Deadwood

1st season – 70% – In many aspects, a typical HBO series from the early 2000s. There is a lot of cursing, revealing, and the removal of characters when their situation seems even slightly compromised. In terms of tension, the best moments come when the most conflicting or cunning characters take the stage. There is less entertainment value in recognizing the side male characters, completely interchangeable bearded men, where I wasn't sure if I was identifying them correctly throughout the season, not to mention that most of them revolve around Al's establishment. As a whole, it's a promising prologue, but in terms of entertainment, it is a shamefully variable quiet journey through a character-filled main street, in which I only marginally see legendary television. 2nd season – 80% – Straightforward from the first minutes, humanizing almost all the villains and excellently setting up the main characters for smaller and larger conflicts over power, a place in the sun, or simply just one more day that's worth something. The entire second chapter (and surprisingly the most balanced period of the entire series) would be even better without a large number of supporting characters with minimal impact on the plot. But I understand that it is precisely thanks to them that the image of a fully functional town is perfected. Even without a significant impact from the final episodes, I finally get what I wanted from the beginning: a melancholic visit to a dirty saloon, where I can spend the best night of my life – or buy a bullet between the eyes at the front door. 3rd season – 60% – Such a beautiful plot premise about the alliance of an incompatible gang for the greater good – and in the end, the weakest season, with an incredibly fragmented storyline. For every suspenseful scene or soaring conversation, there is at least one episode of the local characters. Whether it's Tom, Hostetler, Steve, or Fields, they are all so demonstratively unimportant and exaggerated that I just shook my head and couldn't understand why the creators thought this was an adequate balance to Al, Trixie, or Bullock. The final episode is a big blow, which, as expected, doesn't work as the finale of the series or even as the finale of the season. Three minutes of fateful farewells do not compensate for the feeling of a missed opportunity and the sense that too much space was given to the ensemble cast in the most pointless storyline ever, to the detriment of the main characters. I'm glad that I finally got to the series after postponing it for so long and have the final film at my disposal. I'm not too pleased at getting such a blow to the gut after three years. Deadwood (2019) – 80% – A heartfelt form of fan service that allows for the reunion of old acquaintances, possibly for the first time throughout the series, truly moves you and pulls mature performances out of all those involved, who find their place close to your heart. Whether the viewer knew this famous place more than a decade before or (like myself) watched the movie only a week after finishing the third season, if someone accidentally wandered here without knowledge of foregone hardships, they probably only experienced a slow walk through an unfamiliar place where plenty of old-looking characters speak in long sentences or, conversely, in vulgar yet sufficiently compelling short responses. However, those who remember how life was lived in this filth and loved it must be in seventh heaven. As David Milch's last piece of work, I was expecting some kind of conclusion and I experienced nostalgia that almost overwhelmed me in a few moments, also helped along by perfectly placed, fleeting flashbacks. So much self-reflection from Al, so many glances from a certain duo that break hearts, the pain from what could have been so evident in them, so many surprising appearances even if only in small roles and winks. Joy directly proportional to how much joy a painful gaze at the still wild west can bring. Anyone who says this isn't Deadwood has already forgotten its scent. (29.11.2021) (mniej) (więcej)