Deadwood "Leviathan Smiles" Review (3x08)
Aug 13, 2016 10:29:17 GMT -5
Albert Fish Taco and moimoi like this
Post by Pear on Aug 13, 2016 10:29:17 GMT -5
It’s interesting to see so many new characters being introduced this close to the end of the series, but I suppose it’s true to life and its progression: people will move in and out, some influential, most not. Many are looking to be, though, and that seems to be a good summation of the Earps in this episode. They ride high and mighty into the town on a fabricated story, one designed to make them out to be heroes during a time when people need heroes to look up to. Al dismisses that bullshit right away, but the Earps still strike a chord when it comes to Bullock and his job (as well as playing a role in the Hearst-Cy deliberations). In fact, I spent the entire episode thinking the Wyatt character looked like a discount Timothy Olyphant, and Bullock himself certainly held that opinion here as well.
It remains to be seen where this Earp storyline is going, but so far, they are far from the most interesting characters this show has introduced. The highlight of this episode is instead the Jack-Chesterton storyline, one that ends with the two of them by each other’s side as the latter dies. During a season in which the idea of death hangs over many scenes, this is a beautiful and poignant way to close out the storyline of a relatively minor character. It’s a testament to the actors and writers that we care about what happens here, and the closing images of the scene–the others standing up and Bellegarde taking off Chesterton’s glasses–are incredibly moving.
Jack’s also involved in a great scene earlier with Hearst, and the sight of him “curing” Hearst’s back pain is hilarious. “Do for me, Mr. Hearst, and much more for yourself, this one important thing. Breathe, Sir. Breathe deeply, hungrily, as if your life depended on it. And yet slowly! As with the rhythm of the waves of the sea…the while, Mr. Hearst, allowing influx of my motion’s heat.” It’s another lie agreed upon, I suppose. Also, an appropriate time to bring up drinkingclub’s interesting point about Hearst’s back pain: “I wonder if Milch gave Hearst back pain to make him seem more human”. I think that definitely makes sense because I see the key to Hearst’s character as his immense power and ruthlessness still being grounded in human desires.
GRADE: B
OTHER THOUGHTS:
-Cocksucker count: 5
Total cocksucker count: 264
– “Uh, the Sheriff is going for blowjob?”
– “I’m to take you for majestically neutral?” “I’d make the less exalted claim, as a journalist, of keeping my opinions to myself.” “You are less majestically neutral than—than cloaking your cowardice in principle?” “I can only answer perhaps, Mr. Hearst. Events have not yet disclosed to me all that I am.” “Those kind of events could be in the weather, Merrick. You might have a second calendar for them.”
– “I’ll not have vile affections or uncleanness on these premises! Find my specific meaning at Romans I:24 through 6–” “Fuck yourself with a fist punch up your ass, today, at the present moment.”
-Steve gets kicked in the face. Ha. The moment later in the episode between him and Fields–in which the latter grabs a towel and cleans the former up a little–is pretty touching. “One sorry ass…shit eating cocksucker.”
It remains to be seen where this Earp storyline is going, but so far, they are far from the most interesting characters this show has introduced. The highlight of this episode is instead the Jack-Chesterton storyline, one that ends with the two of them by each other’s side as the latter dies. During a season in which the idea of death hangs over many scenes, this is a beautiful and poignant way to close out the storyline of a relatively minor character. It’s a testament to the actors and writers that we care about what happens here, and the closing images of the scene–the others standing up and Bellegarde taking off Chesterton’s glasses–are incredibly moving.
Jack’s also involved in a great scene earlier with Hearst, and the sight of him “curing” Hearst’s back pain is hilarious. “Do for me, Mr. Hearst, and much more for yourself, this one important thing. Breathe, Sir. Breathe deeply, hungrily, as if your life depended on it. And yet slowly! As with the rhythm of the waves of the sea…the while, Mr. Hearst, allowing influx of my motion’s heat.” It’s another lie agreed upon, I suppose. Also, an appropriate time to bring up drinkingclub’s interesting point about Hearst’s back pain: “I wonder if Milch gave Hearst back pain to make him seem more human”. I think that definitely makes sense because I see the key to Hearst’s character as his immense power and ruthlessness still being grounded in human desires.
GRADE: B
OTHER THOUGHTS:
-Cocksucker count: 5
Total cocksucker count: 264
– “Uh, the Sheriff is going for blowjob?”
– “I’m to take you for majestically neutral?” “I’d make the less exalted claim, as a journalist, of keeping my opinions to myself.” “You are less majestically neutral than—than cloaking your cowardice in principle?” “I can only answer perhaps, Mr. Hearst. Events have not yet disclosed to me all that I am.” “Those kind of events could be in the weather, Merrick. You might have a second calendar for them.”
– “I’ll not have vile affections or uncleanness on these premises! Find my specific meaning at Romans I:24 through 6–” “Fuck yourself with a fist punch up your ass, today, at the present moment.”
-Steve gets kicked in the face. Ha. The moment later in the episode between him and Fields–in which the latter grabs a towel and cleans the former up a little–is pretty touching. “One sorry ass…shit eating cocksucker.”