Deadwood is a peculiar drama series, even by the standards of HBO. It's essentially an unsentimental Les Miserable, set in the American Old West, with Shakespearean dialogs. In other words, it's pure brilliance.

Yes, swear words permeate the script. But so do injustice, insecurity, and violent death. Such was the state of the world that the characters lived in. The frailty and vulgarity of human existence should offend you vastly more than the swearing do.

Season One documents the emergence of order out of unadulterated chaos in Deadwood. The arrival of new residents such as ex-sheriffs Bill Hickok, Seth Bullock, and competing brothel operator Cy Tolliver threatens Al Swearengen's stranglehold on the town's affairs. Crushed by the degrading and torturous death of the reverend from a brain tumor, Al, the doctor, and the ladies at Gem found respite in each other's company near the end of the Season.


If they can find solace in such mundane moments, what is our excuse?