Deadwood "Sold Under Sin" Review (1x12)

“You can go now, brother.”

After Bill Hickok’s death, Reverend Smith recited a passage from Corinthians about the body that is this town, and it’s a thematic idea that has come to define the show, that has influenced characterization and visual cues and plot points throughout. In the season one finale, Reverend Smith’s storyline comes to an end, but the essence of his words lives on, developing before our very eyes as we head into season two. The episode makes it a point to cut quickly from character to character at various times, and the message is clear: these people may have come to Deadwood for very different reasons, but they’re all part of the same community, the same body.

Moving forward, the community will be without Reverend Smith, who ends up dying at the hands of Al Swearengen in an extremely powerful scene. As we learned a few episodes ago, Al had a brother who was in a situation similar to Smith’s, and it’s understandable why watching the Reverend struggle like this really hurt. Al’s essentially been re-watching his past, and all those pent-up feelings came (heh) to a head (heh) during his blowjob monologue in the last episode; in this episode, he finally puts the man out of his misery. What makes Al so interesting to watch is the fact that he’ll do what needs to be done, but won’t enjoy it; he’s still human, and we even see some tears in his eyes as he stands outside the room afterward. Smith was a man he felt like he had to look after, a man who reminded him of his past, and here, compassion–not malice or expediency or anger–drives that final act. A man of God is killed, but who’s to say that Al isn’t one himself? Maybe it’s humans themselves who embody the grace of God, even if they kill to do so. After all, it’s fitting that Al ends up killing the Reverend right after Doc Cochran prays to God to put him out of his misery. That scene, by the way, features a lovely piece of writing and a masterful performance by Brad Dourif, and it also fits in with the religious ideas we’ve seen so far.

It also fits in with Seth’s story in a way, as the two are connected through scenes in which one person implies that he wants someone else killed: Seth asks Dan to see to Otis, and Doc asks Al to see to Smith. In addition, the feeling of inevitability hangs in the air in both stories, whether it be the inevitability of Smith’s death or the inevitability of Bullock becoming Sheriff. With the latter, we’ve seen him attempt to go down a hardware path and avoid dishing out the law, but we’ve seen how tough it is for him. Dan Dority puts it bluntly in this episode when he says that Seth is “hypocrite enough to wear” the badge, and Seth finally realizes that the town needs him in this position. He gives in to his feelings for Alma–it always gets steamy when Olyphant’s involved–picks up the badge from the mud, and walks up to Al’s office to tell him the news. He lets Otis go as well, and that brings the story back around to the idea of compassion: one person dies and one person lives, but both fates are the result of compassion.

Another point I’d like to touch on is the title. It certainly could refer to the town itself, but it could also refer to the specific characters within the town. The idea of being “sold under sin” applies to people like Al and Jane and Alma and Joanie, the last of whom has a great little scene here in which she tells Alma the story of her past. As different as the roads leading to Deadwood may have seemed, there are also similar histories of abuse that oftentimes inform current behaviors and relationships. I imagine we’ll learn even more about these characters’ pasts as we move forward.

For now, we leave Deadwood in a tense and uncertain–yet also hopeful–situation. It’s significant that Al and Seth stand next to each other on the balcony, and it’s also significant that Seth looks across to see Alma staring at him from her window. Connections are being made, connections that result from a desire to help the town move forward, and people are really starting to see each other. Yet, when Al moves to that other balcony at the end, there is palpable tension in the air, tension that’s summed up in just one look between him and Trixie. Although Al and Bullock may be on similar ground right now, there’s not necessarily only one balcony in this town. Overlooking something from up high can symbolize power, but it can also symbolize awareness, an ability to see things that you would rather have in your blind spot. As Doc and Jewel dance, the music from the new piano drifts into the air, and a bloodstain remains on the floor of the Gem. The final shot of the season is of Al Swearengen, a man looking over a balcony, a man looking over a town, a man looking over one body. Deadwood is living, and we get to be a part of it.

GRADE: B+

SEASON GRADE: B+

OTHER THOUGHTS:

-Cocksucker count: 6 (Disappointing for a finale)

Total cocksucker count: 128 (Respectable amount. Let’s bump that up next season.)

– “While I’ll sign no guarantee not to return against any future claim on her compassion, realize I do hate it here. And if you inhale and expel pure righteousness, my olfactories are keen to the smell of shit.”

-Here’s another aspect of the title; some research dug up that Romans 7:14 states: “For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin.” I’m assuming this deals with the law in some way, something we might see with Bullock? Or, the town itself being lawless. Stuff like that.

-Ian McShane, Brad Dourif, Timothy Olyphant, and Molly Parker are all stellar in this episode. As for Ray McKinnon, he was wonderful, and he’ll be missed; now, it’s time for everyone to go watch Rectify if you haven’t already.

-I had never realized that Al hadn’t talked to Alma yet.

-You go, Silas. Also, Claggett, you sucker. Way to give everyone a green light to kill you by pulling out that paper and showing everyone.

– “Those are the days behind us.” “No, those are the days off to my fucking left.”

-I enjoyed E.B. standing on a barrel in order to look taller. Maybe you’ll get a balcony someday, E.B…maybe. Nah.

– “Announcing your plans is a good way to hear God laugh.”

-I enjoyed Peter Coyote as General Crook. Man, this show just keeps bringing in awesome new characters, doesn’t it? “We all have bloody thoughts.”

-I’ve heard wonderful things about season two. I’m looking forward to it.