Ep 9. Insomnia

Set during the Great Depression, Carnivale is a dark, mysterious drama following the lives of a group of carnival workers who possess supernatural abilities. In season 1 episode 9, entitled "Insomnia," the tension is high as the carnival workers deal with their own personal demons.

The episode begins with Ben Hawkins, a young man with healing powers, struggling to sleep. He is haunted by vivid nightmares that seem to be foretelling a dark future. Meanwhile, we see management deal with the fallout from the previous episode's events, which include the death of a carnival worker's child and the exposure of management's true intentions.

The character development in "Insomnia" is particularly strong, as we see many of the carnival workers grapple with their own personal struggles. One such character is Jonesy, who is dealing with the aftermath of his wife's affair. He is drinking heavily and becoming increasingly violent, and tensions between him and management continue to escalate.

Another character who is struggling is Sofie, a seemingly withdrawn young woman who has psychic abilities. She is haunted by a dark past that is slowly being revealed to us. In this episode, we see her struggling to cope with her visions, which are becoming increasingly difficult to control.

As the episode progresses, the carnival workers are forced to confront their fears and past mistakes. This manifests in several intense scenes, including a confrontation between Jonesy and management, and a powerful moment between Ben and Sofie.

Despite the tension and darkness of "Insomnia," there are also moments of hope and redemption. Ben continues to work to heal those around him, and we see several characters begin to take steps towards forgiveness and healing.

Overall, "Insomnia" is a powerful episode that delves deep into the psyche of these complex characters. The acting is superb, the writing is taut, and the visuals are haunting. As the season draws to a close, the stakes continue to rise and the tension continues to mount. Fans of dark, thought-provoking dramas will not want to miss this episode.