This is a perfect show. I think this show may be one of the reasons why Boardwalk Empire was such a huge and deserved success. This is the show that paved the way there. Between these two HBO shows one can get a very real sense of the times. Carnivale is slightly noir as well, and artistically flawless. I challenge anyone with an artistic eye not to stop the scene at any point and not realize they are looking at a form of perfection, tone, color, light and dark, juxtaposition, detail and appropriate detail. The characters are as authentic and moving as if they popped out of a Steinbeck novel.