ou, Al," says Deadwood sawbones Doc Cochran, addressing saloon keeper Al Swearengen, "are an object lesson in the healing powers of obstinacy and a hostile disposition. In the overall, sir, I call you a miracle." And as it's Ian McShane's performance we're talking about, Doc's statement isn't so far from the truth. Violent, corrupt, iron-fisted, and capable of striking fear into the hearts of his minions while nearly paralyzed, McShane creates a bad apple we can't resist. This season, Al nearly died of septic shock, temporarily lost the use of his arm and underwent a painful procedure at the hands of that same Doc (Brad Dourif) designed to unstop the bladder. It was a remedy that Al's many enemies would likely have paid gold for the opportunity to administer. But even from a sickbed, the saloonkeeper somehow keeps his finger in many sordid pies and unofficially runs the town with more of an iron fist than any sheriff could possibly wield.
Al has friends, whom he treats with something resembling kindness—most notably his handicapped house servant, Jewel (Geri Jewell), and there's a smart businesslike chemistry between McShane and Paula Malcomson's resourceful whore, Trixie. But one glance at McShane's hard weather-beaten face, and we sense that Al's a guy who has little need for friends.
Should Deadwood approach the longevity and respectability of other HBO juggernauts, expect to see Al Swearengen, er, bump off Tony Soprano as cable's most charismatic rotter.
—Evan Henerson