20 Years Later, This 95%-Rated Masterpiece Is Still the Best Western Made for TV

In the early 2000s, when HBO was trying to establish itself as a powerhouse of television's biggest hits, NYPD Blue showrunner David Milch approached the network's executives with the idea for a series about ancient Rome.

They turned him down but offered to change the setting. Milch then turned to the story of the small gold mining camp of Deadwood, South Dakota, during the Wild West, and thus, Deadwood was born.

Although the series was canceled after three seasons, it gained cult status, and a feature-length finale aired in 2019.

What Is 'Deadwood' About?

It's 1876. Deadwood, South Dakota, is a veritable cesspool, home to criminals from all over America. Crime and corruption are so ingrained in the lives of its residents that they are practically ignored.

Meanwhile, Deadwood transforms from a gold mining camp into a real city with a socio-political structure, and South Dakota transforms from a wilderness into a state.

The plot centers on real historical figures, including saloon owner Al Swearengen and sheriff Seth Bullock. The destinies of these characters intertwine in this hell.

'Deadwood' Is a Brilliant Blend of Shakespearean Dialogue and Profanity

The Deadwood writers used diaries and newspapers from the community as references for the characters, events, and overall atmosphere. The show's signature dialogue is Shakespearean in structure and peppered with choice expletives.

According to statistics, over the course of three seasons, the characters uttered the f-word 2,980 times – roughly one and a half times per minute. Yet, the characters speak with such poetic beauty that they sound more like Shakespearean characters than bandits.

Milch created a unique language in which cursing sounds poetic and monologues about life and death provoke philosophical reflection. This contrast between the filth of the Wild West and lofty language is what makes Deadwood so special.

'Deadwood' Ended Too Soon, but It's a Masterpiece on Par With 'The Sopranos' & 'The Wire'

Despite a steadily growing fan base, annual nominations for major television awards, and critical acclaim, Deadwood was canceled after three seasons. The expensive TV series failed to live up to the network's expectations – they saw it as a spiritual successor to The Sopranos.

Since 2006, however, recognition of the show's contribution to television has only grown. Deadwood consistently ranks alongside The Wire, The Sopranos, Mad Men, and Breaking Bad on lists of the best dramas.

David Milch still expressed a desire to end the series – in 2019, the feature-length movie of the same name was released, providing a finale and a true conclusion. The film was emotional but not manipulative and a fitting conclusion to the story.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Deadwood'?

• Deadwood has 92% from critics and 95% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the series has a score of 8.6/10.

Where to Watch 'Deadwood'?

Deadwood is available to stream on HBO Max.