Deadwood: Season Two (2005)

Deadwood: Season Two (2005)

12 episodes, approx 45-55 minutes each.

With characters and motivations already well-established in the first season, all that was really needed to keep fans happy was to further increase the levels of antagonism and the uneasy alliances between disparate parties. A new arc picking up on something that loomed at the end of S1 gave the writers the foundation they needed to do so.

In theory it works perfectly. However, partway through there's a slow but obvious slide into the dirtiest of words: 'soap' and 'opera.' A large portion of the middle of the second season feels like a soap opera with small stories of residents that aren't as crucial to the drama as they’d like to be. They’re shuffled around so as not to interfere too much but still be sympathetic to the larger issue of annexation that threatens to tear the camp from the grip of saloon owner Al Swearengen (Ian McShane).

Speaking of Al, he has a subplot with Doc Cochran (Brad Douriff) that had me in awe of their acting skills. It also had me cringing; not because it was bad but because it was so very good and so very believable.

- Left to Right: Doc Cochran (Brad Douriff) with Johnny Burns (Sean Bridgers) -

A few new faces arrive in the town. Some of them set about trying to ingratiate themselves to one or other of the opposing parties; while some even feel it probable that they could position themselves above the established order, creating new avenues of conflict and/or compromise.

Despite the middle section having some filler, the remainder retains the same level of quality writing that the previous season showcased. When it gets back on track it again excels in every way. The wonderful 1870s vernacular is used to even more comedic effect, often at the expense of E. B. Farnum (William Sanderson), the weaselly owner of The Grand Central Hotel.

- E. B. Farnum (William Sanderson), self-serving all day, every day -