Carnivale episode 3

[troub]

*Originally posted by richardb *
The dying lady knew that guy well, and Ben was asking her for explanations. What she managed to give him as she was dying was “Babylon.” Clearly that word holds some clue to the boy’s past (or maybe even some clue to his “gift”).

A little clarification here, I’m pretty sure he asked her where the guy went after he left the show (or after he left her, I don’t remember specifically). She said “Babylon.”

[eponymous]

*Originally posted by richardb *

As the midget was talking to the leg brace guy in the truck, we now have learned that they have changed their schedule and are now heading to a place in Texas called Babylon. This location has some deep meanings for the two in the truck, perhaps (I’m just guessing now) something to do with the dead Geek Show/Ben’s Father guy’s death, or something.

Hmm…I don’t recall the two ever saying that Babylon was located in Texas. They just mentioned that they are heading south and will eventually reach Babylon.

My take - Babylon is a reference to Los Angeles (or some place in California). I remember that the midget mentioned something about taking a route until in meets up with Route 66. Babylon is somewhere along Route 66. If you take Route 66 south (and eventually west), you evenutally end up in Los Angeles.

The reason for my supposition is that I am assuming the preacher is located somewhere in California. I assume this because of all the Okies in the local town, and it is well known historically that California was a major destination for out-of-work/destitute farmers during the depression - re Grapes of Wrath by Steinbeck. Plus the new church for the Okies was converted from a Chinese “den of iniquity” - Chin’s; It’s more likely that a recogizable Chinese population in a community would be more common in California than in other states (west of the Mississippi River, in any case).

At some point in the series (probably towards the end, but who knows for sure), I’m guessing there will be some kind of confrontation between Hawkins and the preacher at some point (alluded to by the midget at the start of the series - confrontation betwen good vs. evil, and the dream sequences of the preacher and Hawkins). Since the carnival is moving south (and it’s likely that the preacher won’t be travelling), then the preacher and Hawkins will meet somewhere in “Babaylon” (i.e. - Los Angeles or somewhere in California).

But hopefully we’ll get more clues as the season progresses. It’s still a bit cryptic for me, but I’ll watch nonetheless as there’s nothing else decent on Sunday, anayway.

[Judith_Prietht]

Brother Justin and his subplots are located in Mintern, CA.

[kasuo]

Okay, I think I get it now.

Ben used his healing powers WAY too much and ended up causing the Great Dust Bowl.

It makes TOO much sense…

What?