WARNING *major series spoilers contained within*
A show that was cut short well before its time was HBO's grippingly authentic Western drama, Deadwood, which only ran for three seasons between 2004 and 2006. Perhaps looking back now, it is easy to see why Deadwood was cancelled, even in its first season. The stunning design of the show and attention to detail must have made the show a financial burden, that mixed with a more contemplative storyline rather than other shows out at the time like the iconic The Sopranos, which made it difficult for the show to emerge as nothing else other than "the new show from the channel that did The Sopranos". Don't be put off however, Deadwood is a classic of modern television. A show full of memorable characters, tense stand-off's and one of the finest antagonists to ever grace the small screen in the shape of Ian McShane's Al Swearengen.
While being no expert on the subject, Deadwood draws heavily from real life events in 1870's Deadwood, an actual place where the gold-rush prospectors flocked to in order to make their fortunes. The shows primary figure is Seth Bullock (Timothy Olyphant), who along with his business partner Sol Star (John Hawkes) set up a new hardware business in the town and come across various well meaning to shady and dangerous figures of the town. At the forefront of these characters is The Gem Saloon owner Al Swearengen, who is without a doubt the series main draw with his evil cunning and filth laden jibes at anyone who gets in his way. His relationship with the tragic Trixie (Paula Malcomson) is a centerpiece of the series. Their attraction to one another defies logic and will have you rooting for Trixie to leave him, but she knows no better and keeps returning to his side. Early in the series, Wild Bill Hickok (Keith Carradine) is set up as a main ally of Seth's, but his shock demise early serves as a reminded that in Deadwood, no one is sacred. Left behind are Charlie Utter (the great Dayton Callie) and series favourite Calamity Jane (Robin Weigert, who manages to pull off the strong woman and the more tender moments with great effect), who come to be pillars of the community for different reasons.
The arrival of rival saloon owners also provide another challenge for Al, in the form of the ruthless Cy Tolliver (Powers Boothe) and his well knitted, but breaking apart crew of Joanie (Kim Dickens) and Eddie (Ricky Jay). Cy's ruthlessness is displayed shockingly in an encounter with two young con artists, which also reinforces Joanie's doubts about her life at The Bella Union. The central love story of the series is the burgeoning relationship between Seth and recently widowed (by Al's doing) Alma Garret (Molly Parker). It could be said that the show does not reach the explosive level of other HBO shows like The Sopranos and subsequent shows like Boardwalk Empire and Game of Thrones, but Deadwood's focus on humanity in very ambiguous and dark times is more than effective. Bullocks attempts to refrain from his more naturally violent ways rears it head throughout and culminated in Alma's thieving father losing several teeth. Central to making Deadwood such a powerful show is the depth and quality of supporting characters involved. From Al's henchmen Dan (W. Earl Brown) and Johnny (Sean Bridgers) to the various townsfolk of Deadwood, like Doc Cochran (Brad Dourif), whose falling apart in later parts of the season becomes one of the more tragic storylines, to the sneaky E.B. Farnum (William Sanderson), Al's pawn.
Deadwood is a terrifically crafted piece of television. The levels of detail paid to the most basic of aspects of this show are staggering. From the authentic feel of the 1870's setting to the retelling of famous Wild West characters lives, this show presents a fully realistic and engrossing vision of a bygone time. The series tagline is "A hell of a place to make your fortune", that could not be more true of the dangerous environment these characters are a part of. The series finishes with a nice set-up for the second season with the fears (for Al in particular) of annexation and the impending arrival of Seth's wife (despite his love affair with Alma). Life, no doubt, will only get tougher in Deadwood.
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