Deadwood
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Sure, theres genuflection toward struggle.
But its mostly in service of delaying an outcome that even Seth seems to realize was inevitable.
He was always wearing a badge in Deadwood, even when he wasnt.
Putting on a star just makes things official.
Hes a Greek hero fleeing his fate only to crash straight into it.
you’re free to remake yourself, but you’re free to never escape yourself.
(Gentlemen, mind the felt, says Eddie.)
They are, at the same time, law and order personified, lawful evil sanctified by uniforms.
The Generals speech climaxes by promising that Deadwood will join the union soon.
The badge stays in the mud for maybe two minutes.
The exact throw in murder you preach, Al, he tells his boss later.
Head off trouble down the road.
You should pin that on your chest, he says, indicating the tin.
Youre hypocrite enough to wear it.
This wouldnt have happened without Sol playing Jiminy Cricket to Seths Pinnochio.
Im sensing youve done things today that you wish you could amend, Seth, he says.
What kind of man have I become, Sol?
Seth replies, not making eye contact.
(Remember how he captured Jack McCall in lieu of lynching him.)
It doesnt matter that theres no star on his chest.
People see one anyway.
Hes making things official.
Like writing egg on an egg.
Wu.Drawing up proposals for refuse disposal.
Unsolicited, adds Sol.
The day Seth arrived in Deadwood, folks started treating him like a sheriff or a prospective sheriff.
ThenBill was murderedand Seth avenged him by tracking and arresting his killer, risking death himself in the process.
He always said yes.
And now, here we are.
Just as Seth has been the camps shadow sheriff all this time, Al has been the shadow mayor.
He presides over two killings within minutes of each other.
Everybody onDeadwoodis more than one thing at any moment, and making choices that mean more than one thing.
Smith, breathes his last.
Cosmic forces are afoot in Deadwood, and they are bigger than any one person.
Bigger than all, in fact.
Announcing your plans is a good way to hear God laugh, Al says.
He moves in mysterious ways.
