Customer Reviews
Rent this, don't buy it. - By: Wild Bill, 22 Apr 2008 
Having been impressed by the first two series of Deadwood, I was expecting another well written dramatic jewel. What a disappointment. The plot, such as there is, meanders along, with new (superfluous)characters thrownin with the obvious intent of providing continuity for the next (never to be completed) series, more incoherent drunken ramblings from Calamity Jane, a pointless cameo from Wyatt Earp & a finale that, by the time it arrives, is so overdue that it comes as a relief from the tedium, despite it's complete lack of drama.
Series 3 of Deadwood is rubbish. It could have been a masterpiece. However, having said that, the acting of Ian McShane et al is still superb. Pity the poor actors who have to work for such idiots as HBO - a gang of con-artists to release this & let it ride on the reputation of series 1 & 2. They'll not see another penny of mine.
Oh, for a fourth series... - By: Chessman, 29 Mar 2008 
In keeping with many of the reviewers, I am an enormous fan of this series. As such, Series 3 is ultimately disappointing, lacking the fluid pacing of 1 & 2, though retaining its intriguing dialogue. One is left wishing for a different direction, more of this & definetely less of that...
The outstanding character remains Al Swearengen. The writers have gifted him the material that amuses & illuminates, that speaks the ultimate truth of the darkness of human motivation. Of course, Ian McShane delivers with consumate surety - Al is a legend. Less can be said of Seth Bullock. One keeps hoping that Seth will explode onto the consciousness of Deadwood, setting his stamp on the town. However, he fails, blownin conflicting directions as each new breeze dictates. He has the potential but, it seems, not the contolling mindset to dominate.
The series was diluted by too much attention given to minor or unimportant characters. The tussle over the blacksmith shop is a casein point, diverting but frustrating as one wants to return to the important plot lines. Brian Cox, a talented actor, & inhabiting an interesting characterin Jack Langrische, is also an unnecessary sideline. The eccentric Calamity Jane, whom we all surely have a soft spot for, is positioned within a relationship with Joanie. I did not believein the dynamic of this couple, which was a shame.
The series movesin a jerky manner. Our attention is always engaged but with less compulsion than previously. You will certainly enjoy the series & it remains a gem. Make your own judgement. I hope that, as unlikely as it now seems, Deadwood will return for a shortened fourth series. Al Swearengen cannot be denied.
an Unfinished Symphony - By: Terence C. Wall, 26 Feb 2008 
I defer to those who have outlined the characters & plot of Deadwood.I just want to express how I feel having just watched the last (ever?) episode.An Unfinished Symphony is not quite right, so I will try for a different metaphor.
Your team qualifies for The Champions League.You follow all the group games & the Knock-out stages.
They reach the final, by being advenurous & fascinating to watch.You watch the hours of build up before the game.The anthems ,the kick about.
The match starts,cagey,tactical,one for the purists.Brilliant.Half time comes nil-nil the teams go off.
And they never ever return.You are leftin your seat totally perplexed. Who let this happen?What now ?
Deadwood 3 - Dead loss - By: Mr. Andrew G. Cannon, 15 Feb 2008 If you loved series 1 & 2 be warned this is not a patch on them: tiresomely inappropriate repetitive profanity, slow plot, lack of tension, pointless & unconvincing verbosity, useless secondary characters & sub plots. Save your money!
Where's disc 5? (review contains *spoilers*) - By: Nigel Collier, 11 Feb 2008 Similar to the now legendary Spinal Tap volume control, I wished Amazon's rating system allowed me to go up to six to rate Deadwood, series 1 & 2. Within the constraints of 5 stars however, I have to rate series three as a lowly 4. Doesn't seem fairin the scheme of things because Deadwood stands so far above all other TV shows but there it is.
Series 3 (not 'season 3'...pet peeve of mine) sacrifices too many of the great things which made the first two series so good. Mr Wu is out of town, Cy Tolliver is confined to the Bella Union, Doc Cochrane is too ill to make his rounds, Farnum is out of the loop. New characters are broughtin but go nowhere compared to series one & two; the Earp brothers, Aunt Lou & especially the seemingly pointless troupe of travelling actors are merely distracting interludes. There's even some weak actingin the form of the hotel keeper Shaughnessy (played by the same Dan Hildebrand who was so good as Tim Driscollin series 1).
Eleven episodes are lavished at the expense of other sub plots & character development on building George Hearst into an almost unbelievably reprehensible megalomaniac with no redeeming traits, getting the viewer along with all of the cast to detest him, & want him dead. But then does not pay off. The sheer scale of the Hearst character completely skewes the previous plots & relationshipsin the camp: local politics (small 'p') & rivalries which held so much dramatic valuein the first two series are rendered irrelevantin the new scheme of things. Hearst becomes the reference point for everything.
This is done brilliantly of course - the great direction & writing constantly ratchets up the suspense & threatening atmosphere through eleven episodes (relieved briefly by the adrenaline pumping fight between Dority & Turner) until it is utterly stifling. But then the hoped-for denouement is not delivered. With Seth & Al's crew pumped up, Hawkeye's menin the camp, Mr Wu's celestial army assembled & armed & all arrayed against the combined might of Hearst's muscle the series just fizzles out meekly. There's no blood bath, no showdown with the Pinkertons, there's no revenge or popular justice. Swearengen, Bullock & Alma Garret simply give in, the fledgeling & unlikely community of Deadwood cannot close ranks & overcome. Hearst wins & rides off into the sunset.
I'm sure I missed the point - Milch is way smarter than me & if I was disappointed by the way Deadwood ended then it's almost certainly because I didn't 'get it' on first viewing & need to watch it a few more times. Nevertheless I felt decidedly underwhelmed by the way the series closed & honestly thought there must be some mistake...was there a fifth disc somewherein the box set with extras plus the final, perhaps cliched but satisfying climax? Almost without exception the dialogue, casting, characterisation, sets, attention to detail & acting are all of the most sublime quality - you take that as read with Deadwood - but I would just have liked to see Hearst get what was coming to him...
