While HBO’s streaming platform and the rise (and subsequent fall) of DVD have allowed lots of people to catch up and watch Deadwood since it ended without a conclusion in 2006, for most, it’s still been more than a decade since last they visited Al Swearengen’s Gem Saloon.
Now with the show’s follow-up movie readying for a premiere on May 31st, it seems a good time to take a refresher course and remind ourselves of transpired events.
Historical Importance
Much of the show was fictionalized, but it was still rooted in historical fact, and its importance when talking about that period of American History can’t be overlooked. Not only did Wild Bill Hickock and Wyatt Earp both spend time in Deadwood, but famous theater man Jack Langrishe did set up a theater there too.
And when George Hearst threatens A.W. Merrick that he’s going to start his own newspaper to report his own lies, that was a bit of real-life foreshadowing, as Hearst’s son, William Randolph Hearst Sr., would go on to become one of the most infamous newspaper publishers in history, known for Yellow Journalism, and as the inspiration for the film Citizen Kane.
Garret Dillahunt
Before he was as recognizable as he is today, thanks in part to roles on Fear The Walking Dead, Raising Hope, and Justified, actor Garret Dillahunt played not one - but two characters on Deadwood. He was Jack McCall, the man who murdered Wild Bill, and he was also Hearst’s geologist and all-around scumbag Francis Wolcott.
But why you might ask is this important, since both characters are dead? Well, it was Garret Dillahunt who first broke the news that this movie was happening on Twitter back in 2015. And while he’s not listed among the cast, we won’t be surprised if he sneaks in a cameo when the movie drops.
Charlie Utter and Calamity Jane
While they arrived in camp accompanying Bill Hickock, the pair took pretty different paths once there. Utter opened up postal service and became Deputy to Bullock’s Sheriff, while Jane wallowed in her own vices, drinking herself near to death following the murder of Hickcok.
She did, however, work in the Pest Tents, treating people during the smallpox outbreak and developed a romantic relationship with former madam Joanie Stubbs, as the pair helped watch over the camp’s children. For a show short on heroes, these two were counted among them.
The Doc’s Cough
During the third season, Doc Cochran developed a bad cough that leaders of the camp thought to be a fatal case of tuberculosis. This was a problem beyond just the health of Cochran himself and shows just how desperate times could get on the frontier.
If Cochran were to die, the entire camp would be without any sort of medical care whatsoever, which is why Al basically forbids him from doing so; “I ain’t learning a new doc’s quirks!”
The Mayor Weasel
E.B. Farnum, who was the real-life mayor of Deadwood, is given the title basically by default in the show, and following the rigging of elections by George Hearst, likely retained said title. Contrary to historical opinion, HBO’s E.B. Farnum is the sleaziest and least trustworthy man in a camp full of liars and cutthroats.
Though steered well-enough by Swearengen via E.B.’s own predictable behavior of self-interest, Farnum is a bit of a wild-card as the dirtiest politician around and was last seen in the uneasy employ of George Hearst.
The Bella Union
At last glimpse Cy Tolliver had become pretty unhinged, killing Leon and dealing with the effects of a stab wound. And seeing as actor Powers Boothe passed away in 2017, it seems likely that the Bella Union will be under new management.
The most obvious choice to take over would seem to be Joanie Stubbs, who based on her onscreen relationship with Jane is likely based off of Dora DuFran, the area’s leading madam in those days.
Bullock, Sheriff No More
As we learned in the finale, Seth Bullock loses the election for County Sheriff to Harry Manning, who only ran to be known and purpose a fire department. In the film’s short trailer, we do see a couple shots of Bullock wearing his tin, but for most of the time, no badge is visible.
Is it possible he regains the title during the movie? Manning isn’t shown in the trailer, but we know at least for a time, Bullock loses his position. With or without the star though, we’re pretty sure Seth will be as righteous as ever.
Al Swearengen’s True Nature
By the time the show had come to an end, Al had become somewhat of an anti-hero. His eventual teaming with Bullock to look out for the camp’s well being makes it easy to forget how the show started.
Al wasn’t a reluctant killer that murdered for the good for the town, but instead an opportunistic and savvy con man and cold-blooded killer, responsible for the murder of Brom Garret. It was Al who employed Persimmon Phil, who (unauthorized) killed Sophia’s family, and it was Al that supplied most of the camp’s drug trade via Mr. Wu.
Ellsworth’s Murder
There was no shortage of death on this show, and though most came without much emotional weight for the viewer, there were a couple of kills that elicited reactions from the audience. The one that hits home the hardest though is that of Whitney Ellsworth.
Played brilliantly by Jim Beaver, Ellsworth is murdered in the penultimate episode of the series, shot in his tent by agents of Hearst to force Alma’s hand in selling her claim, and putting end to a character who was arguably the moral center of the show. And it was just an episode before that Al prevented from acting against Hearst…
Hearst Won At The End
Some people forget that we were given an Empire Strikes Back ending just before the show was canceled. The last season ended with Mr. Ellsworth murdered, Mrs. Ellsworth selling her claim, and Bullock (and presumably Star) losing the election.
Add in the slaying of the whore Jen to appease Hearst and save Trixie with Aunt Lou’s son dying on the road, and it seems like from the time of Captain Turner’s death at the hands of Dan Dority, every likable character left took some lumps to close out the season.
