Trixie was one of the most popular characters in Deadwood. The hit HBO series presented the rough and tumble occupants of a small mining town over the span of several years, their behavior often reflecting the state of progress of the American West.
Trixie's character was fictional but based on many working women in similar camps, giving their bodies to prospectors to earn a living. Trixie was fortunate enough to fall into friendships and associations with some of the more influential members of Deadwood, but her erratic and aggressive antics often threatened to sabotage them. To know whether or not her decision making process can be chalked up to a bad mental state or an unstable environment, her actions and choices in Deadwood have to be examined critically.
HER POOR TREATMENT OF SOL
Deadwood's Sol Star was nothing if not polite to Trixie when he first met her at The Gem, going so far as to offer her a drink as a way to enjoy her company, without any thoughts of physical intimacy. He continued to be nothing if not genteel towards her throughout the series, while she only ever insulted him.
She constantly made antisemitic remarks and jabs against his dignity, despite the fact that he did nothing to warrant her harassment. Even after he facilitated the purchase of a house for them to live in, she treated him with vehemence.
HAVING NO RELATIONSHIP WITH JOANIE
As the only thing that passed for a madam at The Gem, Trixie was afforded a little more respect and courtesy than the other working women. As such, she should have had a lot more in common with Joanie Stubbs than Alma Garret, especially considering the malaise that shaped both their personalities.
Yet Trixie spoke only a few words to Joanie, who was much more congenial than her employer Cy Tolliver, and seemed to be someone whom Trixie would naturally fall into acquaintance. They both were survivors with hearts of gold beneath their carefully crafted exteriors.
REFUSING ALMA'S OFFER
After Trixie had become helpful to Alma by helping to look after Sophia, Alma offered to set Trixie up in New York if she'll continue to watch over Sophia until Alma could finish up her obligations in Deadwood. It was a chance for Trixie to leave her life behind and finally be free of Al and The Gem.
She didn't take Alma up on her offer for an escape, presumably because she was frightened of what Al would do once he realized she hadn't been fueling Alma's opium addiction in Deadwood.
HER ANIMOSITY TOWARDS SETH
While Seth's behavior towards Alma might have incensed Trixie with its inherent hypocrisy, it shouldn't have been enough to act as the impetus for her rampant disdain towards his person. She berated him or sent him a withering stare at every opportunity, despite his personal affairs being none of her business.
Seth wasn't the easiest person to get along with in Deadwood due to his irascible temperament and his holier-than-though ideals, but Trixie only made it more difficult for herself by continuing to be short with him.
TRYING TO COMMIT SUICIDE
It wasn't a secret that Trixie didn't like her life in Deadwood - at one point she actively wished she was a tree, believing it would live a far happier life than her. Because of her malaise, she even used the dope Al gave her to give to Alma on herself to try to commit suicide.
She had a perfectly credible offer to leave town thanks to Alma Garret's generosity, but rather than leave and risk Al's wrath, she ultimately decided ending her life would be the better option. Though she would never entertain the notion, she could have sought out Doc Cochran to help her mental health.
REFUSING TO LIVE IN A HOUSE WITH SOL
When Silas Addams backed out of a property loan through Sol Star, it was in accordance with Al Swearengen's wishes. Al rightfully knew that if Addams backed out, Sol could be persuaded to take over the property under the guise that Trixie would live with him, and appear more of respectable candidate for mayor.
Trixie wanted nothing to do with the arrangement, and refused to concede that she was living under the same roof as Sol even though she was, and had no problem with them having relations like a proper couple.
HER RELATIONSHIP WITH AL
Trixie and Al had a sordid relationship that was equal parts parasitic and codependent. Trixie allowed Al to put his boot on her neck in the first episode of Deadwood, and even spied on Alma Garret for him, despite seeming to actively resent him.
She sabotaged his efforts with the Garret claim, and even went to work for Sol Star at the hardware store, but periodically returned to Al and The Gem because she couldn't strike out independently. She knew continuing to be tied to him was the wrong choice but one she actively kept making.
FEELING SO STRONGLY ABOUT ELLSWORTH
Everyone in the camp (with the exception of George Hearst) was mortified at the sight of Whitney Ellsworth's body. After having been executed up at the Garret claim, he was brought into town on a buckboard in plain view of the townsfolk, where Trixie caught sight of him.
She reacted instantly and marched towards the Grand Central Hotel to shoot Hearst for what she knew he had a hand in. Her paroxysm was curious because although Ellsworth showed her kindness, they didn't have many interactions - not enough to warrant an emotional bond that Trixie would avenge and ultimately endanger herself over.
SHOOTING HEARST
Trixie proved to be the character with the most conviction when she shot Hearst for the murder of Ellsworth. While it was characteristic of Trixie to act without thinking, in this case her action proved to have a tragic ripple effect.
It was strange that she should be the one who, outraged at seeing Ellsworth's body, decided to shoot the most powerful man in the camp. After she accomplished this she hid, knowing full well that Al wouldn't let her take the fall. She must have known his hand would be forced, and that he would end up killing Jen.
DRAWING HEARST'S ATTENTION TO HER
When George Hearst returned to Deadwood in Deadwood: The Movie, it caused quite a disruption. He had many enemies in the camp, but none as full of animosity as Trixie, who almost succeeded in assassinating him over a decade prior.
Despite being warned of her fragile condition so close to term, she proceeded to scream at his departing coach from the balcony of The Gem, drawing unnecessary attention to herself and causing him to distinctly remember her face and voice. She not only put herself in danger, but her unborn child as well.