Deadwood: "Amateur Night" OAD: week of 8/6/06 *spoilers*

[terpfan1980]

Another week stringing us along to whatever big thing that will or won't happen happens (or doesn't).

It looks like the Earps will be on the way outta town though, and at least one of the Pinkerton crowd got nailed (by Morgan Earp).

Poor Aunt Lu. :(

On the other hand, Johnny figuring out Wu's pictorial story was pretty good (even if it lead to Johnny getting smacked by Al for it).

Oh, should also not forget to say it also looks like N.G. is on the way outta town for sure. Nice that he slapped down the money for Steve to buy everyone a few rounds and left more money for 'them that wipes his....'

[Rob Helmerichs]

Never quite pictured Al as the Gilbert & Sullivan type, but then again, that would explain his connection with Langrishe!

And Steve is certainly a lot easier to take lately...hell, used to be you couldn't take him anywhere. Now, all you need is a wheelbarrow. :D

[terpfan1980]

And Steve is certainly a lot easier to take lately...hell, used to be you couldn't take him anywhere. Now, all you need is a wheelbarrow. :D

That ^^ is a great line. You should be writing this stuff down :D Oh, wait, you did :up:

(Seriously, the HBO guys should get you to write a sitcom... it'd have to be better than Lucky Louie :p )

[DLL66]

Deadwood sure likes to drop the F-Bomb every other F'n word!!!

[drew2k]

Deadwood sure likes to drop the F-Bomb every other F'n word!!!Don't be a c*cks*ck*r - that's how it's supposed to be!

Another great episode. I thought it was great how the tension built during the children's parade towards the new school. I was waiting for the Pinkertons to cause some havoc in the thoroughfare and was surprised but glad when it didn't happen.

[Rob Helmerichs]

Another great episode. I thought it was great how the tension built during the children's parade towards the new school. I was waiting for the Pinkertons to cause some havoc in the thoroughfare and was surprised but glad when it didn't happen.
Yeah, I think what that scene did beautifully was demonstrate howmuch tension they've built up over the course of the season. If that's how nervous we are when nothing happens, imagine what will happen when all hell breaks loose!

[jradosh]

Can someone translate Wu's drawings for me? I have to confess, even with Johnny's interpretation, I was lost. :confused:

I was really hoping that there was going to be a fight between Tolliver, Jane, and Mose. That could have been interesting. What was Cy's point in confronting Joanie?

Richardson is really coming into his own this season. He reads. He juggles. He salts meat, and he cries with Aunt Lu. What's next? :)

I'd love to see Aunt Lu open a can of whoop-@ss on Hearst, but doubt that'll happen. But it's more likely that she could use her Chinese language skills to aid Al by conversing with Wu (somehow... but doubtful).

How many eps left?

[Rob Helmerichs]

Can someone translate Wu's drawings for me? I have to confess, even with Johnny's interpretation, I was lost. :confused:
Wu has an army standing by in Custer City, a nearby town.

[Jon J]

Imagine how good the program could really be if Milch actually filled an hour rather than the 45-minute episodes recently. ;)

[jradosh]

Wu has an army standing by in Custer City, a nearby town.
Thanks. I thought he was saying something about them being Hearst's men.

Did they say why Wu was so dirty?

[Rob Helmerichs]

Did they say why Wu was so dirty?
We saw Wu getting knocked in the mud by the Pinkos. He was pretty dirty to begin with, but I assumed we just didn't see the beginning of the altercation.

[shysterebel]

Thanks. I thought he was saying something about them being Hearst's men.

Did they say why Wu was so dirty?

I'm positive Wu was dirty because the Pinkertons were racing down the thoroughfare harassing him.

This season is great - I'd rank it with season 1. This season has been tension filled. Unlike Sopranos, I'm confident that most everything we see we'll better understand by the season finale. Seems to be how Milch writes this series - sometimes he leaves you wondering, "What's the point of that?" Then it becomes crystal clear at the end. I have to be honest and say I thought Leviathan Smiles seemed dull - but I think some of the daily action demonstrates the calm before the storm that occurred in these quasi-legal settlements.

[pmyers]

That tension with them walking down the street was amazing!

[thedudeabides]

As always, its the "little" moments that make this show so special:

- Aunt Lou being consoled by Richardson
- Franum's jealousy when he realizes that Richardson is being cheered by the crowd at the Amateur Night
- Bullock rubbing his nose to suppress his anger when he releases the Pinkerton dude from jail
- Dan knowing Al well enough to warn Johnny not to interpret Wu's drawing for Al, and proven correct when Al punches Johnny in the jaw
- Blazanov's guilt over his cowardice for not helping Merrick

And it goes on and on. I'll be very sad when the season is over. Any word on when production starts on the 4-hour finale?

[drew2k]

- Dan knowing Al well enough to warn Johnny not to interpret Wu's drawing for Al, and proven correct when Al punches Johnny in the jaw
Johnny so did not deserve that punch! Al didn't have a clue what Wu was saying.

Instead of a punch, Al should given Johnny some peaches. (And authorized some cinnamon, too.)

[thedudeabides]

Johnny so did not deserve that punch! Al didn't have a clue what Wu was saying.

Instead of a punch, Al should given Johnny some peaches. (And authorized some cinnamon, too.)

Like Richardson, I think Johnny Burns is starting to come into his own in Deadwood (like when he gave Morgan Earp a hard time about trying to score a freebie).

[heySkippy]

- Ellsworth's first name is Louis. I don't remember him being referred by fist name before.

- I am now certain that there's something going on between Richardson and Aunt Lou. The exchange when he was salting the ham, about him notching where he sleeps and her reply that she'll be looking for the notches and his further reply that she'll see them - they're doing it all right. :)

[midas]

As always, its the "little" moments that make this show so special:



Add to that Charlie Utter punching that Pinkerton guy in the face. Well, it made me laugh.

[heySkippy]

Add to that Charlie Utter punching that Pinkerton guy in the face. Well, it made me laugh.
C'mere.

<punch>

Shut up!

:D

[Bananfish]

You guys just made me literally laugh out loud just reminding about it. Way to go Charlie!

[Bananfish]

- Ellsworth's first name is Louis. I don't remember him being referred by fist name before.

That wasn't Ellsworth that was called Louis (by Alma) - that was the guard at the bank. Ellsworth's first name is still up in the air.

[chs4]

That wasn't Ellsworth that was called Louis (by Alma) - that was the guard at the bank. Ellsworth's first name is still up in the air.
According to Wikipedia, it's Whitney Conway Ellsworth (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Characters_of_Deadwood#Ellsworth)

[Anubys]

According to Wikipedia, it's Whitney Conway Ellsworth (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Characters_of_Deadwood#Ellsworth)

/giggle

his first name is whitney

/end giggle

any idea how many pinkertons there are? I counted 8-9 on the horses when they rode into town...

[jradosh]

any idea how many pinkertons there are? I counted 8-9 on the horses when they rode into town...
In the previous episode the telegram had mentioned "25 bricks". So presumably there are 25 of the Pinkertons in town.

[TAsunder]

Man, I've got to learn bullock's ear move.

[pmyers]

Can somebody remind me of what a "Pinkerton" is again? I thought at first they were "lawmen" but I'm thinking they are more like "Hired Private Security"....gesh....how many "s can I use? ;)

[chs4]

Can somebody remind me of what a "Pinkerton" is again? I thought at first they were "lawmen" but I'm thinking they are more like "Hired Private Security"....gesh....how many "s can I use? ;)
Wikipedia to the rescue once again: Pinkerton National Detective Agency (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinkertons)

[mwhip]

Clear something up. Does Hearst know about Wu's men? Or does Hearst have his own army coming in?

[Anubys]

Clear something up. Does Hearst know about Wu's men? Or does Hearst have his own army coming in?

I think the answer to both questions is "probably no"...

they have given us no indication that he knows...and all indications are that he thinks the pinkertons are enough to do what he wants...

[jradosh]

Wikipedia to the rescue once again: Pinkerton National Detective Agency (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinkertons)
Slightly off topic...

a great movie featuring the Pinkertons is Matewan (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093509/)

[mwhip]

I found it on HBO's site:

Jarry briefs Hearst on the number of soldiers bivouacked near Sturgis, and others in the hills, in case they are needed, to back Hearst's preferred candidates for office. Jarry says Governor Pennington requires a note confirming they spoke, which Hearst reluctantly agrees to.

[Anubys]

I found it on HBO's site:

well, that's 250-300 soldiers to come down and vote in the election...burning down the town is an entirely different matter...

although coming over to help a "riot by Chinese people" might fit the bill for the governor to intervene on Hearst's behalf...

[pmyers]

Wikipedia to the rescue once again: Pinkerton National Detective Agency (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinkertons)


very cool information (no spoilers there either)

[spciesla]

Do we know how O'Dell died? Should we suspect Hearst?

[Anubys]

Do we know how O'Dell died? Should we suspect Hearst?

aunt Lou certainly suspects Hearst...I'm curious to know myself, but they have not told us what happened...

[dmdeane]

Wu has an army standing by in Custer City, a nearby town.
That seems rather odd; they can't be for fighting the Pinkertons since any inter-racial violence is going to end up in an anti-Chinese pogrom, which is the last thing Wu or Al would want. More likely they aren't there for fighting; or anyway it's hard to tell. You think after all this time, Al would have gotten an English-Chinese translator so he could communicate better with Wu.

Also I don't see any comments about the observation Al & Co. made about Hearst's political affiliations: they call him a Copperhead. Here's a wiki on the Copperheads:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copperheads_%28politics%29

Generally a Copperhead would vehemently loath the Pinkertons, seeing them as the tool of repression and Eastern financial interests and Eastern political elites; post-Civil War Copperhead sympathizers would generally be ethnic groups in the big cities (Irish especially), poor rural whites, small farmers, advocates of limited government, states rights, and a pre-Civil War interpretation of the US Constitution, etc.

But as Al observes, self-interest trumps political convictions, especially in Hearst's case.

[dmdeane]

aunt Lou certainly suspects Hearst...I'm curious to know myself, but they have not told us what happened...There's certainly a strong suggestion that O'Dell is trying to pull a con-job on Hearst, and that Hearst knows it and might be sending him away to allow him to be quietly killed without Aunt Lou being able to know for certain if Hearst ordered it or not. She certainly seems to think Hearst is capable of doing this, so she obviously knows a lot of unpleasant things about Hearst's track record that we don't know about.

[drew2k]

That seems rather odd; they can't be for fighting the Pinkertons since any inter-racial violence is going to end up in an anti-Chinese pogrom, which is the last thing Wu or Al would want. More likely they aren't there for fighting; or anyway it's hard to tell. You think after all this time, Al would have gotten an English-Chinese translator so he could communicate better with Wu. I wonder if Wu's men will be used to influence the upcoming election results - to ensure Al's choices are voted into office? The only reason I even thought of this is because "Yankton" told Hearst he had enough soldiers at the ready to vote according to Hearst's wishes, so maybe Al will use Wu's men the same way? (That is, if the "celestials" are even allowed to vote.)

[dmdeane]

I wonder if Wu's men will be used to influence the upcoming election results - to ensure Al's choices are voted into office? The only reason I even thought of this is because "Yankton" told Hearst he had enough soldiers at the ready to vote according to Hearst's wishes, so maybe Al will use Wu's men the same way? (That is, if the "celestials" are even allowed to vote.)
No, they would not have been allowed to vote. Most Americans at the time did not accept the idea of them even being in the country; as for allowing them to vote, that would have been even more unacceptable.

My thought perhaps is Wu's men are more for enforcing Wu's control over the Deadwood Chinese community.

[Rob Helmerichs]

My thought perhaps is Wu's men are more for enforcing Wu's control over the Deadwood Chinese community.
Although the fact that Wu is bringing them to Swingen's attention, apparently offering their services to him, suggests that at least Wu thinks they might be of some use in the dispute between Al and Hearst...

[dmdeane]

Although the fact that Wu is bringing them to Swingen's attention, apparently offering their services to him, suggests that at least Wu thinks they might be of some use in the dispute between Al and Hearst...That would be the logical interpretation of that scene, however if strange Chinese men showed up and started fighting with Hearst's men, the reaction of the camp is going to be to side with Hearst's men, at best, or at worse start a race riot and drive all the Chinese out of the camp. Neither result is something Al or Wu would want.

I suspect much is being lost in translation between Wu and Al, but the story so far really doesn't make it clear exactly what is going on. We might learn more soon, or this plotline might just disappear, as has happened in the past with similiar potential plotlines.

[Rob Helmerichs]

I've been unclear on Al's motivations and strategies all season. I can tell he's up to something, but I can't for the life of me tell what. Obviously, he's waiting for something, and moving pieces around the board in preparation for whatever it is. (I recall him suggesting that Bullock messed things up by jailing Hearst; I wonder if we'll find out what his plan was up to that point as opposed to what it was after.) I just hope the payoff is worth all the build-up!

[Anubys]

That would be the logical interpretation of that scene, however if strange Chinese men showed up and started fighting with Hearst's men, the reaction of the camp is going to be to side with Hearst's men, at best, or at worse start a race riot and drive all the Chinese out of the camp. Neither result is something Al or Wu would want.


not necessarily...Hearst's men are going to disrupt the town, shoot at people, beat them up...etc. this will not exactly endear them to the folks living there...

an army of chinese people rescuing them from this might just be welcomed if deployed at the right time...

[mikieminnow]

Maybe Wu is reporting the US Army, not "his" army?

[Charlutz]

I've been unclear on Al's motivations and strategies all season. I can tell he's up to something, but I can't for the life of me tell what. Obviously, he's waiting for something, and moving pieces around the board in preparation for whatever it is. (I recall him suggesting that Bullock messed things up by jailing Hearst; I wonder if we'll find out what his plan was up to that point as opposed to what it was after.) I just hope the payoff is worth all the build-up!

I think at that point Al wanted Hearst to underestimate Al and the rest of the camp. He wanted Hearst to perceive Deadwood as a non threat run by incompetents and not take them seriously. But I don't know if he had a set plan, because he couldn't figure out what Hearst was doing. Al, Dan and Bullock had a much better chance of handling Hearst if they weren't perceived as a threat by Hearst, who has more money and power than they do. If Hearst knew they were a real threat, all of that power would be brought to bear on them and they'd get crushed. That's why he pretended to be beaten when his finger got cut off. That's why he told Bullock to stand down. That's why he kept Dan in check. But he couldn't keep a lid on it. Even when he finally let Dan fight Captain _untface, he did it with a sort of 'I give up, go ahead' attitude. He couldn't figure out what Hearst's plan was, so he tried to force the issue by showing (some of) his hand.

[Bananfish]

I still think Aunt Lou is going to come into play somehow in the dispute between Hearst and the camp. Blazenov showed Al the telegram to Hearst that brought the news of Odell's death - they didn't write that scene in for no reason. I've got a feeling that Aunt Lou is going to be recruited to gather intelligence on Hearst for Al to use.

[darthrsg]

I still think Aunt Lou is going to come into play somehow in the dispute between Hearst and the camp. Blazenov showed Al the telegram to Hearst that brought the news of Odell's death - they didn't write that scene in for no reason. I've got a feeling that Aunt Lou is going to be recruited to gather intelligence on Hearst for Al to use.
True, she is his cook. It would be easy to poison him, or put a rattlesnake in his boots when she polishes them. I am reminded of Celie from The Color Purple, preparing to shave (Albert's)Danny Glover's face...

[Sknzfan]

I think the answer to both questions is "probably no"...

they have given us no indication that he knows...and all indications are that he thinks the pinkertons are enough to do what he wants...


I agree that Hearst dosen't know about WU'S men..
But the Agent talking to Hearst on the Balcony said 250 Men were waiting to be Hired by Hearst if Needed.....I told my Whiff that WU needed to bring his men in Quietly at night and take out Pinkerton's and Hearst.....
Al will be WU'S Best Buddy !
As for BULLOCK he'd LOVE to shoot Hearst himself...Justifiably of Course!
Also, the TENSION on the Street when the Kid's walked down...WOW ! My Whiff turned to me and said " I just KNEW Something was going to Break loose there "....Never did....Great Show...

[Sknzfan]

True, she is his cook. It would be easy to poison him, or put a rattlesnake in his boots when she polishes them. I am reminded of Celie from The Color Purple, preparing to shave (Albert's)Danny Glover's face...


I suggested to my Whiff that Aunt Lou would Stab Hearst.....She is NOT happy with him and is almost Positive that he had something to do with Odell's death.....My Whiff suggested she would just POISON Hearst.....We'll see ! :eek:

[Idearat]

I suggested to my Whiff that Aunt Lou would Stab Hearst.....She is NOT happy with him and is almost Positive that he had something to do with Odell's death.....My Whiff suggested she would just POISON Hearst.....We'll see ! :eek:

Since speculation is not influenced by any of the reality of Deadwood, SD we could speculate that after fighting with the Army brought in to help with the election South Dakota ends up becoming part of Canada.

I can understand not going crazy with facts that deal with minutiae of the real world Deadwood as some think they constitute spoilers, but trying to completely ignoring it here is like wondering if Julius Caesar in Rome was going to die of natural causes. Or maybe they'll remake Titanic and this time the boat will make it to New York.

[Rob Helmerichs]

One huge difference is that most people know the Titanic sank and that Caesar was murdered. Very few people know George Hearst's fate, and not knowing adds to the tension of the show, since for most people, anything can happen.

[srs]

Man, I've got to learn bullock's ear move.

It really only works if you have a gun in your other hand.

[Idearat]

One huge difference is that most people know the Titanic sank and that Caesar was murdered. Very few people know George Hearst's fate, and not knowing adds to the tension of the show, since for most people, anything can happen.

You just spoiled it for the people who haven't seen Titanic or Rome. And for the more than the few of us who have heard of the Hearst family or a modicum of California history at least, seeing wild speculation is humorous, especially when correcting someone makes you a spoiler.

The show isn't ruined if you know a little history.

[Sknzfan]

One huge difference is that most people know the Titanic sank and that Caesar was murdered. Very few people know George Hearst's fate, and not knowing adds to the tension of the show, since for most people, anything can happen.


I think SPECULATION and the Trail the Writer want's to go down are a LOT more fun than History SOMETIMES......I was Surprised to find out DEADWOOD was a REAL Place ....when it first came on I read a lot on the Subject....But since then have let the Writer's and MY Imagination Run ! :p

[dmdeane]

not necessarily...Hearst's men are going to disrupt the town, shoot at people, beat them up...etc. this will not exactly endear them to the folks living there...

an army of chinese people rescuing them from this might just be welcomed if deployed at the right time...Ah, um.....no. Not ever. You should read up on all the anti-Chinese riots that happened in the USA in the 19th century.

If you were writing a typical Hollywood script and did not know the history, you might write the story as you outline above, but IMO the writers of Deadwood are a bit too aware of the history to do that. They have already hinted at the possibility of anti-Chinese riots in the past (for instance Al speculates about it after killing what-was-his-name for killing Wu's opium smugglers).

Besides, the only people who are worrying about Hearst disrupting Deadwood are Deadwood's "elite", ie, Al, Bullock, and a few others. Most of the residents of Deadwood are blissfully unaware of what is going on; if a strange bunch of "Chinamen" suddenly turn up and start killing white men, everyone is going to turn on the Chinese. You forget/underestimate the level of racial feeling at the time. Any considerations of what Hearst might be up to would go straight out the window if it were a case of whites vs. Chinese.

[dmdeane]

Maybe Wu is reporting the US Army, not "his" army?
Ding ding ding ding! By Jove I think you may have it. I'm embarrassed to admit this did not occur to me before. The whole Al/Wu conversations have always been a comedy of errors. He could easily have been trying to tell Al about the US soldiers, and Al simply didn't make the connection. He really needs to hire a translator! Wu would be a much better resource for Al if he could communicate with him clearly.

[Idearat]

Ah, um.....no. Not ever. You should read up on all the anti-Chinese riots that happened in the USA in the 19th century.


Sorry, no "real" history allowed here. We're free to speculate that Wu leads the Chinese takeover of North America

[Bsteenson]

My take on the whole Wu and Al "conversation" was that the Chinese that Wu had were the ones he brought in to sell/lease to Hearst, through Al, to work in the mines because Chinese were cheaper and easier to keep from stealing than the Flemish, not that they were any type of Army or fighting force. Remember Hearst saying he didn't care where the Chinese care from, that he'd buy from whoever was cheaper?

Wu was keeping them out of town because he saw all the Pinkerton men and didn't want them getting hurt before they could be put to work.

Or did I dream that? :confused:

[Anubys]

Wu was keeping them out of town because he saw all the Pinkerton men and didn't want them getting hurt before they could be put to work.

Or did I dream that? :confused:

we don't know Wu's motivation...but if I had to make a list of top 10 reasons, "benevolence" would not make the list ;)