I am – Hercules!!

Young "Dr. Bombay" only gave last week’s series debut three stars. This week’s may be so good we’ll forget about Mia Kirshner and the many other beautiful, nakedly cavorting lesbians molesting each other over on Showtime. But then again, maybe not!

Deadwood 1.2 FAQ

What's it called?

"Deep Water"

Last week you suggested that the series really gets going with this episode. Do you stand by that, Bombay?

Absolutely, on every level. Dramatically, things really come to a head this week as super villain Al Swearengen (Ian McShane) fights to protect his evil empire. First, he gets wind that a little girl has survived the robbery and massacre of her family, which occurred last week. She's in bad shape, and the Doc (Brad Dourif) says he hasn't got much hope for her. But Swearengen fears that if the child awakens she'll tell people that it was not the Sioux who murdered her people, but "road agents" (aka robbers) who can be traced back to him. Second, an explosive encounter with Seth Bullock (Timothy Olyphant) - all steely eyes and coiled fury - firmly establishes this series' chief dramatic conflict going forward.

As Bill O'Reilly might say, who's lookin' out for the little girl?

Doc and Bullock, but especially Calamity Jane. Her character is one of my favorite things about this show. The occassion of the child's peril puts Jane through all sorts of turmoil. Listen carefully to her dialogue. Over the course of the hour we get a clear sense of why she's become as tough-shelled as she has, and we also gain insight into why she's so protective of the child. This is a great character among great characters. Man, if only most of the movies I see had this much subtext.

Sounds compelling. But what about those of us who watch a show like this just for the sick stuff you can't see in most TV series?

This week you will see things no eye was meant to see.

Any more spoilers?

Nothing specific from this episode. However I have gleaned what are probably some future spoilers from the history books.

Huh?

Getting interested in this show has caused me to read-up on the real Deadwood and these characters. Wild Bill Hickok was murdered in Deadwood and shortly thereafter Seth Bullock became the area's first sheriff. I've heard someone say that Hickok is killed in the fourth episode or so, but then sticks around - not as a ghost (God forbid) but as a sort of imaginary moral compass for Bullock. I also read that Calamity Jane later came to be regarded as something of a saint in Deadwood for taking care of many people during a smallpox plague . In this week's episode, Doc compliments her nursing of the little girl, saying she's got a gift. Nice George Lucas-style foreshadowing. Another cool example is the doofy guy who plays cards across the table from Hickok, a seemingly minor character who annoys him constantly and talks crap behind his back. In the show his name is Jack McCall. In real life Wild Bill was murdered by a guy named Jack McCall. Hmmm.

Dr. Bombay’s rating for “Deadwood” 1.2?

****

The Hercules T. Strong Rating System:
***** better than we deserve
**** better than most motion pictures
*** actually worth your valuable time
** as horrible as most stuff on TV
* makes you quietly pray for bulletins

I remain, Dr. Bombay

9 p.m. Sunday. HBO

I am – Hercules!!

Watch “Wonderfalls”!! Herc says it’s the season’s best new show!! 9 p.m. Fridays!! Fox!!

Looking for bumper stickers, plush toys and girls’ underwear covered with cute cartoon double-amputees? Visit The Herc Store!