Deadwood

When I first heard of Deadwood I was convinced I wouldn't like it, in the same way that I didn't like Goodfellas; unjustified violence, not one likable character and generally quite depressing. Determined not to write it off before I'd even seen it, and knowing the historical significance of a lot of the characters and the town itself, not to mention being a fan of Brad Dourif and John Hawkes, I rented the first disc of season one from LoveFilm.

Deadwood is an outlaw camp established in a time of Civil War and in 'Indian' territory. There's little more than a saloon and some tents, and calling the shots is the owner of 'The Gem', Al Swearengen (played by Ian McShane or Lovejoy as I like to fondly remember). He's a ruthless, sly man, who doesn't think twice about slitting a man's throat and feeding him to the pigs. Doing his dirty work are Dan Dority (part time bar tender, part time hitman) and E.B. Farnum, owner of Deadwood's only hotel. Swearengen's 'Gem' is a saloon and a whore-house. In fact every woman bar one in the first few episodes is a whore. There's a camp doctor Doc Cochran (Brad Dourif) who seems to be the only moral man there. Swearengen pays him to take care of the whores but Cochran isn't in his pocket. In fact he's one of few people with the guts to stand up to him.

New in camp are; life-long friends, now business partners Sol Star (John Hawkes) and Seth Bullock (Timothy Olyphant) who are looking to open a hardware store, Mr. and Mrs. Garrett (Molly Parker) from New York City looking to prospect gold, and Wild Bill Hickock and his companions Calamity Jane and Charlie Utter, seemingly there to just drink and gamble.

The first few episodes establish the characters and in this way, anyone new to the show shouldn't give up on it. I was tempted to after watching Swearengen beat up his favourite whore Trixie and after growing weary of the sight of tits of all sizes in the background of every scene set in 'The Gem'. But this rough start really gets you rooting for the underdogs as the women start to establish some independance, and Bullock, a former Marshall in Montana, starts making people answer for their dirty deeds and protecting the vulnerable people.

Nine episodes in and I would say that I officially love this show. I would even say that I kind of like Al Swearengen in a funny sort of way. Despite its appearances; filthy, foul-mouthed and immoral in places, Deadwood is very funny too. Upon accepting his innevitable role as Sheriff, Bullock stands on Swearengen's balcony. Swearengen turns to leave and says to Bullock: "I'm gonna walk past that bloodstain that mysteriously appeared and go oversee my business interests."

Another highly recommended show.

To read more about the show and more eloquent descriptions of the characters, visit the official Deadwood HBO site here.

Click thumbnails for (slightly) larger versions. Left to right; Calamity Jane, Seth Bullock, Cy Tolliver, Doc Cochran, Alma Garrett, Al Swearengen, and Trixie.