TV REVIEW: Deadwood: Season 3 (2006)

WARNING *major series spoilers follow*

The third season of HBO's acclaimed Western-drama follows the high standards set by the previous seasons. Unfortunately, all the promise and set-up for a fourth season is squandered after the show was prematurely cancelled. This is rather infuriating (but understandable give the high production costs) and cuts short one of the finest television shows ever created. As with the previous seasons, the set-design, characterization and writing are all of an enormously high standard. The added threat of this season's stand-out charismatic antagonist George Hearst (terrifically performed by a menacing Gerald McRaney) gives the show extra edge and menace (as if it didn't have enough of that before).

Season 2 ended with the arrival of the sinister and feared Hearst and his disdain for the camp gives a new immediate threat to all the settlers. Hearst's arrival not only increases an already intense climate in the camp, but starts a bloody campaign that threatens the lives of major characters. Early in the season, we see no one is sacred in a brutal scene between Hearst, Captain Turner (Alan Graf) and series favourite/anti-hero Al Swearengen (an impeccable and devilishly cunning performance by Ian McShane) where Al is learns first hand (or finger) of Hearst's ruthlessness. The interactions and tensions between the three main factions (Hearst, Swearengen and Cy Tolliver's (Powers Boothe) crew) provide the main storyline for the season, while the addition of Brain Cox's Jack Languishe and his theatre provide new faces. Seth Bullock's (Timothy Olyphant) struggle to contain his aggression in the face of goading by Hearst and in particular with his  continuous intimidation of Alma Garrett (Molly Parker) lead to to arrest Hearst and drag him to jail by ear. The ongoing storylines from previous seasons continue, like the tumultuous relationship between Sol (John Hawkes) and Trixie (Paula Malcomson), the tragic relationship between Alma and Mr. Ellsworth (Jim Beaver) and the burgeoning friendship/maybe more between Jane Canary (Robin Weigert) and Joanie Stubbs (Kim Dickens). 

As plans are laid out and tensions between Hearst and Swearengen rise, it brings about some of the finest episodes in the 36 episodes of the complete show. Episodes 10 and 11 (titled 'A Constant Throb' and 'The Catbird Seat') are the best episodes of the series run where threats are turned into actions with the attempt on Alma's life and when Mr. Ellsworth becomes victim to Hearst's orders at the hands of the Pinkertons. These (like the death of William Bullock in season 2) are gorgeously choreographed scenes, as is an enthralling and brutal fight between Captain Turner and Dan (W. Earl Brown). Despite these scenes of violence, the show remains true to the previous seasons set-up, rather than ending up with full-on war and sacrifice of wonderful dialogue for brutal action, concessions are made and bitter agreements put in place. But knowing that their is no fourth season leaves a slight sour taste. As yet again, like with the previous seasons, the final episode is used to relieve some season storylines, but to build up others for the next. So we are left with a raft of unanswered questions and character arcs that have not finished. It is a terrible shame and overshadows the final scenes of yet another wonderful season of essential television viewing. 

Despite this being the final season of Deadwood, one can only feel that this show was only starting to get into its stride with the major underlying themes that were still only being established in the previous seasons. Despite this abrupt end, Deadwood was one of the most consistently brilliant and best written (and acted) shows ever to be made. As said previously, the gorgeous and expansive set-design ultimately was too ambitious for a show with a small loyal following and ultimately led to its cancellation, but can still be regarded as one of the most ambitious, brutal and tense shows ever produced. A joy.

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TV REVIEW: Game of Thrones: Season 2 (2012)

WARNING *major series spoilers contained*

The first season of HBO's Game of Thrones was a revelation. A show brimming with complex characters, blockbuster set design and a world so beautifully realised and expansive that having only 10 episodes in a season felt in itself like a betrayal. Season 2 expands even further on the glorious first season, with new characters introduced as The Seven Kingdom's are on the verge of war as four claim to be king. Add to this some of the series most shockingly brutal moments and delightful character developments that give us a second season that is on par with the epic first season. 

Robb Stark (Richard Madden) is now the head of the Stark's and claiming to be King of the North. He is battling veteran campaigner Tywin Lannister (Charles Dance) while Stannis Baratheon (Stephen Dillane) and his brother Renly (Gethin Anthony) also lay claim to Joffrey's (the fiendishly good Jack Gleeson) throne.  Their brotherly rivalry and their dislike for what each other has become forms the backbone of the series early episodes. This rivalry is brought to an abrupt ending mid-season with the help of sinister priestess Melisandre (Carice van Houten). Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) meanwhile, is now Hand of the King and sets about making waves in King's Landing much to the chagrin of his sister Cersei (Lena Headey). 

Tyrion's clever moves against Cersei and her vicious retaliations are great to watch and set up what King's Landing is about. Even in a scene of warmth between the two where they are open to each other ends in venomous barbs at each other and backstabbing plotting. Arya's (Maisie Williams) journey to The Wall is short lived after she and Gendry (Joe Dempsie) are captured by Lannister soldiers. She is handpicked by Tywin to be his cupbearer and their interactions form the seasons most entertaining exchanges with young Williams performance being sensational even when acting alongside powerful screen presence Dance. Robb decision to trust Theon (Alfie Allen) and send him to Pike to persuade his estranged father to give the Stark army ships sets up Theon's descent from ally of the Stark family to rebel and betrayer. Theon's fall from grace and his reasoning for doing so are fascinating and the mental anguish he suffers at the hands of his father drive him to make unforgivable actions. Theon's actions, while being initially despicable, as the season comes to its climax and in particular in a wonderful scene with Maester Luwin (Donald Sumpter), where a new perspective is put on his tragic circumstances. 

Dany's (Emilia Clarke) exile continues which leads her and Ser Jorah (Iain Glen) to the beautiful yet strange Qarth, where all is not as it seems. While she isn't given much to do this season, her scenes with the Thirteen, who are amusingly sinister and allows for her to exhibit her growing confidence and power. The build up to Stannis's arrival at King's Landing is tantalizing and slow paced, but effectively allows to build up the power of Stannis's fleet and the inner turmoil at King's Landing, where Joffrey is becoming a hated and resented King and whose vile actions are putting the Lannister's and Sansa (Sophie Turner) at risk. As the internal squabbles between Cersei and Tyrion continue up until the ninth episode, we are treated to one of the most ambitious episodes of television ever crafted, the brutal 'Blackwater'. This penultimate episode is unlike any episode of the show seen before. Rather than covering the Seven Kingdoms and more, this episode focuses on Stannis's invasion of King's Landing and Tyrion's attempts to defend the city. What follows is 60 minutes of tense action and spectacle with some of the series most brutal scenes. This episode has it all, great drama, great action and the fantastic spectacle of what this season had been building to. 

The second season of Game of Thrones builds on an already well established and sweeping epic television show. The character and story progression, while expansive and slow in places, comes together fantastically with no character being neglected or thrown aside. There can be no higher praise for the high quality production and set design, the locations are gorgeous and looks like a $250 million dollar blockbuster continuously. More importantly, the core group of characters remain as interesting and as likeable as before (or hated, depending on your allegiance). This show is simply television at its finest on every level.

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TV REVIEW: Deadwood: Season 2 (2005)

WARNING *major series spoilers contained*

The second season of HBO's gritty western drama delivers on the promise of the first season. This season follows on with the double-dealing, scheming folk of Deadwood encountered in the previous season and adds in some new characters and threats into the mix. With Seth Bullock (Timothy Olyphant) and Charlie Utter (Dayton Callie) undertaking Sheriff duties, Al Swearengen (the fantastic Ian McShane) has found himself an uneasy ally of the duo. And as Cy Tolliver's (Powers Boothe) new partnership with the powerful Hearst organisation upon the arrival of the creepy Francis Wolcott (Garrett Dillahunt) as his representative bring new threats to the camp. For Bullock, the arrival of his wife Martha (Anna Gunn) and his son bring about an awkward and ultimately tragic subplot that exhibits some of the series most tender moments to date.

This second season successfully builds on a powerful first season with a 12-episode run that contains all of the intriguing plot points that made the first season so enthralling. The set design continues to be fantasic, the writing remains top notch and the addition of new cast members only serve to expand on an alreadly impressively well-thought out  and fully realised world. The political tension within the camp remains the shows most fascinating central aspect, with Tolliver and Swearengen constantly at odds. Al's scheming ways are put on ice early on this season as gall stone trouble leaves him on the verge of death. The scenes of 'surgery' are some of the series most cringe-inducing, but are some of the most humourous scenes of the series to date as are Al's later conversations with the Indian. Far less humourous is the Seth's storyline this season. The arrival of his wife have forced him to distance himself from Alma (Molly Parker) and her pregnancy complicates issues further. The finest moment of the season is a fantastically composed scene that is easily one of the most tragically beautiful and superbly edited sequences ever seen on screen where the town's amusement with a penny-farthing (remember it's 1877), a horse breaking loose and Bullock's young son all collide in a shockingly raw scene that defines the magnificence and artistic craft of this show. This seasons stand out character is Garrett Dillahunt's Wolcott whose monstrous ways are chillingly displayed early on in the season, but his tortured and complex personality are one of the seasons crowning achievements and anger turns to sympathy for a very flawed and character who cannot be saved.

To go into every plot in detail would take an age and it only serves as a testament to the strength of Deadwood's writing. There is so much going on in each episode and no character is simply a stereotypical one dimensional character. Even characters like Jane (Robin Weigert), Doc (Brad Dourif) and Trixie (Paula Malcomson), who get generally little to do this season, yet remain pivotal characters in the broader context of the series as bridging characters. Deadwood's second season is as good as its first, wonderfully well made, engrossing but not for the faint of heart.

82

TV REVIEW: Deadwood: Season 1 (2004)

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.

84