Deadwood

[Rubythroat1]

I read an article about the return of "Deadwood" as a feature film, like so many other reboots. I wanted to check out the series, to prepare, since I have never received HBO. Woo-hoo! Be prepared for some mighty profane language, and I mean some of the men use it in every sentence, like Ian McShane as Al Swearengen! Not only that, but you can actually SMELL the sweat and the smoke, whisky, and the women in Al's bar and whorehouse. I found that once I was able to get past all that, and look for the redeeming qualities and contrasts, it was worth the watch. There are some decent, law-abiding characters. It was quite a shocker for someone used to the careful editing of TV.

[Santeenluvtheme]

Oh, WOOT! Another Deadwood fan, awesome!

What is this article you read about a FEATURE FILM, wha???! I'll have to investigate! That show ended waaayyyy too soon, so if I could see all of my favorite characters again on the big screen, I'd be SO happy!! HBO has been pretty successful, too, with their feature films for their television series (Sex and the City, Entourage), so I really hope this is true!

I know what you mean about the language, too, lol! I'm not a person that is easily bothered by that kind of thing, but even I was like, whoa, Nelly the first time I saw the pilot episode, lol! It is easy to accept and get swept into the world of it all, though.

I own the DVDs for the series, and I was even more fascinated and able to accept those things after listening to the commentary. Apparently the language is pretty realistic, and it was just one way that people attempted to demonstrate how tough they were without having to resort to gunfights and physical violence first- in a lawless region, that really makes a lot of sense! It was very interesting to learn about!

[Rubythroat1]

Oh, WOOT! Another Deadwood fan, awesome!

What is this article you read about a FEATURE FILM, wha???! I'll have to investigate! That show ended waaayyyy too soon, so if I could see all of my favorite characters again on the big screen, I'd be SO happy!! HBO has been pretty successful, too, with their feature films for their television series (Sex and the City, Entourage), so I really hope this is true!

I know what you mean about the language, too, lol! I'm not a person that is easily bothered by that kind of thing, but even I was like, whoa, Nelly the first time I saw the pilot episode, lol! It is easy to accept and get swept into the world of it all, though.

I own the DVDs for the series, and I was even more fascinated and able to accept those things after listening to the commentary. Apparently the language is pretty realistic, and it was just one way that people attempted to demonstrate how tough they were without having to resort to gunfights and physical violence first- in a lawless region, that really makes a lot of sense! It was very interesting to learn about!

I read the article in The Toronto Star Saturday edition. Not on Imdb yet. If you google, you may find it. I am trying to plow through a rental of the first season! (Should never do it in February when it is minus 15 degrees!)

[Santeenluvtheme]

Wow, thanks so much for the heads up! I will definitely see if I can find anything online! Aw, and good on ya for venturing out into that cold weather to procure the awesomeness that is Deadwood, lol! At least you'll have something to enjoy while you kick back and relax, hopefully in a warm and toasty spot. Please do tell me your thoughts as you continue on with this series! I'd love to know how you are enjoying it, and if you have any favorite stories and characters.

[Rubythroat1]

^^^ SLT -I'm still trying to adjust to Calamity Jane calling Al S. "c-s..." every show. I scratch my head to think "did people , especially women really use that language in those days? Too much Little House on the Prairie in my brain, I guess!

[Santeenluvtheme]

^ LOL!!!!! OMG, you just made my morning!!

Well, I guess when it comes to Jane, she's not really presented in the same way that some of the other women are. I mean, I can't imagine Alma Garret speaking that way, you know what I mean?!

But I suppose I can believe it when that kind of language comes flying out of Jane's mouth, given how she's a little bit more of a rough-and-tumble kinda gal, or even Trixie to an extent, as it seems like she doesn't always have the luxury of being a "proper lady," so to speak. It seems that the dames that find themselves in more dangerous situations on a daily basis are a little rougher around the edges, as it's probably a mentality that they have cultivated out of necessity- it's a means of survival for them, I think. I enjoy the diversity of personalities and professions of the women on the show- they are all strong in their own unique ways, and I really love that. It was truly fascinating to listen to the commentary addressing the state of the women in Deadwood- it could really be rough going for those gals in a place with no laws.

[Rubythroat1]

My greatest fascination in the show, is the day to day life of the Doctor played by Brad Dourif. Ian McShane admitted at the Emmys that this was "the best gig he ever had"...I think this was Brad's best gig. For once he is not playing a psychopath, a weirdo, weakling, or a lackey! He is responsible for the health and welfare of a town---even if it is a manure pile and infested with misfits, whores, or down on heels socialites and ex-marshalls out to make a few bucks....I am sticking with it to see Doc survive it all!

[Santeenluvtheme]

OMG, yes, Brad Dourif as the Doc is awesome. (Incidentally, he was also great in the episode of The X Files "Beyond the Sea," when he played a man on death row who claimed to be able to talk to Scully's recently deceased father- do you remember that one? )

The doc is really very kind to the girls at Al's place, and I also truly love his interaction with Jane in the first season. He's a strong character, smart, and really knows his stuff and can hold his own. May I ask how far along you are in the series? I want to make sure that I don't discuss anything you haven't seen yet, lol!

[Rubythroat1]

^^^Oh yes. I liked the aspect of Brad's visions of the dead people come to judge him, in "Beyond the Sea". The first time I ever saw him was in "One flew Over the Cukoo's Nest".
The scene where Brad has a dance with Jewel at the last season ender, after fitting her with a boot brace he made himself, was worth the horrific events I had to plow through so far in the show.
As a female, I keep wondering how all these ladies, including Alma, prevent pregnancy! I already KNOW about the social diseases. (somehow I doubt that Doc's potions are ever used to induce abortions!).

[Santeenluvtheme]

^ Oh, yeah, "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest!" He was great in that one.

He really knows how to completely embody each character he plays- it's like they take over his body or something, lol. Aw, yes! The scene with Jewel is precious. Such a sweet ending after all of the bleak chaos that had transpired throughout the season- I really liked that. What did you think about he smallpox storyline? I thought that he and Jane were magnificent in that one. I was also a giant fan of the reverend, as well. He's a remarkable actor.

Wow, and good point about the pregnancy prevention. I wonder if they used contraception?

[Rubythroat1]

^^I think in those days all they had was something called "French letters" or early condoms. Since Al S. knows that his whole operation relies on booze and girls, he has to keep the girls healthy and clean. I have to say that on a scale of 1 to 10 in the empathy scale, Al S. scores higher than that saloon owner played by Powers Boothe, who dumped that smallpox sufferer in the woods to die. So far the only killling I have seen Al do by himself, was the mercy killing of the Reverend Smith. If that means anything.

[Santeenluvtheme]

^ OMG, yes! Al is an absolute PRINCE compared to Cy- Cy deals in dark, dark business, and is ruthless in a way that Al is not. Al can handle himself, of course, and he can play dirty and be manipulative, but he has far more compassion and genuine concern for others. Cy is much more selfish and controlling, and has very little regard for others outside of how they affect his own circumstances. (Powers is just GREAT in the role, though!) Oh, and I LOVED the reverend! It was so sad when he started exhibiting symptoms that something was wrong.

What do you think of Seth Bullock so far? I have such a mad crush on Timothy Olyphant, lol! I also LOVE him on Justified- I still have to watch the final season of that one!

[Rubythroat1]

^^^Powers Boothe played Jim Jones of Jonestown Guyana (coolade suicide). Seth Bullock looks like a good guy going down the slippery slope in bad bad Deadwood. The actor TO is a cousin of Anderson Cooper--both descended from Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt. Both Anderson and TO have those Dutch-Indonesian deep-set eyes of many of the Vanderbilts... Take a look at TO's photos, rather than his face in the show.

[Santeenluvtheme]

^ Oh, WOW! I had no idea they were related! What a fun fact! Thanks for the info!

Have you ever had the pleasure of seeing any of Timothy's interviews, such as on a late night talk show? He is SERIOUSLY hilarious. I mean, LEGIT, every time I see him give an interview, I end up laughing my behind off. You should check it out online if you're ever interested- you're pretty much guaranteed a grin, lol!

What did you think of the Smallpox storyline? I thought it was very well done!

[Rubythroat1]

^^^ STL--I am a nurse, so the smallpox storyline was heartbreaking. Especially when Cy had his lackey dump that poor client in the woods to die. Good thing Calamity Jane came along and gave him water, the poor soul. (OMG, the bugs and the heat!)
Miraculously he survived and no scars on his face! I will checkout those TO scenes. I got the season 2 lineup from the local library, so I'll have more soon!