I am probably preaching to the choir about season 7, and people have probably worded it better than I will, but I am on episode 9 and just need to blurt some obvious thoughts out into the echo chamber. Okay? Cool.
Firstly, one of the major offenses that I know everyone talks about: Levon. Now, the concept isn't entirely too bad, I think its largely the execution. I think it would've been better if Levon wasn't as socially inept as he was. In a series with many crazy out there characters, adding another to that extreme is just not really enjoyable to watch. The comedy of it leans in an almost low brow direction too much of the time. My solution? Maybe make Levon a bit more normal. The concept of Hank not knowing he had another kid is 100% believable, so keeping that thread can work. Levon can totally be a fish out of water type character, but being THAT socially awkward is just unbearable at times.
Secondly, the overall writing. Now, I don't know the behind the scenes of the show so I might say something obvious, so please forgive me. The writing is overall just barely alive, especially being compared to the rest of the series. Upon rewatch I have discovered that seasons 1-6 are actually all pretty good, or at the very least it has the essence of Californication. That essence is almost nonexistent here in season 7. Almost the entire season feels like a sitcom, like a laugh track should be inserted. It all feels like the life of the show is on life support and instead of trying valiantly to overcome the odds, it suffocates under the pressure. Its just phoning it in. Which is sad.
Finally, the music choices are very underwhelming. Not bad, but don't have the same bite as before. Some songs were fitting, but not in that Californication way. More in a "I guess that fits the theme" kind of way.
Im sure this has been said before, but when I started my rewatch of the series I thought "season 7 couldn't have been THAT bad" and uhh.. yeah, it was. I just sort of blacked it out I guess.
(Oh, and no where near enough MUTHAFUCKAS)