Californication
Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be
TV Flash files “Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be” as the last listed hour of season 5 — Californication (2007–2014) on Showtime, season 5, episode 12, aired 2012-04-01, 30 min.
From the desk
How this hour is filed
This leaf is S05E12: listed hour 60 of 84 in the Californication guide, last listed hour of season 5. It aired 2012-04-01 (30 min). The listed hour before it is “The Party” (S05E11). Next is “The Unforgiven” (S06E01).
Catalog log
Broadcast listing — not a TV Flash recap.
Hank discovers the bartender at a local watering hole is his late friend Lew Ashby and wonders if he's in Hell. Richard makes a startling announcement about Hank and Karen. Hank tries to make things right with Becca, but her news about Tyler leaves him stunned. On the set of "Santa Monica Cop," Sam's jealousy and fondness for firearms give Charlie an opportunity to show how much he loves his best friend and number one client; Hank's arsonist ex-girlfriend surprises him with a way for them to be together forever.
Viewer FAQ
Where does Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be sit in the Californication guide?
S05E12 is listed hour 60 of 84 — last listed hour of season 5, season 5 episode 12.
When did Californication S05E12 air?
Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be aired 2012-04-01 and is listed at 30 minutes.
Is Californication only raunch?
Raunch with a sore family nerve. Hank, Karen, a daughter who sees through the legend — self-sabotage as literary style, not just sex-as-plot.
In the series
Why this series still plays
David Duchovny's blocked novelist treats L.A. self-sabotage like a literary style. Californication is Showtime raunch with a sore family nerve — Hank, Karen, a daughter who sees through the legend, and a man who can write anyone a better ending than himself.
The group chat is not okay about Hank Moody, which is the correct setting. Tom Kapinos's Californication (2007–2014) is Showtime's literary-lothario brand: David Duchovny post-X-Files as a blocked novelist staggering through L.A. sex, parenting, and industry absurdity, Golden Globe attached. Natascha McElhone's Karen is the long game. Madeleine Martin's Becca sees through the legend. Pamela Adlon, Evan Handler, Madeline Zima. Raunch with a sore family nerve. Seven seasons, 84 episodes, a man who can write anyone…
Filed against
- David Duchovny as Hank Moody
David Duchovny’s Fox Mulder made “I want to believe” a dating profile for conspiracy culture — trench coat, skepticism’s opposite, and ship-fuel chemistry with Scully. The X-Files turned him into 1990s Fox’s face of the weird. TV Flash…
- Natascha McElhone as Karen
Natascha McElhone’s Karen was the sore family nerve under Californication’s L.A. self-sabotage — David Duchovny’s blocked novelist, 2000s Showtime raunch, a daughter who sees through the legend, a man who can write anyone a better ending…
- Madeleine Martin as Becca Moody
Madeleine Martin saw through the legend as Becca Moody on Californication — David Duchovny’s blocked novelist treating L.A. self-sabotage like a literary style, Showtime raunch with a sore family nerve. A daughter who writes anyone a…
- Pamela Adlon as Marcy Runkle
Pamela Adlon’s Bobby Hill made King of the Hill a boy’s hush in Arlen — 1990s catalog propane weather, kids’ comedy that whispers. Californication and Better Things kept her in the adult room as ache and authorship. TV Flash files her as…
- Evan Handler as Charlie Runkle
Evan Handler played Charlie Runkle on Californication — Showtime raunch with a sore family nerve, David Duchovny's blocked novelist, an agent who made L.A. self-sabotage look like a two-man sport. TV Flash files him as 2000s premium-cable…
- Madeline Zima as Mia Lewis
Madeline Zima complicated the house as Mia Lewis on Californication — Showtime’s blocked-novelist hangover, L.A. self-sabotage as a literary style, and a next-door presence that made the raunch stop being only Hank’s joke. Family nerve,…