Mister Wu (Deadwood episode)

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“Mr. Wu”
Deadwood episode
Episode no. Season 1
Episode 10
Guest stars see main article
Written by Bryan McDonald
Directed by Dan Minahan
Production no. 99754
Original airdate May 23rd 2004
Episode chronology
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"No Other Sons or Daughters" "Jewel's Boot is Made for Walking"

"Mr. Wu" is the tenth episode of the HBO original series, Deadwood. It is part of the series' first season. The episode was written by Bryan McDonald and was directed by Dan Minahan. It originally aired on May 23, 2004.

[edit] Guest roles

[edit] Plot synopsis

An agitated Seth Bullock, already writing proposals to improve the camp’s health in his new capacity as health commissioner, moans about his need to get involved. “What was in my mind to raise my hand?” he complains to Sol. As the two head for breakfast at the Grand Central, Bullock outlines his proposals to Farnum, who is clearly apprehensive to divert any fines and taxes levied away from paying the bribes to the magistrates in Yankton.

An equally agitated Mr. Wu, the boss of Deadwood’s Chinatown, causes a furor as he storms through the front door of the Gem calling to see Swearengen. The two men meet, and Wu makes drawings indicating that his opium courier has been murdered by two white ‘c*cksuckers’ and demands justice. Al seems disinterested until he discovers the opium stolen from the courier was the opium he was going to buy from Wu. Swearengen immediately sends Wu packing through the back door promising to sort out the situation, and tells Dority to find the dope-fiend and occasional Swearengen lackey Jimmy Irons.

Merrick, Bullock and Star eat breakfast at the Grand Central. Bullock presents his letter of recommendations to Merrick to print in the Deadwood pioneer in order to built support for his proposals. As the three men leave, accompanied by Charlie Utter, Merrick makes a proposal of his own: the formation of Deadwood’s first club dedicated to walking. The idea is unsurprisingly unpopular, and the men quickly make their excuses to leave the newspaperman to his thoughts.

As Swearengen and E.B. Farnum are preparing the bribes for collection by Clagett’s agents, the two bagmen enter early to collect the bribes—and to present a personal note to Swearengen; the contents of which turns him furious. The head bagman, Silas, stares down Swearengen as he curses at him. Swearengen backs down when Silas makes it clear he did not know what were the contents of the letter.

Later, Dority produces the missing junkie Irons, who is clearly coming down from an opium binge. Swearengen prises him for the whereabouts of Leon, another dope addict who works the Faro tables at the Bella Union and whom Swearengen had hired as a double agent to apprise him of goings on at the rival saloon—using Jimmy as the intermediary. Jimmy says he has not seen him, but Swearengen has already seen through his deception. Jimmy caves in and admits he and Leon had stolen the dope and murdered the courier, leading to Swearengen ordering him to jump off the balcony and wait for Dority to collect him, with which he wisely complies.

As Swearengen orders Dority to collect Jimmy, Leon, and what is left of the opium, he notices a surprise visitor to the Gem; Reverend Smith, who has gravitated to the Gem’s new piano which had arrived the previous day. Clearly enjoying the sound of the piano despite his deteriorating condition, Swearengen asks Smith to frequent another joint as men of the cloth kicking up heels is bad for business; but promises to "cater" for his needs after hours if he wishes.

Hiding out at the Grand Central away from her boss, Joanie is visited by Eddie Sawyer. She confides her hopes of opening her own brothel, and she confesses she does not want Tolliver’s money to do it. Eddie informs her not to worry; he will provide the capital for her by robbing Cy. Joanie is afraid of the idea, but Eddie is adamant.

After a quick interrogation of Leon and Jimmy, Swearengen heads to Chinatown and talks to Mr. Wu at his place of business. He tells him he has the ‘c*cksuckers’ and what’s left of the opium, but he refuses to give them both to Wu; only one.

Swearengen talks with Cy about the murder, attempting to determine which of them will die for the crime and to satisfy Wu. Cy, having no part in the dope trade, attempts to take the higher ground with a sense of racial pride, saying he doesn’t give up "white men to chinks". Swearengen is dissatisfied and leaves, determined to make a point. “I’m a purveyor of spirits and when chance affords, a thief,” he tells Tolliver, “but I ain’t no f*cking hypocrite”.

Reverend Smith is back in the Gem, enjoying the piano and drawing many of the Gem’s prostitutes to impromptu dancing. Al is less than impressed and angrily scatters the crowd and throws the Reverend out, but it is clear to him that he is losing touch with his surroundings. Al talks to Dr. Cochran, who says he believes the Reverend has a brain tumor. Al also asks after Trixie’s well being, but Cochran passes the question over, remarking “I don’t answer to the state of people’s spirits”.

Watching Deadwood from the porch of their store, Bullock and Star talk. Bullock is irritated at his own "meddlesome" nature; he has moved 300 miles (almost 500 km) only to get involved all over again in legal matters and town planning. With his wife and child planning to move out, he is worried that he is living a borrowed a life; a life that was his brother's, and not his own. Sol assures him his brother would be proud.

In his office, Swearengen explains his outburst to the bagman Adams, who acknowledges that the magistrate Clagett is a c*cksucker. Swearengen reveals to the bagman for he paid the magistrate off to quash a murder warrant; only for Clagett to inform Swearengen in the letter that the bribe he paid is to have company if he is to be off the hook. He goes on to explain his difficulties with Wu and the murdered Opium courier as the two men head to where the addicts are being held, Swearengen obviously seeking to teach the bagman a lesson in Deadwood politics.

He invites Adams to the bathhouse where the two opium addicts are enjoying a bath in a state of intoxication under the eye of Dan Dority. Swearengen tells the men they must draw straws to see who will go to "apologize" to Wu, and has Jimmy select first. Al promptly holds him under and drowns him, before punching Leon in the face. As he explains to Silas Adams on the way to dispose of the corpse at Wu's, he elected to kill his own man—short straw or no short straw—to avoid giving Tolliver an excuse to go to war and make him out a "chink lover"—but to make sure he made a point to his rival.

After delivery Jimmy to Wu for his pigs, the Chinese boss is satisfied. "Yeah, well," Al replies, "Swedgin hopes we didn't sign ourselves up for killing, too."

[edit] Notes

  • The music in the closing credits is "Hog of the Forsaken" by Michael Hurley.
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