TeeVee Talk
By: Nadum
Issue date: 5/25/07 Section: Arts & Entertainment
Originally published: 5/25/07 at 1:21 AM EST
Last update: 5/25/07 at 1:21 AM EST
Originally published: 5/25/07 at 1:21 AM EST
Last update: 5/25/07 at 1:21 AM EST
Tell Your God to Ready for Blood
If the two feature films promised after the abrupt cancellation of "Deadwood" never materialize, viewers can lay head to pillow knowing the third and final season is a fitting end to one of the finest television series in American history.
Created by David Milch ("NYPD Blue", "John From Cincinnati"), the first season introduced Deadwood, a lawless camp in the Dakota Territory. Decreed as Indian Land yet occupied by whites due to its massive gold deposits, Deadwood operated outside the confines of the United States government. While the setting allowed for violence, profanity, sex and gambling on a scale unlike any other seen in television or film, it also provided an amazing study on how social order and in turn law, is formed out of chaos.
At the start of season three, the town is set to hold elections, the first major step towards annexation and a symbol of the town's integration to society. Unfortunately, along with the conventions of society comes the blood of capitalism, which for this series comes in the form of the American oil powerhouse George Hearst (Gerald McRaney).
Hearst, unused to his mining interests being in occupied towns, immediately attempts to bend the camp to his will. The result is a season long battle that unites the founders of Deadwood (Pimp, Sheriff & Journalist alike) against Hearst.
While the story of Al Swearengen (Ian McShane), Seth Bullock (Timothy Olyphant) and the rest of Deadwood's original cast was a joy, the arrival of Hearst brings the water to a boil, putting Deadwood's fate, and more importantly Swearengen's, in real jeopardy for the first time.
McRaney and McShane, who were both submitted for Emmy consideration (and all things being fair, should win), provide some of the most memorable scenes in television history. Their onscreen chemistry is such that even in their most civil moments, it's not difficult to imagine they'd put the fear of God into Jack Bauer or Tony Soprano.
If the two feature films promised after the abrupt cancellation of "Deadwood" never materialize, viewers can lay head to pillow knowing the third and final season is a fitting end to one of the finest television series in American history.
Created by David Milch ("NYPD Blue", "John From Cincinnati"), the first season introduced Deadwood, a lawless camp in the Dakota Territory. Decreed as Indian Land yet occupied by whites due to its massive gold deposits, Deadwood operated outside the confines of the United States government. While the setting allowed for violence, profanity, sex and gambling on a scale unlike any other seen in television or film, it also provided an amazing study on how social order and in turn law, is formed out of chaos.
At the start of season three, the town is set to hold elections, the first major step towards annexation and a symbol of the town's integration to society. Unfortunately, along with the conventions of society comes the blood of capitalism, which for this series comes in the form of the American oil powerhouse George Hearst (Gerald McRaney).
Hearst, unused to his mining interests being in occupied towns, immediately attempts to bend the camp to his will. The result is a season long battle that unites the founders of Deadwood (Pimp, Sheriff & Journalist alike) against Hearst.
While the story of Al Swearengen (Ian McShane), Seth Bullock (Timothy Olyphant) and the rest of Deadwood's original cast was a joy, the arrival of Hearst brings the water to a boil, putting Deadwood's fate, and more importantly Swearengen's, in real jeopardy for the first time.
McRaney and McShane, who were both submitted for Emmy consideration (and all things being fair, should win), provide some of the most memorable scenes in television history. Their onscreen chemistry is such that even in their most civil moments, it's not difficult to imagine they'd put the fear of God into Jack Bauer or Tony Soprano.
Nancy
posted 6/02/07 @ 4:05 AM EST
McRaney was AMAZING as Hearst! He so deserves an Emmy.
But don't expect either McRaney or McShane to get one.
DEADWOOD is ALWAYS ignored.
Terrible, terrible, shame. (Continued…)