We don’t know for sure how far along Alma is in her pregnancy. If she had some sort of “illness” (which, by the way, I really want to know about-- I have dark suspicions that she was molested and either caught a venereal disease, or became pregnant and had a miscarriage/abortion) her menstrual cycle might not be all that regular, so she might not know for a couple of months.
I’m assuming that Martha knows all about Alma and Seth. She would have to be the world’s stupidest woman to not notice what was going on when she arrived.
And I believe that it’s been shown that the marriage between Seth and Martha is still just one of obligation.
Re Alma’s childhood ailment, we talked a bit about it over in GQ awhile back, and apparently there are several diseases that could result in a pelvic deformity – a genetic form of rickets and rheumatic fever were mentioned.
(Milch clarified in the DVD commentaries that Alma wasn’t sexually abused by her father. Everybody was suspicious of Alma’s rotten daddy.)
I really liked this episode.
The scene at the mines was great.
Again, a hilarious scene between Al and Merrick. I thought that Merrick’s character was a little over-the-top last season, like the actor was trying too hard to be colorful, but this season he has really grown into it. Maybe I’ve found a little sympathy for the guy after someone took a dump in his shop.
You know the stakes are high when the telegraph operator comes to town and you start thinking about how powerful his role could be.
I thought Bullock and his lady were warming to each other.
Question: what was really up with EB? Was he gagging on something or was he doing some kind of drug and he was in la la land until uber-idiot stuck his finger down his throat?
Speaking of EB, what’s up with the increasing seediness of his appearance? He’s wearing the same suit as season 1 (no big deal, Alma is the only character who ever really changes outfits) but he is now filthy and tattered whereas he was previously just a bit grubby and rumpled.
Re E.B.'s shabbiness – I don’t have my DVDs handy, but for most of the first season he was in a holey, tattered brown jacket. After he was “elected” mayor, he had a nice new light blue coat, and he must have slept in it, cuz it didn’t look new for long.
A couple of episodes back, he was wearing a brown jacket that looked new, and his lace was cleaner. Then we saw him once without a jacket, when he was rehearsing his speech to Alma, refusing to sell her the hotel. His shirt was clean, and he looked pretty good, actually. Taller, even.
Trunk, E.B. had a rag soaked with clove oil in his mouth, for a toothache, and he was choking on it when Richardson found him.
Did anyone else notice Richardson’s name (Ralph Richeson) in the credits this week? I think it’s the first time.
I enjoyed this week’s episode too, though I have to say I’m wondering what EB is going to work himself up to doing. He seems to be attempting to emulate Al and so he’s going to end up doing something idiotic and just plain mess it up.
I know I don’t have to tell you all, but Al is a smart dude. He is a puppetmaster and a story writer. I honestly can’t think of any major mess ups he’s caused in the past. Every plan he lays seems to come off fine. Granted, if something goes wrong, he sends his knife out to slit a throat or two. shrug I dunno. I just love Al’s character.
As for him going looney, I doubt it. He’s too integral and he lives on such a stack of situations and strings that if any part of his mental ability were to crumple it would send shockwaves through the camp.
I have to say though, I started out the show thinking Bullock was awesome, but I can’t say it anymore. I think he’s lost in a mire of his own doing. I’m sure he’ll work it out in the end, but until then I’ll enjoy watching the evil mastermind go to it.
This is such a good show and this was a fine episode.
Richardson: “What’s killing yew?” . This is my favorite new character of the year. Douriff continues to shine as well.
Absolutely. I saw Sin City this weekend and he was pretty evil as the Senator there (even though there was little screen time).
I think my daughter got tired of me saying “He’s in Deadwood!” and “He’s in Carnivale!” during the movie.
The episode summary on HBO’s site says that Farnum was choking on his poultice and Richardson rescued him by pulling it out of his mouth as well as removing the bad tooth.
I can’t express how much I love this show. I kick myself for ignoring it the first season. I’m going to order the CD soon. I saw the last two episodes of the first season and was immediately hooked. I also read some of the scripts from the site someone posted last week and got caught up in the character development.
I want to have Al’s love child. 
I think Al Swearengen is the best character on TV in years, maybe even ever. I am now a devoted Ian McShane fan.
I believe that Alma will agree to marry Ellsworth. They will be one of those formal Victorian couples that refer to each other as Mrs. and Mr. Ellsworth even in casual conversation. And I think it will really get Seth’s goat. She’d do it out of spite.
I also love Calamity Jane. It will be a sad day when she succumbs to either the liver damage or the cancer she seems to have. I suspect that will be a plot device for next season.
Is it Sunday yet?
Jane has cancer? What makes you say that? I thought she was just a “drunken shitbird.”
Don’t worry, Jane has over a quarter century left to live. The historical Jane Canary did not die until 1903 from complications of alcohol poisoning. She even got married and had a daughter before she died.
Yes, but that’s in real life. 
I think an illness would provide a sympathic plot line, and she is one of the most sympathetic characters in the show. I doubt she will die, but something is going to happen to her.
But of course, I’m just speculating, like the rest of us. Perhaps she is just slowing down her drinking because she feels part of a community now, and thinks she can contribute more if she isn’t having blackouts all the time. According to the history, CJ becomes a madame for a time… Perhaps she will go into business with Joanie for awhile?
They have not done a good job with Bullock’s character this season. Although he’s obviously at the center of a lot of public and private conflict, he’s mostly done nothing about much of anything. Plus, Timothy Olyphant seems to have spent his time off from filming dedicating himself to the art of smell-the-fart acting. I’m hoping this is all planned and Bullock’s quiet detachment is going to lead to something in the second half of the season, because he was actually a really great character last year.
Do I sound hopelessly petulant in really, really wishing you had put that tidbit about Calamity Jane in a spoiler box, Dio? I mean, I personally had no idea exactly when or how Calamity Jane died or how she lived out the remainder of her life precisely because I’ve chosen to remain willfully ignorant on the whole subject of Deadwood’s early history and citizenry so’s to remain open to surprise when events unfold (Wild Bill’s fate notwithstanding. I think it’s bad enough I looked at a map and found out what state they were annexed to! (Geography being more of a theory than a topic I actively learn.)
Ignorance is occassionally bliss, y’know.
I’m sorry. I didn’t know American History required spoiler boxes.
Was anyone else surprised at how Jane pronounced her last name? Cannery, instead of canary. Doesn’t canary seem more fitting? Not that she’s bird-like, but in the show she’s been mostly a delightful relief, whereas cannery sounds so plodding and workmanlike.
I wish we could do polls here – I’d like to know how many people think Alma will accept Ellsworth’s proposal, and that they’ll go through with it.
I hope she refuses, out of respect and affection.
But it’s pretty certain there’s going to be a wedding – Gordon Clapp gave it away in an interview, and an upcoming episode title is “The Whores Can Come”. There are no other likely candidates, unless Seth and Martha decide to renew their vows and get a symbolic fresh start.
I was hoping you wouldn’t take that tact. It’s really snarky and beneath you.
Spoiler boxes for a historical facts are obviously not a requirement, but if you’re thoughtful enough to use them when you’re going to divulge historical people’s final fates is just a … acknowledgement if you will, that a great many people in DEADWOOD’S viewing audience, including some Dopers like me and TheFaerie, may not be as well informed as you are about the details of these people’s lives or the develpment of that area of the country and might like to learn about them through the show.
Look at your post. You went from a) reassuring TheFaerie that Jane won’t die for 25 years to telling her b) her actual death date c) the actual cause of death and that d) that she married e) that she had a child. Yes, it’s historical fact but not everyone wishes to know what you know – *especially since no one asked. *
I know you didn’t mean any harm by it. You’re Diogenes The Cynic. You answer questions. That’s the cool thing about you. But you’re killing the suspense!
Sol and Trixie?