"A Lie Agreed Upon" Deadwood 2x01 -2x02

[sisabet]

So killabeez posted wonderful thoughts about Seth and Sol and Trixie and Cochran and Jane and just - go read and discuss here: http://www.livejournal.com/users/killabeez/103931.html

More thoughts (and I bring up the Reverend Smith Arc of S1)

I actually can't wait to go back and watch part one and then part two back to back. I think so many things that felt off last week were just pacing issues - the eps were not meant to be viewed individually - but as one.

Take Jane for example: Last week we see her rise up on her horse and yell "Cocksucker" drunkenly at the passing stagecoach. Now we know that she was just getting closer and closer to camp and I just - I don't feel her absence as strongly now in part one as she is coming.

I need to watch this a bit more, can you tell?

One thing though that really tweaked me last night and that I thought about all morning was the title "A Lie Agreed Upon" and we know that this is history. History is a lie agreed upon. This becomes so meaningful, in the case of Deadwood, because so many of the characters actually existed. We can look at records, we can research books and *this* is what history says occurred and that is the end of that... but David Milch appeared to have thrown the book out the window last year. Yeah, he started with real people, but where he took these characters is not where history tells us they ended up.

Except last night - when Al was all flummoxing Seth with fucking graciousness, he brought up Reverend Smith. And I am a bit freaked because if you watched the show last year you know exactly how Smith dies. Hell - I'm working on a vid about that very thing right now (well not right now, right now I am typing and am at work and the current project in Premiere is not the Smith project, but the Clark Has Issues project, but I NEED A BREAK FROM DEATH. And apparently from full disclosure).

History tells us that Smith died very differently than the show. Preacher Smith was found shot on a road outside of camp. Reverend Smith was smothered by Al (in an astounding moment) to end his suffering from a brain tumor.

Well - this is all fine and good because David Milch has determined he is starting with these characters and he is using history more as a tool than anything definitive to construct his world. Fascinating. I was hooked.

And then last night Al brings up the fact that Reverend Smith was found shot on the road outside camp and WHAT?? OMG DAVID MILCH!!! You made the history work and FREAKED ME OUT!

Cause who is to say it didn't happen the Deadwood way? History is only a lie agreed upon.

::dies::

Can you tell I was raised by a conspiracy theorist?

I am also really looking forward to the rest of this season.

Comments

[killabeez.livejournal.com]

Ohmigod, I totally forgot to mention the Reverend Smith references!! That was so cool! I actually sat up and grabbed Dave and went, "holy crap, that's cool!" it was so cool. That is, like, my favoritest thing ever in historical fiction. It's like crossover fic! The author creatively meshes history with their story and finds the places where they can fit together. Can't believe I completely forgot that! {{{hugs you}}}

[sisabet.livejournal.com]

You hugged me with a Ralph Icon!!

::swoons::

[maryangel200.livejournal.com]

Sorry this is totally OT.
I just friended you. I hope it's OK.
If you head over to my journal, you'll see the explanation ;)

[sisabet.livejournal.com]

Friend away! Beware, I post A LOT and much of it is rambley stuff about any given fandom - but I haven't been active in QaFUS since season three.

But I am so glad you liked the Justin vid! Thank you. And your icon! Rory!

[maryangel200.livejournal.com]

I'm into lots of fandoms myself so it's all good :)

Rory/Logan <3

[sivib.livejournal.com]

Thirsty for Deadwood commentary, I have also friended you. I hope it is not too forward of me.
Sivi

[sisabet.livejournal.com]

All friending is welcomed! No need to ask. I expect I will be talking about Deadwood a lot. Also vidding it -- but you must watch killabeezish for really good commentary and she has also made an incredible video from Season one called "Blue on Black".

You know about the fic archive, right? I feel like I should give you a list of people Better than Me for this kind of thing -- I suck at fannish directions, I aways take a right turn at Albequerque and get lost somewhere in Sentinel slash. I don't even know who Blair is!

[sisabet.livejournal.com]

Ammend that to killabeez.

[sol-se.livejournal.com]

I'm loving this show as well. I completely didn't catch the mention of Rev. Smith being shot! How did I miss that? Ah, Deadwood, how I love thee.