Deadwood Season One: Episodes Three and Four

With these episodes the season definitely seems to be hitting its stride. If there was any question about Swearengen’s character up until this point, by his actions in episodes three and four he establishes himself as one very mean dude. His No. 1 Yes-Man, the hotel manager Farnum (played brilliantly by William Sanderson) is perhaps one of the most pathetically obsequious characters I’ve seen in quite some time. By gambling at cards Wild Bill more frequently escapes the fame that precedes him, and yet still offers to others assistance that can’t be found anywhere else in Deadwood. Montana and Star continue to struggle to make something out of their claim, Garret makes another go at panhandling with dubious assistance provided by Swearengen. Swearengen’s troubles only multiply with the arrival of a higher-end establishment run by newcomer Cy Tolliver. The new girls provide more business for Doc, who of course is still busy with the sick Norwegian girl and Alma Garret, with the usual help of Calamity Jane.

So the plots are definitely thickening, as is the wonderfully stilted dialogue. A momentous dialogue between Mr. and Mrs. Garret is worth playing several times over. Was the dialogue culled from 19th century letters or texts, or is it intended as a pastiche? Incredibly corny, it nevertheless does a great job of drawing the viewer (this viewer, at any rate) into the story.

I can’t really figure out what’s going on in the scenes featuring Calamity Jane. Much of what goes on between her and Charlie and Bill is flying way over my head, not to mention some of the scenes with her and Mrs. Bonner. Is she a lesbian or just a tomboy? Is she in love with Wild Bill, or is it even possible that they have an arrangement of some kind? Or is Wild Bill more of a father figure? The tension, whether it’s sexual or competitive or whatever, is palpable, all the more so for me given my total incomprehension. Very strange.