In my previous article on Deadwood, I suggested that the underlying theme of Deadwood was not clear. Without a core thesis, such drama is little more than a soap opera. In comparison I pointed out how The Sopranos used a mob paradigm but the underlying subject was family. I now see that Deadwood uses a Western paradigm to portray the messy, dysfunctional, gray-shaded, three-steps-forward-two-steps-back path to civilization. From an entertainment perspective, Deadwood is to The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence as The Sopranos is to Little Caesar.

The characters all reveal themselves in the larger context of the show. With most you can see where they fit into the civilizing process and see how their human shortcomings work against it.

The clearest example of this is Seth Bullock (Timothy Olyphant). A former lawman trying to escape the world and create a new life but, like Michael Corleone, they keep dragging him back. He has an enormous amount of rage and is given to violence, but it only when he feels somebody has been wronged. In the pursuit of justice as defined by him, there is little he wouldn't do including, in the brilliant season finale, connive with an "evil" force to have someone killed. The "evil" force calls him on his hypocrisy. Bullock knows it and tries to correct it after the fact. He ends up accepting the position of sheriff, a thing he specifically didn't want to do, perhaps as a way to legitimize his need for justice, or perhaps as a penance.

In contrast to Bullock we have Al Swearengen (Ian McShane), proprietor of the main brothel/saloon and de facto boss of the lawless town. A truly despicable man, he would not hesitate to murder, steal, bribe or do anything that forwards his power and wealth. He abuses women without restraint. He is never portrayed in a sympathetic light, although we are treated to some scenes where he is clearly acting out of pain, or at least pragmatism, rather than greed or purely evil impulse. Even this creature plays a role in civilizing. A dictator who see the end is nigh, can accept, adapt and find new ways to serve himself, or he can go down fighting and try to take everything else down with him before the end. Swearingen is clearly the former. He bemoans the inevitable lawfulness, but knows there will also be new opportunities to exploit and he works to position himself to retain his power rather than scorch the earth.

The essence of progress in the face of human imperfection is perfectly symbolized in the appearance of General Crook, Custer's Avenger, in the final episode. He arrives in camp to a hero's welcome and is readily beset upon by a provisioning scam and a bribe to leave men in camp under the control of Swearengen's rival. Crook proves to harbor unrepentant racial hated for Indians, and his men are deserting at an alarming rate, only pausing to buy prospecting tools, yet he is personally incorruptible. He is so disgusted with the town swindlers and sinners that he pulls his troops out before things get any worse. The three steps forward of an incorruptible force dedicated to principle balances the two steps back of racial animosity and the chaos of poorly treated rank and file.