Complications (Deadwood episode)
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| “Complications” | |
|---|---|
| Deadwood episode | |
 |
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| Episode no. | Season 2 Episode 17 |
| Guest stars | see main article |
| Written by | Victoria Morrow |
| Directed by | Gregg Fienberg |
| Production no. | 99761 |
| Original airdate | April 3, 2005 |
| Episode chronology | |
| ← Previous | Next → |
| "Requiem for a Gleet" | "Something Very Expensive" |
Complications was the fifth episode of the second season of the HBO series Deadwood. The episode was written by Victoria Morrow and directed by Gregg Fienberg. It first aired on April 3, 2005.
[edit] Plot summary
A recovering Swearengen is watched over by Cochran, Dority and Johnny. Cochran believes Al has suffered something of a stroke and has lost mobility in his arm. Al insists Cochran remain quiet about it. Dority tries to follow the doctor’s advice to not disturb Al‘s rest with business affaris, but Johnny eventually lets out that the commissioner is in town and causing problems, prompting Dority to say “you have got one f**king yawing chasm of a mouth on you”. With this, Al defies the doctor’s orders to rest and calls for his enemy Bullock. Though miserable to see him in such good condition, he persuades him that his duty as sheriff is to protect the commissioner. Al’s reason for doing so is that he would likely be blamed should any harm come to the commissioner.
Alma has morning sickness. She is pregnant which scares her since a childhood disease had her believing that she could not safely bear children. She is scared of facing the doctor because she felt he was judgmental in dealing with her opium addiction, so she goes to Trixie, escorted by the strange Richardson who develops a boyish crush on her. She turns out to be an expert having done eight abortions to herself using a drink. It’s a harsh remedy though she thinks it’s better that Doc Cochran be consulted. Trixie herself goes to Doc Cochran urging him to make some premise on which to visit Alma. He does on the basis that it’s time for the Metz girl’s check up. He asks if there is anything else and Alma does not mention her condition. This forces the doctor to speak around the problem becoming more and more direct, eventually urging her to avail herself of his help “not withstanding my idiosyncracies and my defects of character”. Alma does so and after a check learns that childbirth will be difficult, especially since she can’t use opiates, though not dangerous. She intends to carry the pregnancy to term.
New in town is a black union general, Samuel Fields. He is a rich and proud man but does not get the respect he feels he deserves. He makes friends with Calamity Jane who has no prejudice against him, and who indeed happily gets drunk with him. Later in the episode, the man is used as a scapegoat for the anger of the prospectors, and is first betrayed by Hostelter and the humiliated and disrespected by being publicly tarred. Jane tends to his wounds while watching over the commissioner, showing him no respect, in Utter’s jail cell, and their friendship develops. He quickly forgives Hostetler saying he’d have done the same. He expresses great interest in the details of his behavior, especially that he treats the girls violently. “Can I be that lucky” he says to himself.
Tolliver is sent profits from the Chez Ami. He is angry at the amount and believes they are sending him extra to try to persuade him they are doing better than they are. His girl is a spy indeed, and tells him all the goings on there, including that most of the money is “mostly from the one trick”. Tolliver seems to find very useful the information that Walcott is the man she speaks of.
Merrick posts a provocative statement given to him from the commissioner on title to the claims. The wording is purposely vague which makes prospectors insecure about their titles. Tolliver goes out to ‘help’, giving a speech that those insecure can sell their titles. This makes things worse and the prospectors seek out the commissioner with violence on their minds. A violent scene occurs at the Bella Union with the commissioner taking refuge behind the cage, and the prospectors pulling the cage down. Tolliver seems on the verge of some dramatic solution, but Bullock, on the advice of Swearengen, comes to control the situation. He protects Commissioner Jarry who is locked in Deputy Utter’s cell. The angry prospectors look for some way to direct their anger as well as distract Bullock from watching over the Commissioner. They settle on finding ‘a nigger’ and the horse tender Hostetler is the closet available. He directs their attention to the Samuel Fields who they drag into the street and tar, obviously a very painful experience.
Silas and Miss Isringhausen exchange politenesses before the woman casts aside her reserve and places Silas’ hand on her breast. They engage in passion, after which she says that Alma names Swearengen in the murder of her husband. Silas is confused by the situation, and even moreso when Isringhausen asks to be introduced to Swearengen. “Why do I feel lucky we didn’t meet across a poker table”, he says, suspecting she is not as naïve as she makes out.
Joannie talks to Carrie and learns how she handles Walcott. The simplicity is surprising, and Carrie agrees to teach Joannie the methods. Later, Walcott reveals the content of Wild Bill’s letter, which describes his ideals much more than the facts. Walcott agrees he needs to take his pants off to engage in sex.
Trixie continues her book keeping lessons and grows closer to Sol Star and Alma, who comes to tell her how her meeting with the doctor went and even tries her hand at smoking.
Al and Bullock put aside their differences to discuss common interests. Al believes someone is putting the commissioner up to taking such bold actions. When Bullock suggests Tolliver, he says “he’s one of us”. Al agrees to take his share of the load when his recovery is complete, and they part on good terms.
