Ranking Every HBO Drama Series From Worst To Best
22. John From Cincinnati
David Milch’s direct sequel to the monumental Deadwood was, obviously, a baffling, multigenerational surf drama that tackled drug addiction, family strife, and the titular visitor, a messiah-like man of mystery. Shockingly, the show failed to find much of an audience, and was cancelled at the end of the season.
John From Cincinatti is decidedly not for everyone, but if you’re attuned to the mystic mind of David Milch, it’s a beguiling, often brilliant, often infuriating piece of drama. The focus of the show is the Yost family, all of whom are surfers or serve surf-adjacent purposes in their beachside California town.
The father is a fading icon; the son struggles with expectations and addiction. Into all this walks John Monad, a wandering spirit who might just be able to soothe some of the wounds in this dysfunctional family.
The show (co-created by surf noir specialist Kem Nunn) moves at its own pace and can strike an indulgent chord at times. Be prepared for frustration, as it doesn’t really have a true ending. But for Milch fans, it must be seen at least once. It also has one of the all-time great credit sequences.