Reasons to Watch Deadwood
Deadwood is more or less tied for favorite show ever, but it doesn't have a very big fandom online. All of the caps used are from the first season, and I made an effort to make it spoiler-free. There is just a touch of nudity, so consider yourself warned.
reasons 1. It is absolutely gorgeous.
I mean, just look at it. Deadwood's aesthetic is completely set aside from anything else. It is dirty and sweaty and bloody, but every single frame is gorgeous. Few other shows revel in filth, whereas Deadwood's thoroughfare thrives in it. The beauty of the show never seems contrived or posed in any way, it just comes out naturally. Deadwood, at its core, is about the mess that occurs when order comes from chaos, and its aesthetic fits that perfectly.
2. It takes place in a universe unlike anything else on TV ever. Greed, whores, murder, gambling, gold, whiskey and everything in between are all in a day's work in Deadwood. While there have been plenty of other Westerns on television, none are anything like Deadwood, which creates a much more realistic universe than anything on television ever. Many of the characters are racist, sexist, and money-hungry, as opportunists settled in Deadwood would have been. While many of the characters that are based on real people are highly fictionalized, it sure as hell is more realistic than this absurd scene of Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickock from the 1953 film Calamity Jane.
Beyond the portrayal of the West, the entire show is elevated from mere television to poetry by David Milch and team's scripts. The words of Deadwood feel like Shakespeare, even when talking about the most mundane subjects. I had a number of examples to give, but decided against putting them in, because they sound much much better heard. Deadwood can also be very very VERY funny.
3. It has one of the finest ensemble casts ever assembled.
One of my favorite ways to describe Deadwood is as an organism, moving and flowing as a single entity. It isn't like Heroes where members of the ensemble seem to be able to come and go without any serious consequences or ramifications. When new characters come, they are there for a reason. When main characters are in pain or die, it is devastating. Fabulously acted, each and every character is an integral part of the show. I can never ever decide who my favorite character on this show is, because each one of them is special for their own reason. Unfortunately, because there are only caps from the first season in this picspam, many great characters aren't here. So, much love to Martha Bullock, Francis Wolcott, Hearst, Jack Langrish and Blazanov.
4. The Women of Deadwood
"You're a bright woman, aren't you? Must've gone through hell here."
The women of Deadwood have a tough tough time. They are living in one of the most oppressive environments for women ever, but are as strong (if not stronger) than any other denizen. From Molly Parker's caged bird Alma Garret to Robin Weigert's mesmerizing portrayal of Calamity Jane to Kim Dickens' depressed madam to Paula Malcomson's infinitely compassionate, foul-mouthed prostitute, all of the women of Deadwood have you transfixed from the moment they first appear.
5. The men are pretty great too. "See, I'm the simple-type cocksucker that when he sees lightning, readies for thunder, and takes the thunder if it comes from the same storm."
I had a really hard time picking the men to focus on for this section, because they are all amazing. I ended up setting the guideline to only include characters that are "featured prominently" in the first season. Unfortunately this leaves out an number of the secondary characters that I love, most importantly Ellsworth, who is one of my absolute favorites, but doesn't really become a bigger character until the second season. I chose these six: Al Swearengen (the town's de facto king, cunning and manipulative with his own complex morality structure), Seth Bullock (all around Sex God, who can often be found model-strutting through the camp doling out justice or letting his temper get the best of him), Doc Cochran (grumpy but an intelligent humanist who I personally have endless sympathy for), Sol Star (Bullock's work partner, sensible and collected), Dan Dority (part-time henchman, part-time adorable teddy bear), and E.B. Farnum (the town fool with delusions of grandeur). I love all these characters. They are all played and written with a remarkable complexity that can be hard to find on television.
6. The drama and character interactions. Soap operas have infiltrated our prime time, and while there is a time and a place for that, there is also a place for refreshing and smart drama with a touch of intelligent humor on the side. Deadwood has an incredibly unique simmering intensity that is almost unbearable at times. It carries with it such an epic rage and tension that the viewer is left in this terrible state of suspense knowing that the entire town could explode at any moment. And when it does, you feel like your former self has been turned into bloody pulp. Watching any two characters interact is completely mesmerizing, whether they are sleeping with each other, about to beat the shit out of each other, or merely discussing the kind of canned fruit to bring to a town meeting.
7. It doesn't have as big a fan base as it deserves. My original plans for this picspam included a huge section with pictures of Deadwood actors on other things. BECAUSE THEY ARE TAKING OVER THE WORLD. Already loving these people makes seeing them in other things, and rocking the shit out of them INCREDIBLY satisfying. But unfortunately my computer and my sleep schedule have more realistic expectations for this spam. That said however, I can't help but power brag about my people, so I am just going to list a few examples. Beware: crazy list ranting coming up. Long before Jim Beaver spent his time being awesome as Bobby on Supernatural, he spent his time being awesome as Ellsworth on Deadwood. William Sanderson, Paula Malcomson, Kim Dickens, and Robin Weigert all had awesome guest spots on Lost. Paula Malcolmson is also going to be in Battlestar Galactica spin-off, Caprica. Garrett Dilahunt, an actor so good he was cast on Deadwood in two separate roles, is a supporting actor in a lot of great movies recently and also is totally fucking badass as Cromartie on Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles. He is going to be a superstar. Ian McShane is starring in new NBC show Kings. It's surprisingly good. Watch that too. Oscar nominated Brad Dourif is a GOD in fandom who is more or less in everything. William Sanderson plays the sheriff on True Blood. He is also really really really amazing in Blade Runner. Dayton Callie is on Sons of Anarchy apparently. Timothy Olyphant is in tons of stuff too. Leon Rippy is on Saving Grace. I've never seen that, but I'm under the impression he plays an angel. Maybe. That could be a lie. Anna Gunn is the wife on Breaking Bad. That also is awesome. Watch that as well. John Hawkes is in all kinds of things. He is amazing in every single one of them. Robin Weigert was on the first season of Life. Molly Parker was on Swingtown. I couldn't handle that show, but she is amazing. She is going to be on a new HBO show with Sarah Michelle Gellar. Hopefully that works out. Kim Dickens is always showing up in things, most recently on Friday Night Lights as Matt Saracen's mom. I could go on. But I choose to stop here.
Another great thing about the Deadwood fandom, is being a part of a collective that unapologetically calls each other cocksuckers.
Here are a couple of my favorite Deadwood promos from the second season. They are really similar, but both gorgeous spoiler-free goodness.
Another thing that I feel must be said. I was not too fond of the Western genre as a whole before Deadwood. It took me awhile to start watching it because I was like "Meh. Western", but I love them now (as long as they are done properly). The Western is alive and better than ever right now (see The Assassination of Jesse James..., There Will Be Blood, The Proposition, No Country for Old Men, etc.). Give Deadwood a try, even if you hate Westerns. I guarantee it will be worth your while.
Also, please don't use any of these for icons, graphics whatever. If you want any of the caps, I would be more than glad to give them to you directly. I know caps are damn near impossible to find, so I would love to share!
reasons 1. It is absolutely gorgeous.
I mean, just look at it. Deadwood's aesthetic is completely set aside from anything else. It is dirty and sweaty and bloody, but every single frame is gorgeous. Few other shows revel in filth, whereas Deadwood's thoroughfare thrives in it. The beauty of the show never seems contrived or posed in any way, it just comes out naturally. Deadwood, at its core, is about the mess that occurs when order comes from chaos, and its aesthetic fits that perfectly.
2. It takes place in a universe unlike anything else on TV ever. Greed, whores, murder, gambling, gold, whiskey and everything in between are all in a day's work in Deadwood. While there have been plenty of other Westerns on television, none are anything like Deadwood, which creates a much more realistic universe than anything on television ever. Many of the characters are racist, sexist, and money-hungry, as opportunists settled in Deadwood would have been. While many of the characters that are based on real people are highly fictionalized, it sure as hell is more realistic than this absurd scene of Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickock from the 1953 film Calamity Jane.
Beyond the portrayal of the West, the entire show is elevated from mere television to poetry by David Milch and team's scripts. The words of Deadwood feel like Shakespeare, even when talking about the most mundane subjects. I had a number of examples to give, but decided against putting them in, because they sound much much better heard. Deadwood can also be very very VERY funny.
3. It has one of the finest ensemble casts ever assembled.
One of my favorite ways to describe Deadwood is as an organism, moving and flowing as a single entity. It isn't like Heroes where members of the ensemble seem to be able to come and go without any serious consequences or ramifications. When new characters come, they are there for a reason. When main characters are in pain or die, it is devastating. Fabulously acted, each and every character is an integral part of the show. I can never ever decide who my favorite character on this show is, because each one of them is special for their own reason. Unfortunately, because there are only caps from the first season in this picspam, many great characters aren't here. So, much love to Martha Bullock, Francis Wolcott, Hearst, Jack Langrish and Blazanov.
4. The Women of Deadwood
"You're a bright woman, aren't you? Must've gone through hell here."
The women of Deadwood have a tough tough time. They are living in one of the most oppressive environments for women ever, but are as strong (if not stronger) than any other denizen. From Molly Parker's caged bird Alma Garret to Robin Weigert's mesmerizing portrayal of Calamity Jane to Kim Dickens' depressed madam to Paula Malcomson's infinitely compassionate, foul-mouthed prostitute, all of the women of Deadwood have you transfixed from the moment they first appear.
5. The men are pretty great too. "See, I'm the simple-type cocksucker that when he sees lightning, readies for thunder, and takes the thunder if it comes from the same storm."
I had a really hard time picking the men to focus on for this section, because they are all amazing. I ended up setting the guideline to only include characters that are "featured prominently" in the first season. Unfortunately this leaves out an number of the secondary characters that I love, most importantly Ellsworth, who is one of my absolute favorites, but doesn't really become a bigger character until the second season. I chose these six: Al Swearengen (the town's de facto king, cunning and manipulative with his own complex morality structure), Seth Bullock (all around Sex God, who can often be found model-strutting through the camp doling out justice or letting his temper get the best of him), Doc Cochran (grumpy but an intelligent humanist who I personally have endless sympathy for), Sol Star (Bullock's work partner, sensible and collected), Dan Dority (part-time henchman, part-time adorable teddy bear), and E.B. Farnum (the town fool with delusions of grandeur). I love all these characters. They are all played and written with a remarkable complexity that can be hard to find on television.
6. The drama and character interactions. Soap operas have infiltrated our prime time, and while there is a time and a place for that, there is also a place for refreshing and smart drama with a touch of intelligent humor on the side. Deadwood has an incredibly unique simmering intensity that is almost unbearable at times. It carries with it such an epic rage and tension that the viewer is left in this terrible state of suspense knowing that the entire town could explode at any moment. And when it does, you feel like your former self has been turned into bloody pulp. Watching any two characters interact is completely mesmerizing, whether they are sleeping with each other, about to beat the shit out of each other, or merely discussing the kind of canned fruit to bring to a town meeting.
7. It doesn't have as big a fan base as it deserves. My original plans for this picspam included a huge section with pictures of Deadwood actors on other things. BECAUSE THEY ARE TAKING OVER THE WORLD. Already loving these people makes seeing them in other things, and rocking the shit out of them INCREDIBLY satisfying. But unfortunately my computer and my sleep schedule have more realistic expectations for this spam. That said however, I can't help but power brag about my people, so I am just going to list a few examples. Beware: crazy list ranting coming up. Long before Jim Beaver spent his time being awesome as Bobby on Supernatural, he spent his time being awesome as Ellsworth on Deadwood. William Sanderson, Paula Malcomson, Kim Dickens, and Robin Weigert all had awesome guest spots on Lost. Paula Malcolmson is also going to be in Battlestar Galactica spin-off, Caprica. Garrett Dilahunt, an actor so good he was cast on Deadwood in two separate roles, is a supporting actor in a lot of great movies recently and also is totally fucking badass as Cromartie on Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles. He is going to be a superstar. Ian McShane is starring in new NBC show Kings. It's surprisingly good. Watch that too. Oscar nominated Brad Dourif is a GOD in fandom who is more or less in everything. William Sanderson plays the sheriff on True Blood. He is also really really really amazing in Blade Runner. Dayton Callie is on Sons of Anarchy apparently. Timothy Olyphant is in tons of stuff too. Leon Rippy is on Saving Grace. I've never seen that, but I'm under the impression he plays an angel. Maybe. That could be a lie. Anna Gunn is the wife on Breaking Bad. That also is awesome. Watch that as well. John Hawkes is in all kinds of things. He is amazing in every single one of them. Robin Weigert was on the first season of Life. Molly Parker was on Swingtown. I couldn't handle that show, but she is amazing. She is going to be on a new HBO show with Sarah Michelle Gellar. Hopefully that works out. Kim Dickens is always showing up in things, most recently on Friday Night Lights as Matt Saracen's mom. I could go on. But I choose to stop here.
Another great thing about the Deadwood fandom, is being a part of a collective that unapologetically calls each other cocksuckers.
Here are a couple of my favorite Deadwood promos from the second season. They are really similar, but both gorgeous spoiler-free goodness.
Click to viewAnother thing that I feel must be said. I was not too fond of the Western genre as a whole before Deadwood. It took me awhile to start watching it because I was like "Meh. Western", but I love them now (as long as they are done properly). The Western is alive and better than ever right now (see The Assassination of Jesse James..., There Will Be Blood, The Proposition, No Country for Old Men, etc.). Give Deadwood a try, even if you hate Westerns. I guarantee it will be worth your while.
Also, please don't use any of these for icons, graphics whatever. If you want any of the caps, I would be more than glad to give them to you directly. I know caps are damn near impossible to find, so I would love to share!