Kind of an odd episode, that mostly felt like a placeholder where everyone was recovering from the excitement of the prior episode and setting things up for the next episode.
In the wake of the Dority-Turner fight, and Bullock arresting Hearst, there's a lot of preparation being made how and when Hearst might return the favor, and start trying to more directly antagonize the camp. That makes it feel like we're in the eye of the storm, with everyone waiting for the next batch of gale force winds to hit, but it also creates a certain listlessness to the episode. That said, it's kind of a treat seeing Al and Seth in the Bullocks' home together. Something about Al in a domestic setting feels a little odd, in a fun way as a viewer, a little like his meeting with Alma.
Speaking of Alma, the most interesting part of the episode is likely the plot, or lack thereof, to overdose her and the realization from everyone that she's back on the junk. Trixie's one of the show's best characters, and her confrontation, disappointment, and frustration in particular at Alma backsliding is great. (Not to mention the less-than-subtle ways she takes it out on amiable Sol Star.) In the same way, Leon seeing where the rabbit hole leads and not wanting to be Alma's dealer anymore, despite Cy's instructions, was an interesting shake for the character.
Last, but certainly not least, Elsworth running into Alma is another great scene with him. I talked about it in more depth in my last writeup, but there's such a kindness to him, even as Alma is much more reasonable and trying to apologize, he acknowledges that their sort of arrangement wouldn't work, but that he's always ready to help her and Sophia. It's particularly interesting that he blames Alma's relapse on having to live and be with him and won't hear her protestations to the contrary. It's the self-effacing, helpful people who are somehow the most endearing.
I'm not sure what to make of Aunt Lu's son arriving. It's nice to get another perspective on Deadwood and the town, but Aunt Lou seems to suspect her son is running a con, and it's hard to know how to take that. I think part of it is that she's scared of what Hearst will do to him (or her) if he smells a doublecross of some kind, but it's kind of an odd set up.
There's some interesting stuff with Al and Adams too, more jockeying for position and Al and Cy competing against one another when it comes to Hearst and the new order that may be imposed.
Again, overall this felt more like an episode of stasis and setup than any new development or action, which makes it a bit dull, but it has its moments.
Review by Andrew BloomVIP 9BlockedParent2016-08-01T22:43:37Z
Kind of an odd episode, that mostly felt like a placeholder where everyone was recovering from the excitement of the prior episode and setting things up for the next episode.
In the wake of the Dority-Turner fight, and Bullock arresting Hearst, there's a lot of preparation being made how and when Hearst might return the favor, and start trying to more directly antagonize the camp. That makes it feel like we're in the eye of the storm, with everyone waiting for the next batch of gale force winds to hit, but it also creates a certain listlessness to the episode. That said, it's kind of a treat seeing Al and Seth in the Bullocks' home together. Something about Al in a domestic setting feels a little odd, in a fun way as a viewer, a little like his meeting with Alma.
Speaking of Alma, the most interesting part of the episode is likely the plot, or lack thereof, to overdose her and the realization from everyone that she's back on the junk. Trixie's one of the show's best characters, and her confrontation, disappointment, and frustration in particular at Alma backsliding is great. (Not to mention the less-than-subtle ways she takes it out on amiable Sol Star.) In the same way, Leon seeing where the rabbit hole leads and not wanting to be Alma's dealer anymore, despite Cy's instructions, was an interesting shake for the character.
Last, but certainly not least, Elsworth running into Alma is another great scene with him. I talked about it in more depth in my last writeup, but there's such a kindness to him, even as Alma is much more reasonable and trying to apologize, he acknowledges that their sort of arrangement wouldn't work, but that he's always ready to help her and Sophia. It's particularly interesting that he blames Alma's relapse on having to live and be with him and won't hear her protestations to the contrary. It's the self-effacing, helpful people who are somehow the most endearing.
I'm not sure what to make of Aunt Lu's son arriving. It's nice to get another perspective on Deadwood and the town, but Aunt Lou seems to suspect her son is running a con, and it's hard to know how to take that. I think part of it is that she's scared of what Hearst will do to him (or her) if he smells a doublecross of some kind, but it's kind of an odd set up.
There's some interesting stuff with Al and Adams too, more jockeying for position and Al and Cy competing against one another when it comes to Hearst and the new order that may be imposed.
Again, overall this felt more like an episode of stasis and setup than any new development or action, which makes it a bit dull, but it has its moments.