Deadwood - "I Am Not The Fine Man You Take Me For" - 6/18/06

[MrX]

http://www.hbo.com/deadwood/img/homepage/episodes/season03/ep26_al2.jpg
"I Am Not The Fine Man You Take Me For"
A cryptic note delivered by Captain Turner tips off Swearengen to another bloody incident at the Gem; later, Hearst makes his intentions known in a more straightforward message. While Jane finds a captive audience for her oratory skills, the candidates for mayor and sheriff aren't as fortunate. Alma's health raises the issue of Sofia's stewardship; newly reformed Andy Cramed pays an unexpected visit to Tolliver, with a different agenda and outcome.

[aktick]

Shit! That Captain fellow is sure an unlikeable guy. Al must have something up his sleave...

But I'm still curious why they wouldn't have just put one between Hurst's eyes a long time ago?

[spainlinx0]

Why does this show end. I could watch it 24 hours a day. I think the only reason they haven't put one between Hearst's eyes is that even though there is no law, you don't just go up and shoot someone like him. He has powerful friends, and even though he dies, you're bound to go with him.

Besides do you see any sniper rifles around? You have to get pretty close, and the man doesn't walk around without guards.

[Red Dog]

Man, I usually can't figure out half the shit going on in this show, but I still love it.

[Cusm]

Hearst was one of the wealthiest men west of the Mississippi, killing him would not be a wise thing.

[aktick]

Hearst was one of the wealthiest men west of the Mississippi, killing him would not be a wise thing.
Meh, who's gonna know? :)

I'd at least have offed that creepy captain guy.

[Charlie Goose]

Man, I usually can't figure out half the shit going on in this show, but I still love it.
Half? You're way ahead of me then. :)

Why was Major Dad tipping off Al about the bar set-up?

[Fielding Mellish]

Seeing Al get manhandled was pretty darn unsettling. Did he lose a finger or two? Or just get them crushed?

Major Dad is shaping up to be the scariest guy ever to ever hit the camp. And that’s really saying something.

[Cusm]

Meh, who's gonna know? :)

I'd at least have offed that creepy captain guy.



I have a feeling the Captain may meet the wrong end of Al's blade soon.

[Turd Ferguson]

How ironic is it that Al's the one holding Bullock back now?

[Geofferson]

Major Dad is shaping up to be the scariest guy ever to ever hit the camp. And that’s really saying something.
No kidding - he's giving Al a run for his money.

[vegasbaby]

When's the other Simon brother coming to town?

[adamblast]

Man, I usually can't figure out half the shit going on in this show, but I still love it.Is it just the dense/complex language? I figured you'd be a pro at that by this point.

I have no idea if this pseudo-Shakespearean-gutter-filth dialog style is historically accurate or not, but it sure gives the actors alot to work with. Can't say when I've enjoyed performances like these, or just whelped with joy because of the way someone says something. Gotta say I dig the dialog more than any since Sorkin's prime.

[MrX]

"Could you have been born Richardson, and not egg hatched as I have always assumed?":lol:

The scenes with Doc Cochran and Trixie, first when she was spread eagle while they were adjusting the mirrors for light and then arguing during the procedure, were hilarious.

[aktick]

"Could you have been born Richardson, and not egg hatched as I have always assumed?":lol:

"Did your mother hover over you, snaggle-toothed and doting, as you now hover over me?"

"I'd like to use your ointment to suffocate you."

And I love Richardson's grammar, "My father didn't liked me."

[Cusm]

After you finish with her's, you can kiss mine!


What is up with Cy and the bible? Is he finding Jesus or was it his last refuge as a dying man?

[aktick]

What is up with Cy and the bible? Is he finding Jesus or was it his last refuge as a dying man?
I think it's all a ploy. He was obviously faking how badly he felt.

[tenaciousdave]

Total fucks in Episode Twenty-Six: 66
Fucks per minute (FPM)*: 1.27

Total cocksuckers in Episode Twenty-Six: 4
Ratio of fucks to cocksuckers: 16.5 : 1

[Rypro 525]

Total fucks in Episode Twenty-Six: 66
Fucks per minute (FPM)*: 1.27

Total cocksuckers in Episode Twenty-Six: 4
Ratio of fucks to cocksuckers: 16.5 : 1
you should probably count the amount of the other c word, since that gets used alot too

[Red Dog]

Is it just the dense/complex language? I figured you'd be a pro at that by this point.


Pretty much. I have no problem understanding the more colorful metaphors. ;)

[spainlinx0]

I actually thought this episode wasn't confusing at all. The premiere had me a little lost, especially after that hiatus, but this one flew right by. I think the gist of it is Swearengen is trying to avoid the camp and him becoming Hearst's bitch, and Hearst is used to making everyone his bitch.

[MrX]

Why was Major Dad tipping off Al about the bar set-up?
Becasue he wanted it to appear as a gesture of good will and to show Al things will go better for him if they work together. That was the whole talk of consolidation was about. He wants Al to help him take over Alma's land.

[andicus]

"Farnum, twice measured. Star, once cut." rotfl Much too clever for EB. And he throws in a jab about big noses.

I liked the short scene with Charlie Utter setting Joanie straight on her feelings.

I also thought it looked pretty certain that Al had a finger cut off since the hammer had a sharpened edge.

Wow! What an episode.

[tenaciousdave]

you should probably count the amount of the other c word, since that gets used alot too

Actually, I'm not counting them. I don't have that much free time. ;)

I linked a site in the premier thread that counts them.

http://www.thewvsr.com/deadwood.htm

[Baron Of Hell]

So Alma wants Bullock to have custody over the girl. And her husband is pissed because he loves the girl like his own daughter. Bullock hasn't accepted this offer yet and might not.

Do I have that situation correct? Can someone explain the deal with the house?

[sven]

Do I have that situation correct? Can someone explain the deal with the house?


Al wants Sol to be mayor. But he doesnt want the mayor banging Trixie in his place of business. So he wants Sol to live in the house because there is a secret passage to it from that British dudes place. That way he can bang her on the downlow.

[crankyman]

once cut. heh.

hmmm. jane's boobs.

[Cusm]

That is an Irishman you F***ing C******ker!

I am not sure why Ellsworth was acting so surly. If it was a reality check of their marrage, having Sophie taken away or what. I think Ellsworth is headed for a great confrontation with Hearst, and it will be great since he hates Hearst more than Al.

[spainlinx0]

I thought that she was giving Ellsworth custody. He is the guardian now, and she didn't want it to change. He is saying that it is really Bullock's kid, and maybe she should have at least mentioned it to him, and asked him about taking care of the child since he has a wife at home who is also a teacher. Of course maybe I am more confused than I thought.

[wmansir]

I didn't get her intention too clearly either, but when she said the situation was something pre-existing the marriage I assumed that meant it was not Ellsworth's decision and I don't know why Ellsworth would be so concerned about Bullock agreeing to the arrangement unless it meant she intended Sophia to go with Bullock.

[Red Dog]

I thought she was designating Bullock as the trustee of her estate (should she not survive the surgery), 100% of which would go to Sophia upon her reaching adulthood. Not sure about the custody part though.

[Tommy Ceez]

I think Alma was saying that Bullock should PROTECT Sophia after her death, because her family would challange Sophia's claim in court, Hearst would try to work out a deal with Alma's family to buy her claim...therefore Sophia would be a target for assasination. Only Bullock could protect her then, especially since Ellsworth would probably go off half cocked for Hearst's head, getting himself killed in the process

[Red Dog]

I think Alma was saying that Bullock should PROTECT Sophia after her death, because her family would challange Sophia's claim in court, Hearst would try to work out a deal with Alma's family to buy her claim...therefore Sophia would be a target for assasination. Only Bullock could protect her then, especially since Ellsworth would probably go off half cocked for Hearst's head, getting himself killed in the process

Makes sense. I need to hire you as a translator for next episode.

[Tommy Ceez]

Keep in mind that Ellsworth has no idea what she was going to do, because he cut her off and was not there when Bullock talked to her.

[the big train]

I think Alma was saying that Bullock should PROTECT Sophia after her death, because her family would challange Sophia's claim in court, Hearst would try to work out a deal with Alma's family to buy her claim...therefore Sophia would be a target for assasination. Only Bullock could protect her then, especially since Ellsworth would probably go off half cocked for Hearst's head, getting himself killed in the process
Pretty much how I understood it. She didn't want Ellsworth to have to deal with Hearst's shit. Unfortuantely, I don't think Ellsworth understood that to be her reasoning.

[bunkaroo]

I still don't understand why Al went to Hearst's place alone. Was it to show he wasn't afraid of him?

[PaperStreetSoapCo]

What do you all think was Al's intention at the end as he was heading back to the Gem? It's hard for me to believe that he fears Hearst now, even though that may be the case. But the way he was instructing Bullock to not look up at Hearst, and didn't want any attention drawn toward himself, makes me think he may already be devising a plan against Hearst. He said something like, "I want mine served cold," in response to Bullock's wanting to go up and get Hearst that moment. Perhaps Al just wanted to hold up his appearance and demeanor like he wasn't badly affected by it?

I love that I was able to see Al kill somebody in this episode. :D I had been waiting for that for awhile. The whole episode was wonderful.

[wmansir]

Al had not pretext to bring his goons along and frankly underestimated how blunt Hearst was going to be in his negotiations.

[bralph]

I can follow most of the conversation in Deadwood except for Sy. I never have any idea what he's saying, and always have to figure out the gist of it based on the other characters' responses.

[Cusm]

I think Al has had a plan for Hearst 2 weeks before he arrived to Deadwood, he just had to see how things were going to shake out to hone his plan.

[Turd Ferguson]

It's going to be a pleasure watching Al get his payback.

[Baron Of Hell]

Sorry that was going to be in season 4 which won't happen now.

[B.A.]

I took Alma's intentions to mean that Bullock and wife would take Sophia into their care. Along w/ Sophia would come the trust (the sum of her estate before her marriage to Elsworth) and they would have to protect Sophia from Hearst and her first husband's family, sparing Elsworth the trouble. Elsworth won't leave empty-handed - whatever profit the estate has made since the marriage will go to him. He's upset, because he has developed a relationship w/ Sophia now (more along the lines of an uncle, rather than a father) and it seems that his wife made the decision w/out consulting him.

Anyhew - I loved seeing Al walk back to the Gem leaning on Bullock and telling him to hold off on going after Hearst. Al has definitely had a plan in the works for sometime, he was just waiting to see how Hearst would play all of his cards. Now he know and it's game-time.

"Welcome to fuckin' Deadwood!"

Trixie's smirk was cute after Sol told her that he bought the house through the window.

and Jane the Guest Lecturer got a chuckle or two out of me.

Are they finally going somewhere w/ Charlie and Joanie? It's about time.

Too bad Andy didn't finish the job w/ Cy.

Doc and Trixie's shop-talk kills me. :lol:

[Mordred]

I came to pretty much the same conclusions this thread had arrived at, but I've got one question.

Hearst warns Al about the guys in the bar with the note. It was my understanding that the two at the bar were bad guys, and the two at the table were Hearst's men who he sent to keep the bar guys from being hasty but also to observe whether Al had figured out the note. If that's the case, who sent the two men at the bar? Did Hearst send them as a test of Al? It seems that warning a guy about two killers you send doesn't seem like the best way to get on his good side, although neither does using a hammer on him.

[Mordred]

Jane the Guest Lecturer got a chuckle or two out of me.I kept waiting for her to call Custer a c***sucker. :)

Jane bores the piss out of me. I have to decipher her slurred speech and she hasn't really added much since the first season. Maybe I'm the only one though.

[Roto]

I came to pretty much the same conclusions this thread had arrived at, but I've got one question.

Hearst warns Al about the guys in the bar with the note. It was my understanding that the two at the bar were bad guys, and the two at the table were Hearst's men who he sent to keep the bar guys from being hasty but also to observe whether Al had figured out the note. If that's the case, who sent the two men at the bar? Did Hearst send them as a test of Al? It seems that warning a guy about two killers you send doesn't seem like the best way to get on his good side, although neither does using a hammer on him.
Been a few days since I watched it, but I think Hearst sent all 4 of them and the two in the back were just there to be witnesses and report back to Hearst assuming the other two didn't make it. Al said if they were sent to draw they would've have done so, so he let them go.

[johnglass]

He said something like, "I want mine served cold," in response to Bullock's wanting to go up and get Hearst that moment.

Obviously referring to the saying "Revenge is a dish best served cold"

[Tommy Ceez]

I came to pretty much the same conclusions this thread had arrived at, but I've got one question.

Hearst warns Al about the guys in the bar with the note. It was my understanding that the two at the bar were bad guys, and the two at the table were Hearst's men who he sent to keep the bar guys from being hasty but also to observe whether Al had figured out the note. If that's the case, who sent the two men at the bar? Did Hearst send them as a test of Al? It seems that warning a guy about two killers you send doesn't seem like the best way to get on his good side, although neither does using a hammer on him.
The guys Al and Dan killed at the bar were the two guys who killed the Cornish guy at Als bar previously.

Al wanted payback, so hearst sent them to kill Al (so they thought) but sent the map ahead to warn Al.

The two guys in the back were ther to 'kill Al' too, so the two guys at the front of the bar thought. Hearst sent them so that the first two guys would THINK they had backup, and therefore be slower to draw thier guns and kill, giving Al time to kill them first IF HE COULD FIGURE THE SITUATION OUT.

Hearst was saying "You demand revenge, but Im gonna show my power by only giving it to you if you can figure out a tough situation and react"

[Peep]

Jane bores the piss out of me. I have to decipher her slurred speech and she hasn't really added much since the first season. Maybe I'm the only one though.

To each his own. Jane is one of my wife and my favorites characters. We laughed our heads off a couple of weeks ago when somebody asked her how it felt shitting while sitting down for a change.

Plus, we think she's about the only character (besides maybe the doc) who we can consistantly understand!

[Turd Ferguson]

Obviously referring to the saying "Revenge is a dish best served cold"

That's a great quote certain illiterates like Quentin Tarantino attribute to a Klingon proverb.

[ScandalUMD]

Been a few days since I watched it, but I think Hearst sent all 4 of them and the two in the back were just there to be witnesses and report back to Hearst assuming the other two didn't make it. Al said if they were sent to draw they would've have done so, so he let them go.

Confusion is excusable. You really have to have re-watched season 2 recently to be able to follow the political maneuverings between Hearst and Swearengen, and this stuff is hard to follow anyway.

The killing in the Gem in episode 3.1 served two purposes. One, Hearst was legitimately trying to put down organizing among his labor, but the second purpose was to assert his dominance over Al by killing a guy at the Gem without permission, and leaving Al to clean up the mess.

Al went to Hearst at the end of that episode and made it clear to Hearst his displeasure and announced his intention to cause problems for Hearst's interests if the insult wasn't remedied. If you remember Season 2, Hearst's man Wolcott bought up all of the significant gold stakes in Deadwood through Tolliver, with the exception of Garrett claim.

Wolcott used uncertainty about the legitimacy of the titles, which he spread through Farnum, to induce the owners to sell. They got the Commissioner from Yankton in on that racket, if you remember; the commissioner posted his notice with Merrick that the validity of titles would be decided on a case-by-case basis, which meant Hearst could buy with impunity, because he could also buy Yankton's imprimatur on his claims, but everybody else's was up for grabs. So Deadwood's annexation by the Dakota territory is very much in Hearst's commercial interest.

Al's threat was to fuck with that. He was instrumental in negotiating the accord with Yankton, and he runs politics in the town, and he was threatening to slow or reverse that process if he wasn't paid his due respect. This is why Al cancelled the speeches. So Al suggested that he could mess with the political situation to Hearst's detriment ("'less the insult's cured by tomorrow, there will be further tearin' down. Fuck the fuckin' elections and fuck the agreement with Yankton. Let the camp return to its former repute, dangerous and unsafe for commerce."), and Hearst suggested that he could kill Al ("Then I'll hope your insult is cured, to spare the camp danger, of however brief a duration."). Al suggested that he was not immovably opposed to Hearst's interest, and could be an ally ("Once placated, I'm meek as a babe.").

So the second episode starts with Al uncertain of whether Hearst plans to have him killed. What Hearst did instead was remedy Al's insult. The two men at the bar were the same guys who had killed the Cornishman in the first episode. They believed they were covered by the other two men. But the other two men stood down, which allowed Swearengen and Dority to kill the two at the bar. This was Hearst's way of remedying the previous day's insult, as Dority said, Hearst showed Al his ass, but at the same time, it reinforced Hearst's threat; the two men at the table didn't shoot, but they could have. Al accepted this as an apology by telling the two men "debates are on for tonight, whoever you might want to tell."

The gist of their discussion on Hearst's veranda was that Al said he'd be nobody's slave, and suggested that Hearst's goal of "consolidating purposes" was horseshit, and was really just a euphemism for the strong bending the weak to their will. Hearst lost patience with Al holding himself aloof and decided to play the strong-arm card. Hearst now evidently plans to make a slave or a corpse of Al.

My prediction is that, one way or another, Hearst will get the Garrett holdings before the end of Season 3.

[Ravenous]

Someones gotta say it, so thanks for the write up ScandalUMD. I for one appreciate it and it cleared stuff up. Especailly the veranda scene.

Is it me or does this season seem stripped down? The town seems smaller and less packed, the cast seems smaller (no Wu yet?) and the outside seems like a new land. Also, the dialogue seems simpler and less riddle like.

This season has seemed very different, but I like it!

[ScandalUMD]

Is it me or does this season seem stripped down? The town seems smaller and less packed, the cast seems smaller (no Wu yet?) and the outside seems like a new land. Also, the dialogue seems simpler and less riddle like.



It's the same set. In the first two seasons, they shot it from street level to make it look bigger. This season, they've been using some crane shots to show the Gem facing the Grand Central, in order to highlight the tension between Hearst and Swearengen.

[andicus]

Someones gotta say it, so thanks for the write up ScandalUMD. I for one appreciate it and it cleared stuff up. Especailly the veranda scene.
Seconded!

[PaperStreetSoapCo]

Thanks for the explanations, everybody. Some of the events on the show fly right past me, and I sometimes feel moronic for not understanding what I just saw.

Edit: I think I answered what I just asked. ;)

[Mordred]

Someones gotta say it, so thanks for the write up ScandalUMD.Yes, thanks very much! I forgot to come back to this thread after asking my original question. I seemed to pick up most of what you said from the show, but it's more my vague impression of what's happening rather than being very concrete, especially since I'd forgotten a lot of season 2, particularly why the agreement with Yankton and the elections were so important.

I guess I missed that the two guys who came were the two guys who killed the Cornishman in Ep1. Thanks again. I now expect a detailed plot summary from you after every episode ;)