Californication Episode Guide

Series Overview

Seasons Episodes Premiere Finale
1 12 August 13, 2007 October 29, 2007
2 12 September 28, 2008 December 14, 2008
3 12 September 27, 2009 December 13, 2009

Californication Episodes Season 1: 2007

The first season of Californication premiered August 13, 2007 and ended October 29, 2007. The season followed Hank and the other main characters in the months leading up to Karen’s planned marriage to Bill, a Los Angeles publisher. Hank is wallowing deep in self-loathing following the release of A Crazy Little Thing Called Love, which he perceives as a sub-par yet popular movie adaptation to his most recent novel, God Hates Us All.

After picking up a younger woman in a bookstore, Hank finds out that she is actually Bill’s 16-year-old daughter, Mia. Hank spends most of his time drinking and not writing. Meanwhile, Mia continues to haunt Hank during his visits to his family, using the threat of exposing his statutory rape of her to steal stories for her creative writing class. The death of his father triggers an alcohol fuelled binge and an eventual sexual encounter with Karen.

After his father’s funeral, Hank stays in New York to finish a manuscript for a new novella. However, when Hank returns to LA, the original copy is lost when he is carjacked. Mia however has retained her own copy, and chooses to pass the work off as her own. On Karen and Bill’s wedding day, Hank chooses to accept the way things are, but as he leaves the reception with his daughter Becca, Karen runs out and jumps into the car, riding into a new life together.

Episode # Title Writer(s) Director Original air date
1 (1-01) “Pilot“ Tom Kapinos Stephen Hopkins August 13, 2007 (2007-08-13)
We meet 40ish year old Hank Moody (David Duchovny) in a church asking Jesus to help him get his life back on track. He is then distracted by a hot nun, which turns out to be a dream that is representative of his lifestyle. Sex-addicted Hank sleeps with many women including a woman who is cheating on her enraged and muscular husband and Mia (Madeline Zima), a 16-year-old girl (Hank assumes she is older). Moody also has to interact with ex-girlfriend Karen (Natascha McElhone) who might still love him. With her, they share the custody of their 12-year-old daughter Becca (Madeleine Martin) who is wise beyond her years but is starting to have a sex life, which freaks out both of her parents.
2 (1-02) “Hell-A Woman“ Tom Kapinos Scott Winant August 20, 2007 (2007-08-20)
Becca invites Hank to her Mom and Bill’s (Damian Young) house for a dinner party with some mutual friends. After he arrives, however, he realizes that Karen has planned a little setup for Hank with her scientologist friend Sonja (Paula Marshall), which doesn’t thrill Hank all that much. But, Hank gets a nice laugh out of it after the rest of the party people walk in on him and Sonja in the bedroom. Hank also gets a little news about the job he recently accepted.
3 (1-03) “The Whore of Babylon“ Tom Kapinos Scott Winant August 27, 2007 (2007-08-27)
Hank and Todd Carr (Chris Williams), the director of “A Crazy Little Thing Called Love”, the movie adaptation of Hank’s book, start a fight, after which Hank ends up in jail. Bill bails him out and Hank finds a new connection to Meredith (Amy Price-Francis). Charlie (Evan Handler) learns about a different side of his assistant Dani (Rachel Miner).
4 (1-04) “Fear and Loathing at the Fundraiser“ Daisy Gardner Michael Lembeck September 3, 2007 (2007-09-03)
Meredith convinces Hank to escort her to an environmental fundraiser. Coincidentally Bill and Karen are at the same event, where Karen makes a scene, and Hank runs into Dani and Charlie while they are in his office.
5 (1-05) “LOL“ Susan McMartin Bart Freundlich September 10, 2007 (2007-09-10)
Bill asks Hank to step in as a guest speaker at Mia’s creative writing class. Hank talks about his writing and motivations on a radio interview. Becca develops a crush on her guitar teacher Dave (Joaquin Pastor), but he ends up with Mia.
6 (1-06) “Absinthe Makes the Heart Grow Fonder“ Tom Kapinos & Eric Weinberg Ken Whittingham September 17, 2007 (2007-09-17)
Hank spends the night with a sexy surfer girl (Michelle Lombardo) and in return she robs him. Mia wants more of Hank’s writing to pass her class, instead he offers to help her with her writing. Charlie wants to spice up the sex life with his wife Marcy (Pamela Adlon), but she is not as fond of spanking as Dani is.
7 (1-07) “Girls, Interrupted“ Gina Fattore Tucker Gates September 24, 2007 (2007-09-24)
Hank is disturbed by Becca’s negative reaction towards the concept of happy endings, even more so when he finds out that it is partially his fault. Marcy comes up with the idea of a threesome with Charlie and Dani, but it ends unexpectedly.
8 (1-08) “California Son“ Tom Kapinos Scott Winant October 1, 2007 (2007-10-01)
Hank’s father Al (Mark Margolis) dies, so Hank tries to ease his pain with a hooker named Trixie (Judy Greer). However, Karen does her best to help him overcome the pain.
9 (1-09) “Filthy Lucre“ Ildy Modrovich Scott Burns October 8, 2007 (2007-10-08)
After the funeral of Hank’s father Al, Hank comes back to L.A. with a new manuscript, that he wants Karen to read. After receiving a bonus paycheck, he buys a new car for himself and a new guitar for Becca.
10 (1-10) “The Devil’s Threesome“ Tom Kapinos John Dahl October 15, 2007 (2007-10-15)
A new threesome including Hank and Charlie evolves from a meeting at the gym, while Karen and Marcy have a girls’ night out at which they decide to surprise Hank and Charlie.
11 (1-11) “Turn the Page“ Gina Fattore & Eric Weinberg David Von Ancken October 22, 2007 (2007-10-22)
Charlie and Dani represent Mia after she wrote a book that seems to have come out of Hank’s feather. Becca decides to move out of Bill and Karen’s home to live with her dad Hank.
12 (1-12) “The Last Waltz“ Tom Kapinos Scott Winant October 29, 2007 (2007-10-29)
In the season finale Hank has to deal with Karen’s wedding and Becca’s first period.

Californication Episodes Season 2: 2008

The second season of Californication premiered September 28, 2008, and ended December 14, 2008. The newly reunited couple of Hank and Karen is seeming to work out, their house is on the market and Becca seems happy again. Hank gets a vasectomy and attends a party invited by Sonja, a woman Hank had sex with in the first season. A mistake and a fight with an obnoxious police officer lands Hank in jail, where he meets Lew Ashby, world-famous record producer. He commissions Hank to write his biography.

Charlie loses his job due to masturbating in his office several different times, and becomes the paternal figure and agent of a porn star named Daisy. Charlie decides to get into the porn industry and finances the porn movie “Vaginatown”, starring Daisy. Marcy goes into rehab for her cocaine addiction and Charlie starts an affair with Daisy. Hank proposes to Karen on the night that they discover that Hank could be the father of Sonja’s child. Karen says no after hearing the news about Sonja’s baby, and Hank decides that they can no longer be together.

Hank moves in with Ashby, who starts a romance with Mia (much to Hank’s dismay). Becca finds a boyfriend named Damien. Mia’s book becomes a hit and Ashby holds a party in its honor, where Damien cheats on Becca and Charlie decides to divorce Marcy to get together with Daisy. After the party Hank sees that Ashby’s old girlfriend (The one that got away) has finally showed up to see Lew and when Hank goes upstairs to get him, Ashby dies of an overdose of heroin which he had mistaken for cocaine.

Hank finishes Ashby’s biography. Charlie ends up working in a BMW dealership in the Valley. Sonja’s baby is born and turns out to be half black, making it clear that Hank cannot be the father. Hank and Karen are slowly starting to get together again. Karen then gets offered a job in New York and Hank is happy to go back to New York with her, but when Damien apologises to Becca and the two get back together again, Hank decides it would be wrong to take Becca out of Los Angeles. He decides to stay, while Karen starts her job in New York. The season closes with Karen’s plane leaving for New York and Hank and Becca walking on the Venice boardwalk.

Episode # Title Writer(s) Director Original air date
13 (2-01) “Slip of the Tongue“ Tom Kapinos David Duchovny September 28, 2008 (2008-09-28)
Hank and Karen decide to move back to New York, so they try to sell their house in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, Karen persuades Hank to get a vasectomy.
14 (2-02) “The Great Ashby“ Tom Kapinos David Von Ancken October 5, 2008 (2008-10-05)
After Hank is arrested by the police and sent to jail, he meets record producer Lew Ashby (Callum Keith Rennie), who asks Hank to write his biography, and Charlie is fired after videos of him masturbating in the office are shown to his boss.
15 (2-03) “No Way to Treat a Lady“ Gina Fattore John Dahl October 12, 2008 (2008-10-12)
A prostitute who is acquainted with Ashby and Hank claims that Hank is better in bed. Karen comes under the spell of a self-help guru. Charlie pitches himself as an agent, and wants to help Daisy with her porn career.
16 (2-04) “The Raw & the Cooked“ Tom Kapinos David Von Ancken October 19, 2008 (2008-10-19)
A botched proposal, a paternity revelation and an allergic reaction to sushi derail Hank and Karen’s dinner party.
17 (2-05) “Vaginatown“ Jay Dyer Ken Whittingham October 26, 2008 (2008-10-26)
Hank moves into Lew’s mansion, and he sleeps with a cooking show host. Charlie becomes a major investor in his newest client’s upcoming adult film.
18 (2-06) “Coke Dick & First Kick“ Gina Fattore & Gabriel Roth Michael Lehmann November 2, 2008 (2008-11-02)
Hank wants to locate Lew’s long-lost first love. Sonja and Julian decide to have an open relationship. Mia spends the day being followed by a Rolling Stone reporter. Charlie’s house becomes a set.
19 (2-07) “In a Lonely Place“ Tom Kapinos Jake Kasdan November 9, 2008 (2008-11-09)
Hank becomes interested in Becca’s teacher. Charlie discovers that Marcy has been hiding a secret.
20 (2-08) “Going Down and Out in Beverly Hills“ Daisy Gardner Danny Ducovny November 16, 2008 (2008-11-16)
Hank tries to get the truth about Ashby, and Karen confronts the record producer. Marcy detoxes at her mother’s house. Charlie succumbs to temptation.
21 (2-09) “La Ronde“ Gina Fattore Adam Bernstein November 23, 2008 (2008-11-23)
Hank declines an offer. Karen goes on a date with Ashby. Charlie and Daisy bond. Marcy remains on the mend.
22 (2-10) “In Utero“ Tom Kapinos David Von Ancken November 30, 2008 (2008-11-30)
Hank awaits test results and reflects on his early days with Karen. Daisy plans to move out.
23 (2-11) “Blues from Laurel Canyon“ Gina Fattore Michael Lehmann December 7, 2008 (2008-12-07)
Ashby hosts a party to celebrate the publication of Mia’s book; Becca is devastated to catch Damien cheating on her. Charlie destroys his marriage. Ashby collapses at a most inopportune time. Guest appearance by Mädchen Amick.
24 (2-12) “La Petite Mort“ Tom Kapinos Bart Freundlich December 14, 2008 (2008-12-14)
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, forcing Hank and Becca to make painful choices.

Californication Episodes Season 3: 2009

The third season of Californication premiered September 27, 2009, and will end December 13, 2009.

Episode # Title Writer(s) Director Original air date
25 (3-01) “Wish You Were Here“ Tom Kapinos David Duchovny September 27, 2009 (2009-09-27)
With Karen having moved back to New York, Hank has to deal with rebellious Becca. Charlie and Marcy move back in together despite the fact they still intend to divorce each other.
26 (3-02) “The Land of Rape and Honey“ Tom Kapinos Bart Freundlich & David Von Ancken October 4, 2009 (2009-10-04)
Hank starts work as a college professor of a writing class and gets into trouble with an unexpected admirer, while Charlie deals with Marcy’s romantic life and her new boyfriend.
27 (3-03) “Verities & Balderdash“ Gina Fattore David Von Ancken October 11, 2009 (2009-10-11)
Hank and Becca attend the annual English Department Fall Mixer hosted by Dean Koons and wife Felicia. Charlie tries to coax Marcy into celebrating his first signing at the new agency, teen idol Rick Springfield.
28 (3-04) “Zoso“ Tom Kapinos Bart Freundlich October 18, 2009 (2009-10-18)
Hank has problems with Becca’s decidedly adult fashion sense and feels the need to address the issue; Hank and Charlie head to a strip joint to scope out a student who may be moonlighting there.
29 (3-05) “Slow Happy Boys“ Tom Kapinos David Von Ancken October 25, 2009 (2009-10-25)
Becca pays Karen a visit in New York for the weekend and Hank is left on his own, until his old friend Mike Zlosowski (Kevin Corrigan) from Long Island shows up. Together, the two have a great time at Sue Collini’s party. In the meantime, the revelation of a secret interrupts abruptly Charlie and Marcy’s regained sex life
30 (3-06) “Glass Houses“ Gina Fattore Michael Lehmann November 1, 2009 (2009-11-01)
With Karen visiting Los Angeles, Hank has to deal with her finding about his affairs and her plan to move the family to New York. Meanwhile, Charlie has to deal with Marcy’s crush on Rick Springfield, especially when he is invited to dinner.
31 (3-07) “So Here’s the Thing…“ Daisy Gardner John Dahl November 8, 2009 (2009-11-08)
Hank’s attempts to set things right with Karen lead to even deeper entanglements with the campus ladies. In the meantime, Charlie tries to prevent Sue’s top client from leaving the agency and Becca scolds Hank for being a terrible role model for her.
32 (3-08) “The Apartment“ Tom Kapinos Adam Bernstein November 15, 2009 (2009-11-15)
After a “Skypus interruptus” with Karen, Jackie shows up at Hank’s apartment together with two strippers and a bottle of Whisky. The next morning, Hank has an unconscious stripper girl in his apartment. When Charlie shows up with Rick Springfield, they first try to help, but then Jill shows up as well, and she is not the last surprise of the morning.
33 (3-09) “Mr. Bad Example“ Gina Fattore & Matt Patterson John Dahl November 22, 2009 (2009-11-22)
After the revelations of his affairs, Hank expects to be fired from campus, but Dean Koons tells him otherwise, when they are both contacted by the principal of their daughters’ school, who tells them their girls had a physical confrontation with each other. When the parents meet at the principal’s office, one of those affairs is revealed to Karen. Meanwhile, Charlie risks his job trying to hold Marcy off drug addict Rick Springfield.
34 (3-10) “Dogtown“ Tom Kapinos & Gina Fattore Seith Mann November 29, 2009 (2009-11-29)
When Charlie loses his job, Hank takes him out to town. Meanwhile, Karen, Becca and Marcy have a girl’s night out.
35 (3-11) “Comings & Goings“ Gina Fattore & Daisy Gardner David Von Ancken December 6, 2009 (2009-12-06)
On the eve of leaving for New York, Karen, Becca and Hank are invited to a final lunch with Felicia. Dean Koons arrives during the proceedings, deciding to challenge Hank to a duel. Meanwhile Charlie and Marcy are optimistic about a possible offer on the house.
36 (3-12) “Mia Culpa“ December 13, 2009 (2009-12-13)