(S03E04) Even the slow episodes are good. I'm sure the die-hards (and I'd like to think that I'm one of them) will disagree with me when I say that this episode was slow but let's be honest. Not much happened and what did was a lot of filler. The biggest, and most important, event was Alma's decision to finally open the Deadwood Bank. Am I the only one who thought this was sudden though? I know she proposed the idea last season to Sol and I think we were to assume it was a go by all accounts, but this came out of nowhere. There's been no mention of it this season (that I can remember) and now here it is. Of course, this would explain why Alma was only willing to sell Hearst a 49% stake in her gold claim in last week's episode. She knew she would still need a majority share so that it could be used to back any deposits at her bank. I love when little connections like that are made though, because last week it made no sense to me in regards to the offer Alma made Hearst. Now it makes perfect sense. A "powerhouse" I believe Mr. Ellsworth called her.
I still stand by my original assessment though: it was a slow episode. Just look at what Bullock spent the day doing. Hoffstedtler and Samuel "The Nigger General" Fields have returned to the camp and they brought the horse that trampled Seth's nephew William. I thought that was pretty noble of the two of them to take off and find the horse. But don't forget who had been watching the livery. Steve had been assuming the responsibilities and he was none too pleased that the rightful owners were back in town.
Now this whole story line, while compelling, was a terrible use of Bullock's character. He spent the entire episode as the middle-man for Steve and Hoffstedtler, helping the two reach a buyout agreement where Steve would purchase the livery and Hoffstedtler and Samuel would move to Oregon. My point being? There was nothing better that Bullock could have been doing this episode? Perhaps paying another visit to Hearst or what happened to his investigation of the murdered Cornishman?
Other than that, the important points were far and few between. Hearst's storyline moved in a different direction. He announced to Al and Cy that he would be traveling and checking in on his interests in Deadwood only occasionally. This explains why he enlisted Tolliver last week; to watch over his claims. Al suspects something is up though, vows that he'll never speak to Hearst again, and will instead send someone in his place. That someone is Silas, with the understanding that Silas has to feign disloyalty to Swearengen in an effort to get full disclosure from Hearst. I'm not sure that will go as planned though. Let's not forget that Silas already turned on his boss Clagett way back in season one (he slit the guy's throat right in front of Swearengen). If Hearst should suspect anything and offer Silas an even better deal, do you think he might turn on Al? Makes you wonder at least.
Other Happenings:
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Doc Cochran definitely has TB. He's taken to hacking/coughing all the time now and Cy referred to him as "a lunger."
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Joanie agreed to sell the Chez Ami to Langrishe, with the agreement that Langrishe will build a new schoolhouse.
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Dan and Hearst's Captain are in the middle of a feud and I'm sure it won't be long until they go after each other's throats.
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Tom Nuttall agreed to co-sign on a loan that will be used to build the camp's first fire wagon (truck?).
Best Quotes:
Con (quoting what Leon said about Langrishe's girl): "That young lady had a front porch on her I felt I could read a book off of."
Alma (while drafting a loan): "What is Steve The Drunk's surname?"
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-02-2006 @ 10:49PM
Pam said...
When the Russian telegrapher gave the telegram to Jane Canary, he said it was from Samuel Fields. She said she didn't know a Samuel Fields. It was then clarified that it was from Samuel "The Nigger General" Fields. Then when Alma asked the suranme of Steve the Drunk, I think it was Bullock that said "Fields". Is there going to be a link between these two men?
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7-03-2006 @ 12:12AM
Jason said...
I must quibble with the point of the Deadwood Bank not being mentioned so far. When Seth went to have his meeting with Hearst prior to the elections, Hearst referred to him as an officer of the bank, at which point Seth indicated that Sol was the president, and, after Hearst clarified his question, that he was an officer of the bank.
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7-03-2006 @ 12:14AM
Jason said...
Oh, and Alma already signed off on the first deposit slip, a deposit from Trixie. My bad.
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7-03-2006 @ 1:43AM
Mark Kawakami said...
It really wasn't a slow episode. I mean, there's a difference between not progressing story arcs and slow episodes (and Deadwood has seen it's share of genuinely slow eps). This episode had like six different storylines in it, all of which moved at a pretty fast (and entertaining) clip. And there were a ton of great character moments in here, I think that really counts for something.
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7-03-2006 @ 7:25AM
Aaron Berning said...
What was the deal with the guy tipping his hat to Alma when she was looking out the window? And then right away she went outside, said she was going to, "Take the air." I must have missed something.
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7-03-2006 @ 9:46AM
Annie said...
That guy was Leon. Looks like Alma is back on the junk and meeting with Leon for a transaction -- as perceptive Trixie tried to hint to Bullock.
Who IS the mystery woman familiar with Wordsworth? I wish E.B. would get around to searching her room....
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7-03-2006 @ 9:51AM
JR said...
They guy tipping his hat to Alma (Leon, I think?) is her dealer. I bet she's using again. Opiates seem to be her response to being controlled by a husband.
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7-03-2006 @ 10:04AM
Vincent said...
I think you all are missing the point of Deadwood. It's about how a camp becomes a community. This episode was about how the "deals"--big one's and small ones--advance that: Al, Cy and Hearst's; Bullock's deal between Heostedler(sp?) and Steve (yes, Bullock is an officer of the bank); Alma and Jack's brokered by Charlie Utter to build a new school. Even Ellsworth stepping in at the bank was a type of deal; he got Leon to make a deposit. The point of all of these deals was that they help to bond these people together in ways that make them a community.
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7-03-2006 @ 11:22AM
Vincent said...
Sorry. I meant Joanie's and Jack's deal for the school, not Alma.
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7-03-2006 @ 12:30PM
A_74 said...
IS A NEPOTIST AT THE HELM OF HBO?
It is curious that Chris Albrecht activates a publicity blitz for Entourage, which STARS HIS DAUGHTER, and cancels Season 4 Of Deadwood.
To offer, without confirmation, to end the series with two movies is an insult to the superlative quality, critical acclaim and loyal following of this show.
NO MORE DEADWOOD?
NO MORE HBO!
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7-04-2006 @ 10:21AM
BeeJay said...
Is Steve the Drunk the greatest angry man ranter on TV today? He's got me believing he comes to work furious. Great job.
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7-04-2006 @ 1:03PM
TheFunkyFist said...
Okay, his name is Hostetler. Please stop butchering it.
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7-05-2006 @ 3:07PM
Commodore said...
My favorite quote was E.B. chatting with the pretty, cultured woman and when she leaves saying "When will I get the courage to..." and instead of saying "ask her out" or some such thing, he says "search her room." That was classic E.B.
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7-06-2006 @ 2:52PM
Ken said...
how can we leave off al's incredible monologue at the end????
in the first season he did a similar thing, getting "serviced" while discussing his beginnings at an orphange..now we hear how his mother was taken from him while he was being "held down" by the quartermaster!!! and al is nearly in tears while he describes how he wishes he could have gone with his mom!!!!!!!!!! wow!!!
and the girl looks up at him and says she doesnt like to be held down either!!!! and al tries to apologize for holding her head and she responds that he doesnt do that and al just says well bless you for being a fibber
i found this an incredible piece of writing and acting just really really great and the reason to watch this show week to week..
apart from the terrific storytelling, characters, humor and action
heh
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7-06-2006 @ 4:15PM
YellowDog said...
I notice how people here like the rich storylines and the depth of the characters on Deadwood. HBO's The Wire has these same qualities, yet The Wire doesn't get anywhere near the acclaim (from the public at least) that Deadwood does. I wonder why. Any Wire fans in the house?
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7-08-2006 @ 6:40AM
Ike said...
I think Jonathan needs to watch this episode again. I would have to say this is one of the best episodes to date. Every word that is spoken is almost perfect. Also, I have never seen so much character development packed into one hour while still being incredibly organized.
#14 Ken is so right about Al's monologue, and I think Mcshane just won himself an emmy with that performance.
If you think this was a "slow" episode please do yourself a favor and watch it again.
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7-09-2006 @ 2:36AM
Bloggie McBlush said...
RE: The Wire. With The Sopranos and Deadwood, the Wire fills out HBO's Axis of Entertaining Evil Bastards.
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7-13-2006 @ 4:27PM
Ken said...
love the wire too
loved the drunken discussions between bunk and whoever bunk was drinking with!!!
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