It's almost time.

Critics are calling this the best season of the three. We know the series will have a rightfull ending, so we can sit-back and enjoy S3 of the best show ever made.

Anybody being "fed to the pigs" tonight, other than the guy who works for Hurst that has already been teased?

Is Alma and Seth's relationship really over? What about Ellsworth? Martha?

How is Cy feeling after being stabbed at the end of S2? Is Joannie going to help him? Will he kill her?

Charlie Utter? Jane? Dan? Jimmy?

Al "THE MAIN MAN" Swearengen?

Wow...what an amazing show!

Let's roll...

Here are just a handful of the many stories and reviews relating to "Deadwood" posted on the Hot Off The Press sticky during the past few days.

Feel free to get your "Deadwood" fix from that thread:

'Deadwood': Watch carefully
By Ellen Gray Philadelphia Daily News June 08, 2006
There are only a few TV shows that actively discourage multitasking.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7793856&&#post7793856

Cleverwood
By Maureen Ryan from the Chicago Tribune TV blog June 07, 2006
Here’s why I’ll miss “Everwood.” Not just because the show, which ended Monday, proved that sentiment could be blended with a sense of humor. Not just because it demonstrated on a weekly basis that compassion and sincerity don’t have to be treacly and condescending. Not just because the cast was so frakkin’ good.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=440744&page=400&pp=30

HBO's Sunday Tripleheader
Deadwood, Entourage shine in third season; Louie not so lucky
By Matt Roush TVGuide.com TV Critic
Let's not dwell on this being probably the last season of Deadwood (9 pm/ET), the tragicomic Western anchoring HBO's new Sunday lineup. Let's be grateful it's still so pungently riveting — bristling with deadly conflict, sordid secrets and treacherous alliances.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7796970&&#post7796970


'Deadwood' suits up for death dance
The third (and final) season premiere crackles with sudden violence.
By Paul Brownfield Los Angeles Times TV critic June 9, 2006
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7798164&&#post7798164

After 'Deadwood' dies, we foresee HBO as a not-so-premium channel
By Melanie McFarland Seattle Post-Intelligencer TV Critic Friday, June 9, 2006
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7798353&&#post7798353

Here are just a handful of the many stories and reviews relating to "Deadwood" posted on the Hot Off The Press sticky during the past few days.

Feel free to get your "Deadwood" fix from that thread:

Cleverwood
By Maureen Ryan from the Chicago Tribune TV blog June 07, 2006
Here’s why I’ll miss “Everwood.” Not just because the show, which ended Monday, proved that sentiment could be blended with a sense of humor. Not just because it demonstrated on a weekly basis that compassion and sincerity don’t have to be treacly and condescending. Not just because the cast was so frakkin’ good.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=440744&page=400&pp=30

Umm, fredfa? I never watched it, but being that it was a network TV show, I'm pretty sure that the words coc#$*cker, mother$*&## and many, many other unprintables were never uttered on Everwood. I think you got your Woods crossed. :D

Woods are easy to confuse.

Woods are easy to confuse.

Yeah, one of my exes used to claim that quite a bit.

Umm, fredfa? I never watched it, but being that it was a network TV show, I'm pretty sure that the words coc#$*cker, mother$*&## and many, many other unprintables were never uttered on Everwood. I think you got your Woods crossed. :D


You are right sangs. I have GOT to be more careful when I edit.

But here are a few more real "Deadwood" items from the HOTP thread the past few days:

"Deadwood" going without much of a bang
By David Kronke Los Angeles Daily News Television Critic June 11, 2006
Perhaps it's best this way. In the past few weeks, "Deadwood," David Milch's inside-the-sausage-factory glimpse of the creation of a society in the late 1800s, has ascended from merely being considered in some erudite circles the finest achievement in television history to the martyr in the struggle between art and commerce.
HBO declined to renew "Deadwood" for a fourth season, one which Milch had previously said would provide closure for the series.
Instead, the saga will be somewhat hastily wrapped up in two TV films.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7811156&&#post7811156

'Deadwood' Gets a New Lease on Life
By Jesse McKinley The New York Times June 11, 2006
For all intents and purposes, the set of HBO's "Deadwood," David Milch's blood- and profanity-drenched western, is a real (your favorite expletive here) town.
Located at Melody Ranch, a film studio about 35 miles north of Los Angeles, "Deadwood" — the town and the show — has real streets, real buildings and real manure. And when one of the residents of the town needs a fancy new house, HBO builds a fancy new house, from the stone foundations to the lacy curtains. If you were willing to do without indoor plumbing, you could probably be very happy there.
But about three weeks ago, something very strange happened: "Deadwood," which begins its third season Sunday night, started to disappear.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7809477&&#post7809477

'Deadwood' back in all its savage glory
By Rick Kushman Sacramento Bee TV Columnist Friday, June 9, 2006
For a moment in Sunday's third-season opener, "Deadwood" looks like a peaceful Western. Dawn is giving color to a quiet main street, and saloon owner Al Swearengen is standing on his balcony, coffee in hand, looking over his town.
But if you know anything about the sterling HBO drama, you know this festival of ambiguity, subtext and rampant human nature is like no Western before it, and there is no peace to be found in Deadwood.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7804498&&#post7804498

I think I may have to get HBO for this show, watched the 1st 2 seasons on DVD.

Question, when looking at my local listings, I didnt see Deadwood being shown on HBO HD. Is it shown in HD on regular HBO, or does it re-air later on the HD channel?

I think I may have to get HBO for this show, watched the 1st 2 seasons on DVD.

Question, when looking at my local listings, I didnt see Deadwood being shown on HBO HD. Is it shown in HD on regular HBO, or does it re-air later on the HD channel?

Just like Soprano's. HBOHD for all original airings. First of season three tonight at 9 est.

I think I may have to get HBO for this show, watched the 1st 2 seasons on DVD.

Question, when looking at my local listings, I didnt see Deadwood being shown on HBO HD. Is it shown in HD on regular HBO, or does it re-air later on the HD channel?
Same time as the main HBO channel.

And there it was....a great 1st episode.

According to the "sneak peak" next week, it looks like Al gets "thwacked" by Hurst and Co.

Anyone else like the first episode?

Will be shown on MC HD in western Canada ... Bell ExpressVu, Star Choice & Shaw Digital Cable.

And there it was....a great 1st episode.

According to the "sneak peak" next week, it looks like Al gets "thwacked" by Hurst and Co.

Anyone else like the first episode?

Loved the episode. Next week looks even better.

This show is so consistently good. For a moment I was worried Bullock might kill EB, but fortunately he lived to have another classic conversation with Al.

Great episode. Hopefully Al doesnt die next week. Maybe just knocked on the head. He is pretty much the whole show IMO.

All the excitment that the Sopranos promised this season, but rarely delivered. And unlike the Sopranos "Next week on...." teasers, you can almost be assured that the excitement that is teased next week will actually be there and not some misdirection.

We know the series will have a rightfull ending

I missed this...how do we know that? Last I heard season 3 was created before Milch knew there would be no season 4, so it seems season 3 would end with a lot of unresolved plot points.

Read the first Fredfa article in this thread. Last night was wonderful. It's good to be back in Deadwood.

I missed this...how do we know that? Last I heard season 3 was created before Milch knew there would be no season 4, so it seems season 3 would end with a lot of unresolved plot points.

Milch and HBO agreed to do 2 - 2 hr. movies in place of season 4. So it will be abbreviated compared to the full fourth season, but it should allow them to accelerate the timeline and address the same issues they would have.

Great episode. Hopefully Al doesnt die next week. Maybe just knocked on the head. He is pretty much the whole show IMO.


Don't want to spoil the suspense, but history tells us Al Sweringen met a different end. Like most of the characters in this breathtaking drama, he was a real person who was instrumental in the development of Deadwood.

No, this is not a "spoiler"; it is documented history.

Yes .... but they've already "rewritten" history wrt Wild Bill, so anything would seem possible. 'It's not a documentary ... it's HBO' ;)

And what part of history was rewritten wrt Wild Bill?

For starters, Wild Bill was dead and gone a few months (or at least weeks) before Bullock arrived at the camp. :)

See discussion of season one.

I've said it before, without "Deadwood" or "Rome" there is no HBO for me.
Loved the bonus disc in season 2 DVD set. It shows how this brilliant man
creates this show. Very different process from norm.

What a great show.

First let me say that I have been an avid fan of Deadwood since its inception and have watched every episode at least twice. I thought lasts night episode was great. However during the hiatus beween seasons my abilities to comprehend the "Deadwood-speak" has greatly wanned. Several times during last nights episode my wife and I looked at each other and said "Did you understand any of that ?". Anybody else out there have these kinds of translating problems ?

First let me say that I have been an avid fan of Deadwood since its inception and have watched every episode at least twice. I thought lasts night episode was great. However during the hiatus beween seasons my abilities to comprehend the "Deadwood-speak" has greatly wanned. Several times during last nights episode my wife and I looked at each other and said "Did you understand any of that ?". Anybody else out there have these kinds of translating problems ?


I had to re-watch Bullock and Utter's conversation when they were talking about giving E.B. a beating. Re-watched the Al and Hearst's meeting just because it was classic. Sometimes I think Wo is the easiest to understand.

Jane's story about Custer was great.

First let me say that I have been an avid fan of Deadwood since its inception and have watched every episode at least twice. I thought lasts night episode was great. However during the hiatus beween seasons my abilities to comprehend the "Deadwood-speak" has greatly wanned. Several times during last nights episode my wife and I looked at each other and said "Did you understand any of that ?". Anybody else out there have these kinds of translating problems ?

I usually turn on closed captions just so my wife and I can catch the nuances in the dialogue. Didn't do that last night, so I'll have to re-watch portions tonight or tomorrow. Gotta agree with several of you guys -- what a great show! So glad it's back.

First let me say that I have been an avid fan of Deadwood since its inception and have watched every episode at least twice. I thought lasts night episode was great. However during the hiatus beween seasons my abilities to comprehend the "Deadwood-speak" has greatly wanned. Several times during last nights episode my wife and I looked at each other and said "Did you understand any of that ?". Anybody else out there have these kinds of translating problems ?

That's too funny. Late last week I watched the final three Deadwoods from last season using On Demand. My wife asked why I couldn't just wait a couple of days for the new season to start to get my Deadwood fix, but I told her it was to bone up on my Deadwood Pentameter so it wouldn't take me a couple of episodes to get back into the linguistic flow. I must say, it worked wonders. :)

Great start last night.

For starters, Wild Bill was dead and gone a few months (or at least weeks) before Bullock arrived at the camp. :)

See discussion of season one.

According to Deadwood history, Seth arrived and Bill died on the same day, August 2, 1876.

http://www.deadwood.searchroots.com/deadwood.htm

So, yes, there is a little bit of overlap here, but who's counting..... :)

Welcome back to f***ing Deadwood c**ks***ers!

I had almost forgot how good the show was. The above method of watching a few reruns before hand definetly makes a difference.

For starters, Wild Bill was dead and gone a few months (or at least weeks) before Bullock arrived at the camp. :)

See discussion of season one.


Yes, they altered the timeline. But not the manner of his demise.

Welcome back to f***ing Deadwood c**ks***ers!

I had almost forgot how good the show was. The above method of watching a few reruns before hand definetly makes a difference.

Yes, I should have "warmed up" with a few past episodes.

Aren't I the fu**ing hooplehead !

Yes, they altered the timeline. But not the manner of his demise.

The point being that all the Bullock + Wild Bill + Alma storyline that dominated season one was completely fictionalized. ;)

That having been said, there's absolutely no reason to kill off 'Shwedgin' prematurely. :)

I've said it before, without "Deadwood" or "Rome" there is no HBO for me.
Loved the bonus disc in season 2 DVD set. It shows how this brilliant man
creates this show. Very different process from norm.

I agree. Although I haven't seen the DVD. I would add Sopranos to the list, but I have to say I was pretty dissapointed in the season "finale".

The point being that all the Bullock + Wild Bill + Alma storyline that dominated season one was completely fictionalized. ;)

That having been said, there's absolutely no reason to kill off 'Shwedgin' prematurely. :)
It's 'Sweggin' you hooplehead :D .

First let me say that I have been an avid fan of Deadwood since its inception and have watched every episode at least twice. I thought lasts night episode was great. However during the hiatus beween seasons my abilities to comprehend the "Deadwood-speak" has greatly wanned. Several times during last nights episode my wife and I looked at each other and said "Did you understand any of that ?". Anybody else out there have these kinds of translating problems ?


Yes, but it is still the best Damn show on TV right now- PERIOD!

"Why is everybody whispering all of a f#cking sudden!!?"

First let me say that I have been an avid fan of Deadwood since its inception and have watched every episode at least twice. I thought lasts night episode was great. However during the hiatus beween seasons my abilities to comprehend the "Deadwood-speak" has greatly wanned. Several times during last nights episode my wife and I looked at each other and said "Did you understand any of that ?". Anybody else out there have these kinds of translating problems ?

It's just like reading Shakespeare. It takes about a half hour or so to get up to speed and then something clicks. I'll rewatch this episode once or twice and then I should be there.

I find that reading the transcripts for a couple of episodes helps me readjust to the language quite a bit.

I'm not sure exactly who it is that does this, but transcripts of every show (including Sunday night's) can be found here:

http://members.aol.com/chatarama/

I find that reading the transcripts for a couple of episodes helps me readjust to the language quite a bit.

I'm not sure exactly who it is that does this, but transcripts of every show (including Sunday night's) can be found here:

http://members.aol.com/chatarama/


THANK YOU! Those transcrips are amazing! It's like replaying the episode in your brain:
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


(He looks up and spies Jane, she gives him the finger. Back at the absurd restaurant.)

EB: Will you attend the evening speeches, Richardson?
Richardson: If you let me.
EB: Of course I will. How else are you to vote with intelligence? (chuckles) I intend no lengthy remarks. My tenure as Mayor speaks for me. Will they have the Jew merchant instead? Well, let them then and welcome. (He smacks Richardson’s hand) I caught you, Richardson. Stuffin’ spitbacks in your vile maw. “Let tomorrow’s omelets go empty.” Is that your f***in’ attitude?
Richardson: You hurted me.
EB: Shhh! Wash and stack, s*** monkey. Or ready yourself for worse. (He tosses the scraps from the plates into a bucket.)

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"Stuffin' spitbacks in your vile maw" Priceless!

Cable Ratings
Deadwood Sinks, Entourage Rises on HBO

By Anne Becker Broadcasting & Cable 6/13/2006

HBO’s Sunday night third-season premieres of Deadwood and Entourage provided a mixed ratings bag for the network.

Deadwood drew 2.4 million total viewers at 9 p.m., down from the 2.8 million viewers its second-season premiere attracted. But the premiere was on target with its season-two Sunday-night average, 2.4 million viewers.

Entourage drew 2.7 million viewers, up from both the 1.6 million viewers who watched its second-season premiere and the 1.9 million viewers it averaged for season two.

HBO also premiered two new series on Sunday night – Lucky Louie drew 1.5 million total viewers at 10:30 p.m. and Dane Cook’s Tourgasm averaged 1.1 million at 11 p.m.

It's just like reading Shakespeare. It takes about a half hour or so to get up to speed and then something clicks. I'll rewatch this episode once or twice and then I should be there.

Same here, I watch each episode a couple of times, and after a few episodes, I find I get much better at understanding it realtime.
I really find that it's the one show that seems to just get my neurons firing.
I love that when the main characters have 'secret' schemes, the schemes are not stupid and immediately transparent. If the smart, powerful guy is hatching a plot, it wouldn't make any sense if a ten year old kid could see right through it.

After Al, Jane continues to be my favorite character.

Jane: (scatching her *ss) “Custer was a c*nt. The end.” Yo, a p*ss puddle. Must not have seen that when seating myself.

Speaking of Jane, what is she up to? She clearly wants something, but I can' figure out what it is. Social acceptance? I don't think so. Something's going on with her. The Custer thing was just too good.

After Al, Jane continues to be my favorite character.

Jane: (scatching her *ss) “Custer was a c*nt. The end.” Yo, a p*ss puddle. Must not have seen that when seating myself.

Regarding Jane's description of Custer, in the movie We Were Soldiers, Sam Elliot's character used a similar phrase, Custer was a pu$$y. Ah, the poetry....

Speaking of Jane, what is she up to? She clearly wants something, but I can' figure out what it is. Social acceptance? I don't think so. Something's going on with her. The Custer thing was just too good.

Yes, I agree--- Anybody care to speculate ?

Yes, I agree--- Anybody care to speculate ?

same here...why are Jane and Mose spying thorugh the school window? And why is it important for the kids not to see him?

same here...why are Jane and Mose spying thorugh the school window? And why is it important for the kids not to see him?
What I got from it was it was Jane telling Mose to keep away, the teacher lady had no problem with him. As for what Jane wants I think she is like a stray dog, once you show her kindness she will follow you off a cliff hence her loyalty to teach and Stubbs.

My guess is maybe they both want to learn to read and write.

My guess is maybe they both want to learn to read and write.
They don't need no fancy book learnin'!

What I got from it was it was Jane telling Mose to keep away, the teacher lady had no problem with him. As for what Jane wants I think she is like a stray dog, once you show her kindness she will follow you off a cliff hence her loyalty to teach and Stubbs.

You're not giving Jane enough credit. Even when drunk off her ass, she comes up with the good stuff:

=======================================================

Every day takes figuring out all over again how to f****** live.

Let me express my appreciation to Bullock for beating the crap out of EB. Finally, after two years of this pandering slime bucket he gets his due. A lot of us were just waiting for that. Thanks Bullock. Bully for you. Now you can ride off with Teddy and his Rough Riders in pride.

Let me express my appreciation to Bullock for beating the crap out of EB. Finally, after two years of this pandering slime bucket he gets his due. A lot of us were just waiting for that. Thanks Bullock. Bully for you. Now you can ride off with Teddy and his Rough Riders in pride.


Seth: (sighs) I just beat Farnum. (Takes off his hat) Meeting Hearst, I got the idea someone had told him bidness of mine.

Utter: Figured it was Farnum? (Seth nods) If it’d been me, I’da gone ahead and killed him.

************

EB: “Voters of the camp, do you see come before you some swollen and dissolute stranger? Do not mistake—“ (groans – forces himself upright, throwing his hands in the air) “It is I, E.B. Farnum!”

I loved this line:

That was a wiggle worthy of a f-ing reptile, Harry

You're not giving Jane enough credit. Even when drunk off her ass, she comes up with the good stuff:

=======================================================

Every day takes figuring out all over again how to f****** live.
Oh I totally agree, I meant on an emotional level.

I think that Jane is hanging around, hoping that she can learn to read and write, but she is a bit embarassed by being as old as she is, and not knowing how to do these things. On an emotional level - being in your 20's (30's?) and learning the same cirriculum as 6yr. olds has to be a little traumatizing, even for a drunk like Jane. I think the "meaness" directed at Mose is more of a "cover" so she can hang around and learn w/out anybody really noticing.

I think that Jane is hanging around, hoping that she can learn to read and write, but she is a bit embarassed by being as old as she is, and not knowing how to do these things. On an emotional level - being in your 20's (30's?) and learning the same cirriculum as 6yr. olds has to be a little traumatizing, even for a drunk like Jane. I think the "meaness" directed at Mose is more of a "cover" so she can hang around and learn w/out anybody really noticing.

Jane was actually 22 years old when she came to Deadwood. I think you're on to something regarding what Jane's motives are.

Man, I love it already. The blood is flowing in Deadwood and it's only episode 2! It's going to take a little while to totally figure out what game Swearengen and Hearst are playing at. Some sort of weird exchange of token gestures, violence, and boundry testing.
And what the hell is up with Tolliver?
This season is just off to a heck of a start.

Deadwood just gets better with each season. Hearst & Al going "at it." What a setup for future bloodshed. I have a feeling that both will survive but there will be bodies strewn around after the ruckus. Milch has written a classic American story in the language taken from letters and documents of the time. It's beautiful to watch it unfold.

I usually turn on the closed captioning on this show so I can understand it better. Has anyone done this on Deadwood and noticed missing words and gibberish that doesn't belong, or is it just my equipment or settings? I have a samsung ts360, and watching the HD feed on 509.

Another great episode. I cant get enough of this show.

I usually turn on the closed captioning on this show so I can understand it better. Has anyone done this on Deadwood and noticed missing words and gibberish that doesn't belong, or is it just my equipment or settings? I have a samsung ts360, and watching the HD feed on 509.

I do this as well. I try to listen as best I can but some times I just have to rewind and turn the captions on to really get it.

Maybe they are going to examine the lesbian angle, and have her hanging around two of the stronger female characters in the show because she has a crush on them?

I think that Jane is hanging around, hoping that she can learn to read and write, but she is a bit embarassed by being as old as she is, and not knowing how to do these things. On an emotional level - being in your 20's (30's?) and learning the same cirriculum as 6yr. olds has to be a little traumatizing, even for a drunk like Jane. I think the "meaness" directed at Mose is more of a "cover" so she can hang around and learn w/out anybody really noticing.

The allusion to Shakespear is most apt - it just sounds like an absurdly profane version of Hamlet, etc...

Then again, I think: what if the original Shakespear was just as filthy, and we only have the edited versions?

I don't know if I'm being funny or profound...

(Note: I don't really like this show, my wife drags me along - but I can't help being impressed by the writing.)

Is it just me, or does anyone agree with me that the first episode felt a little strained - stilted dialog, self-conscious acting - but that the second was vintage Deadwood? This week's episode was one of their best. I was hanging on every word. David Milch was primary writer this week, and that probably accounts for it.

Is it just me, or does anyone agree with me that the first episode felt a little strained - stilted dialog, self-conscious acting - but that the second was vintage Deadwood? This week's episode was one of their best. I was hanging on every word. David Milch was primary writer this week, and that probably accounts for it.

I enjoyed the first as much as the second show this past Sunday.

What I find interesting is that, in my subjective view, this is the best written show on television and, it garners relatively little feedback on this forum.

Can't wait for next week ...

GoIrish

IMO... best dialogue of the evening...

Dan: If we know Hearst is coming, Boss, why the f*ck don’t we strike first?
Al: From the moment we leave the forest, Dan, it’s all a giving up and adjusting.
Dan: Across the thoroughfare to slit that c*cksucker’s throat.
Al: We forego the rock for the dagger, learn distraction’s use and deceptions before the dagger is employed—spirits, women, games of chance.
Dan: I’m older, and I’m much less friendly to ****in’ change.
Al: Change ain’t lookin’ for friends. Change calls the tune we dance to.

The best line....
Silas: "If we was trailing water, we might get took for ducklings"

God I love it. You don't just watch Deadwood, you 'digest' it. Let it sit for while and re-examine it. Deadwood is like a seven course meal in a world of fast food throwaway TV shows.

Outstanding episode. Who ever thought - after the first season - that Al and Bullock would become such staunch allies? Complimentary interests, I guess.

The part with Harry proclaiming he'd like to start a fire brigade and move the cemetary was a nice touch, too.

Funniest line of the night for me was from Bullock: "That’s enough about the **** in the creek." One guy brought it up, and the crowd just couldn't stop talking about it. *L*

NO NO NO! Best line:
Al: I want mine served cold.
That's Deadwood.
I hope Hearst gets his soon.

Al to Johnny: "Would you close your flap, that I don’t forego my boiled eggs?"


I lol'ed for 5 minutes after that line...

Awesome ep #2. The whole segment with the election speeches and the "meeting of the minds" between Hearst and Al where the editing jumped back and forth reminded me of the end of the season finale last year. Outstanding stuff. And I thought last weeks' previews looked promising... Wow! Next week looks like it may be even better!


ron

Third-person high brow speech combined with gutter language - always seems to make for interesting screen writing

Really standout episode tonight. God I love this show. Aunt Lou at the end playing mahjong was something else. I hope she gets more lines as she had me rolling.

Yeah, great episode, I'm loving this season already.
Also, it's my first season watching Deadwood in HD, well HD lite I suppose as my TV is 1366x768. Even so, Deadwood looks great to my eye, in HD. The fantastic detail of their giant setpiece town really holds up, looks just great.

It'll be interesting to see how Al will deal with Hearst.
Historically I don't think Hearst dies in Deadwood but he is making a heap of enemies fast. I suspect Seth, if he knew what went on with Alma at her meeting with Hearst would dispatch him quick.

Great Show. I'm glad Woo is back. The interaction between Woo and AL are classic. I am officially once again hooked on this show.

At the end of the episode Wu looked impressed with Aunt Lou. Think they'll get together?
Maybe this will be how Wu can finally learn some english!
Plus, I'm sure 'Sweggin' would be all for it since he might be able to get some information on Hearst.

Brilliant program. How can they produce the best season yet only to tell us it's cancelled.

Scott

I am a HUGE fan of HBO original programming. I think Deadwood is neck and neck with Band of Brothers as the best thing that has EVER aired on television.

It is just so overwhelmingly rich. I mean the sets, the dialog, the characters, the music, the plot lines, the drama, the comedy......just pure magic. I am a huge fan of films, and EACH and EVERY episode of Deadwood gives me as much satisfaction as any of my favorite films.

I have mixed feeling about the series ending. I would hate to see it sink into mediocraty like The Sopranos and Six Feet Under.

How many episodes have aired this season? I ask because I have two recorded and have yet to see them.

How many episodes have aired this season? I ask because I have two recorded and have yet to see them.
Three as of last Sunday.

How many episodes have aired this season? I ask because I have two recorded and have yet to see them.

If you're missing one, they are re-airing all 3 episodes this Friday night (June 30).

It'll be interesting to see how Al will deal with Hearst.
Historically I don't think Hearst dies in Deadwood but he is making a heap of enemies fast. I suspect Seth, if he knew what went on with Alma at her meeting with Hearst would dispatch him quick.


historically speaking, hearst of course was the father of william randolph hearst. besides being a very wealthy businessman, he eventually became a u.s. senator. he died in washington d.c. in 1891. here's more info. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Hearst)

How many episodes have aired this season? I ask because I have two recorded and have yet to see them.

This week's episode, "True Colors" is the third one aired this season.

I notice several people have commented about Wu and Hearst's black cook, Aunt Lou. One of the best exchanges in "True Colors" was between Al and Trixie and involved Wu and Aunt Lou:

Al: Stage is coming, (He opens the balcony door and they step outside to watch the stagecoach roll in.)
Trixie: My God, look at Wu. Lost his mind in San Francisco. (We see Mr. Wu sitting next to a large African lady on the top of the coach. He’s wearing a suit and a matching bowler hat. His hair at chin length.)
Al: You think he married the nigger?
Trixie: I’m talking about his suit.

What wonderful stuff! If Deadwood isn't the best television series ever, it's one of the best.

I loved the episode, however, I couldn't understand ONE word from those guys in the jail :p

I loved the episode, however, I couldn't understand ONE word from those guys in the jail :p

One guy was speaking a foreign language and the other was his interpreter.

It was some sort of Celtic dialect I believe, somewhere from the northern British lsles...it certainly wasn't English.

Cornish

cancelled? oh man that sucks. that's a real shame.

this show give me so much joy. imho it's the greatest show ever aired.

cancelled? oh man that sucks. that's a real shame.

From what I have read, it was only going to have 4 seasons anyway. Instead, now it will be 3 full seasons and 2 two hour movies to finish up. Too bad, but better than just leaving us hanging after the end of this season.

From what I have read, it was only going to have 4 seasons anyway. Instead, now it will be 3 full seasons and 2 two hour movies to finish up. Too bad, but better than just leaving us hanging after the end of this season.

This is the first I have heard of movies. Is this confirmed?......If so....this is perfect.

yeah, well it will be two, two hour episodes to end the series.

It looks like Doc's fairly sick coughing up blood like that. I hope he doesn't die. The camp would be in dire straights with him gone.
I hope HBO will have this series pressed into HD-DVD's after the final show. The detail in this show deserves it.

It looks like Doc's fairly sick coughing up blood like that. I hope he doesn't die. The camp would be in dire straights with him gone.
I hope HBO will have this series pressed into HD-DVD's after the final show. The detail in this show deserves it.
Absolutely, that opening sequence has some of the most detailed HD image quality I've ever seen, the gold dust pile and the horse when it steps into the puddle, great stuff.

This is the first I have heard of movies. Is this confirmed?......If so....this is perfect.

The article I read had indicated that the two 2hour movies were indeed a go. The one hitch is that the actors were all released from their contracts and allowed to pursue other opportunities. Hopefully, they will all be signed for the extra Deadwood episodes. I would assume it could still fall through if they can't re-sign any of the major players.

Cornish
Hoopleheads... What can you do?

As to Sweggin handling Hearst, screw history, I wanna knifefight.

Watching this episode again.....I just cannot get over how great this is and how wonderful the writing and acting is. "If his pigs get that body, Wu is their next f*c*ing meal. "

I really like Farnum and his pal. Their scenes always make me laugh. Like the last one when he was begging for his job with Hearst. Then Richardson pokes his head out grins throws thumbs up. Funny stuff.

It was great with Farnum acting like this "beat" dog, and then later when Hearst says "Your duties will be to answer like a dog when I call." to Cy. It all works together. Great writing.

I really like Farnum and his pal. Their scenes always make me laugh. Like the last one when he was begging for his job with Hearst. Then Richardson pokes his head out grins throws thumbs up. Funny stuff.

I keep expecting Bob Newhart to peep around the corner whenever Farnum has a scene in his hotel.

Classic. A capon... who comes up with this stuff? Brilliant!

Hearst: Your proposal is thoughtful, but I’m afraid I lack the qualities that minority participations require.
Alma: As I said, these are the most preliminary thoughts.
Hearst: A vulgar man would ask before preceding any further if you would require him to produce his jackknife and make himself a capon before you.
Alma: (pausing) What in my ideas do you find emasculating?
Hearst: I can offer no inside explanations, Mrs. Ellsworth, as I am not a capon, which details offend me and why your proposal offends completely. It mistakes my nature absolutely.

Classic. A capon... who comes up with this stuff? Brilliant!

Hearst: Your proposal is thoughtful, but I’m afraid I lack the qualities that minority participations require.
Alma: As I said, these are the most preliminary thoughts.
Hearst: A vulgar man would ask before preceding any further if you would require him to produce his jackknife and make himself a capon before you.
Alma: (pausing) What in my ideas do you find emasculating?
Hearst: I can offer no inside explanations, Mrs. Ellsworth, as I am not a capon, which details offend me and why your proposal offends completely. It mistakes my nature absolutely.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capon

I cant wait for season 3 to come out on DVD I have 2 but dont have HBO so I'll just have to be patient. I need to find season 1 someday so I'll have the whole series. I havnt decided which HBO series is better Band of Brothers or Deadwood, BOB has better SQ I'll have to decide after seing season 3.

I missed the Swearegen and Woo conversations. Glad to see them back together again!

I havnt decided which HBO series is better Band of Brothers or Deadwood, BOB has better SQ I'll have to decide after seing season 3.

Tough to compare them and make either/or type of decisions. BoB is amazing in that each episode is better than 99% of War movies that you might normally pay $8.50 to see at the theater. Deadwood is....well, Deadwood--also amazing.
Both are definitely worth the inflated prices HBO charges for their DVDs.

Classic. A capon... who comes up with this stuff? Brilliant!

Hearst: Your proposal is thoughtful, but I’m afraid I lack the qualities that minority participations require.
Alma: As I said, these are the most preliminary thoughts.
Hearst: A vulgar man would ask before preceding any further if you would require him to produce his jackknife and make himself a capon before you.
Alma: (pausing) What in my ideas do you find emasculating?
Hearst: I can offer no inside explanations, Mrs. Ellsworth, as I am not a capon, which details offend me and why your proposal offends completely. It mistakes my nature absolutely.

I love it, Deadwood as written by Milch is the exact opposite of the whole 'Dumbing Down of America' phenomena. Usually you can follow the conversation's meaning by context. Then, when the episode is over, run and look up a word, or the real history of some character.

Classic. A capon... who comes up with this stuff? Brilliant!

Hearst: Your proposal is thoughtful, but I’m afraid I lack the qualities that minority participations require.
Alma: As I said, these are the most preliminary thoughts.
Hearst: A vulgar man would ask before preceding any further if you would require him to produce his jackknife and make himself a capon before you.
Alma: (pausing) What in my ideas do you find emasculating?
Hearst: I can offer no inside explanations, Mrs. Ellsworth, as I am not a capon, which details offend me and why your proposal offends completely. It mistakes my nature absolutely.

Yes, the writing on Deadwood is in a class by itself. We are unlikely to see its equal. I have found myself saving snippets of dialog from Deadwood from its beginning. For example, in one of the later episodes from Season 2, there is in exchange in which Star asks Trixie why she went back to Al's place after having secured her release from his service as a whore:

Sol: Why did you go to him?
Trixie: (She pauses, takes his hand and sets it on the counter, holding it.) Now, hold to this counter as I reveal this, Mr. Star.
I’ve lived most of my life a whore, and as much as he’s her misery,
the pimp’s a whore’s familiar, so the sudden strange or violent draws her to him.
Not that I wouldn’t learn another way.

I thought that was smart, funny, and sad, all at the same time. "Not that I wouldn't learn another way." Jesus!

I was wondering if anyone knew how people traveled from Deadwood to San Francisco in those days. I know the east west railroad was finished in 1869, I just wondered where they would have to go by coach to pick it up. Also they talk of Yankton and Adams going back and forth. Has anyone looked on a map? Yankton is at the other end of the state. It must have taken weeks to get there.
This show makes you wonder just how Inconvenient simple things must have been.

Doesn't look like they had to go all that far. A quick check of the entry for the First Transcontinental Railroad in Wikipedia shows the route. Looks like the closest railheads are in Cheyenne, WY or Sidney Nebraska. The 300 mile route from Cheyenne was used by Charlie Utter for the mail and freight and the stage lines on that route have some colorful history. Yankton is 350 miles away and would be even longer by stage. But from there its not far to Omaha which is where the Union Pacific began its line west or you could head east.

Story of the Cheyenne to Deadwood Stage: http://www.wyomingtalesandtrails.com/deadwood.html

God, this show is the highlight of my entertainment week. There is no chance of me going out to the movies on Sunday night because honestly, whatever is playing just isn't up to level of 'Deadwood'.

Heh. Had two friends over when Deadwood started, they couldn't get best the profanity. :) Al seems recovered from his "miner" damage. Can't wait for Dan .vs. the Captain.

Heh. Had two friends over when Deadwood started, they couldn't get best the profanity. :) Al seems recovered from his "miner" damage. Can't wait for Dan .vs. the Captain.

I can't imagine introducing Deadwood to someone who had not followed it from the beginning. Despite the beautiful writing, the show goes out of its way to be shocking and controversial. For example, Al's soliloquys have usually been delivered either to the severed head of an Indian or to a whore who is performing fellatio on Al. Either situation is a little hard to explain to someone new to the Deadwood scene.

I too am anxious to see how the Captain v. Dan contretemps plays out. While both are bone loyal to their employees, Hearst and Al respectively, they are also extraordinarily dangerous killers. It ought to be fun.

I can't imagine introducing Deadwood to someone who had not followed it from the beginning. Despite the beautiful writing, the show goes out of its way to be shocking and controversial.

You got that right. Two of my best friends from college were visiting last weekend and after their Sunday night flights were cancelled due to weather they came back to our home and watched "Deadwood" for the first time. I think they both fell asleep by the half-hour mark. "How can you follow along with that?" asked one of them. I had to laugh.

The woman Al was talking about, the one that got on the ship to New Orleans while he was being held down, that's his mother right? I vaguely recall his Season 2 reflections of the orphanage and his mother, but not enough to remember exactly what happened.

Humm ... no mention of Alma starting to "take walks" on the wild side ... ;)

Alma back on the dope, bad news for her, especially if Hearst gets wind of it.
How funny were the Seth/Steve conversations that didn't go more than 30 seconds before Bullock punches Steve? I know he's drunk all the time, but you would think it would eventually dawn on him that Bullock has a short temper and doesn't mind puntuating his sentences with a quick smack to the face.
Next though, oh baby, next week we get Dan vs The Captain and Bullock sticking a gun in Hearst's face!!! I can't wait.

Alma back on the dope, bad news for her, especially if Hearst gets wind of it..

Not at all what I meant ... one has to pay close attention to the small details. ;) Understatement is the watch word.

Yeah, I guess I missed and I'm stilling missing it. I thought you were referring to her 'taking the air' as a pretext to meet with Leon and buy some dope.

I don't thing that Alma is back on laudanum. Doc asked Trixie, who is close to Alma, that very question and Doc agreed:

Doc: I’m concerned about Mrs. Ellsworth, Trixie.
Trixie: If concerned means “Is she using?”… (lights a cigarette) I don’t think she is.
Doc: I don’t either.

But Doc and Trixie make it clear they think that Alma is taking too many chances, and Alma proves them right when she later infuriates Hearst by trying to bargain with him for a deal under the terms of which she would have sold only a minority interest in her mine to Hearst. (Hearst to Alma in response to her offer: "A vulgar man would ask before preceding any further if you would require him to produce his jackknife and make himself a capon before you.")

I don't thing that Alma is back on laudanum. Doc asked Trixie, who is close to Alma, that very question and Doc agreed:

Doc: I’m concerned about Mrs. Ellsworth, Trixie.
Trixie: If concerned means “Is she using?”… (lights a cigarette) I don’t think she is.
Doc: I don’t either.

But Doc and Trixie make it clear they think that Alma is taking too many chances, and proves them right when she later infuriates Hearst by trying to bargain with him for a deal under the terms of which she would have sold only a minority interest in her mine to Hearst. (Hearst to Alma in response to her offer: "A vulgar man would ask before preceding any further if you would require him to produce his jackknife and make himself a capon before you.")
"A vulgar man would ask before preceding any further if you would require him to produce his jackknife and make himself a capon before you."

That's got to be one of the all-time classic Deadwood lines ever. Boy, am I ever going to miss this show, I could watch this sort of stuff for years.

You could write a book of great quotes from Deadwood. Just a few weeks ago:
'We forego the rock for the dagger, learn distraction’s use and deceptions before the dagger is employed'

Didn"t the previews for next week show Alma using?

I'd have to watch again, but I definitely got the impression that she's using, despite the fact that she's got Doc and Trixie fooled. That scene where she's looking at the window and Leon tips his hat and she goes out "for air" sure looked like a drug buy to me.

Great episode as always (though I thought maybe a little slower than the last two weeks). Next week looks to be great as well.

Now, as John Locke ("Lost") says: "I'm going to have to watch that again" :D (the preview for next week).

Watched it again tonight as it was on HBO-HD. Wow, that final scene with Al giving his BJ monologue about being held down, powerful stuff. I think Ian McShane has already earned this year's Emmy.
Also, the great scene where Steve the drunk lets loose with a stream of hatred filled bile against Hostetler, Bullock turning his face to try and keep under control, and the way Hostetler turned around and was just gripping his own face to try to hold it in. Even the others in the bar looks shocked at the acidic rant from Steve the drunk.
The intensity of this show is just off the dial.

I don't thing that Alma is back on laudanum.

she's definitely using. That's what the previews showed next week. (and why the "last week on Deadwood" at the beginning of the show made sure to show the conversation between Trixie/Doc about her using). Do you think she likes Leon for his body? :)

Agreed, that was classic dealer/user on-the-sly hookup communication.

Quote:
Originally Posted by gwsat
I don't thing that Alma is back on laudanum.


she's definitely using. That's what the previews showed next week. (and why the "last week on Deadwood" at the beginning of the show made sure to show the conversation between Trixie/Doc about her using). Do you think she likes Leon for his body? :)

Yeah, that seems to be the case. I simply didn't pay enough attention to the preview, so include me, along with with Trixie and Doc, among those whom Alma has succeeded in misleading. :)

I'm going to be on vacation the next 2 weeks and will be missing Deadwood. Thank god for DVRs.

Anyone know when Wyatt Earp is going to show up in this season? As great of a show this I also have enjoyed reading the real history of Deadwood. Bullock lead a interesting life and his time in Deadwood was just a small part.

You got that right. Two of my best friends from college were visiting last weekend and after their Sunday night flights were cancelled due to weather they came back to our home and watched "Deadwood" for the first time. I think they both fell asleep by the half-hour mark. "How can you follow along with that?" asked one of them. I had to laugh.

The woman Al was talking about, the one that got on the ship to New Orleans while he was being held down, that's his mother right? I vaguely recall his Season 2 reflections of the orphanage and his mother, but not enough to remember exactly what happened.You got it. From the EP summary:

"Al complains again to Dolly for her technique, while he confesses that it was Hearst chopped off his finger. He recalls another time when he was restrained: by the orphanage proctor, keeping him from joining his mother, who'd changed her mind about abandoning him. "I don't like it either," Dolly says, "when they hold you down."


It cracked me up when Utter stopped Bullock in the street in the midst of his traipsing back and forth to broker the deal between Steve the Drunk and Hostetler, to get his wife's OK with a new school location. About halfway through the question, "You call that brief?"... I guess maybe by Deadwood standards :D.

Isn't the large woman that came into town with the theater guy (you know, the one you could read a book off the front porch of), the same woman who played Rita Sue on Carnivale?


ron

Y

It cracked me up when Utter stopped Bullock in the street in the midst of his traipsing back and forth to broker the deal between Steve the Drunk and Hostetler, to get his wife's OK with a new school location. About halfway through the question, "You call that brief?"... I guess maybe by Deadwood standards :D.

Isn't the large woman that came into town with the theater guy (you know, the one you could read a book off the front porch of), the same woman who played Rita Sue on Carnivale?


ron
That was hilarious, Bullock was beside himself, incredulous at the time it was taking Utter to get his point out. :D

and yes, that's Rita Sue. :)

You got it. From the EP summary:

"Al complains again to Dolly for her technique, while he confesses that it was Hearst chopped off his finger. He recalls another time when he was restrained: by the orphanage proctor, keeping him from joining his mother, who'd changed her mind about abandoning him. "I don't like it either," Dolly says, "when they hold you down."

. . .

ron

Dolly's combination of naive cluelessness and sweetness in that scene moved me, as another exchange she has with Al demonstrates:

Al: . . . Tell me who you want in the election.
Dolly: Star for Mayor and Harry Manning for Sheriff.
Al: Star for Mayor and Bullock for ****ing Sheriff.
Dolly: [Petulantly:] Bullock yells at you.

That's fascinating psychologically. We think of that poor girl as abused and debased and someone who should hate Al, but she knows his bark is worse than his bite when it comes to his girls and has true affection for him. Strange but beautiful.

That's fascinating psychologically. We think of that poor girl as abused and debased and someone who should hate Al, but she knows his bark is worse than his bite when it comes to his girls and has true affection for him. Strange but beautiful.Definitely a few more levels/layers than your standard TV western :).


ron

Considering their relative situations, it doesn't seem strange....and it's certainly not beautiful. Sad and poignant, for sure.

Seems more like typical whore-pimp behavior. Or that of an abused wife who will defend her brutal husband with "he's really a good guy and he only hits me because he loves me...and besides I deserve it."

Dolly is a pathetic and desperate young woman totally dependent on Al who exploits her for his own gain.

Considering their relative situations, it doesn't seem strange....and it's certainly not beautiful. Sad and poignant, for sure.

Seems more like typical whore-pimp behavior. Or that of an abused wife who will defend her brutal husband with "he's really a good guy and he only hits me because he loves me...and besides I deserve it."

Dolly is a pathetic and desperate young woman totally dependent on Al who exploits her for his own gain.

I agree. Dolly appears to be influenced by "Stockholm syndrome," an affliction in which victims of kidnappings develop an affection for their captors. Still, the scene was moving ; the way in which Dolly's relationship with Al is developed is just one more example of the brilliance of the writing on Deadwood. Notice that Al is not a one-note monster. At some level he really does care about his girls but that does not mean their fear of him is unreasonable -- as we saw on the very first episode of the series, when Al gave Trixie a savage beating.

i can't wait to see the next one. for the poster that wondered about when Earp would show up i will say...it won't be long..:)

Much as we hate to admit, Al is a bad guy, plain and simple. He's complex, poetic, but ultimately is capable of routinely commited horrible acts, not the least of which was ordering the death of little Sophia just to keep a lid on the whole 'road agents pretending to be indians' scam in the first season.
Strangely enough, those that like him (myself included) would say the same thing battered women always say: There's this whole other side to him.
That's the genius of Milch and McShane.

Considering their relative situations, it doesn't seem strange....and it's certainly not beautiful. Sad and poignant, for sure.
When I said "strange but beautiful", I meant the writing and the fact that something so complex, repulsive, and interesting could be shown on mainstream television.

And don't forget: Those women were presumably there of their own free will. A career choice that is difficult for us to fathom, but there was no shortage of women filling that need.

By the way, the Emmys are a joke. No nominations at all for Deadwood, none for The Shield, only one for Rescue Me. Whoever makes those selections has zero appreciation for greatness.

When I said "strange but beautiful", I meant the writing and the fact that something so complex, repulsive, and interesting could be shown on mainstream television.

And don't forget: Those women were presumably there of their own free will. A career choice that is difficult for us to fathom, but there was no shortage of women filling that need.


actually, according to history, alot of these women came to deadwood answering ad's for "entertainers" at the gem, only to get off the stage broke, and at the mercy of al swearingen. they did not come to be beaten, humiliated and thrown into prostitution.

Yeah, Swearingen trapped them there. In fact, I got the feeling women/girls were basically sold into prostitution by their own fathers pretty routinely. It sounds crazy, but bear in mind people were buying and selling black people just a few years prior, and women's status in society was marginally better than that of slaves.
I believe Joannie Stubbs mentions her father sold her to Cy Tolliver as well.
All and all a very tough time to be a woman.

By the way, the Emmys are a joke. No nominations at all for Deadwood, none for The Shield, only one for Rescue Me. Whoever makes those selections has zero appreciation for greatness.

I heard they changed the process this year. A few "chosen ones" were shown a few sample episodes of shows, and then they voted.

By the way, the Emmys are a joke. No nominations at all for Deadwood, none for The Shield, only one for Rescue Me. Whoever makes those selections has zero appreciation for greatness.
Deadwood wasn't snubbed, because of when this season started it was not in the time period for qualification. What we are seeing now will be eligible for next year's Emmys.

Deadwood wasn't snubbed, because of when this season started it was not in the time period for qualification. What we are seeing now will be eligible for next year's Emmys.

The Emmys are still a joke. No Hugh Laurie and no Jason Lee to cite two glaring omissions.

Oh, I agree...and Martin Sheen, and Geena Davis..???

Whoa. What an episode!

I've missed all the shows this year so far, how would you catch up this late in the game?

I've missed all the shows this year so far, how would you catch up this late in the game?
On Demand (if it's available to you) is probably the best way. Otherwise, wait until HBO runs one of their evenings where they play several episodes back-to-back and hope they start from the start of season 3. If that fails, then you can search around the Internet or wait until the S3 DVD set comes out.

I've missed all the shows this year so far, how would you catch up this late in the game?

Easiest way (though of dubious legality) is probably bit torrent.

has anyone noticed an odd artifact where the stripes on Al's coat occsionally "blink" on and off as he moves?

re the language on the show: I usually watch it once to get the story. (I miss a lot of words and sometimes whole lines of conversation go by and I'm like. what?) then I read the transcript to get what I missed and then watch it again to savor all the great speeches.

I tried the subtitle but for some reason they're often screwed up, non-sensical, or truncated, as if whoever did it did it live and couldn't keep up. this is with D* hdtivo.

Now that was one hellava fight!!!

Now that was one hellava fight!!!

Captain vs. Dan

I was so excited prior to the show I couldn't believe it. It was almost like a monster horror flick before hand. I knew it would be something gruesome.

Its a shame there will be no sequel.

Good episode last night. Trixie is slowly becoming one my favorite characters behind: Al, Bullock, Charlie.

Another great episode. Each week the previews for the following week seem great and the following week comes along and the episode actually delivers. Next weeks previews again look great and I have no doubt that they once again will deliver.

As a long time sopranos fan, you just don't get the same. Some great episodes mixed in with some not so great. And with the Sopranos all the "next week" previews look like the show is going to be great, then you watch it the following week and find out how the previews had mislead or that you thought someone important was going to get wacked and it ended up being a guy whos never been on the show. Deadwood never does that false advertising :) If the previews show Dan and the captain throwing down in what appears to be one of the greatest showdowns on TV....they deliver the following week with one of the greatest showdowns on TV :)

Spoilers below if you haven't watched:

Embarrased to admit, but I was as excited about that fight as if it was a real one. I thought it was realistic in that just a few seconds in, both fat guys were winded and couldn't breath...Most hollywood fights have guys swinging wildly...in reality, with 2 guys that size, its not exactly going to be Leanord vs. Haggler. I also love the speech Dan gave Johnny about not interfering and how he's been in plenty of situations that didn't look good that he had managed to turn around. Add another to the list with that fight :)

Loved Al admitting he couldn't find the angle and telling Dan to go ahead and fight (also interesting to see he still has the "chief" around...who must smell by now). I'm not sure Hearst's angle was either. What did he expect to come of the showdown? And what did he expect talking trash to Bullock without any protection around?

Seems Johnny is getting a little more respect in the show. Shows some leadership with the other bartender then later is invited to sit down in Al's office.

Couple of questions
- Why did hostetler kill himself? I didn't follow the reasoning.
- What's the deal with Alma and her husband. Is he leaving her? Because he recognized she was doping?

I'm not sure Hearst's angle was either. What did he expect to come of the showdown? And what did he expect talking trash to Bullock without any protection around?



My off hand guess; Hearst figures he will have some modicum of protection from Al if he is in the sherriff's custody.

I also tend to not watch the previews for the next episode, to keep it a suprise for me. I will be watching, I don't need to be "teased".

My off hand guess; Hearst figures he will have some modicum of protection from Al if he is in the sherriff's custody.

I agree. Hearst probably saved his life being arrested. I think he wanted the captain to kill Dan as a measure of strength, and didn't anticipate the outcome.

Best Deadwood episode yet?

Best Deadwood episode yet?


Certainly the best this week.

But aren't they all?

Best Deadwood episode yet?

One of, for sure.

My off hand guess; Hearst figures he will have some modicum of protection from Al if he is in the sherriff's custody.

I guess that's what Al meant at the end when he said to Johnny "Bullock takes away several of our options" as Bullock was arresting Hearst.

Whoa. What an episode!

All I can say is "WOW. One powerful episode after another."

Another great episode. Each week the previews for the following week seem great and the following week comes along and the episode actually delivers. Next weeks previews again look great and I have no doubt that they once again will deliver.

As a long time sopranos fan, you just don't get the same. Some great episodes mixed in with some not so great. And with the Sopranos all the "next week" previews look like the show is going to be great, then you watch it the following week and find out how the previews had mislead or that you thought someone important was going to get wacked and it ended up being a guy whos never been on the show. Deadwood never does that false advertising :) If the previews show Dan and the captain throwing down in what appears to be one of the greatest showdowns on TV....they deliver the following week with one of the greatest showdowns on TV :)

Spoilers below if you haven't watched:

Embarrased to admit, but I was as excited about that fight as if it was a real one. I thought it was realistic in that just a few seconds in, both fat guys were winded and couldn't breath...Most hollywood fights have guys swinging wildly...in reality, with 2 guys that size, its not exactly going to be Leanord vs. Haggler. I also love the speech Dan gave Johnny about not interfering and how he's been in plenty of situations that didn't look good that he had managed to turn around. Add another to the list with that fight :)

Loved Al admitting he couldn't find the angle and telling Dan to go ahead and fight (also interesting to see he still has the "chief" around...who must smell by now). I'm not sure Hearst's angle was either. What did he expect to come of the showdown? And what did he expect talking trash to Bullock without any protection around?

Seems Johnny is getting a little more respect in the show. Shows some leadership with the other bartender then later is invited to sit down in Al's office.

Couple of questions
- Why did hostetler kill himself? I didn't follow the reasoning.
- What's the deal with Alma and her husband. Is he leaving her? Because he recognized she was doping?

I believe he simply couldn't take the bashing any longer as his place in society prevented him from dealing with the insults in a traditional way. He was a very proud man that carved out a successful business in a second class citizen status and after all that, was still treated like an animal or child. His pride couldn't handle it.

Yes to the leaving because of the drugs.

GoIrish

Yes to the leaving because of the drugs.



But could he have known she was drugged when he was taking a bath and didn't want her "help" when she was in the other room? Turning away Alma's advances makes me wonder what kind of man he really is. It seemed to me they had never consummated their marriage.

But could he have known she was drugged when he was taking a bath and didn't want her "help" when she was in the other room? Turning away Alma's advances makes me wonder what kind of man he really is. It seemed to me they had never consummated their marriage.

He didn't know until she made her move, and he got a good look at her eyes. Her behavior, coupled with her eyes, is how he knew. They haven't consumated their marriage, which is what made her behavior all the more unusual.

He didn't know until she made her move, and he got a good look at her eyes. Her behavior, coupled with her eyes, is how he knew.

I probably would have mistaken that "look" for lust. Not sure I would have had the willpower to walk out on Alma, but then drunk women are attractive to me also. ;)

Pinpoint pupils are a sign of narcotic intoxication.

This episode was written by David Milch, the creator of the series, the man who with Steven Bochco developed Hill Street Blues and NYPD Blue. A writer of genius. The best episodes are often written by Milch, and he has a hand in the scripts of all episodes.

- Why did hostetler kill himself? I didn't follow the reasoning.

Hostetler always seemed to me to have a slight mental imbalance. I thought at that moment that he finally reached the point where he could not take any more abuse from anyone. Especially when he was trying to do what he thought was the right thing. I expect his first thought was he wanted to kill Steve (it wouldn't be the first time I expect, I think everyone wants to kill him!) but realizing that he shouldn't/couldn't he just decided to give himself some peace. He was already feeling guilty for his part in the death of Bullock's son.

Yep, I second your views on the fight. Sloppy, dirty and without stupid fist whacking sound effects the realism just made the screaming more horrible.

A superb episode in a series which just keeps getting better and better in every department.

Thought he should have continued the fight with one eye. Instead he just winds up wailing like a woman and basically gives up letting Dan finish him off.

I am happy Dorrity won the fight though and will continue on the show. The captain did inflict heavy damage though and maybe Dan isn't out of the woods yet.

Was Hearst really that big of an a**hole? If not a full blown psycho as the show portrays him?

Was Hearst really that big of an a**hole? If not a full blown psycho as the show portrays him?

You can read what the real Hearst family thinks about his portrayal here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7929590&highlight=hearst#post7929590) in Fredfa's fantastic news thread.

I've missed all the shows this year so far, how would you catch up this late in the game?

You asked this question a couple of days too late. Over the 4th of July weekend, HBO reran the first 3 episodes of the year. As someone else mentioned, if you have cable, you probably have HBO in Demand, which should have all of the episodes for this year available. If you don't have cable, ask a friend or co-worker who does if he/she can tape it for you from In Demand.

Was Hearst really that big of an a**hole? If not a full blown psycho as the show portrays him?
I don't know if he is a psycho but the guy he sent last season sure was.

Found this on the Tivo forums:

With props to "Guy Crouchback" over on the TelevisionWithoutPity message board, here's a link to a post by W. Earl Brown (Dan Dority) about the fight and its creation:

http://boards.hbo.com/thread.jspa?t...26759#700126759



I've been away from a computer for several days, and once I finish typing this, I will be away for several more. So, to answer numerous questions/comments I've read in the past 1/2 hour:

The fight was created by basically five people: Mike Watson (stunt choreographer), Dan Minahan (Director), David Milch, Alan Graf, and me.

Ken Clark was my stunt double, Derrick Graf was Alan's. They were used in the long shots where Hearst/Al were watching from their balconies. In tight shots, they did the roll through the tables where the glass was breaking and they did the back flip over the meat table. Otherwise, it was Alan and I rolling through the muck.

Milch had three parameters for the fight: 1) must be realistic -- "No Cowboy roundhouses, flying through ****ing plate glass" 2) the audience must never be allowed to draw their breath, just when they think it is going to ease up, it escalates in intensity. 3) "I want something I've never seen before"

We rehearsed for three days and created the fight. We'd toss in suggestions, try things out. I can't remember who exactly suggested what, other than what I contributed. My suggestions yeilded the facial bite, the mud-drowning and subsequent puking, and the eyeball was a combination of three factors.

The idea was to be as primal as possible. Orginally that had me bashing his head with a oxen yolk. I wanted a stick instead.

I'd written a story arc (not used) that had Dority hitting someone in the forehead so hard that their eyeball popped out (my Grandfather did this to someone once -- it can really happen). We have an advisor on the show who once worked for a Vegas casino interest as an enforcer. His specialty was (if you owed big money and didn't pay) was to gouge an eyeball out with his thumb. David wanted to use the eyeball bit. As we were in the midst of creating the fight, I stumbled across a story. I am a part of a weekly poker game at Jerry Cantrell's (the rock guitarist) house. We were talking about the eyeball bit when Jerry told me the story of his brother in a fight in a biker bar. His bro was getting his head slammed into the pool table. He was getting tunnel vision as his lights were going out. Merely by chance, as he tried to push his opponent off of him, one of his fingers stuck into the eye of his opponent. Sensing he was about to die, his bro just shoved that finger with all his might. End of fight.

The next day we had fight rehearsal. I told David, "I have an idea about that eyeball..."

So, yes, Dority was dying. He was but a few breaths away from losing permanently. By chance, he got a finger into the Captain's eye. Not one to simply let the gouge be a final move, Dan plucked out the eye. After all, "if an eye offends thee, pluck it out..."

Dan's post-fight response was a combination of many things folks have speculated about on here. Dan almost died -- a new experience. He'd met an opponent who was stronger than him -- that had never happened before. He killed a man eye to eye with whom he had respect for as a warrior. He'd given everything he had to give, physically, spiritually, and emotionally. So as I sat there naked, refusing attention, all those things were going through my mind.

Speaking of nekkid -- that was my idea. The first version David had prepared had me in my muddied clothes. I thought by sitting there completely stripped in every way imaginable, the image could say more than the words. David agreed.

A day or so after we shot, Mark Tinker said he'd seen the dailies and he was going on and on about how emotionally involving the scene was. To show you how commited to authenticity I am, my response, "Yeah, that's cool and all, but did my dick look big?"

Someone questioned the reason for greasing up my groin for the fight. If you've ever had someone grab your nutsack in a tussle then yank on it, you'll know why I greased the boys up.

So... that's the fight. Glad yall liked it. I sure as hell did. I think we pulled off everything the Maestro asked for and more.



Earl

Couple of questions
- Why did hostetler kill himself? I didn't follow the reasoning.
- What's the deal with Alma and her husband. Is he leaving her? Because he recognized she was doping?

I agree that both incidents were puzzling. About the best i could make out of Hostetler's suicide was that his frustration over being a black man in 19th Century America drove him to it -- thanks in no small measure to Steve the drunk's incredible racism. Another possibility is that he felt residual guilt over the horse in his charge escaping and killing Bullock's stepson.

I don't understand Ellsworth's decision to leave Alma. It could have been that Ellswsorth is impotent, although there had been no earlier indication that he suffered from any such problem. Perhaps a more likely explanaton might be Ellsworth's recognition that Alma is back on drugs and just cannot deal with living with her any longer. I guess we will find out, at least I hope so.

I think Alma having to get doped to be with him turns him off, he really loves her and knows about the circumstances as to why they got married anyways. He smelled it on her breath and bailed out.

just watched tonight's episode...the wife and i finally caught up after watching seasons 1 & 2 on DVD the past month...we've been hooked since the first episode we watched and i even watched most of them twice already :). all i can say about sunday's episode is wow! as good as ever!

Hearst's line about a "high estimate of your f***king athleticism" to Bullock was killer...i had to rewind it and watch it again.

has anyone noticed an odd artifact where the stripes on Al's coat occsionally "blink" on and off as he moves?

I thought I was the only one seeing this. Watching on a Motorola HD cable box (COMCAST) via DVI to a Sony SXRD.

It is wierd, it looks like moiree you wold get on an anamorphic DVD watching on a 4:3 set.

Crap (forgot to mention) IMHO, this was the best single episode of the entire series.

Crap (forgot to mention) IMHO, this was the best single episode of the entire series.

I agree, boy do I ever agree! This episode was written by David Milch himself and it showed. The only other Deadwood episode I can think of that was in the class of "A Two Headed Beast" was "Suffer the Little Children" from Season 1. That was the episode in which Cy Tolliver forces Joanie Stubbs to kill the young whore, Flora, after Flora had stolen Joanie's jewelry and stabbed Cy.

I watched this week's episode again tonight and paid particular attention to the scene in which Ellsworth leaves Alma and the one ending with Hostetler's suicide. I am now convinced that Alma had intuited earlier that Ellsworth was going to leave her and was trying in her addled way to change his mind while he was taking his bath. Obviously, she failed. I thought that the last nail in the coffin was driven when, after Alma told him that she would pick up Sofia, Ellsworth says to her, "Don't forget."

Even after a second viewing, I still don't have a strong opinion as to what made Hostetler commit suicide. It could have been guilt about the young boy's death caused by Hostetler's horse or it could have been a reaction to the racism of the times, who knows?

By the way, I noticed tonight that after Dan gouged out Captain Turner's eye, he looked to Al for approval before killing the captain with a big stick. Al gave Dan the go-ahead with the slightest of nods. Brrr!

Its seems to me that some are forgetting about how much Elworth cares about Alma. And, to tell the truth, it may be more of a father/daughter love than a husband/wife sexual relationship. He has taken care of her interest for a long time.
Another aspect may be that he was deeply hurt or offended that the only way she could have sex with him was to get "drugged" up. That would hurt anyone with true feelings for someone. Just my musings. :)
Oh, and btw, that was a great farking episode. :D

By the way, I noticed tonight that after Dan gouged out Captain Turner's eye, he looked to Al for approval before killing the captain with a big stick. Al gave Dan the go-ahead with the slightest of nods. Brrr!
Very gladiator like, did you read that posting of his above?

Very gladiator like, did you read that posting of his above?

Yes, I read Earl Brown's comments about how the fight scene between Dan and Captain Turner was put together. Very interesting. Dan nearly drowned when the captain held Dan's head in a deep puddle in the street. Dan only survived because he was able to grab one of the captains legs and knock the captain off balance. Dan was still getting the excrement beat out of him when he happened to get his finger in the captains eye -- the rest is history. No wonder Dan is rattled.

A similar thing happened to Bullock in his fight with the Indian in Season 1. After Bullock returned to camp he broke down and while crying he described the fight to his partner, Sol Star:

"We fought like ****in’ hell, I’ll tell ya that much. And I never once had the upper hand, it just – happened out the way it happened out. He was just tryin’ to live, same as me, and do honor to his friend, make some ****in’ sense out of things, and we wind up that way, and I wind up after, beatin’ him till I couldn’t recognize his face. For Christ’s sake. "

That was powerfull stuff, it seemed to me.

A similar thing happened to Bullock in his fight with the Indian in Season 1. After Bullock returned to camp he broke down and while crying he described the fight to his partner, Sol Star:

"We fought like ****in’ hell, I’ll tell ya that much. And I never once had the upper hand, it just – happened out the way it happened out. He was just tryin’ to live, same as me, and do honor to his friend, make some ****in’ sense out of things, and we wind up that way, and I wind up after, beatin’ him till I couldn’t recognize his face. For Christ’s sake. "
i totally forgot about Bullock's fight with the indian...the parallels are definitely there...extremely well written show indeed.

By the way, I noticed tonight that after Dan gouged out Captain Turner's eye, he looked to Al for approval before killing the captain with a big stick. Al gave Dan the go-ahead with the slightest of nods. Brrr!
McShane should get the Emmy for that nod :cool:
As for the Ellsworth marriage, I'm still not so quick to blame the drugs for the demise of the marriage. Though Ellsworth has said that he was once married and that his wife and child died from disease (small pox?) I can't help but wonder about Ellsworth himself. When he brings Alma an apple at the bank, he mentions something about his performance in the conjugal arena. When he's taking a bath and Alma wants to 'help him with his back' he seems very skittish and almost embarrassed. I think the break-up may also be due in part to problems Ellsworth has.

It may very well be in this thread someplace and I am probably the last to know it, but HBO On Demand has three Deadwood special shorts available

One on the new season which has pieces of storyline not yet developed.

A red carpet edition from the premier party this year including a lot of the cast and a special on the women of Deadwood.

Each about five minutes long but each interesting in its own way.

GoIrish

Another excellent ep; not as action-packed as last week, but great as usual just the same. Interesting to see what this showdown leads to.

For those of you who don't keep up with the latest "Deadwood" News on the "Hot Off The Press" sticky, here is a blog today from the TV Critics Association summer tour in LA.

HBO CEO Chris Albrecht was grilled a few days ago about the cancellation of Deadwood. His answer was reported by several reporters. But ehre is a transcript of what SAlbrecht said happened:

TV Critics Summer Press Tour
Whence 'Deadwood'?

By Roger Catlin Hartford Courant TV Critic in his “TV Eye” blog July 16, 2006

A friend writes:

Too bad the HBO meetings occurred right away. I still feel in the dark about what exactly happened to 'Deadwood' 's future and (even tho your blog entry makes it clear the topic was broached) feel whatever did happen was under-reported and definitely not on the radar at all till AFTER it was a done deal. Was it Milch or HBO that wanted out, really? Why didn't this happen with 'The Wire' or 'Six Feet Under'? Was 'Deadwood' particularly expensive to produce or esp. lacking in some target demographic that HBO wanted? If so, why in hell do pay cable networks care about demographics?

Worse than not knowing any of that though, is Albrecht's generalized 'answer' to these sorts of questions invoking 'Carnivalé'. I get that he was saying 'I've already been through worse backlashes than this one' but mentioning the two series in the same breath makes him seem VERY dim as to their relative quality or compelling reasons to continue and in turn as if anything excellent that's happened while he's been giving the okays was pure accident! What ACTUALLY happened? And screw Milch if he thinks ANYTHING about surfers is going to be as touched by fire as 'Deadwood'.

Here's the entirety of HBO President Chris Albrecht's answer to a question about reaction to the sudden last season for David Milch's 'Deadwood.' It indicates that what happened may have been the result of a single day's misunderstanding.

Q: I got a lot of e-mail after the 'Deadwood' thing, and some of it was actually quite scary. What's your e-mail been like?

Albrecht: My favorite one was, 'May you never take an easy dump again.' I sent that to a few friends. But being Italian, that was not a problem. I knew it would never be a problem for me. I got a lot of 'Deadwood' e-mails too. But I'll tell you, a fraction of what I got for 'Carnivale.' So it really goes to show how there's not always -- what is that ringing? Do we know? Is that just in my head?

There is a disconnect often between what's written about a show in terms of the appreciation for the quality of a show or the content of a show and the audience's feel for it. What happened with 'Deadwood,' and I think we would all like to revisit the phone call that I had with David Milch, was David pitched a show that I hope you will agree when it goes on, is so unique and very exciting. I knew that there were at most 12 more 'Deadwood's.

I said to David, let's do six and start the new show earlier because there's only a finite amount of time David Milch has to do all of the work that he does on the shows. David Milch, David Simon, David Chase, all these guys, Alan Ball, they are so involved in what they do from the writing process through the end of the editing process. Have to pry the shows out of their hands to get them on the air. And David at that point says, 'Ah, you know what? It's enough. Let's just move on. You're right.'

And I said, 'David, think about it over the weekend,' and he called some actors and the story got out of hand, and I think everybody wished they had that Friday to think about it again because it was really just, you know, 12, 6, 8 -- I know the world thinks that 12 more hours of 'Deadwood' is the exact number to end the story exactly correctly, but maybe in a conversation we could (find) out a way to do that a little differently.

http://blogs.courant.com/roger_catlin_tv_eye/2006/07/whence_deadwood.html#more

Hmm, sounds like ass-covering to me. Milch said Albrecht cut the show. Albrecht says Milch cut the show.
After the situation with Carnivale, I think I stick with Milch's version of what happened.

CA's such a prick. But I guess he wouldn't be a network exec if he was anything otherwise.

Just another really great episode in a season that is nothing short of a masterpiece. Makes The Sopranos look like Lucky Louie.

Albrecht is going down and he's starting to sound bitter and desperate.
Read that interview.
He sits down and tells Milch Deadwood has 12 episodes at best?
Why would he think that? He would know that Deadwood has *minimum* 12 episodes left because Milch stated that he only planned to write through season 4. Why would CA think that DM might say 90 days prior to filming 'hey, Chris, I've decided to only do part of the final season of Deadwood. Yeah, I'd rather quit in the middle and start working a pilot.'
So, CA wants us to believe that Milch was iffy on even doing the last 12 episodes.
Then it turned into Milchs's idea to screw the entire end of Deadwood. Then it was just a misunderstanding.
Out of nowhere he decides to take shot at the Deadwood backlash (ah, it was just a fraction of the Carnivale backlash). Hmmm, why bother pissing of the Deadwood fans. Feeling a bit of sting??

It seems to me he admitted he and Milch might have handled it differently (and better).

I also seem to remember that Milch has essentially corroborated this version of the Friday night chat with Albrecht...that it was, in the end, Milch's call to end "Deadwood" after season three so he could move on to the new project.

To be fair, it seems there is plenty of blame to go around, and Milch is certainly not without his share of it.

But then as a fan of a number of shows which have died a far-too-early death, who the heck wants to be fair when a favorite show gets the axe?

Man I am sooooo smart. Anyone catch that preview for next week?

Maybe they are going to examine the lesbian angle, and have her hanging around two of the stronger female characters in the show because she has a crush on them?

They were probably both at fault, but as Catlin notes, it's apparent that Albrecht really doesn't know what he's talking about when it comes to these shows. It's Albrecht's fault for even entertaining the idea of having Milch do anything else before the completion of Deadwood, a show that Milch had already stated as being a 4 season arc, 4 seasons that paralleled that last 4 years of the real Deadwood.

It sounds to me like both of these guys are just a little too self-absorbed and don't really have much of a clue when it comes to their audiences. Milch is the sort that needs someone to "control" him, or keep him reigned in less he gets all scattered on tangents-just read the stories about him during NYPD Blue. Albrecht, it seems, isn't capable of doing it as he let Milch run amok and in the end, we lost a 4th season of Deadwood.

Honestly, a show about surfers couldn't have waited one more year?

If Albrecht wants to put on garbage like Tourgasm, Lucky Louie and Entourage, let him go to one of the basic cable nets, or one of the Big 5, and leave the the truly intelligent, ground-breaking programming to someone else, maybe the guy from FX. ;)

Man I am sooooo smart. Anyone catch that preview for next week?

Yeah, I caught it ;) . Looking fwd to nxt wk! :p

If Albrecht wants to put on garbage like Tourgasm, Lucky Louie and Entourage, let him go to one of the basic cable nets, or one of the Big 5, and leave the the truly intelligent, ground-breaking programming to someone else, maybe the guy from FX. ;)[/QUOTE]


Hey...Entourage is EXCELLENT !

Hey...Entourage is EXCELLENT !
Didn't mean to offend, my posts generally reflect my own opinion. :)

But, Entourage would fall under the "cheap-to-make" agenda that HBO seems to be pursuing of late.

If Albrecht wants to put on garbage like Tourgasm, Lucky Louie and Entourage, let him go to one of the basic cable nets, or one of the Big 5, and leave the the truly intelligent, ground-breaking programming to someone else, maybe the guy from FX. ;)


Hey...Entourage is EXCELLENT !


Not this year. If it wasn't for Ari, I'd have stopped watching. He is the ONLY reason to tune in this season. Bad junior year.

I haven't been able to see this week's episode yet because the lamp on my 50" RCA DLP burned out on Saturday evening (which is a story for another day and another forum). Thus, I will be avoiding this thread until after my HDTV is fixed and I see this week's episode. But in the immortal words of the Terminator, I'll be back!

People often liken Deadwood's dialog to Shakespeare, and I try to look for direct references in the dialog. Sometimes I can pick things out, and I noticed two this week. Here is what I caught.

First, when Jane and ****** General are talking (I can't write or say that word even if they use it) while making Hostetler's coffin, Jane, talking about Hostetler's body, says, "Won't be the first the worms work on."

In Romeo & Juliet, Mercutio is stabbed by Thibault and has a great scene before he dies. My favorite line is "ask for me tomorrow, and you shall find me a grave man." A few lines later on he says, "They have made worm's meat of me." ATTRIBUTION: Romeo & Juliet, Act III, Sc. i.


Later on, Cy is talking to Hearst. Talking about his coming there alone without Swearingen's agent, Cy says, "And I hope correctly honored in the breach in this one single instance."

In Hamlet, Hamlet and Horatio are talking while waiting for the appearance of the King's ghost. Hamlet says: "And to the manner born, it is a custom more honoured in the breach than the observance." ATTRIBUTION: Hamlet. Act I. Sc. iv.

Just thought I'd pass these along.

SMK

"Borrowing" from "the Bard" is a time honored tradition in western lit. ;)

I read somewhere that occasionally some of the dialogue is in iambic pentameter, but I wouldn't know it if it bit me in a**. Swearingen talking to the Indian head really smacks of Hamlet, even it's just the idea of talking to a dead person to help sort out one's inner feelings.

I do notice some really funny little things Milch does. There's probably a word for it, but I have no idea what it is; in Season 1, when Swearengen told Miles to 'Situate your sister so she's not standing in the stain'. Something about it always cracked me up, the way it rolls of the tongue...it's definitely not inadvertent.

How does Jane make money to buy booze? I assume she's stealing it from somewhere???
I read somewhere that in real life she was actually a performer at the Gem, but that aint happening on this show for sure.

I read somewhere that occasionally some of the dialogue is in iambic pentameter, but I wouldn't know it if it bit me in a**. Swearingen talking to the Indian head really smacks of Hamlet, even it's just the idea of talking to a dead person to help sort out one's inner feelings.

I do notice some really funny little things Milch does. There's probably a word for it, but I have no idea what it is; in Season 1, when Swearengen told Miles to 'Situate your sister so she's not standing in the stain'. Something about it always cracked me up, the way it rolls of the tongue...it's definitely not inadvertent.

Alliteration.
: the repetition of usually initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words or syllables (as wild and woolly, threatening throngs) -- called also head rhyme, initial rhyme

Alliteration.
: the repetition of usually initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words or syllables (as wild and woolly, threatening throngs) -- called also head rhyme, initial rhyme

A+ for Guamster!
Alliteration..I'll have to remember that.

Some of the asides are worth the price of admission. For instance, in this week's episode E.B. hears Hurst say, as he walks out of the hotel, "This place displeases me. I’m taking measures to bring it down." To which E.B. remarks to himself, "Does he speak of the hotel? Or even more?" What a slick way to point out that Hearst is apparently bent on destroying the town.

The humor is also wonderful. When Silas visits the Bella Union, Cy smoozes him in an attempt to get information about Al's intentions and says, "Why don’t you cap your visit with some complimentary higher-end p*ssy?" Funny stuff.

I read somewhere that occasionally some of the dialogue is in iambic pentameter, but I wouldn't know it if it bit me in a**. Swearingen talking to the Indian head really smacks of Hamlet, even it's just the idea of talking to a dead person to help sort out one's inner feelings.

I do notice some really funny little things Milch does. There's probably a word for it, but I have no idea what it is; in Season 1, when Swearengen told Miles to 'Situate your sister so she's not standing in the stain'. Something about it always cracked me up, the way it rolls of the tongue...it's definitely not inadvertent.

E.B. had an extended solliloquy some time ago that was definitely and without any doubt the most polished iambic pentameter possible.

E.B. had an extended solliloquy some time ago that was definitely and without any doubt the most polished iambic pentameter possible.

Which one was it?

Anyone remember Dan throwing "the Dude" off a cliff Season 1 and then finishing the job by smashing his head with a rock. An act done in utter cold blood, eye contact and all.

So if he's sitting there in a towel, nekkid after that fight with Captain Turner, I can only imagine it's his own mortality that sets him shivering.

Anyone remember Dan throwing "the Dude" off a cliff Season 1 and then finishing the job by smashing his head with a rock. An act done in utter cold blood, eye contact and all.

So if he's sitting there in a towel, nekkid after that fight with Captain Turner, I can only imagine it's his own mortality that sets him shivering.

Here's the conversation between Al and Johnny that answers your question.

(Upstairs in the Gem, there’s a knock on Al’s door.)

Al: Yeah? (Johnny enters)

Johnny: I wish you’d look in on Dan, boss. Not for being poorly as…down.

Al: Johnny,…some ****’s best walked through alone.

Johnny: Dan’s killed people before. You have too. But neither’ve been solitary after.

Al: A fair fight, something Dan and I have always struggled to avoid, is different. You see the light go out of their eyes. It’s just you left and death.

Johnny: So that’s why Dan wants to be alone.

what a way to wrap up a 2 week vacation. I got to watch back to back episodes and only have a day to wait for the next one! How can this show keep getting better and better.
The look in Al's eyes when Bullock suggested they strike 1st, Hearst taking the knife back, The whole talk in the hardware store with Charlie. Just awesome!!!

what a way to wrap up a 2 week vacation. I got to watch back to back episodes and only have a day to wait for the next one! How can this show keep getting better and better.
The look in Al's eyes when Bullock suggested they strike 1st, Hearst taking the knife back, The whole talk in the hardware store with Charlie. Just awesome!!!

I know what you mean. I usually dvr each episode so I dont watch it when it actually airs...But I watch the episode about 2 or 3 times during the course of the week. Even epeidodes that nobody dies, it' s always better the second or third time around.

What the ding was up with the tailor and the swatches? :confused: :confused: :eek:

What the ding was up with the tailor and the swatches? :confused: :confused: :eek:


Gordon Clapp from NYPD Blue with a very bad accent

I saw POTCDMC today and had an intersting surprise. I can't remember the name of the upcoming film, but the preview showed a movie about deliquents being shaped into a football team. The football advisor/stunt coordinator for the film is none other than Capt. Turner (Allan Graf).

Bio:

http://imdb.com/name/nm0333689/bio

Tonight's episode was, as always, interesting plot-wise, but the writing was not as good as the past few weeks. Last week's credited writer was Alix Lambert, and that episode was so rich in dialog that Alix may be a man (or woman) to watch. This week's episode was written by a woman whose name I forget, and her writing was a little hard to follow sometimes. A decent but not distinguished effort.

I saw POTCDMC today and had an intersting surprise. I can't remember the name of the upcoming film, but the preview showed a movie about deliquents being shaped into a football team. The football advisor/stunt coordinator for the film is none other than Capt. Turner (Allan Graf).

Bio:

http://imdb.com/name/nm0333689/bio


POTCDMC?

Got it, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest. You really should make it a little easier on the reader and spell it out at least once. I find these posts that use cryptic abbreviations annoying.

"Won't be the first the worms work on."



I see no similarity to shakespeare. Its common knowledge that worms eat bodies.

In comparison to all the others this season, last night's episode was a disappointment. Writing, plot, excitement, even story line were all lacking the usual quality.

I enjoyed most of the episode. I thought the scene between Jane and Joanie was curiously moving. Although, I usually cannot stand the depiction of homosexuality on screen, Jane's neediness moved me, as did Joanie's warmth and generosity.

I loved the scene in which Al made clear to Doc -- in Al's typically loud and aggressive way -- just how much the camp needs Doc.

What were Deadwood' producers thinking when they miscast the usually wonderful Gordon Clapp as a weird tailor in a thoroughly unfunny scene with Al? It struck me as a jarring non sequitur and an unusual stumble for the usually sure-footed Deadwood folks.

Finally, the writing is of such high caliber that I watch most episodes a second time with closed captioning

I agree, worst ever for me, really flat, and I know they were trying to set a dark mood, but the whole show was shot in simulated candle/lamp light. I watch in a 100% light controlled cave and people were tripping over themselves.

As far at the new Pirate movie (POTCDMC!!) goes, did anybody else notice that Richardson had a nonspeaking part on the British West Indies Trading Company ship? BTW, has EYAWTKASBWATA* been shown in HD yet? It's one of my favorites.


























































* "Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex, But Were Afraid to Ask"

What were Deadwood' producers thinking when they miscast the usually wonderful Gordon Clapp as a weird tailor in a thoroughly unfunny scene with Al? It struck me as a jarring non sequitur and an unusual stumble for the usually sure-footed Deadwood folks.

Sipowicz would have beat him senseless had he ever tried to pull that stunt in the precinct. ;)

Yes, weird, weird scene. Set up for something later perhaps?

Yes, weird, weird scene. Set up for something later perhaps?

I hope Clapp's appearance was a setup for later events. That's possible, even likely it seems to me, because if there is one thing you can count on it is that Milch and his helpers are very smart guys.

Clapp has made an appearance in the first or second season as well, don't recall which.

Clapp has made an appearance in the first or second season as well, don't recall which.

It was the second season, and I remember being surprised by his appearance just after NYPD Blue ended its run. I don't recall him being as bad then as he was last night.

SMK

If I caught the previews correctly, the Earp's come to town but on who's side?

I don't think Earp was ever on anybodies side other than his own. From what I've read, Wyatt and Morgans stay in Deadwood was brief.

What the H*ll was the deal with the Cinamonn anyway?

I thought the whole episode was a rather odd collection of scenes/events. One plot line that's been interesting to watch is the fire wagon the bar owner wants to get together, especially given Deadwood's history.

I also thought last nite a little slow, if not flat. Still had many great scenes, though. The Joanie/Jane thing was interesting, but seemed like it didn't reach a conclusion (of any kind); the previews are interesting as well; as others have noted looks like Earp's coming to town next week.

Finally, the writing is of such high caliber that I watch most episodes a second time with closed captioningDo you get all the dialog closed captioned? I find a lot of sentences do not have any captioning. A guess would be about 20% missing. I use the captioning function of a Scientific Atlanta 8300 from Cablevision.

Closed captioning characteristically rewrites what is actually being said to make the captions a little shorter. If there is a scene in which I think the language is so lyrical that I want to know exactly what it is, I read the transcript. Fortunately, transcripts of all the Deadwood shows are collected here:

http://members.aol.com/chatarama/

One plot line that's been interesting to watch is the fire wagon the bar owner wants to get together, especially given Deadwood's history.

The way they're stressing this whole thing with the fire wagon I am expecting this year's last episode to involve one of the many fires Deadwood had through the years.

SMK

Gordon Clapp from NYPD Blue with a very bad accent


Not WHO was he, what the hell was that tailor/swatch scene about?

I thought the whole episode was a rather odd collection of scenes/events.

While I agree last night's episode was a mishmash of odd storylines, it was also one of the funniest episodes I can remember. The meeting of the town's important people was just hilarious.

While I agree last night's episode was a mishmash of odd storylines, it was also one of the funniest episodes I can remember. The meeting of the town's important people was just hilarious.

The exchanges between E.B. and Richardson always make me belly laugh :o

The way they're stressing this whole thing with the fire wagon I am expecting this year's last episode to involve one of the many fires Deadwood had through the years.

SMK
Yes, I suspect that it will be a major plot line towards the end of the season or the cleanup episodes, whenever they air.

The big thing is that we appear to be heading for another heavyweight fight, sort of like Dan and the Captain. This one between the forces of Hearst and the forces of Bullock, Swidgen, and the other town luminaries.

The way they're stressing this whole thing with the fire wagon I am expecting this year's last episode to involve one of the many fires Deadwood had through the years.

SMKI think your right. The firewagon or lack there of is going to be a major factor.

Checked on Earp's in Deadwood. They were there in 77' for a few months. It says
they ran a business of hauling wood & riding shotgun. This was after Dodge City but before Tombstone. It'll be interesting to see what developes between Seth and the Earps since they both were lawmen.

I agree about the fire wagon.

The exchanges between E.B. and Richardson always make me belly laugh :o
Finally, love for those two :D

I see the pool which spawned you and fill it with rocks...

What the ding was up with the tailor and the swatches? :confused: :confused: :eek:
He was from New York and knew Hearst was in Deadwood, news travels fast for those days. Al ,being smart and all, sees that a New Yorker hearing about Deadwood is a plus. Publishing the letter Bullock wrote sends the message to the outside world that Deadwood is a great place to live and Hearst bringing a bloodbath would hurt his interests elsewhere. I think :) . Insurance of sorts.

He was from New York and knew Hearst was in Deadwood, news travels fast for those days. Al ,being smart and all, sees that a New Yorker hearing about Deadwood is a plus. Publishing the letter Bullock wrote sends the message to the outside world that Deadwood is a great place to live and Hearst bringing a bloodbath would hurt his interests elsewhere. I think :) . Insurance of sorts.

I buy it. Good analysis.

My take on the letter, it's a rallying cry, makes a point to all the hoopleheads that they are a community, that this miner was one of them. The letter reminds them that it may seem lawless, but they've established their own set of values (laws) of their own, and formed the camp they way they like it. Milch has been talking a lot about the community as a body, how all the parts are 'of the body'

Hearst would like a normal, civilized community out in the middle of nowhere. A civilized town with laws mean people give up their powers to the establishment. Hearst normally buys and corrupts that establishment and uses it to his advantage, to jail or kill his opponents under a false umbrella of law.

When Langrishe was talking to Al about it, he referred to a law beyond law, which even Hearst was subject to.
The real world upshot is, Hearst can bring 25 guys to Deadwood to wipe out the town elders, and then cover it up. But Hearst can't fight against a community of people, united to protect what they have. There's probably a thousand people in Deadwood, it would take a small war to put them down, and even Hearst can't pull that off.

Just my take. Watch it again and see if it seems to fit, the conversation between Dan, Silas, and Johnny, and the conversation between Al and Langrishe.

My take on the letter, it's a rallying cry, makes a point to all the hoopleheads that they are a community, that this miner was one of them. The letter reminds them that it may seem lawless, but they've established their own set of values (laws) of their own, and formed the camp they way they like it. Milch has been talking a lot about the community as a body, how all the parts are 'of the body'

Hearst would like a normal, civilized community out in the middle of nowhere. A civilized town with laws mean people give up their powers to the establishment. Hearst normally buys and corrupts that establishment and uses it to his advantage, to jail or kill his opponents under a false umbrella of law.

When Langrishe was talking to Al about it, he referred to a law beyond law, which even Hearst was subject to.
The real world upshot is, Hearst can bring 25 guys to Deadwood to wipe out the town elders, and then cover it up. But Hearst can't fight against a community of people, united to protect what they have. There's probably a thousand people in Deadwood, it would take a small war to put them down, and even Hearst can't pull that off.

Just my take. Watch it again and see if it seems to fit, the conversation between Dan, Silas, and Johnny, and the conversation between Al and Langrishe.

Like I said :) . Anyway, you have to take the swatch man scene with the meeting and others to get there, the swatch scene taken on its own is a no go.

Like I said :) . Anyway, you have to take the swatch man scene with the meeting and others to get there, the swatch scene taken on its own is a no go.

I think both of the above posters are right on in the analysis of the letter/tailor dynamic. What I really thought interesting is that Al made his decision about the letter rather intuitively. I don't think he even understood his decision until the conversation with Langrishe.

A little off topic, but I was watching a Sienfeld episode last night. It was called The Glasses from 1993. Anyway, Jerry's girlfriend looks super familiar and it was driving me nuts thinking where else I'd seen her so I hit the computer. Turns out it was none other that Anna Gunn, who plays the lovely and undersexed Martha Bullock.

The exchange between Hearst and Odel (aunt lou's son) was excellent in terms of developing Hearst's motivations. He justifies his actions in the name of money (in this case, gold) because money = power. He comes off as sympathetic in the sense that all men are equal... once they have enough wealth. He seems to be annoyed at racist attitudes in camp. He also didn't start to have a real conversation with Odel until he stood up to Hearst. Of course, he's still going to exploit Odel to the fullest once he gets his hands on 'the color' in Liberia.


On another note, I knew I recognized the actor who plays Odel (Omar Gooding) but couldn't place place him at first. I was too lazy to look him up on IMDB, then I remembered... He played the star football player on that shortlived ESPN drama... Playmakers I think it was called.

A little off topic, but I was watching a Sienfeld episode last night. It was called The Glasses from 1993. Anyway, Jerry's girlfriend looks super familiar and it was driving me nuts thinking where else I'd seen her so I hit the computer. Turns out it was none other that Anna Gunn, who plays the lovely and undersexed Martha Bullock.


On a similar note, last night I was watching Mercury Rising, and I thought the female co star looked very familiar, and as it turns out it was a very young (1998 release) Kim Dickens, Jane's new romantic interest Joanie.

Best dialogue of the episode...

Jack: Did your meeting find a strategy in counterpoise?

Al: We heard the ****ing reading of a letter.

Jack: Ahh.

Al: Writ by Bullock, to a miner’s family after Hearst had had him murdered.

Jack: Exhorting they charge Hearst with the crime?

Al: Never once mentioning Hearst. Expressing sympathy to the family, respect for the way the man lived. We decided Merrick would publish in the paper.

Jack: Strategy some may call ingenuous, others merely off the point.

Al: I sit mystified I was moved to endorse it.

Jack: Mystified, Al, at proclaiming a law beyond law to a man who’s beyond law himself? It’s publication invoking a decency whose scrutiny applies to him as to all his fellows. I call that strategy cunningly sophisticated, befitting and becoming the man who sits before me. (Al stands up and walks out to the interior balcony)

Al: Open the place back up! Tell the whores if their legs ain’t in the air, they’d better be off their asses!

I believe this last episode was shot entirely by candlelight.

On a similar note, last night I was watching Mercury Rising, and I thought the female co star looked very familiar, and as it turns out it was a very young (1998 release) Kim Dickens, Jane's new romantic interest Joanie.

On another similar note, I was surprised to discover that W. Earl Brown (Dority) had also played Warren Jensen, Mary's brother in There's Something About Mary ......