The Best Episodes of Californication

Updated May 15, 2024 64 items

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1.0K votes

462 voters

With its intriguing mix of comedy and drama, Californication became a cultural phenomenon that offered a fascinating glimpse into the life of flawed writer Hank Moody (played by David Duchovny) as he navigated personal and professional turmoil in Los Angeles. With its unforgettable characters and engaging themes, Californication has become a pop culture staple, boasting numerous episodes that stand out as the best of the series.

When considering the standout episodes of Californication, the phenomenal storytelling, poignant character development, and resonant themes that drive the series' success are readily apparent. These episodes expertly showcase the complex dynamics of relationships, career struggles, and personal growth experienced by Moody and his circle, leaving a lasting impact on viewers and solidifying their status as the best Californication episodes.

Episodes like "The Apartment," "The Last Waltz," and "The Devil's Threesome" exemplify the unparalleled storytelling and thematic depth that make Californication a must-watch series. In "The Apartment," Moody faces a dire situation while attempting to protect his manuscript, leading to comedic and poignant moments. "The Last Waltz" provides a heartfelt exploration of familial and romantic relationships as Moody seeks to make amends with Karen. In "The Devil's Threesome," the show delves into the humor and chaos surrounding a bizarre love triangle involving Moody, his agent Charlie, and Charlie's wife Marcy. These captivating episodes represent just a fraction of the exceptional storytelling that has earned Californication its devoted fanbase.

This exploration of the top Californication episodes highlights the diverse narratives and memorable moments that have solidified the series' status as a beloved television classic. By revisiting these outstanding installments, it is clear that Californication's distinctive blend of sharp wit, emotional resonance, and unforgettable characters has left an indelible mark on the landscape of television history.

Most divisive: Mr. Bad Example

Over 400 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Episodes of Californication

1
The Apartment
81 votes
Season 3 Episode 8: Hank's in for a hedonistic night to remember when Jackie and two stripper friends arrive at his doorstep, unannounced. The next morning, before Hank can escort his new friends from the apartment, Charlie shows up with a verbally abusive Rick Springfield. Hank's forced to hide the hung-over party girls all over the house after Jill and Felicia pay surprise visits. The charade reaches its boiling point when Dean Koons arrives on the scene, resulting in a messy catharsis by fire.
2
Pilot
29 votes
Season 1 Episode 1: In the series premiere, Hank is dismayed when he sees the film version of his acclaimed novel and learns that his ex-girlfriend and love of his life, Karen, is engaged to another man.
3
The Last Waltz
33 votes
Season 1 Episode 12: The wedding of Karen and Bill provides the impetus for emotional crises and revelations that threaten to derail the entire ceremony.
4
Hell-A Woman
14 votes
Season 1 Episode 2: Hank reluctantly accepts a blogger gig for a hip L.A. web site.
5
La Petite Mort
29 votes
Season 2 Episode 12: Hank completes his biography of Ashby; Charlie is reduced to working at a car dealership; Sonja gives birth; Karen accepts a job offer back home in New York.
6
Mia Culpa
21 votes
Season 3 Episode 12: As the Moodys at last prepare to move to New York, Becca tells Hank about an intimate coming of age experience she had. Hank's stunned when Mia shows up at the house unannounced, in town with her slimy boyfriend / manager PAUL for a book signing. Hank fails to prevent Mia and Paul from hatching a devious publicity stunt, forcing Hank to finally share the long-buried heartbreaking secret with Karen. Sue Collini gives Charlie a career opportunity of a lifetime, but Charlie must confront the fact that he might be losing Marcy for good.
7
The Devil's Threesome
32 votes
Season 1 Episode 10: A boxing movie turns into a mini-orgy for Hank and his new roommate Charlie, but their ecstasy soon turns to agony.
8
...And Justice For All
24 votes
Season 4 Episode 12: In the Season 4 finale, as Hank awaits sentencing, the lines between his real life and the movie based on his life blur as the film's star hits on his ex-wife and he feels stirrings of passion for the actress hired to play Karen.
9
Monkey Business
23 votes
Season 4 Episode 4: A meeting to discuss Hank's recently completed movie script ends with a billionaire dead in a bathroom; Marcy suspects that she might be pregnant; Karen meets a potential new boyfriend in the artist father of one of Becca's bandmates.
10
California Son
22 votes
Season 1 Episode 8: Hank receives bad news about his father and embarks on a grief-stricken bender of booze and drugs.

11
The Raw & The Cooked
20 votes
Season 2 Episode 4: Hank and Karen's dinner party is derailed by Hank's botched marriage proposal to Karen, the revelation that Hank is likely the father of their friend Sonja's baby, and Lew's near-death from an allergic reaction to sushi.
12
Coke Dick And The First Kick
12 votes
Season 2 Episode 6: Hank sets out to track down Lew's long-lost first love, and discovers that Sonja and her self-help guru boyfriend Julian have an open relationship; Mia spends a day trailed by a Rolling Stone reporter; Charlie's house becomes a porn set.
13
In Utero
16 votes
Season 2 Episode 10: Hank nervously awaits medical test results while reflecting on the early days of his romance with Karen, which coincided with a famous grunge rocker's overdose.
14
Blues From Laurel Canyon
9 votes
Season 2 Episode 11: Ashby hosts a party to celebrate the publication of Mia's book; Charlie announces to Marcy, who has just completed rehab, that he wants a divorce; Becca is devastated to catch Damien cheating on her.
15
Exile on Main St.
9 votes
Season 4 Episode 1: In the Season 4 premiere, Hank is bailed out of jail to find that his literary sex scandal has made him the toast of Hollywood and the target of a lawsuit - as well as estranged him from Karen and Becca.
16
Zoso
9 votes
Season 3 Episode 4: Becca drags Hank to a trendy shopping boutique to pick out some more grown-up attire. But Hank isn't so sure he likes the "new" Becca's makeover. At work, Hank juggles sexual encounters with teacher's aide Jill and boss Felicia. And finally, in an attempt to figure out why talented writer Jackie is missing class, Hank drags Charlie to the strip club where she works. Unfortunately, temptation gets the better of the Hank. Charlie and Marcy attempt to sell their house, but an unexpected surprise chases the buyers away.
17
Slip Of The Tongue
9 votes
Season 2 Episode 1: Hank and Karen plan to move back to New York together, but their reunion is short-lived thanks to a series of drunken incidents and Hank's subsequent arrest.
18
Suicide Solution
8 votes
Season 4 Episode 2: Hank polishes off a day of flaky neediness with a creative meeting about his potential new movie that ends with him hiding in a starlet's bathroom and accidentally overdosing on booze and sleeping pills.
19
The Great Ashby
7 votes
Season 2 Episode 2: Hank befriends a legendary record producer in jail and considers writing the man's biography; Charlie loses his job when his scheming former assistant Dani betrays him.
20
Wish You Were Here
7 votes
Season 3 Episode 1: Watch the season three premiere for free and don't miss Californication every Sunday at 10pm ET/PT, only on Showtime.

21
Girls, Interrupted
7 votes
Season 1 Episode 7: Hank makes peace with his archenemy, Todd, and lands Karen a designing gig in the process.
22
The Abby
7 votes
Season 6 Episode 11: Hank and Faith join forces to track down Atticus. Surprisingly, Becca is the only person who can really help. Marcy's outing with Ophelia leaves her a little tied up. Charlie's response to a curious message reveals the true feelings between the two exes.
23
Faith, Hope, Love
5 votes
Season 7 Episode 9: A run-in with a nun helps Hank put things into perspective.
24
Absinthe Makes The Heart Grow Fonder
4 votes
Season 1 Episode 6: Becca's impressive musical performance at a rock concert leads to a romantic, booze-fueled moment for Hank and Karen.
25
Comings and Goings
3 votes
Season 3 Episode 11: Karen drags Hank to an end of the semester goodbye luncheon at Felicia's. Hank realizes he's walked into a hornet's nest as Felicia, Jackie and Jill all gang up on him. The Hank bashing is interrupted when Richard Bates, the novelist / professor Hank replaced at the college, pays a surprise visit. Hank's none too pleased to learn that Bates and Karen share some intimate history. Finally, a drunken Dean Koons storms the lunch in full Civil War re-enactment regalia, challenging Hank to a sloppy duel that ends in catharsis. Marcy and Charlie get an offer on their house the same day their divorce papers arrive. While hooking up once more for old time's sake, Charlie has a nasty sex accident and Marcy discovers his new tramp stamp.
26
The Trial
3 votes
Season 4 Episode 10: A nervous Hank discovers that he's got good reason to panic when his trial turns into an all-out character assassination, with even friendly witnesses Charlie and Karen unable to portray him as anything other than a drunken, oversexed lout.
27
Verities and Balderdash
5 votes
Season 3 Episode 3: Hank and Becca attend the annual English Department Fall Mixer hosted by Dean Koons and wife Felicia. After flirtatious exchanges with student Jackie and Felicia, Hank finds himself consoling his jilted teacher's aide Jill the best way he knows how. Meanwhile, Becca and Chelsea sneak out to discuss life, love, and the finer points of psychedelic mushrooms. Charlie tries to coax Marcy into celebrating his first signing at the new agency, teen idol Rick Springfield. When Marcy passes on the offer, Charlie finds a modicum of comfort in the arms of his new boss, Sue Collini.
28
Vaginatown
4 votes
Season 2 Episode 5: The newly-single-again Hank moves into Lew's mansion, where his host arranges a sexual encounter for him with an annoying celebrity chef; Charlie becomes a major investor in a porn movie.
29
Freeze-Frame
2 votes
Season 4 Episode 5: After a personal grooming mishap, Charlie discovers that his vasectomy was botched and that Marcy's baby could be his; Hank's relationship with lawyer Abby gets more personal but a good deed yields a compromising photo that could ruin Hank's life.
30
The Last Supper
2 votes
Season 4 Episode 11: Found guilty of statutory rape, Hank buys a used Porsche and considers fleeing from Los Angeles, but instead enjoys one last night in the company of his friends and family.