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S02.E10: Advances, None Miraculous


purist

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When Doc delivers a dire prognosis, one family suffers and the entire camp stands vigil. Merrick gives some private information to Swearengen, who enlists Star and Adams to help con the newly returned Commissioner Jarry. Andy, a former Deadwood pariah, offers himself as the camp's new minister. Trixie pressures a distraught Alma to accept a beneficial proposal.

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There were a lot of bad-tempered people in this episode: Trixie, Sol, Dan, stupid drunk Steve. I guess that's how some of us deal with grief. Cy was also in a bad mood, but that's nothing new for him. He seems to have become even more vile now that he's been outmanoeuvred by Al with regard to Dakota/Montana/Hearst and who will gain ultimate control of Deadwood.

Speaking of which, the scene where Al completely snowed Commissioner Jarry about the 'offer' he'd 'received' from Montana was a thing of beauty, helped along by Silas's perfect act of playing along. Silas's 'What was that about?' after Jarry left was great, as was Al's triumphant grin. I also enjoyed Wolcott saying wryly, after Jarry had been venal again at the Bella Union: 'I am a sinner who does not expect forgiveness, but [at least] I'm not a government official.'

I guess Doc chose to deal with his own grief about William by tending to Mose Manuel ('operatin' on a whale'), even though I'm sure he found it bitterly unfair that Mose should live and William should die - illustrated by his statement: 'I doubt he's omniscient. I know he's myopic.' I had to listen carefully to pick that up, and I assume Doc was talking about God.

I enjoyed the return of Andy Cramed, once an inveterate gambler, now a minister offering his services to the bereaved Bullocks. And I really enjoyed seeing Jane finally sober near the end of the episode.

Richardson praying to 'the god of antlers and hooves' (thanks, EB) to bless William's 'journey' was sweet, as was all the characters standing vigil while William was dying: Merrick and Blazanov, Sol, Al, Trixie and Jewel, Alma and Ellsworth, Johnny, Dan, Silas and even EB. And Wu kindly offering tea to Jewel, even though she couldn't grip the cup.

Those last words from Seth and Martha to William were heart-rending, and the music over the credits ('Calling All Angels' by Jane Siberry with k.d. lang) could not have been more perfect.

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Heart wrenching.  I was shocked the writers killed off a child (unless it's what happened IRL).  The event brought out the kindness of so many of these rough characters, no one could be unmoved by the death of a sweet child.  But it made me doubt Martha would stay in Deadwood.  How could she walk that street every day and be reminded constantly of the accident?  Horrible.

I initially didn't connect Andy the repentant to Andy the small pox victim, until (I think) it was Jane who said something.  I could really do with a second, closer watch of the series to clear up a lot of things that were confusing.

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On 8/21/2016 at 4:36 AM, purist said:

Those last words from Seth and Martha to William were heart-rending, and the music over the credits ('Calling All Angels' by Jane Siberry with k.d. lang) could not have been more perfect.

Thank you for posting that. I was wondering who sang it as I vaguely remember hearing it before. It was so poignant. 

That was a very moving episode. 

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