David Milch's tremendously unique western, Deadwood, might be HBO's most misunderstood show. It is yet another victim of an early cancellation; the show only lasted three seasons, and that in itself is a tragedy. Deadwood is set in a late 1800s mining town, where the rules are still in the process of being formed and the tensions are always running high. The look and feel of the show is remarkably authentic, and the set pieces and inhabitants of the town are appropriately grimy. The show explores the difficulties of creating a civilisation in the middle of nowhere and challenges the notions of societal progress. The hilariously vulgar/f**k-laden but incredibly clever dialogue is a hallmark of this series. The show's world is populated with an incredible array of noteworthy characters, including Ian McShane's irritable saloon owner Al Swearengen, Timothy Olyphant's good-hearted former lawman Seth Bullock, Brad Dourif's exasperated Doc Cochran, and William Sanderson's bumbling hotel proprietor E.B. Farnum. Swearengen's Gem saloon is the epicentre for conflict and general volatility, leading to complex storylines and forever-unpredictable character interactions. Deadwood is truly an excellent show that deserves a larger fan base.
