Sunday, September 21, 2014

TV Reviews #4 - Deadwood Season 3 (2006)




















           This is it, the final season of Deadwood. Last season was frustrating for much of its time. Season 3 is a step ahead. The annoying speaking style is toned down. Whilst it is still present, it does not happen nearly as much. But the fact that it is still around, even less frequently, is a bad mark on the show. 

            The main plot of the season centers on George Hearst. He is a millionaire industrialist who comes to Deadwood in order to buy up all of the gold claims and add to his considerable wealth. He also has no problems with intimidation and murder to get what he needs. His activities cause the citizens of Deadwood to unite against him. It is a nice touch to the show where many of the town folk would often conspire against each other.

            The final season finds itself a consistent plot to work with that improves over the past ones that often felt disjointed and without direction. However the season ends when there was clearly an intention to continue the series that just never happened. Just as the show starts to get interesting, it ends.

            Deadwood as series showed us how you need to be careful with historic dramas. While there is a desire to get an authentic feel for the time, the viewer’s interest has to be intact otherwise, as this series showed, it will get cancelled. Cut down on the period language and instead focus on the story. Deadwood got the memo but too late to save itself.

Score: 6/10

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