Deadwood "” Season 2

The second season of Deadwood picks up right where the first season left off, with the township of Deadwood edging closer and closer to being made a town, subject to the American government and it's imposition of taxation, order and lawfulness. In a camp that is essentially run by pimps and swindlers, this is an understandably unsavory prospective future.

Seth Bullock, the Sheriff, Al Swerengen, the owner of the Gem Saloon and Brothel and his competitor Cy Tolliver, all struggle to keep their businesses afloat and to adjust to life in the camp after prospectors sent by Hearst, an unseen millionaire and descendent of William Randolph Hearst breeze into town and start panning for a piece of the gold fortune Deadwood's hills have to offer.

Meanwhile, Cy's former partner, Joanie Stubbs, attempts to open her own brothel, taking in a new partner whose connections with Hearst's right hand man lead to the season's juiciest conflicts and harrowing shocks. Alma Garrett, the rich widow of a prospector, remains in camp, pregnant by Sheriff Bullock, whose wife and son have just arrived.

Admittedly, while the show does well in bringing out the humanity in this motley bunch of cowpokes, it demands much of the audience. The profanity, spewed in iambic pentameter, is revelatory and the plot twists and cutthroat ethics of the camp's citizens make for the best viewing in television. However, if you're thinking of taking up Deadwood, don't dare start here. Join Netflix, rent the first season and burn through that first.

The 7 disc box set, which I happily ran through over a course of two days off from work, features commentaries by the shows stars and creators, as well as the requisite featurettes detailing the making of the show and the historical background info regarding the camp the series is based on.

Overall Grade: A-