carnival. Meanwhile, Sofie struggles to suppress her supernatural abilities as she encounters Ruthie, who's still reeling from her attack in the previous episode.

Amidst the chaos, we see glimpses of the larger story at play. Justin Crowe, a Methodist minister in California, receives a strange telegraph from Tipton that seems to suggest the carnival harbors some dark secrets. At the same time, the mysterious Lodz continues to weave his own web of mysteries around Ben, further entrenching the growing sense of unease and paranoia.

Throughout the episode, we're treated to some stunning visuals as the Black Blizzard rages on. The show's period-appropriate sets and costumes are already something to behold, but the swirling sands and intermittent flashes of lightning add a whole new level of atmosphere and tension to the proceedings. Meanwhile, the excellent ensemble cast continues to shine, with standout performances from Michael J. Anderson as the creepy Lodz, Clancy Brown as the domineering Brother Justin, and Amy Madigan as the carnival's resident fortune teller, Sofie.

Overall, Carnivale season 1 episode 4 has plenty to offer both in terms of spectacle and storytelling. While the larger plot is starting to take shape, this episode focuses mainly on the carnies themselves and the drama that unfolds between them as they weather the storm. It's a tense and compelling ride from start to finish, leaving plenty of questions unanswered and whetting the audience's appetite for more.