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David Duchovny’s much-heralded return to TV does not disappoint. Unleashed on cable, the ex-“X-Files” star looks liberated from the pesky censors and restrictions of his past network experience. And his “Californication” character—novelist-on-the-verge-of-a-breakdown Hank Moody—takes full advantage as well. Naughty fantasies by day and sex-filled realities by night, but there’s also his deep-seeded hatred for people who enjoy the saccharine big screen reinterpretation of his career-defining opus. His troubles come to a head, of course, though not in therapy (as is the case for most semi-psychotic characters on television); instead he takes it out on an unsuspecting, seemingly normal blind date in a sharp-tongued tirade that displays his cockiness, confidence and ability to size people up (and rather correctly at that) in a matter of minutes. Ouch!

Who’s that?: Along with Duchovny is Natascha McElhone ("Laurel Canyon") as his ex-girlfriend and the mother of his daughter, played to angsty perfection by Madeleine Martin. “Sex and the City’s” Evan Handler plays Hank’s agent Charlie.

Buzzed about: Yes, the rumors are true: Hank gets a blowjob from a nun in a church (see it to believe it), goes down on a married woman, is greeted by another naked and, um, waxed woman (according to his young daughter’s description) and has sex with a minor, all within the 30-minute pilot. But hey—it’s Showtime. What’d you expect?

The “ooh” factor: His great American novel is turned into a generic Hollywood movie (funny side jab: the flick stars “Tom” and “Katie”) and he’s losing the one true love of his life, so it makes sense that he’s spiraling out of control. But, ultimately, Hank is a likeable guy. So much so that you can forgive his indiscretions and moral missteps.

The “eh” factor: Amy Winehouse’s “Rehab” is timed a little too perfectly in the bar scene with Hank and his agent. When Winehouse croons “rehab,” Hank takes a few healthy gulps of straight liquor. When she warbles “I’m fine,” he does the same. And to top it off, he’s crying out “it’s naughty” while the chanteuse admits she’s “been bad.” We kept waiting for old Hank to just start doo-wopping and singing along.

The verdict: The last thing being typed on the screen—”Fuck.”—says it all. This is damn good television.

“Californication” premieres Monday, August 13 at 10:30 p.m./9:30c on Showtime.

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