Deadwood

Anyone else a fan of HBO's "Deadwood"? Personally, I think it consistently challenges "The Sopranos" for the title of best-written show on TV, and with the recent relative decline of the Sopranos (in my opinion), I think Deadwood beats it. No other show combines such convoluted and beautiful dialogue in with interesting characters, all while taking the time to sprinkle it with a generous serving of jaw-dropping profanity. I also like that it is based on real historical characters and an actual frontier town. Though, as with "Rome," it takes its share of historical liberties, I think it's a much more accurate Western than anything John Wayne came up with.

It's unfortunate that this is the last full season, but I'm going to do my best just to enjoy it. That being said, I thought Sunday's episode was great. It looks like the showdown between Hearst and Al Swearengen (definitely one of the best TV characters of recent years) is going to come to a head pretty soon. Thoughts?

HBO are complete dumbasses in my opinion. First, they cancel Carnivale, one of the most unique and interesting shows on TV. And they're letting Deadwood get canned. IMO they should've canceled The Sopranos and used the left over money so they could pay the actors' salaries. They need to change their motto: "It's just like everything else on TV; it's HBO".

Deadwood is my favorite show on TV right now. It by far has the best actors of any show on TV IMO. None of the characters are one-dimensional good guy vs. bad guy. They all have their highs and lows, even Swearengen and Tolliver.

Also, this season isn't exactly the end of the series. Next year they're having a four hour, two part movie to end the series, or something like that anyway. I obviously would've much preferred another 3 seasons, but whatever.

On Swearengen and Hearst: It's gonna be an battle. I wonder how Bullock and Tolliver will get involved.

I love that series. Every character has good points and bad points. In short, they're human. What I noticed is that Sophia tends to bring out the best characteristics in everyone she encounters. Ellsworth, Doc, Jane, Mrs. Garret, and even Dan seem to behave more decently when she's around.

Yeah, that's definitely true. But where did all the children suddenly come from? It was originally just Sophia and Bullock's kid (whose name escapes me at the moment). He died last season, and suddenly there are like 10 kids this season. I was under the impression only a couple of months were supposed to have elapsed between last season and this one, but perhaps the writers figured that was enough for a sudden influx of young'ns. It also looks like they're teasing out Calamity Jane's more sensitive side, vis a vis the children, which I like, because I really like her character.

Tonight's episode should be...interesting. Swearengen walking past Richardson (one my favorite minor characters) and saying "****ing pagan. Tell your God to prepare for blood." Great stuff.

I wonder if the actor that played Wolcott and the guy that killed Wild Bill will return in any capacity this season...hopefully he will, because that guy can act.

I also heard somewhere that all of the dialogue in the show is written in iambic pentameter. I wouldn't be surprised if at least some of it is.

Deadwood rocks. The character of Al Swearingen is one of the most interesting and downright hardcore to come along in a series for a long time.

Holy crap...yesterday's episode was hardcore. That scene where Al gutted the guy in the bar was ridiculous, and just looking at his demeanor at the end when he refused to let anyone help him...**** is definitely going down in the 'hood.

Did anybody else see Dan's fistfight with that guy? That was hardcore.

Another thing I love about Deadwood is that it dispels any romantic notions that we may have about the Old West. There are no faultless heroes in white hats fighting the nefarious villains in black hats. It ain't Little House on the Prairie or The Gene Autry Show, that's for sure. As a historian, I can say that Deadwood is by far the most realistic portrayal of life in the Old West.

I really like that Steve guy, even if he's a massive racist. His speeches against Hostetler were some of the most intense scenes I've seen on a TV.

Dority gouging that guy's eye out was intense.

I like A.W. Merrick, the journalist and printer. He sounds like he'd be more at home in New York, Chicago, or San Francisco, but he has created a niche for himself. He's one of the honest men in the camp, and knows there are ways to better the situation. He can also beautifully construct sentences on the fly.

"Gentlemen, after every meal, what is to keep us from walking together? Perhaps we could form a club. We'll call ourselves 'the Ambulators'!"

" there ain't nothin that he's got over your head that Dan Dority can't fix "

this show ****ing rocks, yes it does

one thing that's been bothering me though : Jack Mckall and Francis Walcott

why does the same actor play both characters? is this ever explained? (i only have seasons 1 and 2)

e.b. farnum is my favorite character, however jack mckall was quite hilarious in the first episodes when he talks smack to wild bill, the preacher was also quite amusing. "does my flesh smell as though it is rotten? do I look as if I have been stolen from my grave?"

I think the writers were going for a symbolic gesture by casting the same actor to play the most morally and ethically depraved characters. We would probably know for sure if the same actor came back again and played another morally wayward person.

Deadwood kicks ass. It's the best show on HBO.
...****sucka!

"Swidgin!"
"Yes, Wu?"
"Dope!"
"What about your dope?"
"Dope!" *starts sketching*
"I don't understand. Your courier was killed? By whom?"
"****SUCKA!"
"I'm glad I taught you that word. Your courier was killed by a white ****sucker like me?"
"Swidgin! Dope!"
"You mean that ****sucker killed the courier and stole MY dope?!"

God I need to get HBO again. I caught the first few episodes ever and I absolutely loved it. Haven't seen it since unfortuately.

Originally Posted by Mudd

God I need to get HBO again. I caught the first few episodes ever and I absolutely loved it. Haven't seen it since unfortuately.

So you missed Rome?

I hadn't even heard of this series until about a month ago, now I've seen every episode and am eagerly awaiting the rest. After this season is over, I heard that they will be moving the show into the cinemas. I would hate to lose yet another great show, firefly left a void which deadwood has filled for a while, I hope they don't drop it altogether.

Deadwood is literally the only show I watch on TV (Unless maybe I have the news on occaisonally). And I have to go to my uncles to do it.
As far as childrin coming out of no where, maybe the school was the field of dreams if you build it, they will come. Deadwood went to 10,000 people over night, so theres a lot of the town that we're not seeing.
Dans fight was amazing. The previous episode or so was kinda slow, my uncle thought, but I figured it was just a lead up. Something cool is gonna happen, and bam, there. Best episode of the season so far IMO.

i always hear good things about this but never got into it. I find it hard to figure out the times and dates for series on premium channels, especially when a new season starts.

I love the show. I've been walking around quite a while yelling :wub:A!