S02.E01: A Lie Agreed Upon (Part 1)

[formerlyfreedom]

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Swearengen and Bullock have a violent confrontation; Bullock and Utter discover that mistaken identity led to a fatal shooting at Nuttall's.

[nyxy]

woooohooooooo thanks for starting the Season 2 threads, saoirse.

So many joys in this episode. One of them for me was the brand new characters, William and Martha. I think Josh Eriksson, who played William, was a gifted, gifted actor. And I really loved William. He was such a sweet, observant, emotionally healthy and joyful child. He saw much that was so disturbing- and that might have freaked out a child less sure of his place in the world. His first sight of his uncle/new dad must have been chilling with Al just about to draw that knife on Seth. But he recovers and then zooms in on the issue of the badge and gun- which probably would mean a lot to a young kid as outward symbols of respect from the community to Seth. So he worries a little about the badge and gun-  like a child would. I was happy to see Seth understand their importance to William and then assure him he, Seth, would get them back.

And he's lived with the loss of his father, and then with the absence of his surrogate father for another year. William sees disturbing things and doesn't really let them get him down. He's  curious and intrigued by everything around him.

In this episode and the ones to follow I credit a lot of his emotional healthiness and his sweetness to his mother. She's brought him pretty much on her own. So I fell in love with both. They represented so much hope in the middle of the darkness.
She was hoping he could have a real father too. Too bad Seth turned out to be so unreliable on that front- at least  initially. I still can't get over the fact that he left the choice to Alma on whether he would stay with William and Martha or not. So much irresponsibility from such a very very responsible man. What would have happened if Alma had chosen to leave with him? How would William have felt? - And Martha of course! I was seething at Seth throughout this episode.

.And William was such a sweetheart to his mother. I loved the way he tried to get Seth to show Martha the minimum courtesy of welcoming her to the house. When Seth wouldn't budge (jerkwad asshole) then William unresentfully offers his mom his arm and says something along the lines of he will take his mother inside. A little boy instinctively making sure his mother is respected.

He's a sweet and lovely boy. I don't know how much of it is the writing and how much of it is Josh Eriksson- I think both are superb.

Edited July 14, 2016 by nyxy

[formerlyfreedom]

This episode was just inducted into the Canon, and it was such a delight listening to Dave, Tara, Joe, Al, and Sarah (yes, even Sarah, who doesn't like the show!) discuss an episode that I had just recently watched.

I really enjoyed the fight, and watching Clench and Swedgin beating the crap out of each other. And Cy; "Awful possibility in these matters is both men sustaining mortal injury...But I'm rarely that fucking lucky." I just want Joanie to get far away from Cy. He's so so creeping me out...

BTW, @nyxy - feel free to start episode threads if you reach a point that they aren't made. I know a number of us are ahead of this point in our watching, but we don't want to throw up ALL the episodes and make the slower watchers feel bad - not everyone has the luxury that I do of blocking off entire weekends to watch eight-twelve episodes of a show!

[nyxy]

Thanks, saoirse;will do. And that's such a thoughtful reason for waiting to start the episode threads.

What is the Canon? And were you referencing a podcast in which cast and crew speak on specific episodes? That would be so great.

I agree about the fight. I usually ff through those types of scenes but this one was so wonderful I rewound a bunch of times and couldn't look away. My heart sank to my toes when Al drew the knife.

Cy would probably creep me out too, but his very presence annoys me so much I always just tune him out. I think he's superfluous as a character- so in a weird way I refuse to acknowledge he exists. My mind wanders when he starts speaking.  

I hear you on the luxury of time. I have been so gluttonous with this show. I took two 12-hour weekends and many weekdays (I'm on vacation but still). And I also "flipped" through the later episodes. So I'm interested in any episode thread that goes up. 

[formerlyfreedom]

36 minutes ago, nyxy said:

What is the Canon? And were you referencing a podcast in which cast and crew speak on specific episodes? That would be so great.

Yes, the Canon is on the Extra Hot Great podcast - dropped the links there for you to take a look at, the first is the link of all the show episodes in the Canon, and the second is the link to this week's podcast where it's inducted. Enjoy!

[nyxy]

Wow! Thank you so much!!!!

[purist]

'Welcome to fucken Deadwood! It can be combative.' Huzzah!

Wow, so many angry men in this episode. Seth took his anger out on Al (and the 'Soap with a prize!' guy and the hoopleheads at number 10), Cy took his out on Joanie and his whores, and Al took his out on everyone. Al was pretty hilarious in his anger; Seth was as clenched as I've ever seen him; and Cy was mean and hateful.

I had forgotten that Sarah Paulson was in Deadwood as Miss Isringhausen, Sophia's governess. And while I know many people are familiar with Alice Krige (Joanie's friend Maddie) as the Borg Queen, I always remember her as the Gilbert & Sullivan soprano in the movie Chariots of Fire. First impressions of Maddie are favourable - she's a cool customer who is not intimidated by Cy's anger or rudeness.

I laughed at the scene in the hotel where Seth and Alma are having loud sex upstairs while everyone downstairs studiously ignores the noise. They all know what's going on but are too polite to acknowledge it. Over the road on the Gem balcony, Al of course hilariously calls it as he sees it: 'He don't know if he's breathing, or taking it in through the gills. He is that.fucking.cuntstruck. They're afloat, in some fairy fucken bubble, lighter'n air. Him, her snatch, and his stupid fucken badge ... Look at him, striding out like some randy maniac bishop. Sheriff! About his duties to the camp. Lucky trouble didn't jump out earlier, Bullock. Might've found you mid-thrust in other business.'

I was impressed that they showed in the post-coital scene that Alma had hairy armpits. That's a mistake many period dramas make - she wouldn't have been hairless in that era. Well done, show. On the other hand, Alma's stunning red dress was slightly less than subtle. She's the scarlet woman - we get it, show.

Ellsworth remains the best - poking his tongue out at Sophia, escorting Alma to the hardware store so she can check on Seth's condition after the fight, being perfect with William, and acknowledging to Alma that he knows all about the affair but doesn't judge her for it.

So many moments of hilarity for me in this episode: Al's dead-on impression of EB, Dan's ongoing suspicion of Adams and his belief that murdering a few shit-heels is the solution to every problem, and best of all, Jane's one brief scene as the stagecoach passes by. C**********!

[nyxy]

I liked the hairy armpit touch too...though I have seen complaints about it in various web forums. It looks cool. Whoever invented bald pits has a lot to answer for imo.

I frigging loved this episode and the one after it. I can't watch for the next 2 weeks or so so I haven't been posting much, but I am enjoying reading your posts and remebering. And am consoling myself with Al Lowe's wonderful recaps.

But this episode I remember very vividly, having watched it onceor twice or twenty times. 

So I'm generally appreciative of Al Swearengen, though not quite as much as other viewers, but my love for him shot up this episode. His monlogues were priceless and since I share his annoyance with those two asses for their affair, it was great to hear his grumblings. When he realized that none of this was a joking matter to Bullock (well to be fair very little is, but this especially) poor Al tried to back off but of course Seth was never going to pass up a chance to do his outraged KISA thing. So fisticuffs had to ensue. 

It was truly one of the best, amazingly choreographed fights I've seen. I followed it blow by blow (though ususally I skip them). High energy and mesmerizing. And in retrospect it was fantastic to start the season with this particular showdown. Seth and Al make the most terrific frenemies. It's one of the best pairings on the show. Each brings out interesting sides in the other imo.

I can't say the same for Alma and Seth. I think each turns into a prize jackass around the other. She becomes ms nasty mcnasty around others, esp other women whom she's in a position to bully somewhat (eg, Trixie in an earlier scene- though Trixie soon put her to rights)' and Miss Isringhausen in this episode. I love Miss I.

I just realized Seth and Alma have a few things in common. First they are the purdiest people in town. Second, they become irate and absurdly defensive when called out on their bad behavior. Eg. Alma with the doc a while back (she's sooooo mad at him for telling her she shouldn't waste his time, which is needed by many others by malingering to get her laudanum...she never forgives him even after quitting). And of course Seth in getting apoplectic when Al jibes at him with the truth. The two lovers have taken not even the simplest precaution to hide things....so why should Bullock get so upset with Al. The first time Al mentioned it, he didn't even mention her iirc....just asked seth to think of the town "mid-thrust". He wasn't letting out some big secret for Serh to get his panties in  twist. But never mind. Seth sees red and that's it.

I also loved the reasons Al is annoyed....the stupid 

[nyxy]

aaaargh I am trying to edit my post but no joy. I always screw up with ipad.

anyhooos just wanted to finish my point above....that the reason Al wants the Sheriff to stop his obsession is bc Al truly is now thinking in terms of the town. And it's Bullock who is now being self-serving. Neat role reversal.

[nyxy]

Sorry for multiple postings...I keep losing the long ones so thought I'd split them up.

Here are some of the gems from Al Lowe?'s recap: http://www.brilliantbutcancelled.com/show/deadwood/a-lie-agreed-upon-part-i/6/

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Charlie goes on out to try to stop Bullock, who is headed to the Gem... Bullock turns and thanks [Charlie] again, just as the damn "Soap with a Prize Inside" guy comes walking up, hawking his wares. How is this guy not dead yet? From starvation, I mean. Because, I'll say it again: ain't nobody in Deadwood using soap, far as I can tell. And honestly, Bullock is already pissy, so the guy could not have worse timing. Bullock clenches him and reminds him that he was told to keep an interval between himself and legitimate merchants. Soapy: "I keep my interval, Sheriff! It's their growth that's crowdin' me!" God, being Sheriff has got to be hard. If this WERE Cops, Soapy would be one of those guys wearing a dirty undershirt, selling his disabled mother's OxyContin around the trailer park. Bullock still has a clench on his arm, and drags him down the street, counting off the appropriate distance he is to keep between himself and all the upstanding trade going on. You know, the whoremongering and money-changing. All that.

And this one below I woul love even if I disagreed. And I don't, so it's doubly a treat imo.

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Mrs. Garret is in her room, tying up some boxes to put together a welcome basket for none other than the woman whose husband she's been screwing for months, and telling Sophia's tutor that Bullock couldn't have known his wife was coming to the camp. Uh huh. She's wearing a perfectly adulterous shade of red, talking like every Other Woman that has ever lived, going on and on about he would have mentioned it to her, had he known. Because they're in looooove! You don't know! Ugh. This scene makes me hate Mrs. G. The tutor, Miss Isringhausen, tries to make her feel better, saying she's very nice to be offering them welcome and how it's good that Mr. Bullock seems to be all right. Mrs. Garret goes from zero to HAG in 2.5 seconds and snoots the tutor down, bitching that she did not realize Miss Isringhausen was such a medical expert. Hate. The tutor says she's not, and Mrs. G goes snarkily on, saying that "perhaps I'll better learn Mr. Bullock's condition in his presence." Any sympathy I had stored up for Alma Garret has just gone down the drain. She very half-assedly adds that, oh yeah, she'll also learn about Sol and Charlie's conditions, too. Sophia, looking for all the world like she just strolled out of Stepford, gives Mrs. G some candy to take to the new little boy in town. Sweet.

I think it's Alma who chooses the red dress dramatically to proclaim her scarlet sinner personae. What's the point of doing so anyway? Does she really want to humiliate a perfect stranger who has done her no harm on a very stressful day a few minutes after her arrival? And of course when Ellsworth tries to remonstrate ( gently) with her, she snubs him. 

Oh, I loved that moment with Jane too....I remember being so happy that she was back for the season. Didn't she leave town at the end of season 1? I thunk she is a terrific addition in season 2.

Finally, just wanted to say there's one running comic strategy that this show does brilliantly. There's usually one character in the middle of a dramatic/ hideously tense/ downright terrifying scene who has no clue what's going on and also has no clue as to his/ her own cluelessness. So that person carries on totally obliviously of the real mood. It's Merrick who provides that angle for this episode when he blathers on and on to Martha about wanting her story for his paper. Meanwile almost everyone else is in a frozen panic. Just tickles me how Deadwood handles these scenes.

[honeywest]

"Randy maniac bishop." Brilliant.

[purist]

11 hours ago, nyxy said:

Seth was never going to pass up a chance to do his outraged KISA thing. So fisticuffs had to ensue.

What does KISA stand for?

Great posts, nyxy. It's such a joy to be watching this show again and talking about it with everyone here.

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Didn't she leave town at the end of season 1? I thunk she is a terrific addition in season 2.

Jane rode out of town in episode 9 of season 1, with that great line: 'I will not be a drunk where he's buried, and I cannot stay fucken sober.' So glad she's back. Aside from Al, she might be my favourite character on the show.

Edited July 26, 2016 by purist

[Haleth]

First time viewer, catching up to you all.  I watched season 1 last week and started season 2 last night.  I'm still not sure how much I like the show, it's uncomfortable on many levels, but I keep thinking about it and coming back.  The dialog, the acting... superb.  And McShane is brilliant.  I've been used to seeing him as the bad guy, but his character/performance here is so nuanced, like nothing I've seen.  That tiny flicker of humanity that appears on occasion, whether he's whispering a compassionate goodbye to the reverend, or the subtle softening of his face when he sees Jewel dancing with the Doc, there's more to that blustering, murderous, self serving bastard than villainy.  So good.

Love too all the familiar faces that keep popping into Deadwood.  Excellent casting.

On 7/25/2016 at 6:06 AM, purist said:

I laughed at the scene in the hotel where Seth and Alma are having loud sex upstairs while everyone downstairs studiously ignores the noise.

And Sophia's nanny casually brushes plaster from her books.

On 7/25/2016 at 4:30 PM, nyxy said:

just as the damn "Soap with a Prize Inside" guy comes walking up, hawking his wares. How is this guy not dead yet? From starvation, I mean. Because, I'll say it again: ain't nobody in Deadwood using soap, far as I can tell

The filth gives me the willies.

On 7/25/2016 at 4:30 PM, nyxy said:

She's wearing a perfectly adulterous shade of red,

Yeah, not very subtle.  Is it an UPO to like Alma?  I think she and Seth make a good (and very pretty) team.

[nyxy]

Thanks, purist! KISA complex= Knight in Shining Armor complex. I think Seth has a bad case of it.

I love that quote from Jane. It's one of her very best! But I'd forgotten when she said it, so thank you for clearing that up. It did feel like parting words then...esp because I think the historical Jane didn't spend long stints of time in Deadwood. But I'm glad Milch took a licence on that one. And it was so good to seeing her on her horse- and entering the season on just the right note, lol

[nyxy]

3 hours ago, Haleth said:

First time viewer, catching up to you all.  I watched season 1 last week and started season 2 last night.  I'm still not sure how much I like the show, it's uncomfortable on many levels, but I keep thinking about it and coming back.  The dialog, the acting... superb.  And McShane is brilliant.  I've been used to seeing him as the bad guy, but his character/performance here is so nuanced, like nothing I've seen.  That tiny flicker of humanity that appears on occasion, whether he's whispering a compassionate goodbye to the reverend, or the subtle softening of his face when he sees Jewel dancing with the Doc, there's more to that blustering, murderous, self serving bastard than villainy.  So good.

 

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 Is it an UPO to like Alma?  I think she and Seth make a good (and very pretty) team.

Haleth, welcome! Looking forward to getting your take on the show. I haven't been here too long myself, and I am very glad to find have company watching the show! 

That's such a great description of Ian McShane. So you remember him as a villain...that's so interesting.  I saw him in a ton of things years ago but remember only [itals] Lovejoy [\itals] where I think he played a loveable rogue...I liked him then, but the mysteries were thin and predictable if I remember. He has so much more to work with here, of course. He's great, but I like him most when he's fully part of the ensemble. Luckily the rest of the cast is very strong...no one actor ends up stealing scenes, at least for me. If anyone could, though, it would be McShane  so I'm glad this show is so much more than a vehicle for him or anyone else.

I think you nailed what makes him so amazing.

About Alma and Seth..from my search for forums on the show a few weeks ago (which yielded few results btw), I gathered there was division among viewers on the Alma v. Martha question.  Some review mentioned it being a focus in the twop forums among others, and not to everyone's delight.  On the few surviving forums that I found, people seemed very happy with the Alma-Seth pairing, and quite miffed with Martha, so I figured I was in the unpopular opinion camp.  Not sure how representative these sites I flipped through were, however...since so many forums seem to have vanished, eg twop's.

I find both fascinating as characters. I will say I feel that about almost every character now, watching the episodes a second time, but their choices are especially interesting to discuss imo.

Sorry in advance for typos...I can't seem to edit on my ipad.

[Mindthinkr]

I literally cheered at loud at hearing Jane wake up from her stupor long enough to say "C**********". I too was afraid that she had left as I don't recall her in last seasons finale and also remembered the comment about being drunk in Bills presence. 

Congratulations to Mr Utter who is now a deputy...and paid for it with a swipe from a bullet. 

Loved Trixies devotion to Sol and am wondering if Al just gave up on her because of her love for him. Both he and Cy have now lost their longest and dearest girls to other men (although Trixie and Jane do remain in their employ to certain degrees). 

I got what the soap man meant. The street looked smaller and fuller to me as well. It might just be the difference from having tents vs real buildings now. Also more people and horse traffic. 

At least Seth spared no expense and built the best house that he could for his brothers wife. I liked that he left some details to her so that it would be to her taste. Considerate. 

Interesting that Al was not happy about the poles and the faster way that 'bad' news could travel. 

Stupid me did not get the connection about the scarlet dress until I read it up thread. Good catch. I find the wardrobe very interesting and rich in details. 

Edited December 26, 2017 by Mindthinkr
I was so tired I didn't proofread last night .