Deadwood’s Forgotten Episode Is Finally Being Recognized as the Greatest Hour of Western TV

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David Milch’s show is a truly exceptional television masterpiece. The stories were incredibly engaging, and the characters – even those with smaller roles – were more compelling than the leads on many other series. What really stood out, though, was the dialogue. Milch had a remarkable talent for blending gritty language with deep, meaningful ideas, giving the show a surprisingly grand and classic feel.

Most fans consider Season 1’s “Here Was a Man,” depicting the infamous shooting of Wild Bill Hickok by Jack McCall during a poker game, and “A Lie Agreed Upon, Part 1,” with its iconic fight between Al Swearengen and Seth Bullock, to be among the best episodes. However, one episode is finally gaining the same level of praise, and it’s well deserved.

Deadwood Season 2 Built Up to This Underrated Episode Perfectly

Building on a strong first season, David Milch made the second season of Deadwood even more focused and well-developed. The season kicked off with the long-simmering conflict between Al Swearengen and Sheriff Bullock finally exploding into a violent confrontation.

Swearengen’s health suddenly worsened, and a severe kidney stone attack nearly killed him. While he was recovering, various groups tried to take control of or destroy the camp. Though weakened, Swearengen eventually recovered and continued to protect the camp discreetly, maintaining his usual detached and distant public persona.

One storyline followed Joanie Stubbs, who opened a brothel called the Chez Amis. She closed it down after the cruel Francis Walcott killed several of her workers, leaving Joanie feeling lost and deeply saddened, unsure of her place in life.

Meanwhile, a sweet but ultimately hopeless romance blossoms with Calamity Jane. Separately, Alma Garrett wrestles with whether to accept Whitney Ellsworth’s marriage proposal, suspecting his motives are more about her gold claim than genuine affection, given their significant age difference.

Bullock and Martha are having a hard time figuring out their marriage. But things start to look up when Bullock connects with his nephew, William, and they begin to feel like they could become a real family.

William Bullock’s Tragic Tale Was a Risk That Paid Off

Sadly, young William is killed when he’s accidentally run over by a horse. His unexpected death deeply affects everyone at the camp, culminating in a funeral in Season 2, Episode 11, titled “The Whores Can Come.”

This episode is deeply moving and can be difficult to watch, which explains why it’s not a fan favorite for repeat viewings. Despite this, it’s a powerful culmination of the season’s character arcs and storylines, and many consider it the most complete and meaningful hour of the entire series.

Milch really took a chance with William’s storyline, and he also risked losing viewers by keeping him sick in bed for several episodes. Making your most beloved character unable to participate for nearly half a season is usually a bad idea, much like unexpectedly killing off a child – it could easily frustrate and alienate the audience.

Fortunately, the decision to kill William wasn’t just a shocking twist or a ploy for higher ratings. It was crucial to the story’s core message about the people in the camp. The camp had begun as a chaotic and lawless place, but was gradually becoming a true community, and William’s death highlighted this transformation.

William’s Funeral Was the One Thing That United All of Deadwood

One of the most powerful things about this show is how subtly it builds a sense of community. You really see it when you compare the turnout at Hickok’s funeral in the first season to William’s. Hickok’s service was practically empty – just a few folks showed up for the famous gunslinger. But when William died, the whole town stopped. Seriously, almost every important character was there, paying their respects to William and his family, even those who didn’t really know him or even particularly like Bullock. It really highlights how far this town has come.

The camera sweeps across the large crowd gathered for William’s funeral in front of the Bullock house, revealing that all of Deadwood’s important citizens are in attendance. Even Swearengen’s prostitutes come to pay their respects – a detail that gives the episode its name – and his key associates, Dan Dority, Silas Adams, and Johnny Burns, are all there. Swearengen himself, however, stays away, publicly maintaining a disdain for such ceremonies.

The episode reveals Swearengen’s vulnerability when he drunkenly confides in a prostitute about his difficult childhood, a moment that highlights his inability to confront his feelings about William’s death. The episode ends with him overlooking the town from the Gem Saloon’s balcony, having secretly arranged a pause in everyone’s lives for the funeral. This illustrates Milch’s complex portrayal of Swearengen: a man who, despite his harsh exterior, subtly cares for the town and its future, yet remains unable to fully connect with the community due to his ruthless nature.

The funeral unexpectedly connects Stubbs and Jane when they both decide to buy new boots for the service. Both women are struggling to find direction in their lives, and they each question whether it’s right to focus on something new, like clothing, while grieving.

Despite Jane’s worry about getting blisters, they move forward with buying the new boots. This moment reveals Milch exploring how grief lingers beneath the surface, something people often try to hide with distractions. However, simply attending the funeral gives both Stubbs and Jane a small sense of purpose they had been missing.

The funeral ultimately helps Garrett realize Ellsworth’s proposal was meant to be a comforting offer. Seeing him gently carry Sophia, her surrogate daughter, to bed after the emotional funeral of a young boy, makes her understand that accepting his companionship is a good thing. They may not be in love, but they care deeply for each other, and he offers the security she needs. He’s a truly kind man who will be a loving father figure to Sophia, and in a world where life is fragile, that’s incredibly valuable.

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2025-12-07 18:11