BulletBob said:
Paesan, one of the early interviews with the director revealed that he fully knew the language to be anachronistic. He added it to impact the viewer in the gut with how rough a place the Old West actually was. Judging by the widespread reaction, though, I'm not sure he entirely achieved his objective.
If you can get past the bad language, the dialog is absolutely outstanding. I cannot recall a series with a more sophisticated interchange between the rich characters. I've been totally bowled over as an innocent bystander - I can only imagine my appreciation if I'd have had your training & background.
I believe it is the most well-written television show I have ever seen.
The acting is phenomenal. Did anyone catch the Doctor's drunken soliloquy about what he had experienced during the Civil War? That's powerful acting, my friends.
I honestly hope this show sweeps the Emmies. Excessive use of foul language is its only shortcoming (IMHO).
Hey Bob!
I agree some awesome acting is goin on, particularly in last night's season finale.
Those"soliloquys" are exactly what makes the series unique, and the characters get deeper by the episode.
I've always been a major Ian McShane fan, but I notice how adept he has become at using his body language to set mood. When he slumps, when his shoulders sag, when he sighs, he doesn't need to ham it up...the mood change is complete.
I also am amazed at how this character, so vicious, a pimp who would sell anyone or anything, a murderous scoundrel who thinks nothing of killing with his own hand and setting others out to kill, a conniving, thieving, unspeakably vulgar, carnal, and greedy creature, has become, actually, somewhat sympathetic, simply because unlike the politicans (ie the now deceased magistrate and his henchmen) there is a self honesty about his level of corruption and venality.
Swearengen knows exactly what he is, doesn't lie to himself about what he's become, and McShane's drawing a startling portait of a man who both understands what he's lost, yet refuses to shed any tears over it. He has nothing human left in him but his willingness to look himself in the mirror and call it for what it is. There's a certain bravery. almost nobility, in his looking into the pit of his depraved soul and choosing not to be a hypocrite. On some level, it's a freaking heroic portrayal.
Wonderful acting by all, but McShane is just riveting. I hope the potty mouth thing does not keep him from an Emmy.
