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| Deadwood - The Complete Second Season |
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List Price: $99.98
Buy New: $59.00
You Save: $40.98 (41%)
Buy New/Used/Collectible from $56.95
Avg. Customer Rating:  (based on 23 reviews)
Sales Rank: 5
Category: DVD
Directors: Michael Almereyda, Mark Tinker, Alan Taylor
Publisher: Hbo Home Video
Studio: Hbo Home Video
Manufacturer: Hbo Home Video
Label: Hbo Home Video
Format: Ac-3, Box Set, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, Subtitled, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: French (Dubbed), Spanish (Dubbed), English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Media: DVD
Number Of Items: 6
UPC: 026359277924
EAN: 0026359277924
ASIN: B000EULSR0
Release Date: May 23, 2006 (New: This Week)
Theatrical Release Date: March 21, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
Deadwood: The Complete Second Season continues the Shakespearean brilliance of the landmark first season, created by NYPD Blue head writer David Milch. Milch either wrote or supervised the writing of each of the 12 episodes in this stunning follow-up, which contains more than a few surprises for anyone who thought they knew the myriad characters in the late 19th century town of Deadwood--a mucky, ungoverned, exceptionally violent development in South Dakota. As with the first season, Deadwood continues to be about many things--survival, loyalty, alliances, duty--but all of them are happening against a titanic battle between several parties to consolidate power and real wealth in the territory. Despite his cutthroat ethics, astonishing profanity, and bursts of cruelty, it's hard not to side in this bid for a piece of America's future with saloon owner Al Swearengen (a magnificent performance by Ian McShane), a visionary monster who is nevertheless more recognizably human than his rivals.
Entering an uneasy partnership with Al is Seth Bullock (Timothy Olyphant). Seth begins the second season by teaching Al a few lessons in chivalry, and their brief but bloody feud commences physical ailments for Al that become increasingly shocking to behold. Yet Al's difficulties have the practical effect of sidelining him for a couple of episodes while the story sets up more complex power struggles. Al takes on Deadwood's other saloon-brothel owner, the unstable Cy Tolliver (Powers Boothe), as well as an off-screen millionaire who is intent on owning all the gold-mining interests by buying out weary prospectors' claims. Meanwhile, Seth's wife and son (actually, his late brother's widow and child) arrive, an unsettling development for Seth's lover, the widow Alma Garret (Molly Parker), who soon reveals herself to be a more complicated person than in the first season. The prostitute Trixie (Paula Malcomson) begins thinking about her future and asserts independence from Al by having sex with Seth's friend, Sol Star (John Hawkes). Best of all, Calamity Jane (Robin Weigert) is back and more endearingly uncivilized than ever. Special features include actor commentaries on select episodes, the best of which finds Olyphant and McShane cracking each other up while watching the season premiere. --Tom Keogh
Description
1877. A new day is dawning in the Black Hills outlaw camp of Deadwood. For better or worse, times are changing, and the transformation from camp to town is imminent. Unsavory new arrivals - looking to cash in on the lucrative anarchy -- and a government of outsiders usher in an era of hard decisions and brutal power struggles among the camp?s founders, all learning the hard way...fortune comes with a price.
DVD Features:
3D Animated Menus
Audio Commentary
Documentaries
Episodic Previews
Episodic Recaps
Featurette
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Customer Reviews: Read 18 more reviews...
 "Welcome the &%*# to Deadwood" May 28, 2006
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
The second season of "Deadwood" starts with a tussle--Sheriff Seth Bollock (Timothy Olyphant) takes on Al Swearengen (Ian McShane) in a nasty, bloody fight when Swearengen insults Alma Garret (Molly Parker) in front of the residents of the town. Bollock's affair with Garret takes an unexpected turn when Bollock's wife and the widow of his brother and step son arrive in town unexpectantly. Cy Tolliver (Powers Boothe) and Al increasingly come into conflict over their rival whorehouse business and a sociopath, ruthless mining agent (Garret Dillahunt) who works for George Hearst changes the life of whorehouse owners Maddie (Alice Krige) and Joanie (Kim Dickens) when he begins frequenting their business.
Once again dominated by marvelous, stunning performances particularly from McShane, Olyphant, Boothe, Robin Weigert (as Calamity Jane) and Paula Malcomson (Trixie) the second season of "Deadwood" lacks the shock value of the first but the plotting, direction and writing are equally as good with sharper character development for the main characters. There isn't a weak link in this stunning cast (I mentioned the above members of the cast only because they had more than one stand out episode) and "Deadwood" is what "The Sopranos" used to be--cutting edge TV without regrets. David Milch's combination of drama and history is stunning looking with its rich production design and authentic characterizations.
A truly stunning transfer "Deadwood" is easily a DVD reference standard with deep, rich blacks almost nonexistent digital artifacts and rich, deep colors that capture the authentic rustic look of the show. The 5.1 soundtrack makes excellent use of the surround channels and dialogue is crystal clear. Part of the quality is due to the fact there are never more than 3 episodes per disc allowing plenty of bit space for the visual and audio elements but that also contributes to the cost of the set as well. You're getting and paying for quality with these sets. There are chapter placements after the opening titles of each episode which is a big plus for those fans who want to skip ahead.
We get a number of commentary tracks from the actors and writer/producer David Milch and director-producer Greg Feinberg. Among the best commentary tracks is the one on "A Lie Agreed Upon Part I" with actors Ian McShane and timothy Olyphant. The two clearly enjoy each other's company and have an infectious blast discussing the making of the episode. Actresses Molly Parker and Anna Gunn provide a second commentary track on the same episode and while it isn't as fun as McShane and Olyphant it is full of insight about the show and the episode. The other highlight are the two commentary tracks on "The Whores Can Come" which features Olymphant paired with Gunn and McShane with Malcomson. It generates much of the same fun and informative atmosphere that dominates the commentaries on the opening episode. There are 7 other commentary tracks each quite good but none can really compare to these two. Even producer/writer David Milch's commentary lacks the firepower and fun atmosphere of these two commentary tracks with his being amount the least involving of the 9 included here.
The last disc like the first set has the featurettes. "The Real Deadwood 1977-Historical Featurette" is a companion piece to the first season featurette on the history of the town. We get a nice mix of historians, Milch and other production staff discussing the real vs. fictional world. "Making of Episode 12: Boy-the-Earth Talks-To" is a three part documentary about the making of the 12th episode of the season. "Trusting the Process with David Milch" allows us into the creative process as we watch Milch at work crafting the one of the episodes. "Mr. Wu Proves Out" details the subplot involving Wu and Swearengen and their complex relationship. "The Wedding Celebration" details the intricate planning that goes into the a wedding that is a highlight of the season finale. We also get a photo gallery of the characters and real Deadwood. There's also some HBO previews at the beginning of the first disc.
While the shock and uniqueness that highlighted the first season are gone the second season carries on with a series of brilliantly written and performed episodes. The characters are richer during the second season and the plot twists as convoluted as can be imagined making season two equally as good if not better than the first season of the show. The extras are generous given that this is a cable show being brought to DVD and the packaging/transfer is deluxe as well. Highly recommended.
Another exceptional season... May 28, 2006
I reviewed the first season of Deadwood and hailed it as the saving grace of television. Season 2 continues with the same intensity but with more "oomph".
From the 1st episode right to the 12th, the writers give us a story that never fails to excite and invoke emotion. While in Season 1, events happen on a more personal level...now changes happen that involves the camp as a whole. Deadwood's vast gold resources draws the interest of many people of power. Several districts are vying for Deadwood to be under their territory, namely Yankton. Al Swearengen makes a pact with the sheriff, Seth Bullock and manipulates the situation to his benefit, so that he doesn't lose control to a government consisting of unknown poeple who will take advantage of the riches Deadwood has to offer. Gold mining is big business now, complete with massive equipment. Millionaire investor, George Hearst sends his agent, Francis Wolcott to buy claims of the gold from the hoopleheads to expand his investment. Wolcott allies with Tolliver to help him secure the gold claims. Joanie Stubbs, once working with Tolliver starts her own brothel with an acquaintance of hers, Maddie. Seth's wife and child joins him in Deadwood. Alma Garret is busy working her gold claim through Ellsworth. She is in love with Seth Bullock, and vice versa but responsibilities keep them from being together. If you think that's a lot to digest, it's just the icing on a cake. Many other things happen along the way, and it just makes you starve for more.
The writing is flawless as usual. The story is great and there's no wasting time. It goes straight to the point that the writers intend to make, and they drive it through like nails. Changes are risky but fortunately, the way they are implemented here is superb and very gradual...so it doesn't seem fake or preconceived. For example, where previously the people of Deadwood got what they want through brute force, now there are more negotiations, partly because the playing field is larger due to outside interests. It's amazing that the flow of the story is very natural, as well as the continuity. The acting is also top notch. Ian McShane, Timothy Olyphant, Molly Parker and basically everyone in the show give award-worthy performances.
In short, another fantastic season of Deadwood and the pace of the series shows no signs of slowing down. Where Season 1 introduced us to the characters of Deadwood, that we have since come to love...Season 2 expands the story to a whole new level. And another thing I love about the show is that amidst the violence, greed and back-stabbing that occurs around camp, there is a certain degree of sanctity preserved that gives you a sense of pride for the town. This is an excellent season and I hope to see at least 2 or 3 more seasons of Deadwood. Keep up the good job!
One of the greats May 28, 2006
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Deadwood is to me one of the best shows there is on all of television the dialouge coupled with the amazing scenery and great acting makes this show special. I loved the first season of Deadwood and could not wait for the second to run on HBO and have waited almost a year as all of you have too for this to come to DVD. Ian Mcshane is masterful from beginning to end. I would only say the obvious if you liked the first season of Deadwood you won't be disappointed if you have never watched the show before just go out and pick up season 1 and 2 and enjoy.
Best Show on Television May 27, 2006
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The only reason I keep HBO around is to watch Deadwood.
Some have complained about the adult language used and the violence, but it's a show based in fact, and it's a show about a mining camp. If you're put off by a little cursing, this probably isn't the show for you.
But if you enjoy a well written, well acted show that has more than a touch of historical truth to it--most of the characters were actual people--I can highly recommend Deadwood.
 Novelty wearing off... May 26, 2006
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
The first season was action-packed and felt fresh in that it was such a far leap from the clean-cut, family-friendly Western movies we'd had to suffer for so many years. Finally, cowboys who curse, whore and fight cowardly, just like was probably the case ... taken a couple additional steps beyond that likely reality in order to make for a good show. No complaints here.
The problem is that you need more than novelty to keep the momentum in season two. That's why season 2 is a step down from the first in 9 cases out of 10 (think "24" or "Star Trek Voyager").
For Deadwood, it's not so bad. There's enough going on to keep things somewhat interesting, but the pace has slowed considerably and the overuse of the f-word becomes almost embarrassing. I'm not a prude, but when it is inserted 2-3 per sentence for no apparent reason (I counted SIX f-words in a single sentence by Swearengen in episode 2!) it really slows the flow of the dialog down. Again, I don't care about the occasional cuss word in a movie, but when they try so hard it feels almost like that wannabe-[...] in high school that tried look and act like a gangsta but never got anything but amused chuckles from the real "cool" kids.
Bottom line: season 2 is still perfectly watchable and a lot better than most of the crud that is out there, but the novelty has worn off and some episodes manage to get downright boring.
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Copyright Runningonkarma.com 2006
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