Talk:List of Deadwood characters/Archive 1

Swearengen and The Chief

Mention is made at Characters_of_Deadwood#Al_Swearengen of "lengthy conversations with a cardboard box purportedly containing the severed head of an Indian, going so far as to take the box out onto the balcony to watch the spectacle of a bicycle negotiating Deadwood's street. He is fully aware of the eccentricity this represents, wryly ascribing it to advancing age."

Didn't Shakespeare have some of his protagonists deliver soliloquies to a disembodied head? Given that much of the dialog in the show, particularly Swearengen's, has such a Shakespearean ring to it, and that this attribute of the show has been much commented-upon, I wonder if someone (perhaps McShane himself) might have deliberately decided to have Swearengen deliver his soliloquies to a disembodied head in imitation of this device. (Aside from the more show-oriented reason that, with Trixie's departure, no one remains at the Gem with both the intelligence and intimacy with Al required of such an audience.)

Just a thought ... --Davecampbell 01:18, 21 April 2006 (UTC)

There's a strong possibility. More may be revealed in the DVD commentaries for Season 2, one hopes. Qjuad 15:12, 21 April 2006 (UTC)

He's since taken more to soliloquizing mid-blowjob. I actually find this rather facinating, there is a subtle complexity to the relationship that Al and the whore he frequents in Season 3. While she is "with" him, though he is really just thinking aloud to himself, he ends up revealing to her his deepest thoughts about the most complex situations. I wonder if she pays any attention.

Al's ruthlessness

Swearengen is cunning, manipulative and perhaps the most cynically amoral of all the characters, showing no hesitation in resorting to violence and murder when it is to his advantage; this is highlighted in the first season by his willingness to have a child murdered. He has been able to establish himself as the undisputed kingpin of the camp until the arrival of equally ruthless businessman Cy Tolliver

Hasn't the show made it clear that Al can't help his own sense of compassion? his own sense of civilization? Yes, he is ruthless and, yes, he will kill when necessary, but he doesn't take it to the extent that Cy does. Compare and contrast the trial of Jack McCall, with all of its disorderliness, and the trial of Flora and Miles Anderson (in the very next episode), where Cy screams, "Miles! You’re found fuckin’ guilty of bein’ a cunt. I’m hereby passin’ judgment for you lettin’ this little bitch push you around and tellin’ you what to do!" Compare also how Al treats the dying Rev. Smith and Cy how treats the dying Andy: Al uses his ability to kill to ease Smith's suffering, while Cy orders it that Andy die as a consequence of suffering. In season three, note how Al still doesn't understand his compassionate side (he claims that he "sit[s] mystified that [he] was moved to endorse" the printing of a letter rather than the application of violence, while Cy has alligned himself with the absolutely most ruthless character the arrive in camp, Geo. Hearst. The hierarchy of ruthlessness in the show goes something like: Hearst, Toliver, Swearengen, I think.

--DougEskew 16:01, 7 August 2006 (UTC)DougEskew

Al's attitude toward Smith was more because he'd had a brother who suffered the same thing. I doubt he would have cared much otherwise. Al's probably just as ruthless as any of the others. He'll kill or order a death if needed, but he doesn't seem to do it for pleasure, which seems to be the case for Tolliver. Hearst is a bit more like Al, except with an eye on a much bigger picture. 67.71.143.254 19:18, 23 October 2006 (UTC)

Good points - the entire article needs redoing post Season 3. Qjuad 17:28, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

I've kind of noticed how Al changed from a ruthless cocksucker who would kill a little girl who couldn't speak English to save his own ass, to a coarse yet compassionate character who is not so obsessed with the conglomeration and protection of his own power as he used to be. Because of this, he is a bit confused by the megalomaniac Hearst's ruthlessness, but at least Hearst has a wee bit of remorse when he has his maid's son killed, as evidenced by the fact that he can't even look her in the eye when he tells her of the death. Cy, on the other hand, is just an opportunist with no bells or whistles attached, unlike the early Swearengen and the power-obsessed Hearst. Just a cocksucker, plain and simple. (Steampowered 10:04, 19 August 2006 (UTC)).

Note also Al's anger at Trixie when she talks about returning to work at the Gem. His motives for sending her off to be with Sol Star appear not just to have her spy on Star and Bullock, but perhaps even more, to protect her from Al himself, and the life at the Gem. He's ruthless to the core - that is, he has no compunction about taking whatever action a given situation calls for, including murder of innocents. But he also sees beyond himself, to the future of Deadwood as a community and his part in it, and the disparate interests of others and how to work with them; in contrast to Toliver, who seems to hate everybody, and to Hearst, who holds all in contempt. Were I a resident of Deadwood, Al's the one I'd ally myself with - making sure to watch my back. Too bad the show's over (aside from the promised 4-hour coda); some of the best writing I've seen in any medium. --Davecampbell 19:52, 1 September 2006 (UTC)

Steve the drunk

Shouldn't he at least be mentioned, since he's been in every episode of season 3?199.207.253.101 20:30, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

Johnny Burns

There should be some mention of his somewhat increased mental capacity in recent episodes, as he no longer seems to be the dimmest of Al's henchmen.199.207.253.101 20:30, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

Richardson, More than Meets the Eye??

I am glad that someone else seems to notice that there may be more to Richardson than what is on the surface. Notice that he enquires as to how the meeting went, and then chuckles when E.B. leaves the room? I think that he is just playing dumb in order to be left alone, or that he has a larger plan.

It seems clear that Richardson is genuinely "slow". But he might indeed recognize the value of his defect and allow others to underestimate him. His friendship with "Aunt Lou" contrasted with Farnum's overt racism is also notable. "Stupid is as stupid does." --Davecampbell 19:57, 1 September 2006 (UTC)

Seth's Brother

I thought he was a soldier and was killed in action, rather than murdered which is a different thing. 67.71.143.254

Absolutely. In Season 1, Episode 9, Seth says, "My brother was in the Calvary. He was killed two years ago." In Episode 12, he says, "my brother Robert was a Cavalryman, killed fighting the comancheros in Texas." Xous 15:35, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

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Historical Notes in Fictional Biographies

I wonder if there is any place for notes on the actual historical figures in the fictional biographies of the characters on this television show. I specifically noticed them in the section on Trixie and the section on Martha Bullock. It seems superfluous to mention the differences between the actual character and their Deadwood portrayal on just these couple characters when there are vast differences in time, place, character, actions, etc. with all the characters. Xous 15:43, 27 June 2007 (UTC)