I'm really surprised about the Deadwood thing. I thought I hated Westerns. I hate Clint Eastwood, I think. And I have John Wayne Issues. But maybe I don't hate Westerns.

Well, I have almost zero knowledge of anything that actually happens in Deadwood, but maybe the plots aren't Western-y, just the setting and atmosphere?

Maybe, maybe not. Or at least, it doesn't have whatever qualities that stand out in what I don't like about the form. Because I think it still is one. Just a different take. And well, Al is kind of crime boss, too.

I was about to say, "Al's no name for a crime boss," and then I checked myself before I wrecked myself.

And I have John Wayne Issues.

Don't talk bad about Marion, now.

I have heard that Deadwood was originally conceived as being set in the wilds of the Roman Empire. I think the creator said something like that in an interview. So, it would make sense that it's not super-Western

However, when he was talking about the language, I started wanting to argue with him. The period profanity would have been "goddamn" and that sort of thing (mostly religious). To make the effect for a modern audience, he translated it to "cocksucker" and "fuck". My point was that it's an entirely other vibe, a profaning of an entirely other part of the culture, which affects the entire atmosphere, especially with as much sexual stuff as there is on the show.

One of the posts about Deadwood over on Matt Zoller Seitz's blog is an interview with David Milch in which he talks about his love and admiration for McCabe and Mrs. Miller, if that helps set some context for the show.

The period profanity would have been "goddamn" and that sort of thing (mostly religious). To make the effect for a modern audience, he translated it to "cocksucker" and "fuck".

He's claimed in several interviews that the salty language is accurate to the time and place (but I make no claims to the veracity of this statement). Also, without the use of "cocksucker," we'd never have Al and Wu have conversations in which that's the only word spoken, and that's pure comedy gold there.

Sorry about the serial posting, but I just wanted to mention that I'm not ignoring Strega, but instead desperately trying not to overplay my hand in encouraging her to re-watch The Wire and give Al Swearengen another chance. I do this through meta-commentary, not direct comment, as one might do when one wishes to charm sidelong instead of talking too directly. I'm in a bit of a heightened state right now, what with having just finished a small glass of The Balvenie to celebrate buying a new computer (MacBook, should be here by the 20th), and tired, buzzing, and excitable are not the best mental states to be in if one wishes to be direct without being too much on the nose.

Also, without the use of "cocksucker," we'd never have Al and Wu have conversations in which that's the only word spoken, and that's pure comedy gold there.

I must see this to believe it. It reminds me of the drama game where you try to have a conversation with your partner with only the word "Spoon."