Deadwood Season One: Episodes Eleven and Twelve

Deadwood Season One: Episodes Eleven and Twelve

Jewel’s Boot is Made for Walking
Written by Ricky Jay; Directed by Steve Shill
”I don’t mean to upset you. It’s always about the money.”
“Alma’s father, Otis Russell, arrives from New York to ‘help’ with her claim. Swearengen strikes a bargain with Adams to rid him of some legal baggage involving the arriving magistrate. Jewel journeys to Doe’s cabin for help wither leg. Eddie resumes work at the Bella Union, while Bullock is angered by the choice of the corrupt Con Stapleton as the new sheriff.”

Sold Under Sin
Written by Ted Mann; Directed by Davis Guggenheim
“We all have bloody thoughts.”
“General Crook rolls into Deadwood with his troops, known as Custer’s avengers,’ and the Yankton magistrate, Clagett, prompting a parade and business soliciatations from E.B. Farnum and Cy Tolliver. Al Swearengen delivers ta tortured sould from suffering, and Bullock reacts decisively to Russell’s intentions regarding Alma. Stapleton’s new commission as sheriff proves short-lived, and Bullock and Alma have a late-night meeting.”

These two episodes, and the last in particular, are a fine finish to a great first season. I think dramatically it works better than most of the other episodes, and the counterpoint (or whatever species of irony marks the actual term) developed to its full potential. In fact, at one point the viewer is brought to wonder whether it is or isn’t a portrayal of God’s will being worked out through the actions Swearengen and Doc, though in a manner that leaves its devisers on the far side of blasphemy.