Deadwood

[anotheranon]

Anyone else watching this? If so, opinions?

For those who aren't - it's another of HBO's "historical" miniseries (or is it a series?) that I've been watching 1) out of curiosity and 2) Kristen Bell ("Veronica Mars") had a guest role in an episode. At first I didn't like it (even my debauched, leathery ears cringed at the language; I think within the first episode everyone calls everyone else a c*cks*cker at least once), but it's kind of growing on me due to the evolving plot (I'm on about episode 10 of season 1).

This post (NSFW due to all the coarse language) by someone I guess is a fan alleges that while it takes liberties, the story IS based on a spectacular 19th century gold strike.

I doubt it will affect how entertained I am, but out of curiosity I'm asking the same question of it that I did of "Rome" - just how right are they getting it?

Notable that some of the linkage at the links above is from a Firefly fan site; I guess some fans are aching for another western to sink their teeth into.

Comments

[jlsjlsjls.livejournal.com]

Haven't seen the series, but I can say that the language you describe is very inaccurate for the period. Sure, people swore, and quite a bit, but not with a late 20th/early 21st century vocabulary. :p

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

Do you have any sources for historically correct obscenity for this period?

[dustdaughter.livejournal.com]

Weird. Last week, I rented a couple dvds from the first season. I've only gotten through the first episode and I found that to be a test of endurance. It's hard to watch people being so openly cruel to each other, not to mention the lack of hygiene. Swearinger is so cold, selfish and abusive. Maybe the character is given more complexity in later episodes.

Off-topic: I've also been enjoying the 2005 Night Stalker dvds, days prior to finding out that Sci-Fi Channel will start airing the show!

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

Swearengen becomes more interesting to watch, if only contrasted against Cy Tolliver (who doesn't show up until a few episodes in). He's the playful, verbose evil compared to Tolliver's truly cold blooded evil.

FWIW, there ARE some good characters to relieve the never ending a$$holery of the villians - Bullock and Star are good guys, so is Alma Garrett. Trixie wants to be good, but has troubles. Even the doctor means well.

The lack of hygiene? Well, it was the 19th century frontier...

Tangential: Wikipedia has a thorough entry on Deadwood the show linked to Deadwood the reality (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deadwood_%28TV_series%29).

Re: Night Stalker - I watched that one when it first aired and really wish it had been given more of a chance. How many episodes did it get - 6 or so?

[dustdaughter.livejournal.com]

Re: Night Stalker 2005 - Yeah I think they aired that many eps before cancellation and there are four extra eps on the dvd set. I think Sci Fi Channel will eventually show all ten eps. Judging from what I've seen, I'm sorry I missed it when it first ran. It reminded me very fondly of The X Files - before it jumped the shark.

Sorta Off-Topic: Stuart Townsend has charisma to burn; he and Peta Wilson were the best things about LXG (League of Extraordinary Gentlemen).

Re: hygiene

[dustdaughter.livejournal.com]

The lack of hygiene? Well, it was the 19th century frontier...

Yeah, I understand that, they just look so realistically grimy that I feel dirty after watching them! ;)

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

I sorta remember LXG - I say "sorta" because I read the graphic novel and it made more of an impression on me than the movie (and with Sean Connery and the source material, I really *wanted* to like the movie).

Peta Wilson was wonderfully elegant. Stuard Townshend... is ok I guess. Something about him just doesn't light my fire.