Deadwood

:

Season 1
  • Network: HBO
  • Series Premiere Date: Mar 21, 2004
Season #: 3, 2, 1
User Score
9.1

Universal acclaim- based on 169 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 163 out of 169
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 169
  3. Negative: 5 out of 169
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User Reviews

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  1. WorldofLucky
    Feb 3, 2018
    9
    This is for the whole series.

    I really do wish the series lasted more then three years, but then again maybe it would have declined and been a mockery of itself if it had. Set in the town of Deadwood in 1876 where it tells the tale of the town going from open frontier with gold strikes, and how the people living there got along. Fun side note, many of the characters in the series    This is for the whole series.

    I really do wish the series lasted more then three years, but then again maybe it would have declined and been a mockery of itself if it had.

    Set in the town of Deadwood in 1876 where it tells the tale of the town going from open frontier with gold strikes, and how the people living there got along. Fun side note, many of the characters in the series were there in real life (and by default are real people).

    No, it isn't a documentary, yes it is full of violence and sex (and let's be honest, it doesn't stay too close to the truth either). It starts with following Timothy Olyphant (of Justified fame) as he arrives in town. Then it truly becomes a full ensemble cast with Brad Dourif playing the Doc, Ian McShane playing Al Swearengen, Molly Parker as Alma Garrett and even Keith Carradine as the doomed Wild Bill Hickok.

    There are a ton of other famous or semi-famous actors and actresses you will see, but there are so many I can't really list them all.

    The show is as good as it sounds. The acting is superb. By the third season the actors play off each other with just a word or a motion. There was so much put into each character that you could read what they were thinking and they could sometimes have conversations with each other that were in depth without more then a few words.

    The filming was good, and the direction as well obviously. I am saddened that so many people have not seen it. I was especially impressed that rape didn't play a bigger role, after all that is what most westerns are unfortunately built upon. Not saying that some things didn't happen, but for what the show was (the Sopranos in the old west) it stayed away from that most of the time.

    The only thing I thought hurt the show was bringing in Powers Boothe and his whole crew. Not that there weren't good stories, and definitely not because of Mr. Boothe (he is great), but it took away from main characters in the beginning. While I started watching the show for Mr. Olyphant, I ended the show with Ian McShane (Swearengen) as my favorite character.

    Pros: Great acting, directing, story and sets.

    Cons: Perhaps too many secondary stories and plots and too many characters by mid-second season.

    Now to find some more Ian McShane work.    … Expand
  2. Thug-Negus
    Apr 15, 2011
    9
    Excellent acting, great aspect of the period of the gold rush, I recommend this series, only one small criticism, sometimes a bit slow at times and some lack of action.
  3. Piyush
    Jan 31, 2011
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. uh ....! i just brought it :)
    Apparently it is based on history of Deadwood , South Dakota @Trilby , @ Anfractuous ....thnx that encouraged me for it    … Expand
  4. Firebala
    Sep 20, 2013
    9
    IIn this western series could be several reasons. I really liked all the season third Good story great actor performances. I can highly recommend to everyone!
  5. trilby
    Aug 18, 2010
    9
    I could not believe that im the first reviewer of what i see as the most daring exiting and groundreaking TV series of the past 10 years. Put simply the script and characterisation is as good as it get's. All the actors excel and its no wonder with the tools at their disposal. I beg anyone who reads this to buy the 3 season box set and take a whole weekend and immerse yourself in a worldI could not believe that im the first reviewer of what i see as the most daring exiting and groundreaking TV series of the past 10 years. Put simply the script and characterisation is as good as it get's. All the actors excel and its no wonder with the tools at their disposal. I beg anyone who reads this to buy the 3 season box set and take a whole weekend and immerse yourself in a world of pure unadulterated genius.… Expand
  6. Magster
    Jul 18, 2011
    10
    HBO absolutely gets the biggest thumbs down ever for the cancellation of this one. Swearengen absolutely one of the greatest characters of all time. So so sad it is no more :(
  7. BobaFett666
    May 28, 2011
    8
    Very good television show. Ian McShane as Al Swearengen is the most charismatic character I've ever seen on television. Well written, well acted and believable as f**k. Sometimes it's a little slow and sometimes you want to throw up when Calamity Jane is speaking/on the screen, but this show has created it's own goddam dialect that, hell, even if it's completely ahistorical (which I haveVery good television show. Ian McShane as Al Swearengen is the most charismatic character I've ever seen on television. Well written, well acted and believable as f**k. Sometimes it's a little slow and sometimes you want to throw up when Calamity Jane is speaking/on the screen, but this show has created it's own goddam dialect that, hell, even if it's completely ahistorical (which I have no f***ing idea either way), fits perfectly and makes it better than it ever would've been.… Expand
  8. Lykurgos
    Aug 21, 2011
    10
    A very small number of TV series are as compelling as a terrifically written book, and provoke a sense of loss when one completes watching them. For me, this is not only once of those few, but arguably the best, contending favorably against (some) seasons of 24, Lost & Prison Break. Well before the end of the 3rd series, I liked or disliked and cared about the future about almost everyA very small number of TV series are as compelling as a terrifically written book, and provoke a sense of loss when one completes watching them. For me, this is not only once of those few, but arguably the best, contending favorably against (some) seasons of 24, Lost & Prison Break. Well before the end of the 3rd series, I liked or disliked and cared about the future about almost every character. The show has too many outstanding features for me to credit, but the dialogue does delight and beguile. Watch.… Expand
  9. dp77777
    Aug 8, 2015
    10
    This is one of the best shows of the past 20 years. The acting and writing are so good it's like watching a great piece of art. I can't recall a show I've enjoyed more or felt more invested in the characters.
  10. Anfractuous
    Nov 3, 2010
    9
    Excellent cinematography, art direction, staging, costumes etc; a technical tour de force, particularly for television. The scrip and acting is brilliant. If you haven't seen it you must. The only thing keeping me from giving it a 10 is that they only made three seasons of the five originally planned so the 'wrap up' at the end of the third season is awkward.
  11. Hoodinski
    Sep 29, 2014
    9
    A series of true excellence. Thoroughly enjoyable, very crafty and with an amazingly accurate and yet vibrant background. The history is enthralling, the characters as human and real as they get.
  12. haw2991
    Jan 8, 2014
    10
    Many people who have not seen David Milch's under-appreciated HBO series "Deadwood" tend to assume that it is a revamp of the Western genre, perhaps similar to "3:10 to Yuma", or "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly". This is not the case. If you watch it (which I highly recommend you do), you will not see horse chases, stick-up robberies, or standoffs in the middle of town square. You willMany people who have not seen David Milch's under-appreciated HBO series "Deadwood" tend to assume that it is a revamp of the Western genre, perhaps similar to "3:10 to Yuma", or "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly". This is not the case. If you watch it (which I highly recommend you do), you will not see horse chases, stick-up robberies, or standoffs in the middle of town square. You will not hear "varmint" or "goldarn" or "I'm lookin' for the man who shot my paw"; you'll only witness a bizarre blend of Shakespearean dialogue and 20th century slang and cussing (enough F words to make your grandmother faint). Milch did not set out to make a Western; he aimed to create a period drama through which he could voice his views about chaos and corruption's effects on society. In all, this was one of the best shows on television. The tragedy of Deadwood is its premature cancellation, and one of my greatest disappointments in the history of entertainment is that it will never get the proper conclusion it deserves. While frustrating, this is no reason not to watch the series.… Expand
  13. jeremyp
    Dec 17, 2011
    9
    2011 and I finally get to see the series. The wife hates Ian McShane, but we ran out of series from Netflix. After a fight she conceded and now says (as I suspected she might) "when's the next episode." I love this stuff, in it's Dickensian look at the old bad west. The language is very raw, but after 4-5 episodes it's so glued to the dialog that it's necessary for the characters,2011 and I finally get to see the series. The wife hates Ian McShane, but we ran out of series from Netflix. After a fight she conceded and now says (as I suspected she might) "when's the next episode." I love this stuff, in it's Dickensian look at the old bad west. The language is very raw, but after 4-5 episodes it's so glued to the dialog that it's necessary for the characters, especially Calamity. Shows like this have to be loved by actors who can get their teeth into characters, like "The Wire." The history is questionable (Wild Bill was 39 when he was shot, and not Carradine's age) and Calamity was known for lying like a politician. It's great to have a show with dialog that's thought through and rich. 2 more seasons, yay!… Expand
  14. podaddy
    Feb 10, 2011
    10
    I am only halfway thru Season One of Deadwood, but so far so good. How is it that HBO continually blows every other station away with their original programming?!(apologies to AMC, but it's true.) Deadwood is far better than 99.9% of the westerns that have come out of Hollywood over the past couple of decades. Great dialogue, storylines, character development, acting, cinematography, etcI am only halfway thru Season One of Deadwood, but so far so good. How is it that HBO continually blows every other station away with their original programming?!(apologies to AMC, but it's true.) Deadwood is far better than 99.9% of the westerns that have come out of Hollywood over the past couple of decades. Great dialogue, storylines, character development, acting, cinematography, etc etc etc. Fabulous show.… Expand
  15. FrodoFraggins
    Jul 26, 2013
    10
    Consistently amazing writing, acting and directing. The characters are extremely well developed. Not only is it the best show HBO has even made. It is quite possibly the best show ever. Certainly the best written.
  16. drlowdon
    May 25, 2013
    8
    Since the mid nineties HBO has crafted a reputation for creating gritty, realistic drama and despite only lasting for three seasons Deadwood, which certainly justifies its 18 certificate, must surely rank only just outside its best.

    Set in the Black Hills of South Dakota in the 1870's following the richest gold strike in American history the series opens with Seth Bullock (Olyphant)    Since the mid nineties HBO has crafted a reputation for creating gritty, realistic drama and despite only lasting for three seasons Deadwood, which certainly justifies its 18 certificate, must surely rank only just outside its best.

    Set in the Black Hills of South Dakota in the 1870's following the richest gold strike in American history the series opens with Seth Bullock (Olyphant) giving up his life as a Montana sheriff in order to make a fresh start elsewhere. This leads him and business partner Sol Star to open a hardware store in the town of notorious town of Deadwood. Unfortunately for Bullock, being a lawman, he finds himself unable to ignore all the chaos and disorder he sees around him, most seemingly perpetrated by saloon and brothel owner Al Swearengen.

    Fantastic sets and a terrific ensemble cast help bring creator David Milch's well written scripts to life from the very start of this first season and in Swearengen, thanks in part to an amazing performance by Ian McShane, he has created one of televisions truly memorable bad guys. Of course, as with all great dramas, the distinction between good and bad is often blurred with seemingly honourable people often forced into making decisions or taking actions as a result of unavoidable circumstances. It could be tough to watch at times but as this first season progressed we are given a fantastic insight into the motivations of all the major characters as alliances were drawn and enemies were made setting the scene for the second season.    … Expand
  17. miller1000
    May 19, 2012
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. One of the best TV shows of all time. The scrip and acting is brilliant. If you haven't seen it you must. Swearengen one of the greatest characters of all time.… Expand
  18. daxgaz
    Jun 12, 2018
    10
    Deadwood is the best series I have ever seen. The writing is impeccable, sophisticated, brutal, honest, and entertaining. The acting is easily the best ensemble i have seen. It's also one of those rare shows you can pause at almost any moment and have an image worth framing.
  19. YellowOxide
    Dec 10, 2012
    10
    Shakespeare on Western steroids! Hard to fault. Story line tough, characters gritty. I would say though that it took 2 to 3 episodes to 'get it', to get a feel for the drama itself, but once into the series, compelling.

    Will not appeal to people who like their television clean and sanitised. You can almost smell the people! This was (yes gone now) daring television with good writing    Shakespeare on Western steroids! Hard to fault. Story line tough, characters gritty. I would say though that it took 2 to 3 episodes to 'get it', to get a feel for the drama itself, but once into the series, compelling.

    Will not appeal to people who like their television clean and sanitised. You can almost smell the people!

    This was (yes gone now) daring television with good writing and acting.    … Expand
  20. Ecclesiastes
    Mar 8, 2013
    10
    The acting, the direction, the set design, the economical use of music and the plotting are all fantastic. What really makes this the best television series in history, however, is the engaging literary style that Milch and the other writers bring to the dialogue. All I can say about the cancellation is "what conceivable godly use is our suffering? What conceivable godly use was theThe acting, the direction, the set design, the economical use of music and the plotting are all fantastic. What really makes this the best television series in history, however, is the engaging literary style that Milch and the other writers bring to the dialogue. All I can say about the cancellation is "what conceivable godly use is our suffering? What conceivable godly use was the screaming of all those characters? Did you need to hear their death-agonies to know your omnipotence, HBO?"… Expand
  21. daviddelnorte23
    Apr 13, 2017
    9
    Que ganas le tenía a 'Deadwood', que ganas le tenía a 'Al Swearengen' y como era de esperar han estado sobradamente a la altura. Y estoy enamorado de Al, bueno ya... Desde el primer minuto suyo en pantalla, mejor dicho. Y es que 'Deadwood' aun así, es mucho mas que el señor Swearengen. Tiene a unos personajes super interesantes todos, con unas tramas fabulosas y sensacionalmente escritas.Que ganas le tenía a 'Deadwood', que ganas le tenía a 'Al Swearengen' y como era de esperar han estado sobradamente a la altura. Y estoy enamorado de Al, bueno ya... Desde el primer minuto suyo en pantalla, mejor dicho. Y es que 'Deadwood' aun así, es mucho mas que el señor Swearengen. Tiene a unos personajes super interesantes todos, con unas tramas fabulosas y sensacionalmente escritas. Todo está bien en 'Deadwood'.

    El diseño de producción de la serie es una obra de arte y mas tratándose de una 'TV serie'. Como era de esperar HBO puso toda la carne en el asador desde el minuto 1. Con una intro FABULOSA.

    Una de las cosas que más me han llamado la atención de esta primera temporada es el como refleja el 'Old west' muy alejado de películas de este mismo género. La suciedad, la dignidad de personas que parecen como perros y algunos temas que.. a lo mejor no están tan alejados de nuestra sociedad actual.

    En conclusión, esta serie me ha dado lo que esperaba de ella, es HBO señores. Tiene potencial para convertirse en una de mis preferidas, tiene a uno de los mejores personajes que he visto. Ídolo absoluto. Que pena que fuera cancelada y eso que solo he visto la primera... Un sobresaliente,9.    … Expand
  22. GarethB
    Sep 30, 2018
    8
    Gritty old west drama, took me by surprise with its slow pace. But it built up the characters well, with Ian McShanes - Al Swearengen one of the best characters in an HBO show. I was soon hooked on the politics of the camp, so sad HBO cancelled.
  23. ForReals13
    Sep 26, 2022
    10
    Deadwood A-. Deep Water A-.
    Reconnoitering The Rim B+.
    Here Was A Man A.
    The Trial Of Jack McCall B+. Plague B+.
    Bullock Returns To The Camp B+.
    Suffer The Little Children A-.
    No Other Sons Or Daughters B+. Mister Wu A.
    Jewel's Boot Is Made For Walking A-.
    Sold Under Sin A.
  24. wiiy71
    Dec 26, 2017
    8
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Awards & Rankings

8
#8 Best TV Season of 2004
3
#3 Most Discussed TV Season of 2004
1
#1 Most Shared TV Season of 2004

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Linda Stasi
    Oct 3, 2013
    50
    It's really all about shock - not that there's many places to go after you feed not one, but two corpses to animals...When that wears thin, you can always count on an insane amount of four letter words, which are used with the discretion of a 12-year-old boy who's just discovered them. Five "f" words in one sentence just sounds idiotic.
    Read full review
  2. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Carina Chocano
    Oct 3, 2013
    90
    Deadwood is engrossing, refreshingly well written and oddly relevant. [15 Mar 2004, p.E1]
  3. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: David Bianculli
    Oct 3, 2013
    75
    Get past the language, though, and Deadwood slowly but surely draws you in. Keith Carradine, as Hickok, brings quiet stoicism and strength to a new level; Timothy Olyphant as Seth Bullock, who has hung up his lawman's badge to hang a hardware-store shingle in town, isn't far behind. [18 Mar 2004, p.101]
See all critic reviews »