Annexation of the Deadwood community is now in the cards, so Swearengen calls a meeting of various local figures. The purpose is to set up an informal "government", with assorted titles (that don't really mean anything) going to them. (Farnum immediately pipes up that he'd like to be mayor.) Bullock leaves the investigation of the Garret claim in Ellsworths' capable hands. Joanie, looking to go into business for herself, looks around the community for potential sites - all with Tollivers' supposed blessings. Sawyer voices to Tolliver that he feels VERY uncomfortable with being witness to the torture-murder of the two young thieves. And Jane gives serious thought to leaving town.
'No Other Sons or Daughters' gets its title from Bullock informing Alma of his domestic situation; at some point his wife and son will be joining him in Deadwood. This is interesting because one can easily see the connection that the two of them are making. It's also endearing to see Sol become rather sweet on Trixie, although she lets him know that he can't really expect anything from her. Key to the effectiveness of this episode are a handful of memorable scenes: the aforementioned town meeting, the scene where the magistrate (Marshall Bell) lets Swearengen know what the situation is (bribes will be expected), a conversation between Cochran and the Reverend where the holy man believes that his health issues are something that he *must* suffer through, a nice moment where Charlie and Joanie meet, and the intense confrontation between Tolliver and Eddie. We've already seen just how nasty Tolliver can be, and he's very blunt about believing that he has Eddies' number.
Although the dialogue is typically very profane and colorful, it's worth noting (per the trivia for this episode), that this marks the first time in the series where nothing really violent happens. It's the dramatic content, and the performances, that sell the story.
Eight out of 10.
'No Other Sons or Daughters' gets its title from Bullock informing Alma of his domestic situation; at some point his wife and son will be joining him in Deadwood. This is interesting because one can easily see the connection that the two of them are making. It's also endearing to see Sol become rather sweet on Trixie, although she lets him know that he can't really expect anything from her. Key to the effectiveness of this episode are a handful of memorable scenes: the aforementioned town meeting, the scene where the magistrate (Marshall Bell) lets Swearengen know what the situation is (bribes will be expected), a conversation between Cochran and the Reverend where the holy man believes that his health issues are something that he *must* suffer through, a nice moment where Charlie and Joanie meet, and the intense confrontation between Tolliver and Eddie. We've already seen just how nasty Tolliver can be, and he's very blunt about believing that he has Eddies' number.
Although the dialogue is typically very profane and colorful, it's worth noting (per the trivia for this episode), that this marks the first time in the series where nothing really violent happens. It's the dramatic content, and the performances, that sell the story.
Eight out of 10.
