Deadwood: The Complete Third Season

HBO pulled the plug on its prestige series Deadwood in 2006, bringing the third and final complete season to an end that left much of the ongoing storylines unresolved (although a pair of two-hour movies to tie up the loose ends are rumored to be in the works). In these 12 episodes—set in the titular mucky town, circa 1877, before it joins the Dakota territory—the focus is on the behind-the-scenes maneuverings of various individuals to gain permanent control over Deadwood's assets, resources, and people, with the major power conflict erupting between saloon owner and sympathetic villain Al Swearengen (Ian McShane) and George Hearst (Gerald McRaney, playing the real-life millionaire and father of William Randolph Hearst). Hearst has every intention of taking over a lucrative mine owned by the widow Alma (Molly Parker), former lover of lawman Seth Bullock (Timothy Olyphant), who is himself attempting to retain his seat as sheriff in the upcoming elections (with some guidance from Swearengen). Meanwhile, Bullock's friend and business partner, Sol Starr (John Hawkes), is running for mayor against the weasel-like E.B. Farnum (William Sanderson), while Calamity Jane (Robin Weigert) becomes a lesbian lover of former prostitute Joanie (Kim Dickens). Bullock's relationship with his wife (Anna Gunn) continues to deepen, while newcomer Jack Langrishe (Brian Cox) attempts to bring a little culture to the cutthroat camp by way of opening a theatre. As always, the dialogue co-written by series creator David Milch is a marvel, simultaneously elegant and profane. DVD extras include four audio commentaries, a pair of featurettes, and a photo gallery. Highly recommended. (T. Keogh)