The official Deadwood thread

[Jim O]

Did anyone see the premiere of HBO's Deadwood?

I started watching this show and got sucked in. I liked the first show. I am interested to watch it again because they feature Wild Bill Hickok. Wild Bill rode with one of my ancestors...Texas Jack Omohundro. (www.texasjack.org)

I am interested to see if they work him into the show.

Here is some info from www.hbo.com

Deadwood

In an age of plunder and greed, the richest gold strike in American History draws a throng of restless misfits to an outlaw settlement where everything — and everyone — has a price.

Welcome to Deadwood...a hell of a place to make your fortune.

From Executive Producer David Milch ("NYPD Blue") comes DEADWOOD, a new drama series that focuses on the birth of an American frontier town and the ruthless power struggle that exists in its lawless boundaries.

The story begins two weeks after Custer's defeat at Little Big Horn, combining fictional and real-life characters and events in an epic morality tale. Located in the Black Hills Indian Cession, the "town" of Deadwood is an illegal settlement, a violent and uncivilized outpost that attracts a colorful array of characters looking to get rich — from outlaws and entrepreneurs to ex-soldiers and racketeers, Chinese laborers, prostitutes, city dudes and gunfighters.

Among the settlers are ex-lawman Seth Bullock, played by Timothy Olyphant ("Go," "Gone in 60 Seconds"), the legendary gunfighter and scout Wild Bill Hickok, played by Keith Carradine ("Nashville," "Pretty Baby") and Machiavellian saloon owner Al Swearengen, played by Ian McShane ("Sexy Beast," "War and Remembrance").

With its unflinching realism, adult themes and wickedly inventive storylines, DEADWOOD is an intense, character-driven drama that takes elements of the traditional western and turns them upside down. "I had always wanted to do a series set in some period where it was legitimate to explore the genesis of law," Milch says. "What interested me about Deadwood is that it was an outlaw settlement, on Indian territory, so the American law didn't apply — there were no laws at all."

Milch, DEADWOOD's creator and head writer in addition to its executive producer, is a onetime Yale lecturer whose TV credits include such series as "NYPD Blue" (he was co-creator) and "Hill Street Blues." Walter Hill ("48 HRS.", "The Long Riders") directed DEADWOOD's pilot episode. Gregg Fienberg ("Gods and Monsters") is co-executive producer. Director/producer Davis Guggenheim ("Alias" and "24") and Scott Stephens ("The Mind of the Married Man") serving as producer.

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Deadwood

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Wild Bill Hickok

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Seth Bullock

 

[maddogkf]

I recorded it & the Soprano's last night - will watch them this week

 

[Chaplin]

I thought it was pretty good. I kept waiting for Powers Boothe though.

There was a lot of recognizable character actors in the show, but no real "big name" ones. Keith Carradine was probably the biggest.

I also loved the actress who played Calamity Jane--she was terrific (and the most foul-mouthed character in the show).

I thought the show started off slow (like most series' do), but it ended well, as you can start to see the "good" guys and the "bad" guys. And, man, that bad guy is truly evil!

 

[Jim O]

I also loved the actress who played Calamity Jane--she was terrific (and the most foul-mouthed character in the show).

Yeah...she was foul mouthed indeed!

 

[Krangodnzr]

Great addition to HBO's regular rotation!

I'll be watching this one every Sunday night.

 

[AZCB34]

I taped it. Haven't read this thread yet...hopefully there aren't spoilers

 

[Jim O]

I taped it. Haven't read this thread yet...hopefully there aren't spoilers

Forgive me if I sound like an idiot, but what do you mean when you mention "spoilers?"

Jim =

 

[Chaplin]

Forgive me if I sound like an idiot, but what do you mean when you mention "spoilers?"

Jim =

You're forgiven, but just this once.

A "spoiler" is something that gives away a plot point in a movie/tv show.

 

[CaptTurbo]

 

[Jim O]

You're forgiven, but just this once.

A "spoiler" is something that gives away a plot point in a movie/tv show.

Ahhh...thanks.

I feel like a moron!

 

[KingofCards]

I liked it, it was a bit slow but it'll pick up once all the Characters are introduced etc.

My wife lived in Deadwood until she was like 11. I went there a couple summers ago. They got casinos now. Pretty cool place. Her Grandparents live in a house on the main drag. Every night they replay the murder of Wild Bill and there are two bars that claim he was killed there.

 

[NMCard]

I started watching this show and got sucked in. I liked the first show. I am interested to watch it again because they feature Wild Bill Hickok. Wild Bill rode with one of my ancestors...Texas Jack Omohundro. (www.texasjack.org)

They mentioned your ancestor tonight. It will be interesting to see if they work him in.


So far I am liking the show a bit better than the Sopranos.

 

[Jim O]

They mentioned your ancestor tonight. It will be interesting to see if they work him in.

I saw it! That was so cool. It is odd to hear my last name used in a television show! It is not like it is a common last name.

I hope that they work him in!

 

[Chaplin]

Sopranos is still better (very good so far this season), but Deadwood is starting to pick up steam. I like how they settled down the Calamity Jane character, she doesn't seem to belong in a cartoon anymore.


**********SPOILER*************
I was surprised about the New York guy getting offed, but then again, it looked like he didn't belong anyway. I'd like to see his wife become a major character though. Perhaps the future love interest of "Montana"?

Powers Booth and Ricky Jay!! There's instant credibility my friends.

 

[Southpaw]

Deadwood is best show on small screen

I have watched Deadwood since day 1. This show is fantastic. Great characters, top to bottom. How long will this show last in the Ashcroft witchunt era?

Best character is a tossup between Calamity Jane, E B, Al Swearengen. Tough call. Maybe food for a poll.

 

[Cardinals.Ken]

I'm feeling lazy today, and don't want to look it up.


Some background please? Is it a western?

 

[Southpaw]

I'm feeling lazy today, and don't want to look it up.


Some background please? Is it a western?

Definitely a " Western ". Based on the Deadwood South Dakota gold rush. Extremely accurate. Based on a cast of characters as real as the old West. Profane, immoral, bawdy, lawless, etc. Totally believable and leaves nothing to the imagination. The cast of characters is outstanding. Probably ten major characters. Too bad you haven't seen it since Episode 1. Wild Bill Hickock has already been murdered. The small pox epidemic has ravaged the camp.

It is episodic in nature and has a running story line. Beware the language and subject matter. Strictly adult. Production levels are top flight beyond imagination. Comparable to the big screen in quality and budget.

Check out this website

http://www.hbo.com/deadwood/

Guaranteed to walk away with the Emmy Awards this year a la The Sopranos.

P.S. HBO is already running rerun blocks to catch new viewers up. Needs to be seen from episode 1.

Enjoy it.

 

[CaptTurbo]

the only thing I dont like is in the time of the old west the F word wasnt that common but they use it every second word....

 

[Chaplin]

the only thing I dont like is in the time of the old west the F word wasnt that common but they use it every second word....

Where's your source for that?

Articles about the show since it has started have consistently had portions about the language, and the creators seem to agree that they all talked like that back then.

Personally, I think all the characters are great. I'm really starting to like Bullock as a take no crap character. EB starting to get some cajones is great too.

At first, I wasn't that fond of Jane, she was just too strange and talked so badly--but she's starting to grow on me, as the actress has shown a lot of range, surprisingly.

 

[Chaplin]

Definitely a " Western ". Based on the Deadwood South Dakota gold rush. Extremely accurate. Based on a cast of characters as real as the old West. Profane, immoral, bawdy, lawless, etc. Totally believable and leaves nothing to the imagination. The cast of characters is outstanding. Probably ten major characters. Too bad you haven't seen it since Episode 1. Wild Bill Hickock has already been murdered. The small pox epidemic has ravaged the camp.

It is episodic in nature and has a running story line. Beware the language and subject matter. Strictly adult. Production levels are top flight beyond imagination. Comparable to the big screen in quality and budget.

Check out this website

http://www.hbo.com/deadwood/

Guaranteed to walk away with the Emmy Awards this year a la The Sopranos.

P.S. HBO is already running rerun blocks to catch new viewers up. Needs to be seen from episode 1.

Enjoy it.

I agree that it is an amazing show, but it won't win any Emmys. It's much too edgy for that.

FYI, before the first episode even aired, a Season 2 was already contracted.

 

[Southpaw]

The E B character is great. If you listen closely to his lines they are fantastic.

Try this one between E. B and Calamity Jane;

" I'm calling on the widow and the little one in her care, and if I was you I wouldn't try to stop me."

"Be brief."

"Be F***ed!

"Her gutter mouth, and the widow in an opium stupor: a conversation for the ages.”
—Calamity Jane and E.B. Farnum

or

Separate rooms, I'll arrange that by tomorrow, but today I can't fix it,... unless you kill a guest.”
—E.B. Farnum to Wild Bill Hickok

I don't know why some folks think vulagarities , profanity and guttural language was invented in 1960. It was germaine to the era and long before. I guess these same folks think that prior to the 20th century the lingo of the time was alliterations and flowery poetry a la Emily Bronte.

Watch the Emmy's. This acting is too great. The Sopranos is an example of what is acceptable to the cable world.

I really do think that Calamity Jane is the conscience of the whole town. Loyal, sympathetic, etc., just can't say anything without belying her educational background.

 

[maddogkf]

I like this show & it is very entertaining.

*spoiler*

On the previous episode where Bullock gets attacked by the Indian, why didn't the Indian finish him off when he was on the ground?

He tells Charlie something about the attack, but I missed it - had to get my daughter some milk when she was in bed.

Why did the attacker not kill hm?

thanks!

 

[Southpaw]

I like this show & it is very entertaining.

*spoiler*

On the previous episode where Bullock gets attacked by the Indian, why didn't the Indian finish him off when he was on the ground?

He tells Charlie something about the attack, but I missed it - had to get my daughter some milk when she was in bed.

Why did the attacker not kill hm?

thanks!

It was part of a ritual of honor that required the Indian to actually avenge the misdeed by Bullock _ trespassing on the sacred burial ground. He had to
" Face his enemy " and not kill the trespasser " with a blind attack". It would not have been honorable. Charlie expalined it to Calamity. It was totally ritualistic.

 

[maddogkf]

It was part of a ritual of honor that required the Indian to actually avenge the misdeed by Bullock _ trespassing on the sacred burial ground. He had to
" Face his enemy " and not kill the trespasser " with a blind attack". It would not have been honorable. Charlie expalined it to Calamity. It was totally ritualistic.

Thanks - that's about what I thought. THat's also the reason why he didn't go postal on McCall too - show respect to the other person....

 

[Chaplin]

Thanks - that's about what I thought. THat's also the reason why he didn't go postal on McCall too - show respect to the other person....

That's why it's such an interesting show--a normal television show (or movie for that matter) would depend on the violence and death, whereas here it depends more on ritual, culture and morality. Even with the fight, it was a really well-written scene(s).