Deadwood (Deadwood episode)
Encyclopedia
"Deadwood" is the first episode of the first season of the eponymous HBO original series, Deadwood
. The episode was written by David Milch
and directed by Walter Hill. It first aired on March 21, 2004.
marshal, watches over inmate Clell Watson, a man sentenced to death for stealing a horse. Lamenting his misfortune, Watson mentions that he, like Bullock, was headed to Deadwood
, a camp on Indian
land in the Dakota Territory
. While Watson seeks to make his fortune prospecting
in the gold-rich
region, Bullock aspires to open a hardware store there with his business partner, Sol Star.
Watson attempts to make a deal with Bullock to secure his release, claiming to know of easy opportunities for thievery along the way to Deadwood, but his pleas are cut short by Star, who arrives informing Bullock that the owner of the stolen horse has gathered together a drunken mob and is descending upon them. Rather than turn Watson over to the angry mob, Bullock takes him out to face them and publicly hangs him on the front porch of the sheriff's office, but not before writing down his last words and giving them, along with his marshal's badge, to a member of the mob who volunteers to convey them to Watson's sister. Star and Bullock then leave for Deadwood on a wagon full of hardware goods.
Upon arrival in Deadwood, Star and Bullock rent a vacant lot from Dan Dority, who tells them that payment is due every morning to Al Swearengen, the proprietor of the Gem Saloon, a local brothel
.
At the Gem, Swearengen converses with Whitney Ellsworth, a local prospector, when a gunshot rings out. Rushing upstairs, he discovers that Trixie, one of the prostitutes, has shot a customer in the head after he became abusive with her. The customer manages to survive for twenty minutes, but dies shortly after the arrival of Doc Cochran. Swearengen ruthlessly beats Trixie in his office, furious at the possible effect of a customer's death on his business and reputation. Meanwhile, Cochran and Johnny Burns deliver the corpse to Mr. Wu, an associate of Swearengen's and leader of the Deadwood Chinese
community, who feeds it to his pigs.
Wild Bill Hickok, a famous gunslinger, arrives in Deadwood, along with his companions Charlie Utter and Calamity Jane. During a delay on the road, Jane encounters a Norwegian family returning home to Minnesota
. One of the Norwegian children, Sofia Metz, smiles at Jane as they pass.
As Jane tends to the stock, Hickok and Utter check into E. B. Farnum's Grand Central Hotel and then visit Tom Nuttall's No. 10 Saloon. Nuttall and A. W. Merrick, editor of the local newspaper The Deadwood Pioneer, are noticeably impressed to meet the famous Hickok, but Jack McCall, a man at one of the poker tables, whispers to his fellow players that he is not impressed. As Hickok sits to play poker at McCall's table, Utter and Nuttall negotiate a fee for Hickok's regular appearance in the saloon.
Farnum reports Hickok's arrival to Swearengen, who is annoyed by the complication of having a famous former lawman in the camp. Dority reports that Brom Garret, a wealthy aspiring prospector from New York City
, has arrived at the Gem. Swearengen dispatches Farnum to collect Tim Driscoll, the owner of a nearby gold claim eyed by Garret. Swearengen then greets Garret and, upon the arrival of a drunk Driscoll, tricks Garret into paying $20,000, instead of $14,000, for Driscoll's claim. As Driscoll is heavily indebted to the Gem, Swearengen pockets the money and later has Dority stab Driscoll to death in Farnum's hotel.
Star and Bullock set up shop in a tent on their lot. At nightfall they hire Reverend Smith, the local pastor, to watch their goods as they explore the camp. Upon leaving their tent, Star and Bullock run into Ned Mason, a disoriented man who claims to have witnessed the massacre of a white family by Sioux
along the road to Spearfish
. Though Mason wishes to visit the Gem, Bullock takes him to Nuttall's saloon, where he forces him to recount the story. Despite Bullock's urging to return to the scene to check for survivors, Mason is reluctant, worried for his own safety. Hickok, who had remained at the saloon at poker, offers to ride with them as protection. As the search party leaves the saloon, Bullock confides to Hickok his suspicions about Mason's story.
News of the departing party reaches Swearengen, who is furious at the potential disruption to his business and resorts to offering free liquor and prostitutes at half price in an effort to keep his customers from joining the search. Upon arrival at the scene, the search party finds a ransacked wagon and the mutilated corpses of the Norwegian family earlier encountered by Jane. After chasing off some wolves, Bullock searches the area and finds Sofia Metz, wounded but alive, lying under a bush nearby.
After dropping Sofia off with Doc Cochran, Bullock and Hickok confront Mason on the camp thoroughfare, stating that there was too much ransacking at the scene to be consistent with an Indian attack and that it was more likely a staged robbery. Mason tries to defend himself, arguing that he never would have returned to camp had he been involved, but Hickok says that he, like Mason, had often felt the need for sex and gambling after a kill. Cornered, Mason attempts to attack but is outdrawn and shot dead by Hickok and Bullock. From his window on the second floor of the Gem, Swearengen watches the events unfold until Trixie enters and, despite the brutal beating earlier, climbs into bed with him.
Deadwood (TV series)
Deadwood is an American Western drama television series created, produced and largely written by David Milch. The series aired on the premium cable network HBO from March 21, 2004, to August 27, 2006, spanning three 12-episode seasons. The show is set in the 1870s in Deadwood, South Dakota, before...
. The episode was written by David Milch
David Milch
David S. Milch is an American writer and producer of television series. He has created several television shows, including NYPD Blue and Deadwood.-Biography:...
and directed by Walter Hill. It first aired on March 21, 2004.
Plot
Seth Bullock, a Montana TerritoryMontana Territory
The Territory of Montana was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from May 28, 1864, until November 8, 1889, when it was admitted to the Union as the State of Montana.-History:...
marshal, watches over inmate Clell Watson, a man sentenced to death for stealing a horse. Lamenting his misfortune, Watson mentions that he, like Bullock, was headed to Deadwood
Deadwood, South Dakota
Deadwood is a city in South Dakota, United States, and the county seat of Lawrence County. It is named for the dead trees found in its gulch. The population was 1,270 according to a 2010 census...
, a camp on Indian
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
land in the Dakota Territory
Dakota Territory
The Territory of Dakota was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 2, 1861, until November 2, 1889, when the final extent of the reduced territory was split and admitted to the Union as the states of North and South Dakota.The Dakota Territory consisted of...
. While Watson seeks to make his fortune prospecting
Prospecting
Prospecting is the physical search for minerals, fossils, precious metals or mineral specimens, and is also known as fossicking.Prospecting is a small-scale form of mineral exploration which is an organised, large scale effort undertaken by mineral resource companies to find commercially viable ore...
in the gold-rich
Black Hills Gold Rush
The Black Hills Gold Rush took place in Dakota Territory in the United States. It began in 1874 following the Custer Expedition and reached a peak in 1876-77.Rumors and poorly documented reports of gold in the Black Hills go back to the early 19th century...
region, Bullock aspires to open a hardware store there with his business partner, Sol Star.
Watson attempts to make a deal with Bullock to secure his release, claiming to know of easy opportunities for thievery along the way to Deadwood, but his pleas are cut short by Star, who arrives informing Bullock that the owner of the stolen horse has gathered together a drunken mob and is descending upon them. Rather than turn Watson over to the angry mob, Bullock takes him out to face them and publicly hangs him on the front porch of the sheriff's office, but not before writing down his last words and giving them, along with his marshal's badge, to a member of the mob who volunteers to convey them to Watson's sister. Star and Bullock then leave for Deadwood on a wagon full of hardware goods.
Upon arrival in Deadwood, Star and Bullock rent a vacant lot from Dan Dority, who tells them that payment is due every morning to Al Swearengen, the proprietor of the Gem Saloon, a local brothel
Brothel
Brothels are business establishments where patrons can engage in sexual activities with prostitutes. Brothels are known under a variety of names, including bordello, cathouse, knocking shop, whorehouse, strumpet house, sporting house, house of ill repute, house of prostitution, and bawdy house...
.
At the Gem, Swearengen converses with Whitney Ellsworth, a local prospector, when a gunshot rings out. Rushing upstairs, he discovers that Trixie, one of the prostitutes, has shot a customer in the head after he became abusive with her. The customer manages to survive for twenty minutes, but dies shortly after the arrival of Doc Cochran. Swearengen ruthlessly beats Trixie in his office, furious at the possible effect of a customer's death on his business and reputation. Meanwhile, Cochran and Johnny Burns deliver the corpse to Mr. Wu, an associate of Swearengen's and leader of the Deadwood Chinese
Chinese American
Chinese Americans represent Americans of Chinese descent. Chinese Americans constitute one group of overseas Chinese and also a subgroup of East Asian Americans, which is further a subgroup of Asian Americans...
community, who feeds it to his pigs.
Wild Bill Hickok, a famous gunslinger, arrives in Deadwood, along with his companions Charlie Utter and Calamity Jane. During a delay on the road, Jane encounters a Norwegian family returning home to Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
. One of the Norwegian children, Sofia Metz, smiles at Jane as they pass.
As Jane tends to the stock, Hickok and Utter check into E. B. Farnum's Grand Central Hotel and then visit Tom Nuttall's No. 10 Saloon. Nuttall and A. W. Merrick, editor of the local newspaper The Deadwood Pioneer, are noticeably impressed to meet the famous Hickok, but Jack McCall, a man at one of the poker tables, whispers to his fellow players that he is not impressed. As Hickok sits to play poker at McCall's table, Utter and Nuttall negotiate a fee for Hickok's regular appearance in the saloon.
Farnum reports Hickok's arrival to Swearengen, who is annoyed by the complication of having a famous former lawman in the camp. Dority reports that Brom Garret, a wealthy aspiring prospector from New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, has arrived at the Gem. Swearengen dispatches Farnum to collect Tim Driscoll, the owner of a nearby gold claim eyed by Garret. Swearengen then greets Garret and, upon the arrival of a drunk Driscoll, tricks Garret into paying $20,000, instead of $14,000, for Driscoll's claim. As Driscoll is heavily indebted to the Gem, Swearengen pockets the money and later has Dority stab Driscoll to death in Farnum's hotel.
Star and Bullock set up shop in a tent on their lot. At nightfall they hire Reverend Smith, the local pastor, to watch their goods as they explore the camp. Upon leaving their tent, Star and Bullock run into Ned Mason, a disoriented man who claims to have witnessed the massacre of a white family by Sioux
Sioux
The Sioux are Native American and First Nations people in North America. The term can refer to any ethnic group within the Great Sioux Nation or any of the nation's many language dialects...
along the road to Spearfish
Spearfish, South Dakota
Spearfish is a city in Lawrence County, South Dakota,United States. The population was 10,494 at the 2010 census.- History :Prior to the Black Hills Gold Rush of 1876, the area was used by Native Americans who would spear fish in the creek...
. Though Mason wishes to visit the Gem, Bullock takes him to Nuttall's saloon, where he forces him to recount the story. Despite Bullock's urging to return to the scene to check for survivors, Mason is reluctant, worried for his own safety. Hickok, who had remained at the saloon at poker, offers to ride with them as protection. As the search party leaves the saloon, Bullock confides to Hickok his suspicions about Mason's story.
News of the departing party reaches Swearengen, who is furious at the potential disruption to his business and resorts to offering free liquor and prostitutes at half price in an effort to keep his customers from joining the search. Upon arrival at the scene, the search party finds a ransacked wagon and the mutilated corpses of the Norwegian family earlier encountered by Jane. After chasing off some wolves, Bullock searches the area and finds Sofia Metz, wounded but alive, lying under a bush nearby.
After dropping Sofia off with Doc Cochran, Bullock and Hickok confront Mason on the camp thoroughfare, stating that there was too much ransacking at the scene to be consistent with an Indian attack and that it was more likely a staged robbery. Mason tries to defend himself, arguing that he never would have returned to camp had he been involved, but Hickok says that he, like Mason, had often felt the need for sex and gambling after a kill. Cornered, Mason attempts to attack but is outdrawn and shot dead by Hickok and Bullock. From his window on the second floor of the Gem, Swearengen watches the events unfold until Trixie enters and, despite the brutal beating earlier, climbs into bed with him.
Deaths
- Clell Watson: hanged by Bullock
- Abusive John: shot in the head by Trixie
- The Metz Family (except for Sofia): massacred by robbers
- Tim Driscoll: stabbed in the chest by Dan Dority
- Ned Mason: shot in the head by Bullock and Wild Bill Hickok
Credits
- Timothy OlyphantTimothy OlyphantTimothy David Olyphant is an American actor whose notable roles in television drama series include Deadwood as Seth Bullock, Justified as Raylan Givens, The Office as Danny Cordray, and Damages as Wes Krulik...
as Seth Bullock - Ian McShaneIan McShaneIan David McShane is an English actor, director, producer, voice artist, and comedian.Despite appearing in numerous films, McShane is best known for his television roles, particularly the BBC's Lovejoy and HBO's Western drama Deadwood...
as Al Swearengen - Molly ParkerMolly ParkerMolly Parker is a Canadian actress, notable for her roles in Canadian and American independent films and the HBO television series Deadwood.Parker won a Genie Award in 1997 as Best Actress in a Leading Role for Kissed...
as Alma Garret - Jim BeaverJim BeaverJames Norman "Jim" Beaver, Jr. is an American stage, film, and television actor, playwright, screenwriter, and film historian...
as Whitney Ellsworth - Brad DourifBrad DourifBradford Claude "Brad" Dourif is an American film and television actor who gained early fame for his portrayal of Billy Bibbit in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, and has since appeared in a number of memorable roles, including the voice of Chucky in the Child's Play franchise, Younger Brother in...
as Doc Cochran - John HawkesJohn Hawkes (actor)John Hawkes is an American film and television actor. He is known for his portrayal of the merchant Sol Star on the HBO series Deadwood, Dustin Powers on Eastbound & Down, and his Academy Award-nominated performance as the menacing backwoods meth addict Teardrop in Winter's Bone.-Life and...
as Sol Star - Paula MalcomsonPaula MalcomsonPaula Malcomson is a Northern Irish actress born in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Malcomson is sometimes credited as Paula Williams.She starred as "Trixie" in the HBO series Deadwood and Colleen in ABC's Lost...
as Trixie - Leon RippyLeon RippyLeon Rippy is an American actor.-Life and career:He has worked with Roland Emmerich on seven movies including: Moon 44 , Eye of the Storm , Universal Soldier , Stargate , The Thirteenth Floor , The Patriot , Eight Legged Freaks and also had a role in the 2004...
as Tom Nuttall - William SandersonWilliam SandersonWilliam Sanderson is an American character actor.-Early life:Sanderson was born in Memphis, Tennessee, to an elementary school teacher mother and a landscape designer father...
as E. B. Farnum - Robin WeigertRobin WeigertRobin Weigert is an American television and film actress.Weigert was born in Washington, D.C. of Jewish heritage. After graduating from Brandeis University in 1991, Weigert attended New York University, earning a Master of Fine Arts degree in the acting program at the Tisch School of the Arts...
as Calamity Jane - W. Earl BrownW. Earl BrownW. Earl Brown is an American character actor who has appeared in many mainstream film and television projects. He is perhaps best known as Dan Dority on the HBO series Deadwood...
as Dan Dority - Dayton CallieDayton CallieDayton Callie is a Scottish-born American actor, best known for playing Charlie Utter on HBO's Deadwood and Ernie Dell on CSI. He now portrays Police Chief Wayne Unser on Sons of Anarchy. He has also voiced Whitaker in Valve's Left 4 Dead 2, appeared in Halloween 2, & had small roles in episodes...
as Charlie Utter - and Keith CarradineKeith CarradineKeith Ian Carradine is an American actor who has had success on stage, film and television. In addition, he is a Golden Globe and Oscar winning songwriter. As a member of the Carradine family, he is part of an acting "dynasty" that began with his father, John Carradine.-Early life:Keith...
as Wild Bill Hickok
Guest Starring
- Jeffrey JonesJeffrey JonesJeffrey Duncan Jones is an American actor. He has appeared in many films and television series, but may be best known for his roles as Emperor Joseph II in Miloš Forman’s Amadeus, Charles Deetz in Beetlejuice, and Dean of Students Edward R...
as A. W. Merrick - Timothy OmundsonTimothy OmundsonTimothy Michael Omundson is an American actor perhaps most notable for his supporting roles as Sean Potter on the CBS television series Judging Amy, Eli on the syndicated series Xena: Warrior Princess, and as Carlton Lassiter in the hit USA Network series Psych...
as Brom Garret - Garret Dillahunt as Jack McCall
- Ray McKinnonRay McKinnon (actor)Ray McKinnon is an American actor, screenwriter, film director and producer. He was married to actress and producer Lisa Blount from 1998 until her death on October 25, 2010...
as Reverend Smith - Sean Bridgers as Johnny Burns
- Geri JewellGeri Jewell-External links:*...
as Jewel
- Keone YoungKeone YoungKeone J. Young is an American character actor. His father is Chinese and his mother is Japanese.He has been prolific in his character work and has made numerous guest appearances on such varied television series as Diff'rent Strokes, The Golden Girls, Murphy Brown, Mad About You, Family Matters,...
as Mr. Wu - Jamie McShane as Ned Mason
- Dan Hildebrand as Tim Driscoll
- Michael Hagerty as Loud Wagoneer
- Christopher Darga as Byron Sampson
- James Parks as Clell Watson
Co-Starring
- Ursula Brooks as Whore #6
- David Carpenter as Vigilante
- Misti Cassar
- Allison Gammon
- Gill Gayle as Huckster
- Dylan Haggerty as Abusive John
- Michelle Haner
- G. T. Holme as Miner in the Gem Saloon
- Robyn Hyden as Clell Watson
- Peter JasonPeter JasonPeter Jason is an American actor who performs in many plays, movies, and TV commercials, including Desperate Housewives and Deadwood. In his free time he makes his own furniture out of wood. He has appeared in 12 Walter Hill films, 7 John Carpenter films, has acted in over 100 commercials and...
as Con Stapleton - Honey Lauren
- Victor McKay
- Dean Rader-Duval as Jimmy Irons
- Vanessa Robertson
- Raynor ScheineRaynor ScheineRaynor Scheine is an American actor who has appeared in films for three decades dating back to 1979, including My Cousin Vinny and Fried Green Tomatoes. His name is a play on the phrase "rain or shine".-Broadway performances:...
- Tom SimmonsTom SimmonsTom Simmons is an American stand-up comedian, the 2009 winner of the San Francisco International Comedy Competition, and nationally touring comedy club headliner.-Notable works:...
as Poker Player at No. 10 - Everett Wallin as Joey
Uncredited Appearances
- Larry T. Black as Soldier
- Jackson Bolt as Vigilante Rider
- Julius Callahan as Prospector
- Jane Leigh Connelly
- Candice Cook as Gem Whore
- Ashleigh Kizer as Dolly
- Gary Leffew as Vigilante
- Bree Seanna WallBree Seanna WallBree Seanna Wall is an American television actress known for playing the part of Sofia Metz on the HBO series Deadwood. She was born on May 8, 1995 in Riverside County, California. Wall has appeared in over 30 episodes of the drama about fictional Deadwood, South Dakota in the 1870s.-External...
as Sofia Metz