Wow.
Just wow.
When the father gave Bullock that line about how he would make life tough for him and his daughter if Bullock tried to bully him, and Seth beat the shit out of him anyway, that has to be one of the most satisfying scenes I’ve ever seen on TV.
And my appreciation for the writing and portrayal of Al grows with every episode. His scene taking care of the minister was just plain masterful.
Definitely one of the two best episodes this season.
“There’s a bloodstain on your floor.”
“Um…yeah…I’m gonna…get to that.” 
I’m going to miss this show.
Everyone associated with making this show ought to be damn proud. What a piece of work. As good as the season has been, I was afraid they would have a difficult time taking it up a notch for the season finale.
My fears were unfounded.
Jammer
Great finale!
The undertaker & Wu’s pigs are going to be busy.
The dancing scene was a perfect way to end the season.
It was a beautiful episode, wasn’t it?
I liked the portrayal of General Crook. He had a reputation for righteousness, didn’t he? They nailed that. 
“If I was sheriff, I’d see you hanged.” Will he even miss Claggett?
Long time till next January, or February, or whenever the second season starts. I’ll miss all these people.
I concur with everyone who thought this episode was excellent. Al continues to deepen into a more sympathetic, human character. It seemed to me that Al acted directly on the Doc’s prayers for the Reverend when he did what he did, a mercy killing among so many unmerciful ones. When he called the Reverend “brother” as he died, it was oddly touching.
I also loved the Doc/Jewel storyline. “Say ‘I’m as nimble as a woodland creature!’” “You’re as as nimble as a woodland creature.” “No, say it about yourself.” Poor Doc suffered a lot in the Civil War, it seems, which has made him angry and hugely compassionate in that vehement way of his.
Every actor on this show is amazing. How long will we have to wait for Season 2?
Did anybody else find the scene with Swearingen (almost lovingly) personally carrying the Reverend’s body back to the Doc reminiscent of what happened with Nate’s wife at the end of Six Feet Under?
The thing that made Swearingen so real is that he used the mercy killing to give a lesson to his underling on how to kill somebody without leaving a mark. I also liked the way he expected the Doc to just cut right into the skull right then to see what made the Reverend that way.
I was a little disappointed that Seth basically rescinded his murder request of the father. But I suppose that will be a primary storyline for next season. The way the father threatened the little girl with just a loving gesture was downright creepy.
I think that was because of Dan calling him a hypocrite. Seth has killed a few people–justifiably–but looks down on Swearengen and Dan for their murders. Dan called him on it and Seth decided to take the high road by protecting Alma’s father and becoming the marshal.
By the way, the scene between Seth and Alma was smokingly hot, IMHO (and way overdue…).
Sp any idea when Season 2 will be shown?
MtM
My best guess is Fall 2005, but that may be optimistic on my part
Yes, the eternal question when it comes to HBO. No word yet, other than the fact that the show was renewed for a second season. Figure about 16 months.
I was hoping that perhaps a new season of the The Wire was coming soon, with last season now be replayed in the 8pm timeslot, but alas, that show has only just gone into production for its 3rd season. Anyone have any clue what they’ll show at 9pm when SFU ends its run 13 weeks from now? Seems to me that they’ll be fresh out of new series to air by then.
Besides being an intelligent and mesmerizing series, every episode has some dialog that just cracks me up, usually something clever and inappropriate from Al. This week, my favorite was (IIRC) “I woulda let him lay in state, but I needed the room for my whores.”
There are some people from the show in the Yahoo group, and they’re saying Season Two will begin next March.
I think I hard they’ll start rerunning the entire first season on June 26, on HBO2.
I didn’t tape it the first time, but I will now; there’s just so much to look at, it’s hard to take it in.
In the Yahoo group, there’s been some discussion about character development – whether the characters are behaving the way they do because of natural character development or to support a plot point.
I’m arguing it’s natural character development, but maybe I just don’t want to hear the teensiest bit of negative criticism about this wonderful show.
Great series, great episode, but I’ve sure missed Jane the past few eps.
I’ve not quite figured out why Al wants Seth to be sheriff. He can’t control him, nor buy him, so what’s the advantage. Nobody else can either?
We discussed that some in last week’s thread, Chefguy. One big reason is that Al doesn’t have to worry about someone like Cy buying the sheriff now. Al probably just trusts himself to keep from getting caught in his sins. Al’s violence is typically thought out and planned. It’s not chaotic and spur of the moment. In other words, it’s not the stuff he’s likely to get caught for doing. Besides, opium and prostitution are legal.
I’m going to miss this show. Six Feet Under just isn’t going to be a substitute.
What a phenomenal series. Al S. is one of the best acted characters in the history of television. Remember during the Reverand’s fit during the town meeting how Al said that he had a brother with epilepsy. That was what made Al calling the Rev “brother” when he was killing him all the more powerful.
How about the Doc having that Civil War flashback? Another amazing performance. He and Seth are the only ones not at all scared of Al which is part of why Al totally respects them.
If it wasn’t for HBO and sports, I wouldn’t even bother with having a TV.
Haj
There’s been a slew of articles about Deadwood lately, and one reviewer said “Deadwood isn’t a reason to have HBO; it’s a reason to have a TV.”
Can’t help but agree with him.
“Your men are welcome to stay at my hotel.”
“coughbrothelcough”
I’m not used to watching a show where you just never know who they might kill off next (no I don’t watch Sopranos) but I swear I’ll quit watching if Doc gets killed. Brad Dourif is just amazing to watch in any role. Rooney, on the other hand, might get killed by his fellow Ambulators if he doesn’t quit being so annoying to everyone
I love this show. I was so PISSED when they took a couple of weeks off.
Also, it is really gorgeous in HD if you get a chance to see it in that format.
My lingering question from a past episode is why Al killed his own junkie rather than Cy’s junkie an offered hin up to Mr. Woo. It seems he understood the cost, that it would be used against him, but I don’t get what he sees as the benefit. Was it just that his own guy’s betrayal deserved the harshest punishment?
And I love the fact that about the only word both Al and Mr. Woo grasp is “cocksucker”. When you think about it, what more fo you need?
Any predictions for next season? I predict Seth’s wife will show up and be an incredible hottie. I can’t imagine Jane not coming back – maybe she she’ll partner up with Charlie on the freight business and will come and go with new shipments of stuff. I can’t help but wonder if there will be some kind of threat against the whole town – an Indian attack, or even the Cavalry to “put things right” somehow. Maybe there’ll be so many deserters that the Army sill sweep through the town searching for them and some kind of small disorganized war will break out.
I figure to look for some actual Deadwood history books between seasons. Maybe there’ll be some clues to what happens next.
Ian McShane deserves an Emmy for this season. He’s helped create one of the most memorable characters in recent televsion memory and he’s done it amidst a sea of other colorful (and even some legendary) characters.
If he doesn’t at least get a nomination there’s no justice.