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It was good, not great. I fast forwarded through some parts, like when they spent too much time with family recollections that didn't really add to the story. I'm sure some people like that part of it but I was more interested in the relevant parts. They could have cut it down to 3 hours.
I think that's because the show isn't really about the crime. Its not a whodunit. Its a character study. And a view into how the crime affected everyone around it.
so far there are short snippets of him talking. there's some video of him from old news footage, etc. haven't made it all the way through the whole show so not sure if he gets showcased more or not.
I nearly through Season 2 right now, but I struggled a lot with the first half of this season. You have one of the most interesting characters on TV (Swearingen) and for 4-5 episodes all he does is pass a kidney stone? Luckily it’s gotten better again now that he’s back in action.
It's been so long...but iirc, the kidney stone allows the people around him to he funny, or maybe it was just his exasperation towards the people around him ramping up to 11 that was funny.
There was definitely some funny going on surrounding it. I think the funny would have been better encapsulated in, say, one episode, though.
Imo their selection >>>>>> NF, so I usually don't think about it too much.
It shows you several things during that time though. Al is a tough SOB, and the fact that he fought for several episodes is meant to drag out, to show you it wasn't a quick one and done thing, especially back then before lithotripsy and modern medicine. He won't be killed or knocked down no matter what. The show had focused on him so much to that point, it allowed a chance to showcase and build other characters, without Al hogging up all the screen time. But the most important thing is it showed just what a hold he had on the entire town. While he was laid up, nothing really happened around town, no deals got made, everyone knew he was holed up sick and he was still the talk of the town. IIRC Tolliver was about the only person who saw Al's illness as a chance to take advantage and act while he could, but he was new in town, looking to steal Al's customers, and make a name for himself. That half season of Al being down-but-not-out just served to cement him as the unofficial tyrant of Deadwood.
This is a great analysis, and I appreciate @El Floppo's reminder of the comedy of it, too. I think you both make terrific points, but I should have mentioned the bigger issue with it all, which is that his absence allowed them to "showcase" the two people who are by far the least interesting on the show - Bullock and Mrs. Garret. If they could both be shot into space I would enjoy this show 1000x more than I do. As it is, it's still fantastic. Without them, it would reach "greatest of all time" perhaps. I still have more than a season plus a movie to watch, so my opinion will continue to evolve.
Agree.
I generally agree, although Prime is losing all their HBO content on May 20th, so that'll hurt.
Al: who stole the dope?!
Veronica Mars was a really good show. Haven't seen the movie or the recent season though.
That does hurt, but I wasn't even talking about the Hbo stuff. I think the movie selection is a lot better on Prime.
I was going to freak out about this then realized I have HBO go with my HBO subscription.
Actually, plot wise, Al being out of action was integral as several significant things did occur - most importantly Hearst (via proxies) got his hooks buried, which wouldn't have happened so easily if Al was able to function. It may have seemed like a strange decision to keep Swearingen in the background from an entertainment perspective, but it was necessary to the overall development of the story. The rest of the season (and series really) is spent dealing with the things that happened while Al was not able to prevent them.
Thanks for this. Without getting into spoilers, I wondered if this was key to the overall development. I figured it might be considering these are smart people writing it, much smarter than I am, with the story arcs.
I'll check this out and hope for some flashbacks. Tried shrooms and acid a few times. Trippin' for us was usually mesc back in the day.
My wife loved it...was laughing her ### off and said I had to watch it. I fell asleep during it.
Great recommendation, really liked Ramy. I thought I heard a season 2 is coming later this month.
If its not too late for you pull the rip cord on high castle. I really really disliked it and made myself finish it because of what I had invested in it.I'm about 3 episodes into The Man in the High Castle ..
The only issue I have so far is "The Marshall".. Dislike when any show has a character who happens upon every piece of evidence needed..
Other than that part, Really enjoying it so far" Hey, I'll just stop right here on the bridge where a drawing of the girl I am looking for happens to still be after hours of her losing it.. I am THAT good" ..
if he's into it so far, it's not like it gets worse.If its not too late for you pull the rip cord on high castle. I really really disliked it and made myself finish it because of what I had invested in it.I'm about 3 episodes into The Man in the High Castle ..
The only issue I have so far is "The Marshall".. Dislike when any show has a character who happens upon every piece of evidence needed..
Other than that part, Really enjoying it so far" Hey, I'll just stop right here on the bridge where a drawing of the girl I am looking for happens to still be after hours of her losing it.. I am THAT good" ..
second half was much better than the first. I agree with the person who suggested it started off weak/awkward
I think it was ultimately a little disappointing in that it mostly wasted a fascinating premise, but I don't think it was bad.
