Deadwood's Jaw-Dropping 5-Minute Showdown That Will Leave You Breathless

Article Summary

Dan Dority's character in Deadwood reflects the show's exploration of violence and the cost of building the American West.

The ruthless brawl between Dan and Turner serves as a stark portrayal of the authentic essence of the untamed Western era, triumphed by sheer brutality. Swearengen's indifference towards the suffering endured by Dan underscores the brutal truth that America's foundation was forged with relentless violence.

By the third season of David Milch's critically acclaimed HBO series Deadwood, the eponymous town experiences a major upheaval caused by the conflict between two powerful leaders. On one side, we have Ian McShane's unforgettable portrayal of Al Swearengen, a ruthless criminal and owner of the local saloon who effectively becomes the community's de facto leader. On the other side, there is Gerald McRaney's George Hearst, a wealthy industrialist who arrives in the gold-mining town to introduce modern big business. While the show uses Western genre conventions to examine real-world events, it always presents a realistic and grounded depiction of the preindustrial American West. Instead of engaging in direct conflict, these two influential figures choose to fight through their associates, resulting in one of the most intense and violent sequences in the show (and even in the entire Western genre). This confrontation irrevocably alters the character of Dan Dority (played by W. Earl Brown), Swearengen's loyal henchman and one of the most intriguing and multifaceted characters in the series.

Image via HBODeadwood

A show set in the late 1800s, revolving around the characters of Deadwood, South Dakota; a town of deep corruption and crime.

Dan Dority Is at the Heart of What Makes 'Deadwood' Great

Dan, portrayed by the consistently excellent W. Earl Brown, initially appears to be relatively uncomplicated. In contrast to the seething Sheriff Seth Bullock, played by Timothy Olyphant, or the slimy Cy Tolliver, played by Powers Boothe, Dan comes across as modest. However, he is simply a killer. Loyal to Swearengen, the town's authoritative figure who holds both mob boss and mayor roles, Dan carries out all the undesirable tasks. With his brutish nature and concealed intelligence, he serves as Swearengen's most dependable enforcer. This is his primary role for a while. Nevertheless, as the show progresses, it delves deeply into the role of violence in the development of the Western frontier. Consequently, Dan becomes a pivotal character in shaping the show's overarching themes.

When George Hearst arrives in Deadwood to expand his mining empire, he inevitably disrupts the dynamics of the previously independent town. This irks Swearengen the most. Firstly, Swearengen is fervently opposed to Hearst's ideology. Hearst represents relentless power and the consequences of modern industry that restrict and trample upon individual liberties. Secondly, Hearst poses a threat as a competitor. Swearengen, although infamously vulgar, is still a capitalist, and Hearst's intrusion into the town jeopardizes Swearengen's relevance. However, if the colossal Hearst is a genuine robber baron, where does that leave a common criminal?

This is where Dan steps in. Subtly, Dan's character epitomizes the essence of the show. While Bullock and Swearengen embody opposing moral stances on societal construction, Dan epitomizes the tools and sacrifices that come with such endeavors. Swearengen designates Dan as his representative in dealing with Hearst, who, in turn, appoints his own enforcer named Turner. Initially, both men resignedly prepare for an impending confrontation. It becomes apparent that, irrespective of who governs the town and whose vision of civilization prevails, there will always be a need for someone like Dan to perform the grim tasks. An ironic bitterness surfaces in this episode, as viewers realize that regardless of who triumphs in the impending brawl, the war has already been won by Hearst. He has left an indelible legacy, cementing his status as a household name. He ushered in modern industry (and media) in America, employing the same brutes that Swearengen used to control the criminal affairs of Deadwood – violent men who carry out orders to kill. Nevertheless, they are still mere mortals. Many Westerns have explored the deep-rooted trauma inherent in the American narrative, but this distressing scene specifically scrutinizes not only how the trauma is inflicted, but also who bears its weight. When the time comes, Dan prepares himself by getting greased up. He leaves the bar and walks onto the thoroughfare, already having dirtied his hands (quite literally!).

Dan and Turner engage in combat without uttering a single word. The absence of background music intensifies the situation, and the filming is done in a restrained manner, allowing the brutality to be completely discernible and devoid of excessive stylization. Deadwood always prioritized authenticity. Although the show took liberties with the actual events that served as its inspiration, this particular fight scene delves into an unrelenting truth that the series consistently explores: the "Wild" West was not conquered in spite of violence, but rather as a result of it. Dan and Turner continuously trade places throughout the scene, with each one gaining the upper hand only to be surpassed by the other once again. They grapple in the mud, the entire town bearing witness, and the viewer cringing at every bone-crushing impact and skin-on-skin thud. In this fight, there are no rules or notions of cowboy honor; only untamed, vicious resourcefulness. Turner gains the advantage, sinking his teeth into Dan's face and submerging him in a muddy puddle, eventually bashing his head against a sharp-edged rock. Throughout the unfolding spectacle, both men cast their gaze upward, locking eyes with their respective commanders. Swearengen observes from a balcony while Hearst watches from a rooftop. Although they are mere yards apart, they do not exchange even a fleeting glance. Instead, their focus remains fixed on the tumultuous battle transpiring below. The power dynamics between these four characters are unmistakably palpable.

Ian McShane Makes 'Deadwood's Most Shocking Scene One of Its Bleakest

Just when it seems like Dan is defeated, he completely turns the tide of the fight in a shocking and revolting display of violence, unlike anything seen before in a Western. He violently gouges out Turner's eye in a way that makes your stomach churn. The graphic effects of this scene are not like those found in a cheap, exploitative film. This is the kind of on-screen violence that leaves you feeling sick. As Turner screams out in pain, Dan takes a moment to make eye contact with the two figures who oversaw their bet. He first looks up at Hearst, seemingly seeking validation, then looks to Swearengen, seemingly seeking direction. It's difficult to discern the emotions each man displays. Hearst appears worried, perhaps even humiliated, while Swearengen stares at his subordinate with cold indifference. Meanwhile, Dan appears exhausted. However, the key difference lies in their appearances. Swearengen looks clean and well-groomed as he gazes down at Dan, while Dan's face is scarred, bruised, bloodied, and covered in dirt. What's most unsettling about this scene isn't just the shocking violence of an eye being forcibly removed from its socket; it's the realization that Dan has more in common with the man he killed than with the man who ordered him to do it.

The nonchalance with which Swearengen reacts to this gruesome sight is sickening. Dan will have to carry this traumatic experience with him for the rest of his life. It changes him on a deep level, yet barely affects the ongoing power struggle. And the worst part is that for Swearengen, this horrifying encounter was simply a political move. Later in the episode, when another one of his subordinates asks what comes next, Al responds coldly, "To see what kind of chaos unfolds." The trauma from this fight continues to haunt Dan throughout the series and even lingers in the subsequent film, "Deadwood: The Movie," as all the characters grapple with the violence that has permeated their lives. It's difficult to imagine the series without Dan Dority. He may not have the complexity of Seth Bullock or the charisma of Al Swearengen, but he embodies a central theme of the show: that America was built on bloodshed, and the consequences of that cannot be dismissed or ignored.

Deadwood is streaming on Max in the U.S.

Editor's P/S

1. In the acclaimed HBO series Deadwood, the character of Dan Dority, played by the talented W. Earl Brown, undergoes a profound transformation that reflects the show's exploration of violence and the cost of building the American West. Initially portrayed as a relatively simple and loyal henchman to Al Swearengen, Dan's character arc delves into the role of violence in shaping the Western frontier. As the show progresses, Dan becomes a pivotal figure in examining the sacrifices and tools required for societal construction.

2. The intense and unforgettable showdown between Dan and Turner, George Hearst's enforcer, serves as a stark portrayal of the authentic essence of the untamed Western era. The brutality and indifference displayed in this scene underscore the grim reality that America's foundation was forged with relentless violence. Dan's character embodies the essence of the show, representing the sacrifices and grim tasks necessary in the pursuit of civilization. Despite the ideological differences between Swearengen and Hearst, the presence of individuals like Dan highlights the enduring need for violence in shaping the American narrative. This gut-wrenching scene in Deadwood not only examines how trauma is inflicted but also scrutinizes who bears its weight, leaving a lasting impact on viewers.