Seth Bullock's brooding countenance and reserved demeanor can't fool die-hard Deadwood fans - behind his stoic nature lies a paradox of complexity. He has insufferably few interpersonal skills yet forms deep attachments to people. He showcases very little emotion one moment only to expose a truly bleeding heart the next. He professes to be friendly to certain citizens of the camp only to openly mock them behind their backs, and despite being a lawman let his interpretation of it affect his judgment.
Whether fans attribute his character inconsistencies with errors in David Milch's writing or Timothy Olyphant's performance, they agree that they made for some uncomfortable and bewildering moments in the hit HBO series. Outlining them makes him appear far less straightforward than the typical protagonist of the Old American West. Without further delay, here are ten things about Deadwood's sheriff that don't make much sense.
Becoming Sheriff (Again)
Formerly a sheriff in Montana, Seth left the life of a lawman behind to head to Deadwood and make his fortune with Sol, eventually planning on sending for his family to join him as soon as he was settled. Instead, he became a lawman once again by the time they arrived and almost got killed.
The first time his family see him again he's beating in Al Swearengen's face over a dispute involving his badge. While the character as written could no more quit being a sheriff than Al could stop drinking despite his failing health, the position took an unprecedented toll on him and made him (and his family) a huge target for years.
Putting Off Wild Bill
Seth was energized with the thought of opening up a hardware store with Sol, to the point where he would rather build its structure than have dinner with Wild Bill. Despite Charlie Utter's clear attempts to set up Seth and Bill together as friends because of Bill's spiral into depression, Seth brushes off the invitation.
It becomes the last attempt at true socialization Bill makes, and seeing no real reason to connect with humanity any longer, makes a detour down the path of total self-destruction. Seth sheds tears at the funeral, but with the regard and reverence he had for Wild Bill in the beginning, it seemed like he would have spent more time with him rather than Bill or Charlie needing to make the initiative.
Never Working At The Hardware Store
Seth and Sol traveled to Deadwood with the sole purpose of starting up a hardware store to cash in on selling accouterments to prospectors panning for gold, but Sol seemed to be the only one running the store.
Seth would usually arrive after Sol had already opened for the day, and never remained very long to handle the diurnal affairs because his attention would be diverted to whomever or whatever made him the most angry, leaving Sol to sell the wares and close up.
Sleeping With Alma When He Was Already Married
Decoding Seth and Alma's furtive glances wasn't difficult for the citizen of Deadwood - even a toady like E.B. could accurately deduce that they were in love. Their passionate romance reached an apex when their intimate relations were so loud they could be heard throughout the Grand Central Hotel.
Knowing that he had a wife and child (albeit from a levirate marriage), Seth shouldn't have so brazenly given in to his lustful urges. It just made things more awkward for him and Alma when his family eventually joined him in the camp.
Constantly Ridiculing The Reverend
Reverend Smith was a kind soul amidst a sea of sinners, and found it harder than most in Deadwood to eek out an existence. He had faith among the faithless and they weren't interested in hearing his gospel, least of all Seth.
Not only did Seth openly mock his sermons, but he also stepped over Reverend Smith in the muddy streets when he was having a seizure. He treated someone who was compassionate and brave - two traits Seth liked to think he had - with derision and malice. It was only when he felt guilty that he showed the preacher a modicum of respect and friendship, which is quite a rudely utilitarian way of treating others.
Playing Fast & Loose With The Law
Seth was by all accounts a law abiding man who had a firm sense of morality and a compulsion for justice, but there were times when he looked the other way where the law was concerned. In Season 2, he let the Earp brothers ride out of Deadwood with no further investigation despite the fact that Wyatt didn't shoot a Pinkerton in self defense.
In Season 3, he knew that Al murdered Jen to pass her body off as Trixie's, and he was willing to let Al get away with it to fool Hearst. When it came to the good of the camp, Seth was apparently willing to bend the rules.
Continuing To Show Interest In Alma
Even after Martha and William arrived in Deadwood, Seth and Alma couldn't abstain from exchanging longing glances across The Gem, or finding themselves pressed together in cramped corridors of the Grand Central Hotel.
Try as he might, Seth nevertheless betrayed his feelings for Alma whenever his emotions were written plainly on his face. He risked his marriage several times with his inability to not invite controversy or embarrassment onto his family.
Being Chosen To Be Sophia's Guardian
This isn't really Seth's fault but nonetheless, it doesn't add up. When Alma Garret thought she was going to die in childbirth, she began the difficult process of getting her affairs in order in case the worse happened. This was no easy task as she was the wealthiest woman in town thanks to her gold claim, and she had her young ward Sophia to think of.
Rather than grant guardianship of Sophia to Ellsworth, the man who dutifully tended to her and would become her husband, she impressed Sophia's care to Seth Bullock, despite the shame that would invite onto his wife.
Letting Al Get Away With Too Many Things To Count
Al Swearengen and Seth Bullock had one of the most intriguing relationships on the series. They each operated on opposite sides of the law yet met in the middle when it came to their unique moral codes.
Seth often looked the other way when Al did something illegal as long as it benefited the camp. If he was truly a man of the law, he wouldn't allow Al to do things like slit the throat of one of Hearst's Pinkerton agents or worse, kill a prostitute to protect a murderer.
Letting His Emotions Get The Better Of Him
While ordinarily quite reserved and economic with his words and demeanor, Seth's irascible nature meant he was a simmering pot waiting to boil over and scald those closest to him.
Whether it was beating Alma's father to a bloody pulp, battering E.B. within an inch of his life, or his inability to contain his derision towards men in power like George Hearst despite the damage they could do to his family, he often let his emotions get the better of him.