Deadwood 2x6

[vaznetti]

In which Deadwood raises the bar yet once more.

I consider myself a pretty hardened TV viewer, and this is a pretty violent show, but the scene with Mr. W (and Doris and Carrie, and then the madam) was just too horrible. I really hope that Bullock finds out about this soon, and hangs him for it. In the meantime, if Joanie didn't enter the Gem, I fear for her safety, because Tolliver is far more interested in keeping Wolcott sweet than in anything else. Did he feed the bodies to the pigs already?

Although the kidney-stone scenes the week before last were horrific, too, now that I think about it.

This was an excellent episode in character development terms: predictably enough, I was especially fond of the argument between Seth and Sol ("We'll fight, and then you'll have to mind the store while I recuperate.") I'm not sure either of them has realized how deep Sol's disapproval runs, although the way he dropped the information about Alma's pregnancy was rather telling. He certainly isn't interested in protecting Seth from the truth, these days.

I think that if Alma marries anyone for convenience, it ought to be Al. They'd rule the camp rather well together. If Al can get over the irony of being framed for a murder he actually did set up, that is--he was more than a little amused by Miss Irinhausen's (sp?) suggestion, I thought. I hope he takes the deal to try to play her, although it looks like a terrible deal.

I think that the polarization in the camp this season is becoming more and more stark -- it was implicit in the opposition of Al and Cy Tolliver, last season, the alliance of Seth with Al has made it even clearer. Alma's the closest thing to neutral, but given the difficulties in her relationship with both Seth and Al, it is certainly possible that she might end up allied with Mr. Hearst. Unless he tries to buy her out, that is. Which I suppose is the most likely event.

Loved the byplay between Trixie and Farnum. Everyone mocks him.

I really hope that Trixie isn't just playing Sol to keep an eye on Seth for Al, but it's a distinct possibility.


Such a good show. Such a good show.

Comments

[trixalicious.livejournal.com]

Oh. This episode was SO good. I wasn't expecting Maddie to bite it, until Mr. W's conversation with Cy about not being blackmailed, etc. As far as I could tell, that had been Maddie's plan all along, and if Cy couldn't pull it off, there was no way she would.

[vaznetti]

As we watched her demand the money, I turned to my husband and said, "Well, she's dead now." And indeed, at that moment the knife flashed out.

But yeah, she never really stood a chance, I thought.

[ageofaquarius.livejournal.com]

I hate Ms. I. I hate the character way way more than is rational and I can't wait to see her get hers. Even though Mr. W is a nutjob...I like him.

[vaznetti]

Hm. I have the opposite opinion, I think -- I don't really like Ms. I., but I think she's an interesting character and want to see her play -- or see Al play with her, as the case may be. Whereas the sooner Mr. W. is swinging from a gallows, the happier I'll be.

[reginaspina.livejournal.com]

it is certainly possible that she might end up allied with Mr. Hearst

I think Mr. Hearst is the one who set up the Isringhausen thing, though ... I'm sure it's not Brom Garrett's parents or the Pinkerton's (not from the money she's offering!) It's a neat way to get rid of the largest stakeholder in Deadwood. So I'm pretty sure it's going to be Alma allied with Swingen ;)

[vaznetti]

I think Mr. Hearst is the one who set up the Isringhausen thing, though ...

You're probably right about this. And I certainly hope so, because I do dearly want to see Alma and Al working together as one.

My husband and I have started shouting "San Francisco Cock-sucker!" at random moments, and then bursting into laughter. Not in public, yet.

[meridym.livejournal.com]

It is an amazing show, and it's the only show on TV that I absolutely will NOT miss. Ian McShane is so good that I don't have enough superlatives for him, and I can't think of anyone in the cast who isn't just about as good. Speaking of McShane, he was on Real Time with Bill Maher this past week, and he is bright and attractive and witty. He also has perfect, straight, white teeth, making me wonder if he wears prosthetic choppers on the show. Or maybe it's just that Swerengen's usually so sour that I never noticed he has a toothpaste-commercial smile. ; )

[vaznetti]

I must admit I've never noticed Al's teeth, probably because I find myself staring at the blood in his eye. It horrifies me, but I can't look away.

But yes on McShane's performance. Amazing.

[meridym.livejournal.com]

I don't mean to overlook the other excellent performances on the show (Brad Dourif, Robin Weigert, and so on), but McShane just always blows me away. His scene with Ms. Isringhausen last night, for example, was brilliant. Swerengen read her like a book as soon as she started talking, and I wonder if she has any inkling how formidable he is. It will be fun to watch that plot arc play out.

And I agree with you: Mr. W is one man in need of killing.

[forodwaith.livejournal.com]

I was surprised that Adams was so taken in by Whatsherfacehausen. He doesn't seem like a stupid man; it must have been gender assumptions blinding him.

I like Joanie, and yes, I'm very worried about her safety. Not to mention that her chance for financial independence is shot to hell now, though getting the other girls the hell out of Deadwood was the best thing to do.

[vaznetti]

I have to admit that I wasn't surprised that Adams brought Iringhausen (Rignhausen? Whatever?) to Al -- I think she's actually pretty good at what she does. She fooled Alma, and they were together most of every day (although Alma is a bit of an innocent, for all her scarlet dresses).