Carnivàle: Insomnia on AllMovie

Ben (Nick Stahl), tormented by his dreams, won't sleep. This troubles Lodz (Patrick Bauchau). "He doesn't sleep; he doesn't dream," he explains to Lila (Debra Christofferson). "He doesn't dream; he can't be reached." Sophie (Clea Duvall) shares a vision with Apollonia (Diane Salinger) of a tattooed man (Don Swayze) raping her mother. Sophie knows, intuitively, that she's witnessing her conception, and realizes that Apollonia is losing control of what she shares with her. With the carnival struggling financially, Samson (Michael J. Anderson) announces that they're putting on a "fireball" show, a no-holds-barred festival of scams including fake freaks, pickpockets, and the infamous "Man Eating Chicken." Lodz warns Ben that he'll have to learn to control his gift, or he'll endanger everyone he knows. Samson, losing his place at Management's side to the mentalist, gives Ben Scudder's watch fob and a bit of information about his father, and warns him not to trust Lodz. Sophie, worried about her mother's sanity, goes to Jonesy (Tim DeKay) for comfort. Jonesy tries to tell Rita Sue (Cynthia Ettinger) that their night of passion was a mistake, but their lust for each other won't abate. During Lodz's performance, Samson capriciously passes up the watch fob with the mysterious seal, and when the mentalist touches it, he has a seizure and horrifying visions. Ben begins assisting Ruthie (Adrienne Barbeau) with her snake-charming act. Meanwhile, Dolan (Robert Knepper) tries to get romantic with Iris (Amy Madigan), and she responds with horror. Justin (Clancy Brown) is released from the mental hospital, seemingly in full control of his terrifying powers.