After all this time, HBO has finally granted us a follow-up to its beloved Western. Since Deadwood was abruptly canceled after season 3, fans have been begging for some closure.
Luckily, Deadwood: The Movie delivers! It not only reintroduces these characters and establish a strong central conflict but finally leaves us with some long-awaited closure.
So let's review the best moments of the movie! Despite 13 years separating the original series and the sequel film, it's as if we never left.
Warning: spoilers ahead!
George Hearst Arrives Back in Town
Season 3 of Deadwood introduced us to easily the most hated villain yet, that of corrupt businessman George Hearst, based on the historical figure. When we had last seen him, he was leaving Deadwood, after having gotten away with his crimes over the course of the series.
Now, 10 years later, he is returning to Deadwood as the town has become an official part of South Dakota. He has also upped his power even more since 2006 and currently works as a senator. It's his arrival and the town's lingering resentment that serves as the catalyst for the movie's subsequent conflict.
Calamity Jane
Since we last saw Jane, she was in the beginnings of a romantic relationship with Joanie. Now, when we see her in Deadwood: The Movie, it's clear she had moved on and started traveling the world, only returning now to celebrate the town's statehood. Now with the moniker "Calamity" in front of her name, it appears that she has changed, though in some ways she still falls victim to the same vices, such as drinking.
In a moment later on in the film, Jane suddenly notices a character about to attack Bullock, and she steps in to save him. As she remarks afterward, she claims that it was as if Wild Bill had taken over her and prompted her to action. Joanie, standing next to her, says something even more poignant in response: "No Jane, that was you." It's at this moment that Jane really has become the Old West legend.
Charlie Utter Refuses to Sell
One of the additional reasons George Hearst returns to town is to acquire more land for his personal use. Charlie Utter, who remained in Deadwood for all these years, is currently the owner and operator of that land. When George Hearst offers to buy it, and in a clearly nefarious way, Charlie pridefully refuses. Along with remembering Hearst's history with the town, Charlie realizes that he cannot give up what he had worked so hard to build.
What this leads to is, very, unfortunately, Charlie's murder by Hearst's men. Though he didn't necessarily see it coming, it's clear that Charlie must've known something may happen in response to his refusal to sell the land. The fact that he still refused in the face of this imminent threat makes his choice that much more impactful.
Marshall Bullock's Shootout
Since we last saw Bullock, he had been upgraded from Sheriff to Marshall while also operating a hotel. His family has also grown, with him and his wife Martha now having three kids to call their own. When he discovers what happens to Charlie, though, he can't step down, demanding justice for the murder. He does this despite realizing he has a lot more to lose than before.
This leads to a climactic shootout between Bullock - backed by Sol Star, Dan Dority, and Johnny Burns - versus George Hearst's men. The shootout is swift and violent, with some shocking deaths. For a show that mostly focuses on drama instead of gunfights, it's a delightful change of pace. It made Deadwood: The Movie more of an adrenaline-pumping experience than its predecessor, and it's all the better for it. It also helps that the characters involved are all ones that we have come to know and love.
Sol Star and Trixie's Wedding
In the Deadwood show, one of the more unlikely yet ultimately fitting relationships was the one between Sol Star and Trixie, who had previously worked as a head prostitute under the brutal Al Swearengen. Trixie had begun to establish herself during the show's run, but it appears that now she has fully stepped out from under Al's shadow.
Now, in Deadwood: The Movie, Trixie not only has a child with Sol, but they decided to get married. Fittingly, it's Al that gives her away. It's a tender and deserved moment, given the development of Trixie throughout the show, and it's followed by a lively wedding celebration. Towards the end of the movie, Al even gifts his saloon to Trixie. It appears in this moment that she has finally come full circle, returning to her original place of employment, but now emerging as her own firmly established woman.
E.B. Farnum Helps Out
It was one of the show's long-standing trends: that everyone hated the slimy weasel known as E.B. Farnum. Yet, towards the end of the show's third season, it appears that he was finally more sympathetic, looking out for others besides himself. Now, as we see him in Deadwood: The Movie, Farnum has softened up even more.
In one moment, Farnum overhears Hearst and his men, who are plotting to kill the only potential witness of the shooting of Charlie Utter, that of Samuel Fields, who was fishing in the river where Charlie was found. Without hesitation, Farnum rushes over to Bullock, telling him what Hearst's men are plotting. He subsequently gives Bullock enough time to stop the men from killing Fields. The old Farnum would never have bothered trying to save another life. He has made so much progress over the course of the series.
Alma's Winning Bid
After Charlie Utter is killed, we see an auction for Charlie's land. Hearst is here, of course, as this was the reason he had Charlie killed in the first place. The bidding begins, and the main bidders are Hearst and Bullock, who will not let Hearst obtain his prize that easily. It's Hearst, though, who has almost unlimited funds at his disposal.
As the two men raise each other higher and higher, another bid ultimately wins. And the winner is someone unexpected: Alma Ellsworth. When we saw her at the end of Deadwood season 3, Alma had lost nearly everything near and dear to her; her husband, her gold claim, and her dignity, all at the hands of George Hearst. Now, beating him at his own game, she not only honors Charlie Utter, but she has also won the power back that had been taken from her. It's a triumphant moment that only Deadwood could really bring us.
The Town Turns Against Hearst
George Hearst had emerged from Deadwood ten years ago as an absolute winner, having turned everyone on the town to his will. He didn't care that these actions left a trail of bodies in his wake, of which he had never faced any repercussions. Now, though, after his loss to Alma in the bid for Charlie's land, he has been taken down a notch. Then, when Marshall Bullock arrests him on suspicion of Charlie's murder, he has now been humiliated as well.
This leads to one of the darker moments of the movie. Hearst is ripped from Bullock's custody and is then beaten like a dog in the street by the townspeople of Deadwood, in clear spite of his actions. Bullock gives a moment's hesitation before ultimately stopping the townspeople from finishing the deed. But the moment remains significant all the same, and the message is clear: Hearst had finally lost.
Bullock Returns Home
Despite being the moral compass of Deadwood, Marshall Bullock sometimes lets his temper get the better of him. It was his biggest flaw, and it ultimately led to some friction between him and the other characters. Throughout Deadwood: The Movie, he realizes that, with his family in mind, he has something to live for, even if he can't let Charlie Utter's death go unnoticed.
When Bullock does the right thing by not letting Hearst be killed in the street, he returns home to his wife and kids. He had avenged Charlie's death while not going too far. Embracing Martha on their doorstep, he finally declares "I'm home." If ever there was a character that deserved a happy ending, it was Seth Bullock. We're thankful that Deadwood: The Movie gave us this touching farewell to one of the show's most beloved characters.
Al's Final Words
Along with walks into the sunset and fond farewells, Deadwood: The Movie also waved goodbye to what is easily the standout character of the show: Al Swearengen. When we first see him at the start of the movie, it appeared that Al's actions had finally caught up to him. Due also to extensive drinking over the years, it appears that Al has gone into cirrhosis, and he only has a little while left.
In his final moments, though, Al does his reputation a service. He gives his saloon to Trixie, splits his fortune amongst his loyal workers, and waves goodbye to Bullock and Sol Star, before finally accepting his time has come. Trixie, holding him, starts to recite the Lord's Prayer. When she says "Our Father, Who Art in Heaven," Al says his last words: "let him stay there." Al knows he won't be going anywhere nice and recognizes his past life of sin. Al always lived his life the way he wished and also goes out on his own terms. We couldn't think of a more fitting ending.