I think the big lie is, as you said, the illusion of law and order and decency in Deadwood.
Merrick can’t print the truth. It’d be bad for business, and bad for local control, since the folks in Yankton are supposed to think that Al and Seth and the other town leaders are making progress toward civilization.
I think the lie mentioned in your spoiler box was mainly a talking point for Al to convince Seth to stay in Deadwood, and be the upright pain in the balls that they can trust to do the right thing. At least in public.
You don’t have to be dead or even napping (hee) for pigs to eat you. My grandfather told me of a boyhood neighbor family who lost a strong, teenaged son when he slipped in(to?) their pen and was partially eaten.
Thanks for the reminder on bundling boards. I was confusing my boards and wondering why Bullock had placed a swaddling board in the bedroom.
I, too, had trouble with some of the dialogue and couldn’t figure out why Dan went beserk on that guy. Help me out with another scene – recap Seth and Alma’s
discussion, which I had trouble following. Wasn’t Alma also trying to make up her mind about leaving town or staying?
Dan beat up Adams’ (the guy from the territorial government assistant) because he thought the guy wasn’t showing Adams and in turn Al enough respect. Dan was pissed off at Adams already. So he was trying to show he was the Alpha male as it were. Then Adams got angry at Slippery Dan for making fun of Dan beating up his assistant, he “12-pointed” him (impaled him on a buck’s head.)
Seth thought either he and Alma had to leave town immediately with no strings attached, which meant Alma would have to have abandoned Sophia. Among other things. Alma talked a lot about the problems she’s had in her life. I think Sophia has given her some stability and probably helped her keep off the laudanum.
I would say take your pick. There were lots of lies. The ones you mentioned. Al to Doc. Doc to Jane. Charlie to Seth, repeatly. I like minty green’s explanation though.
Season one and historical spoiler:
[spoiler]I think it was to get the “official” explanation that the town would have heard to be closer to actual history.
I didn’t have any doubt that Trixie was aiming at Al or the windows at the Gem. She may not like what Seth puts Sol through, but she isn’t going to throw away what she has with Sol.
Cy’s little pep talk was kind of pathetic. His quality employees have all been driven off by his megalomania and he is left with a dope fiend and a failed sheriff that can be bought for a can of bacon grease among others.
It’s been covered, but Dan jumped on Hawkeye (Silas’s man) to possibly provoke Silas and maybe to impress Al. He knew he couldn’t attack Silas directly. The same went for Silas killing Slippery Dan (that pair of brothers didn’t last long). He was frustrated because he couldn’t attack Dan (Dority).
I just watched the episode again, and realized what made me think Trixie was aiming at Bullock not Al. Namely, that we see her raise the rifle and mutter “Selfish cocksucker,” and then the very next (camera) shot is Bullock. Al is nowhere is sight. Yes, she could be aiming at the door through which Al is momentarily expected. But I’m convinced that the scene was constructed to emphasize Trixie’s enmity toward Bullock. Maybe she wasn’t going to shoot him, but who knows? Maybe she would have.
Also it was clear to me that Sam Stone’s explanation for why Dan beat up Adams’ man:
is inadequate. The guy makes an excuse for being delayed, but there’s no indication that he was late for something in particular and that this was a problem for Al or Dan. Dan just goes after him because he’s pissed off at Adams, but can’t confront him directly.
By the way, what the f*ck are the “gleets” that the Doc is asking Al about? “Any gleets, burning, or soreness” when he pisses.
(The whole cast is great, but Isn’t Brad Dourif magnificent?)
I watched the episode again (fourth or fifth time, I’ve lost count), and I wonder if it’s possible to agree with both Sam Stone and commasense on Dan and Silas’s actions.
When Al sarcastically says to Silas “Severe reprimand”, that’s Dan’s clue that Al is unhappy with how Silas responded to his man being late. It’s also Dan’s chance to show Silas how a real boss handles his men, and to impress Al as well.
Are any of you folks downloading the transcripts?
TurtleGirl from the Television Without Pity Deadwood board has been transcribing all the episodes since Day One, dialogue as well as action.
Download them from here --members.aol.com/chatarama/ – or send her an e-mail and ask to be put on her distribution list. prostiturtle@yahoo.com
She’s doing a beautiful job, and the transcripts help clear up some of the convoluted dialogue. I’d watch with subtitles, but I that draws attention from the scene.
I don’t think Trixie’s offer was genuine. I think she was still trying to cover up somewhat her relationship with Sol. I’m sure she knew Charlie wouldn’t accept.
After Charlie turned her down, she said “Maybe Mr. Star will want one”, before going in to check on Sol, acting as though she was going to see him on business instead of personal reasons. She was just creating a cover story for when she had to explain to Al why she was gone so long.
I think that’s also another reason she was so mad at Bullock. Sol went out to back up Bullock, forcing Trixie to openly take a stand against Al in order to protect Sol. Seth forced that with his selfishness, calling out Al. Trixie was probably hoiping that the rifle would let her stay far enough back to not be noticed.
But from across the street, how would anyone from the Gem know what Trixie was saying to Charlie?
If Al asks her, she can tell the truth, that she was delivering blow jobs (how enterprising), but it’s a flimsy excuse, and Al would see right through it.
Then again, Al’s in so damn much pain and distress, Trixie’s probably the last thing on his mind.
However it seems like everyone knows everyone else’s business.
I did comment to my wife, that Trixie seemed to spend an awful lot of time over at Sol’s. Al who is keen on knowing everything would notice it instantly.