11 Great Things You Only Notice Rewatching Deadwood
10. From Main Antagonist To Main Protagonist
Al Swearengen is introduced as a ruthless murderer and cunning businessman who seems capable of nearly anything. He eventually stops being the main antagonist in the show simply due to the fact that there are bigger fish to fry. What is even more shocking is that he becomes the main protagonist and many people's favourite character.
This is a very gradual process in the show but begins when Trixie starts pulling away from him and toward Sol Star. At the time the viewer has little to no sympathy for the heartbroken Swearengen, instead being happy at the prospect of Trixie leaving her abisive pimp. But as Sweaengen starts talking at the whore he brings to his bed instead of Trixie, he begins describing the traumatising upbringing he had as an orphan.
That kernel of sympathy and understanding slowly grows until you start to feel the harsh looks of the more morally upright people in the camp when they look at Al from his perspective.