Deadwood: No Other Sons or Daughters Rewatch
February 11, 2017 9:45 PM - Season 1, Episode 9 - Subscribe
With annexation of Deadwood looming, Swearengen calls a meeting to set up an informal government. Bullock and Alma compare notes on Ellsworth and each other, and Farnum gets a special-delivery letter from Hickok and a special new post. Joanie finally prepares to make a go on her own, with Cy's avowed blessings, and after a long binge, Calamity Jane decides to ride out of town.
"I don't want to talk to these cocksuckers, but you have to, in life, you have to do a lot of things you don't fuckin' want to do. Many times, that's what the fuck life is, one vile fucking task after another. But don't get aggravated. Then the enemy has you by the shorthairs. It'll be different after the annexation. That's all. There's nothin' to be afraid of. Everything changes. Don't be afraid."
Boy does this opening monologue speak to me right now; I bet it does a lot of other folks too. Notably one of the first moments of vulnerability for Al. Coming after the last episode, the groundwork continues to be laid to show Al as a forgivable figure, contrasting Cy and Al as sociopath versus community member.
posted by Rust Moranis at 8:51 AM on February 12, 2017 [5 favorites]
Boy does this opening monologue speak to me right now; I bet it does a lot of other folks too. Notably one of the first moments of vulnerability for Al. Coming after the last episode, the groundwork continues to be laid to show Al as a forgivable figure, contrasting Cy and Al as sociopath versus community member.
posted by Rust Moranis at 8:51 AM on February 12, 2017 [5 favorites]
"Be at my joint in two hours, we're forming a fucking government."
Interestingly when speaking with Seth and Sol, Al exhibits a deeper understanding of the situation - not a big-G Government, but enough of a framework and solidarity to stand up to a big powerful property development group.
Also, I wonder how much luck or savvy was intended in Alma Garret asking Bullock specifically to be her proxy - he would be going up against Swearengen, but Bullock is Swearengen's logically useful "ally" and eminently useful to Al to have him on-side. As seen in this episode, "Did a fucking good job here." in reference to their shop, especially after being initially skeptical/combative.
iirc, it was on the advise of Wild Bill Hickock, so surprised that his judgement ended up being so judicious; but then again, maybe it pronounces his own downfall from gambling addiction with more amplitude. Other people's problems are easier to solve than one's own.
--
EB: "I'd like to be mayor!"
AS: "Any objections?"
AS: "Mayor."
--
In retrospect, casting Ricky Jay was a bit of a silent coup. Marvelous showman. There are a lot of intense type A characters here while he brings a heavy dollop of gravitas and something else too, a centerdness of sorts. His skill at prestidigitation skyhooks in a mysterious background very efficiently and gives him horsepower clashing horns with Toliver.
--
A lot happens this episode. Bullock has a wife*. The seeds of Sol+Trixie (which is really sweet, I understand that he understands her profession, but I wonder how much he understands Trixie/Al's (small-r) relationship. EB's trajectory. Swearengen's perpetual headache now starting. Preacher's neurological condition. Joannie breaking from Cy (and the counter story of Trixie/Al). The Widow Garret wanting to reward Bullock, who facilitated her catapaulting to wealth. Smallpox is mostly controlled.
Calamity Jane continues to be awesome and compelling.
posted by porpoise at 7:09 PM on February 12, 2017 [1 favorite]
Interestingly when speaking with Seth and Sol, Al exhibits a deeper understanding of the situation - not a big-G Government, but enough of a framework and solidarity to stand up to a big powerful property development group.
Also, I wonder how much luck or savvy was intended in Alma Garret asking Bullock specifically to be her proxy - he would be going up against Swearengen, but Bullock is Swearengen's logically useful "ally" and eminently useful to Al to have him on-side. As seen in this episode, "Did a fucking good job here." in reference to their shop, especially after being initially skeptical/combative.
iirc, it was on the advise of Wild Bill Hickock, so surprised that his judgement ended up being so judicious; but then again, maybe it pronounces his own downfall from gambling addiction with more amplitude. Other people's problems are easier to solve than one's own.
--
EB: "I'd like to be mayor!"
AS: "Any objections?"
AS: "Mayor."
--
In retrospect, casting Ricky Jay was a bit of a silent coup. Marvelous showman. There are a lot of intense type A characters here while he brings a heavy dollop of gravitas and something else too, a centerdness of sorts. His skill at prestidigitation skyhooks in a mysterious background very efficiently and gives him horsepower clashing horns with Toliver.
--
A lot happens this episode. Bullock has a wife*. The seeds of Sol+Trixie (which is really sweet, I understand that he understands her profession, but I wonder how much he understands Trixie/Al's (small-r) relationship. EB's trajectory. Swearengen's perpetual headache now starting. Preacher's neurological condition. Joannie breaking from Cy (and the counter story of Trixie/Al). The Widow Garret wanting to reward Bullock, who facilitated her catapaulting to wealth. Smallpox is mostly controlled.
Calamity Jane continues to be awesome and compelling.
posted by porpoise at 7:09 PM on February 12, 2017 [1 favorite]
The reverend's arc really starts hitting in this episode, kind of hard to watch sometimes he's so earnest.
Jane starts bantering a bit more in this episode; it's such a great turn as she settles in.
posted by rhizome at 8:44 PM on February 13, 2017 [1 favorite]
Jane starts bantering a bit more in this episode; it's such a great turn as she settles in.
posted by rhizome at 8:44 PM on February 13, 2017 [1 favorite]
The Reverend was always a charity case - I can't recall if there were any definitive evidence that he's had... official priest training, or is he more of a self-taught preacher man?
posted by porpoise at 9:16 AM on February 14, 2017
posted by porpoise at 9:16 AM on February 14, 2017
On my first watch I thought he'd turn out to be a) used as a morality chorus; and/or b) annoying sidekick/village pet. Little did I know the plot was about to pass him by completely.
posted by rhizome at 5:19 PM on February 14, 2017
posted by rhizome at 5:19 PM on February 14, 2017
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posted by rhizome at 9:45 PM on February 11, 2017