Reconnoitering the Rim (Deadwood episode)
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| Deadwood episode | |
|---|---|
| “Reconnoitering the Rim” | |
 |
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| Episode no. | Season 1 Episode 3 |
| Guest star(s) | see main article |
| Writer(s) | Jody Worth |
| Director | Davis Guggenheim |
| Production no. | 99747 |
| Original airdate | April 4th 2004 |
| Episode chronology | |
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| "Deep Water" | "Here Was A Man" |
"Reconnoitering the Rim" is the 3rd episode of the HBO original series, Deadwood. It was the third episode of the first season. The episode was written by Jody Worth and was directed by Davis Guggenheim. It originally aired on April 4th 2004.
[edit] Guest roles
- Sean Bridgers as Johnny Burns
- Larry Cedar as Leon
- Kim Dickens as Joanie Stubbs
- Garret Dillahunt as Jack McCall
- Peter Jason as Con Stapleton
- Ricky Jay as Eddie Sawyer
- Geri Jewel as Jewel
- Jeffrey Jones as AW Merrick
- Ray McKinnon as Rev. H.W. Smith
- Timothy Omundson as Brom Garrett
- Dean Rader-Duvall as Jimmy Irons
- Bree Wall as Sofia Metz
- Keone Young as Mr. Wu
[edit] Plot synopsis
The morning begins with the burial of Tom Mason, joining his brother in the already expansive Deadwood cemetery. Sol Star is brushed off by Swearengen when he attempts to close the deal on buying the lot - Bullock having decided to extricate himself from the dealings and help the Reverend at the burial.
An irate Swearengen storms the thoroughfare as a large crowd gathers to welcome the newly arrived travellers. The Bella Union, an upscale new saloon and brothel has opened in an old hotel a stone’s throw from the Gem, promising upscale gambling and women. The new establishment is run by Chicago veteran Cy Tolliver, assisted by his right-hand man and card shark Eddie Sawyer and the beautiful Madame, Joanie Stubbs. Swearengen later pays a visit to the new Saloon; to quietly intimidate as well as check out his competition, and finds himself more than a little irritated that he has another problem to deal with.
At No. 10 Hickock manages to win a hand of poker; having gone as far as to put up his revolvers as collateral. The game gets heated as Wild Bill‘s anger mounts at Jack McCall‘s constant goading, and begins an intimidating tirade against him causing a worried Tom Nuttall to stop the game - but Hickock leaves with his winnings before any violence can start.
Meanwhile, the Metz girl (now safe from harm) is brought back to the camp by her saviours as she begins to run a fever; Cochran advising she needs to be kept indoors. Charlie Utter moves into Hickok's room, surrendering his quarters at the Grand Central to Jane to better look after the child. The arrangement irritates Farnum, but he doesn't have the will to say no to the likes of Wild Bill Hickock.
Brom Garret attempts to enlist Hickock in getting back the money he was conned out of by Swearengen and his cohorts, but Hickock isn’t interested. Both he and Utter, however, warn Garret that it may be wise to leave it all alone; Utter warning that judging from a blood stain on the floor of his room, the old occupant - Tim Driscoll - checked out minus “a useful amount of blood”. Garret however pays no heed to their advice and informs Alma that he will deal with the situation himself; she asks him to at least go for a walk and clear his head first, clearly worried he may be getting further into trouble. He agrees, but confides he is also concerned about the amount of ‘medicine‘ his wife has been taking. She brushes the statement aside and the two part ways.
Later, Garret confronts Swearengen directly, threatening to bring the Pinkerton National Detective agency into the dispute if he is not satisfied. Swearengen tells Garret that he should try prospecting upriver this time with help from Dority and if that does not work out he promises to return his money. As Garret leaves The Gem satisfied, Swearengen orders Dority to dispose of Brom and make sure it looks like an accident.
On the subject of the newly arrived saloon, Swearengen considers that Bullock and Star may have acted as advance agents. Swearengen soon spots Farnum, however, heading into the competing saloon, leading him to conclude that that the hotelier is the one responsible for helping the Saloon set up without his knowing. Swearengen confronts Farnum, who first attempts to worm his way out but later cracks under Swearengen’s interrogation and confirms it was him, but argues it was not disloyalty but simple greed. Swearengen in an unusual gesture of mercy spares Farnum - but warns him he expects him to act as agent on goings on in the Bella Union.
After much difficult negotiation, partially because of Bullock and Swearengen‘s clashing personalities, Bullock and Star strike a deal for their store's lot--$1000, along with an agreement to use the store for one purpose only; to sell hardware. No whiskey, prostitution or gambling - and a right of first refusal for Swearengen.
Meanwhile, on his claim, an unfortunate Brom Garret is pitched off a cliff by Dan Dority, who is unaware the deed was witnessed by Ellsworth who is camping out on his claim below. Hiking back down the hill to finish off a wounded Brom, Dority discovers a thick vein of gold lines at the base of the cliff. Returning to the Gem, Dority informs Swearengen of his find.
[edit] Notes
- The music in the closing credits is "Twisted Little Man" by Michael J. Sheehey.
- Powers Boothe was originally approached to play the part of Al Swearengen, but fell ill before the filming of the pilot episode, so the part was passed on to Ian McShane. The character of Cy Tolliver was later specifically written by David Milch for Powers Boothe.
