For me, Californication has always been a story about the real, and not just real people,movies tv series, but REAL everything,new movies on line. Everything that happens on this show I could very well see happening in reality, especially given the setting in which it takes place in. And that's one of the many reasons why I love it and why I can connect with it on a personal level. For the majority of the show and its seasons thus far, Californication has mostly taken on a dark-comedic edge and while maintaining a serious edge throughout its plot threads, most of the time we're left laughing hysterically at the insanity the characters fall into(most of the time at their own faults).

Season 4 changes all that. And it does so near perfectly. This season takes a turn for the worse in that Hank faces the real-life consequences for his actions in prior seasons, and if anyone knows anything about character development and progression of story, a pivotal point in every story's duration is the point in which the characters feel truly lost and all hope has failed them. That's essentially what Season 4 has to offer. It's a dark time for Hank, and doesn't offer nearly as many laughs as Seasons 1 through 3.

So for anyone who's walking into this season with high expectations, you should still have them; this show is still as genius as ever, just take it with a grain of salt. It may take a few viewings to fully grasp that you're watching a drama moreover a comedy this time around. Can't wait for Season 5!