Suffer the Little Children (Deadwood episode)
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| “Suffer the Little Children” | |
|---|---|
| Deadwood episode | |
 |
|
| Episode no. | Season 1 Episode 8 |
| Guest stars | see main article |
| Written by | Elizabeth Sarnoff |
| Directed by | Dan Minahan |
| Production no. | 99752 |
| Original airdate | May 9, 2004 |
| Episode chronology | |
| ← Previous | Next → |
| "Bullock Returns to the Camp" | "No Other Sons or Daughters" |
"Suffer the Little Children" is the 8th episode of the HBO original series, Deadwood. It was the eighth episode of the first season. The episode was written by Elizabeth Sarnoff and was directed by Dan Minahan. It originally aired on May 9, 2004.
[edit] Guest roles
- Kristen Bell as Flora Anderson
- Sean Bridgers as Johnny Burns
- Greg Cipes as Miles Anderson
- Kim Dickens as Joanie Stubbs
- Zach Grenier as Andy Cramed
- Ricky Jay as Eddie Sawyer
- Geri Jewel as Jewel
- Jeffrey Jones as AW Merrick
- Ray McKinnon as Rev. H.W. Smith
- Bree Wall as Sofia Metz
- Jim Cody Williams as Terrence
[edit] Plot synopsis
In Swearengen’s office, the saloon keep rebukes Dan Dority for his murder of the man leering at Flora, advising he find a better way to indicate interest in a girl “without murdering another person”. An agitated Farnum, agitated over the slow proceedings of the Garret claim situation and lured by the promise of gold, suggests murdering the widow and Bullock for their defiance and take the claim by force, but both Al and Dority seem sceptical of the idea.
Moments later, gunshots interrupt the proceedings as a group of riders dispatched for the smallpox vaccine arrived with the goods; as well as startling news of a treaty with the Sioux. Swearengen is both surprised and pleased by the news, congratulating the men with bonus credit at the Gem. Swearengen takes a disappointed Farnum to one side and explains that with the treaty now in place, their future and that of Deadwood is brighter than ever - and that Bullock, who only wants to “sell pots and pans” and “fan his pretty face” is the perfect front man for the camp and as such murdering him would be detrimental to their cause; the widow’s claim will have to be a luxury to forgo.
At the Bella Union in Madame Joanie Stubb’s bedroom, a shocked and pale Flora arrives upset over witnessing the death of the man at the Gem. After some flirting and general fawning, she asks to stay with Joanie until the morning. Joanie agrees, and holds Flora through the night.
Come the morning, a fully recovered Andy Cramed helps in keeping order as the townspeople queue outside Bullock and Star hardware to receive their vaccination from the able team of Doc. Cochran and Jane. Bullock talks with Alma in the queue as she waits to have the orphan child vaccinated, and she flatly states “for reasons we needn’t explore” that she is to return to New York with the child, and would appreciate it if Bullock would inform “Mr. Swearengen’s hand puppet” Farnum that she will accept his last offer. Bullock, however, refuses - he states he made a promise to Bill have her property assayed and also to her. He argues only when is the true worth of the claim known will she be in the right position to deem whether selling is the correct choice.
In his office, Cochran finds a semi-unconscious Trixie on the floor - having barely survived an attempted opium overdose. Having been missing from the night before from her argument with Alma, Cochran tells her not to give up hope on ever finding a way out and a new life; suggesting she go to New York with the widow. Cochran later tells this to Alma, who expresses concern for her well-being and agrees to have Trixie join her and the child.
A miraculously revitalized Flora dresses for work and arouses the suspicions of the cunning Cy, who begins to find the girl’s professed innocence suspicious. As she leaves, an over-excited customer pesters her about she is to go to work. She bluntly tells him to get away before she cuts his heart out - all the while surveying the exterior of the Bella Union.
Flora tells her brother that it's time to take the Bella Union. "I can move the dyke," she snarls about Joanie. A nervous Miles is worried but agrees to the plan.
Swearengen, deciding to form an alliance the Bullock, arranges for Ellsworth to assay the Garret claim. Bullock and the prospector head out accompanied by Dan Dority, and they soon find a huge gold strike - the same one Brom Garret died on. Bullock returns to Alma and tells her not to sell, showing her a bag full of gold nuggets. The two discuss plans, and Alma admits she would like to stay in Deadwood but knows she must take care of the girl. Bullock asks why she can’t care for her in Deadwood.
Bullock later shares a drink with Swearengen, who confides that if the treaty is a success that it would be a wise decision for him and Bullock to “paddle in the same direction”. Bullock agrees, but asks him to guarantee Alma’s safety - to which he promises she will be safe “from the wiles of Al Swearengen”. Meanwhile, the Saloon keep fumes over Trixie’s absence from the Gem.
Recovering in the Doc's office, Trixie receives a visit from Alma and the orphan child. The widow tells her that she has decided to stay, but that she would be grateful if Trixie would stay with them. She offers to finance her escape from Deadwood, and gives her a large nugget of gold as a start. The orphan girl breaks her silence and says Trixie’s name, before revealing her own; “Sophia”. Trixie smiles and promises to think things over.
In the Bella Union, Flora angrily tells Joanie she is quitting and starts to steal her jewellery. A visibly upset Joanie tells her to put down the valuables and leave while she still can. Flora snaps at her to be quiet, rejecting Joanie’s concern. Joanie warns her “You're not going to get out. You’re going to die here” but Flora pulls a knife on her and walks out.
Cy Tolliver, on the other hand, is not as pleased and confronts her as she attempts to leave - striking her to the ground. Flora stabs him in the leg and flees upstairs alongside Miles and escape over the balcony, but are captured quickly by Tolliver’s doormen who beat them badly in the mud of the thoroughfare before dragging them inside to be finished off. Tolliver taunts and beats them in Joanie’s room before shooting Miles. He then gives the gun to Joanie and forces her to shoot Flora. Joanie does so, but immediately attempts to kill herself but Tolliver wrestles the gun from her hands.
Later in the evening, Cy attempts to explain himself to a distraught Joanie - defending his actions as business, and assuring her that she is the most important asset of all to him. He offers to help set her up in her very own business, but she warns him he has to mean it - telling him he needs to kill her or let her go. Or she will kill him.
As night the night is completely set, and Alma Garret puts Sophia to bed, she spots Trixie walking in the street alone. Doc Cochran notices her, too. The two watch Trixie as she works her way through the settlement, before finally arriving at the Gem Saloon. She heads upstairs and wordlessly stands before Swearengen in his bed, who checks her arm for the wound from the needle. She slaps him around the face and two still silently stare at each other - before she hands over the gold given to her by Alma and steps into bed with him.
[edit] Notes
- The music in the closing credits is "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" by June Carter Cash
