HBO Relying on "Deadwood" to Replace "Sopranos"

The New York Times ^ | June 16, 2004 | BluegrassScholar

[Publius]

I would expect next season will focus on Bullock's getting the town more under control, and a power struggle with Wyatt Earp.

I'm waiting for the episode where Solomon Starr gets elected to the territorial legislature.

[Lyford]

Sopranos: that dream episode - I couldn't understand it then, can't understand it now. A complete waste of 20 minutes in the next to last episode.

3rd to the last. The Test Dream was followed by Long-Term Parking, and the season concluded with All Due Respect.

What were they thinking?

I'm in the minority, I think, in that I think that the dream sequence was brilliant. I thought it was a fascinating portrayal of the sub-conscious at work as Tony comes to grip with the facts that a) he wants to go home and b) he's got to "take care" of his cousin...

[beelzepug]

"I skimmed by it once or twice."

I agree. And I just found the whole thing to be very depressing.

[TopDog2]

What characters "morphed into aliens"? I musta missed that episode...

[oyez]

Deadwood = Cusswood.

Some say the language is realistic, but IMHO, the script just goes out of the way to be gross. I'm no prude but I don't want hear all that in my den.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

I watched Deadwood regularly up until Hickock was killed. After that it has lost an historical linch-pin/tie in and has sucked ever since.

[js1138]

I'm exaggerating. I just don't believe the changes that the main characters have undergone. It's contrived and doesn't seem real.

The first two seasons were interesting. Should have quit before they felt obliged to make the characters "grow".

[pompelmous]

I agree, too many F***'s & C*** S******. The inclusion of so many explicatives is a sign of intelectual laziness.It would appear from letters from the day that speech was much more formal in the late 1800's. Just read Sullivan Ballou"s letter to his wife written during the civil war.

July 14, 1861
Camp Clark, Washington

My very dear Sarah:
The indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days—perhaps tomorrow. Lest I should not be able to write again, I feel impelled to write a few lines that may fall under your eye when I shall be no more . . .

I have no misgivings about, or lack of confidence in the cause in which I am engaged, and my courage does not halt or falter. I know how strongly American Civilization now leans on the triumph of the Government and how great a debt we owe to those who went before us through the blood and sufferings of the Revolution. And I am willing—perfectly willing—to lay down all my joys in this life, to help maintain this Government, and to pay that debt . . .

Sarah my love for you is deathless, it seems to bind me with mighty cables that nothing but Omnipotence could break; and yet my love of Country comes over me like a strong wind and bears me unresistibly on with all these chains to the battle field.

The memories of the blissful moments I have spent with you come creeping over me, and I feel most gratified to God and to you that I have enjoyed them for so long. And hard it is for me to give them up and burn to ashes the hopes of future years, when, God willing, we might still have lived and loved together, and seen our sons grown up to honorable manhood, around us. I have, I know, but few and small claims upon Divine Providence, but something whispers to me—perhaps it is the wafted prayer of my little Edgar, that I shall return to my loved ones unharmed. If I do not my dear Sarah, never forget how much I love you, and when my last breath escapes me on the battle field, it will whisper your name. Forgive my many faults and the many pains I have caused you. How thoughtless and foolish I have often times been! How gladly would I wash out with my tears every little spot upon your happiness . . .

But, O Sarah! If the dead can come back to this earth and flit unseen around those they loved, I shall always be near you; in the gladdest days and in the darkest nights . . . always, always, and if there be a soft breeze upon your cheek, it shall be my breath, as the cool air fans your throbbing temple, it shall be my spirit passing by. Sarah do not mourn me dead; think I am gone and wait for thee, for we shall meet again . . .

[2rightsleftcoast]

I love Deadwood. Agree that Ian McShane should be nominated for emmy. The whole cast is great. I love the doctor. The scenes he had this last week were fabulous.The writing is so good.

[radiohead]

I think this is a great show, and for me, better than the Sopranos.

The first episode was shocking w/the profanity, and I'm no stranger to it. Either I've become inured to the language or it has decreased, because there just doesn't seem to be as much profanity in the later episodes. I could be delusional.

If you're interested in the history of the town, here's a nice site: http://adamsmuseumandhouse.org/index.php

There's also another site (televisionwithoutpity.com) where you can talk about Deadwood to your heart's content. It is not censored for cursing, so there is plenty of Deadwood-type, but good natured, language amongst the posters. When you get to the site, go to Dramas, then find Deadwood in the list. You can read without registering, but you'll have to register, which may take a few days, to post.

[radiohead]

The only word of english WU know is c#$%s@#$&%. I was ROFLMAO.

I have On Demand and played this show for my Norwegian friend. Her English is better than Wu's, but she had her work cut out for her trying to understand Al and Wu.

She did understand the c#$%s@#$&%, however, and was just hysterical w/laughter. She kept asking, "Is this on TV? Is this a TV show? Are you sure this is TV?" : )