It’s dirty, gritty, untamed, and completely lawless. It’s riddled with so much profanity, the F-word practically deserves a credit in the cast list. And it’s also fascinating, exciting, and, surprisingly often, touching. I’m talking about HBO’s Deadwood, a series with nearly three million viewers and eleven Emmy nominations for its first season.
If you’re not watching, you should be. (I mean, as long as you can stomach the profanity and the violence.) It’s a brand-new look at the West, one as edgy and intelligently written as the Sopranos, and a far cry from Bonzana or Big Valley. This is definitely not your grandmama’s Western.
My point—and, as they say, I do have one—is that David Milch has taken the fabled outpost of Deadwood and turned a fresh eye on it. Millions of viewers are tuning in, and the critics are stumbling over themselves to praise the writing, the characterizations, and the performances. So how come the Western romance got shot right out of its saddle, never to rise again?
I love historicals. They were my first love, the romances I cut my teeth on. I love them still, but I have to admit, I’m waaaay tired of Regency England. Yes, I know, there are a few other writers setting their historicals in different eras, but let’s face it—the Regency has been lording it over the historical romance for a while now. Somewhere along the line, the Regency period became the new black.
I get it, too—there are dukes and dances and the cut direct. There are luscious dresses, country estates, vouchers for Almack’s, and heroes back from the Peninsular Wars. There’s the virginal heroine, the rakehell with the devilish smile (and the heart of gold). All good stuff, I grant you. But I can’t be the only reader out there who wants to revisit the rough and ready Old West, can I?
The characters who populate Regency historicals live in a very specialized, very insular world. Yes, some of them fought Napoleon, and some of them are from—gasp!—Scotland or other far-flung climes, but for the most part the people we read about are committed to the world of the ton. To etiquette and heirs and the right pelisse with the right pair of dancing slippers. It can be sexy, it can be emotional, but it’s beginning to feel claustrophobic.
The people who went West, on the other hand, came from all sorts of places, and for all sorts of reasons. The ruin of the Civil War. The slums of the Northeast. They were about manifest destiny, dude. The wide open spaces and big sky. They were simple folks trying to make a better life for themselves, eager to grab a fresh-baked piece of the American apple pie. Or they were black-hearted bastards doing that other all-American thing—looking to make a quick and easy buck in a down and dirty place. Talk about passion—try mixing iron wills and culture clashes with loneliness, desperation, greed, and pride. There are built-in conflicts up to here.
And yeah, before anyone pipes up there in the back, I’m not talking about the old-style Love’s Savage Slave/War/Captive. I’d so very much prefer never to read about another half-breed again, if only because I think the whole concept is just shorthand for giving an already uber-alpha hero an excuse to wear a loincloth and point a bow and arrow. I’m talking about western-set historicals that grapple with the kind of stuff we’re seeing on Deadwood. City women unexpectedly widowed and left alone on the dusty, empty plains. Pinkertons who have their own agendas. Gamblers who take one chance too many. Whores who hide their moral compasses in their garters.
There are a million stories left to tell about the Old West, and I for one want to read them. A while back, Regency historicals turned into my aging great-aunts in their pastel pantsuits and enormous glasses. It would be rude not to invite them in and offer them tea, and when I do, they giggle and tell some good stories—but it’s getting harder and harder to tell those stories apart.
A butt-kicking Western historical on the other hand? That would be my wild second cousin, the one who always wore her skirts too short and kept cheap scotch in a flask in her purse. She was kind of raunchy, but she was always honest. Passionate, proud, and a little peculiar, just like the West. I’m ready for another visit from her.
Come on, cowgirls. Admit it, spurs and Stetsons are hot. And the first round of shots is on me.
No related posts.
Obviously, I need to rent Deadwood soon.
I loved Johanna Lindsey’s westerns. Especially Savage Thunder.
Woo, those sexy half-breeds. Gotta love ‘em.
I wasn’t too sure about Deadwood when I first saw it, and then it became our top TiVo season pass. Compelling stories, intriguing characters, brutal realism… so much happens each week that I’m amazed when the hour is up. Good recommendation!
You said it, Amy! Deadwood is, indeed, amazing.
The actors playing Seth and Alma have done a better job than any other pair of actors I can think of right now of convincing me of the enormous, burning, passionate love between them. And, yes, I think it’s love. (Just hope it’s not doomed!)
But there’s also the amazing chemistry right now between Jane and Joanie. I absolutely love their scenes together. And the amazing, resiliant Trixie. And the sweet (sweet!) Charlie Utter. And EB Farnum takes villainous oiliness to entirely new (and often hillarious) levels.
Most of all, though, for me, it’s al about Al. Ian McShane’s performance is the most compelling I’ve seen on TV in years — and I am a HUGE Sopranos and James Gandolfini fan. When Al is in a scene, I quite literally can’t take my eyes off him. Who knew Lovejoy had it in him?
In case you can’t tell, I think Deadwood is very special television and I wish more romance readers would watch it! Seth and Alma won’t let them down.
“al about Al?” Hmm. I think that might have been slightly Freudian. Of course, I meant “all about Al”.
I hope you’re right, Amy, and western romance comes back big! I’m not a big historical fan in general (like I have time to read!), but I love two time-periods in my non-fiction reading — revolutionary America and the Old West.
I gave up tv to write, but maybe I’ll just have to rent Deadwood! Thanks for the heads up.
I love Westerns. I also would not mind the onslaught of Regencies if we ever got plot variances. And even when we DO, then suddenly it’s a mad rush for everyone else to write the same, so then we get yet another sludgepile of more of the same. Ugh.
Wow–exceptionally well-written post, Amy.
I’m one of those who can’t stomach the profanity/violence of Deadwood, which is my husband’s FAVORITE show. He begged me to watch, but I had to leave after the 10th angry “c*cksucker!” in a five minute period.
Then again, it too him two seasons to get me to watch The Sopranos, and once I sat through one, I was hooked and couldn’t miss a Sunday. So we shall see.
Who can recommend a good Western historical for me to try? I ONLY read contemporary fiction, but would love something new on my bedside table.
Melissa, my all time favorite western is Rebecca Brandewyne’s “The Outlaw Hearts.” WONDERFUL book. If you haven’t read it, buy it. It was fantastic.
Melissa, thanks for the comparison. I am OBSESSED with Deadwood (me, who watches no TV except for Every Kids’ Show On Television. And Deadwood), and because of the show, I am definitely more interested in the West. There was one Anne Stuart story, Dangerous Touch, in the One Night With A Rogue anthology that was amazing, and one of the only Western historicals I’ve read. I’ll keep my eye out for more, thanks for the suggestion.
Megan
When all my friends start talking about the latest episode of Desperate Housewives, I look at them with pity. They have no idea what they’re missing at 9 PM on Sunday nights. Deadwood is the only televison show my husband and I watch together. Usually, he’s into sports and I a fan of chick flicks. On the downside, after becoming a firm fan of Deadwood, I started calling my cat a little #$%&!! with Mr. Woo’s accent.
I’m really sorry! Got so carried away by my Deadwood fanaticism that I forgot to say that Amy, if you write the next great western, I’ll read it!
LOL, CIndy. (Poor kitty)
Amy, I’m THRILLED that you wrote this post. Thank you. Yes, the profanity and violence in DEADWOOD is rough, but I got past that real quick. The writing and acting are superb. My husband is hooked. I’m hooked. I’m also hopeful that this excellent series gives westerns a boost. I have a western romance coming out with Medallion Press 2/06, and I’m currently working on a sequel. The characters that populated the wild west were inspiring, adventurous, courageous (men and women) and sexy.
Yee-haw!
Thanks for the suggestions, Sharon and Megan!! Will order both books. I read a story by Rebecca Brandewyne years ago and loved it. So funny: Every time I think of Rebecca Brandewyne, I think of Andy Rooney on 60 Minutes insisting that her name is a pseudonym (when it’s not).
I’ve also read many contemporaries by Anne Stuart and LOVED them, so looking forward to her historical. Thanks again!
The number of times the "F-word" is said per minute in the HBO show, "DEADWOOD"
Count me in as another fan of DEADWOOD.
I love westerns and have read some good ones, too.
Great post.:cool:
Another Deadwood freak weighs in. I love, love, love the way the women are kicking ass this year! I love the female bonding and unlikey alliances that are blossoming; Joanie and Jane, Trixie (The Whore) and Alma. Trixie should run for mayor — she’s the real thing when it comes to getting things done.
I highly recommend Promises Linger, an EC by Sarah McCarty for Deadwood fans. Picture the set and cast of Deadwood and you’re there!
Diana
Amy, you know you’ll have to pry my Regencies out of my cold, dead hands, both as a reader and a writer. And Westerns just don’t naturally resonate with me. (Unless you call Carla Kelly’s Here’s to the Ladies a Western. Or Firefly, and I never would’ve tried that if it wasn’t Joss Whedon’s work.) But I sure wish there was more scope for historicals set in America, because I’ve got a Trail of Tears story and a Civil War story itching to be written.
Thank you Amy from a diehard western romance fan with a degree in British history
What I love so much about westerns is that the setting just lends itself to “second chances.” People moved west in search for a better life, fresh start, or as a way to outrun their past. Also, women in the American West had to be strong in order to survive – no simpering misses whose biggest concerns are surviving their ambitious mamas and catching the eye of Lord Sin or The Devil Duke
My favorite western writer remains Maggie Osborne – mainly because her characters leap off the page. I also love the fact that they don’t always make the best choices, but there choices readers can identify with and understand – while at the same time screaming “No, don’t do that!”
I also love the fact that Harlequin Historicals puts out at least one (if not 2!) westerns a month. Some very good writers are toiling away over there, and I don’t think enough readers know it! Pick up the fabulous PRAIRIE WIFE by Cheryl St. John to see what you’re missing….
Elizabeth Lowell’s ONLY series (Only You, Only Love, etc) has got to be the absolute best set of westerns I’ve ever read….in this reader’s humble opinion, of course.
I gotta catch Deadwood…I’m a sucker for westerns…loved Tombstone and Wyatt Earp movies, too!
Jaci
Oh, I thought PRAIRIE WIFE was excellent. I forgot about that one.
Me, I think there’s room for a lot more adventure and grit in the Regency era than we normally see. I’m a big fan of Aubrey/Maturin, Sharpe, Hornblower, and the like, so lately I’m trying to write romances in a similar vein.
That said, I should probably try more Westerns, because I like diversity in my reading, and I’m sure there are fabulous authors out there I’ve never heard of. But I don’t think I’ll ever be able to fantasize about a cowboy the way I do a Rifleman or an officer of the Royal Navy, so I think I’ll keep my own heroes to what really turns me on!
I think I should watch Deadwood this week!
a question for Diana: what’s an “EC?”
and Amy, sorry for not giving you props for the column, I thanked Melissa instead (who asked for recommendations, so thanks now, Melissa, since I’ll get some of them, too). So thanks, Amy, for a great column.
Megan
Hmm. As a non-American, it’s a little harder for me to enjoy Westerns and American historicals. Don’t get me wrong, I find the history and the settings fascinating. And a romance, written well, is enjoyable regardless of the scenario. But it can be slightly more difficult to understand all the cultural nuances, especially if they affect characters’ motivations. Which leads me to ponder why historical romances are set either in America, Britain or France and very rarely elsewhere.
We don’t even have Deadwood where I live.
Well, I see I’m in the minority here. I don’t particularly like Westerns. I’m looking at my keeper shelves and the only one there is an old Lorraine Heath.
I guess the main reason I’m not fond of them is that so many of the ones I’ve read have had very alpha-jerk heroes with an extremely black-and-white worldview. I just didn’t see the whole second-chances, everyone here has a secret in his or her past so I won’t judge you thing, especially when it comes to the heroines.
I live in the Wild West. I live it every day. Yet I write Regency because when I “broke in” Westerns were going out. I decided to take Regencies and give them a twist, so I put in Pirates.:grin: The first two Pirate Regencies have been nominated for RT Reviewer’s Choice awards and other awards as well, so maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea.
That said, I would LOVE to see Westerns resturn. I have one in my head that’s a little off-beat, and very romantic. I will write it someday, when either 1. Westerns return; 2. I’m so famous readers will buy anything I write no matter what; or 3. I say, what the heck, I’m writing it!
Deadwood–tried it, still waiting to like it. Excellent writing and characterization. The language doesn’t bother me, but the violence does. Am willing to watch more episodes before I give it up.
Jennifer Ashley
Megan, EC for Ellora’s Cave. My local Borders has been stocking them and I’ve been doing some experimental reading. McCarty is the most accomplished writer I’ve sampled so far. Promises Linger is decidedly romantic and erotic as hell, but not even close to Deadwood in frequency of Dirty Words. *g*
Diana
I’m a Deadwood fan, also. I think we are a season or 2 behind you here in the UK. I was shocked
at first by the casual littering of swear words in the dialogue, but when I thought about it, they are in a pretty much lawless place and time, so after about the 3rd or 4th episode, it pretty much goes over my head now.
Re western historicals I’d recommend Sarah McCarty’s Promises series: Promises Linger, Promises Keep and her latest, Promises Prevail. All excellent stories by a wonderful writer.
Dawn
i have not personally watched Deadwood. I believe it competes with one of my other favorite shows on that night of the week, but I loved watching westerns in the past. One of my past favorite television shows being Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. I’ll have to try and give Deadwood a look.
Hang on a minute. The Regency period lasted – what, fifteen years or so? I don’t know exactly when you’d define the era of Westerns, being English and all, but it can’t have been much longer than seventy years or so (1850-1920), can it?
What happened to the other three thousand years of written history, or all the other countries in the world? Surely historical romance isn’t an either/or between those two set periods? Personally, I don’t read any Regencies other than Georgette Heyer, because I know I would spend the entire time looking for anachronisms rather than engaging with the plot. I’d be more forgiving about an American story, because I know far less about the background anyway. But are readers really not interested in anything that falls outside these very narrow limits?
Alison, the Regency era lasted nine years. I agree with you on wanting to open up the world history.
Save a western, write a cowboy. Better yet, a Regency cowboy. It has a better chance of getting published in today’s market . I adore western historicals. Maybe someone will write an amnesiac Regency vampire cowboy who has a secret alien baby. That would be marketable, right?
Bonnie
Well, there you are, then, Maili. Even worse!
Wow — such great comments, and so many good recommendations for good Western historicals. Thanks to everyone who commented, and thanks for the recs — I’ll have to go looking.
And thank God for beforehand posting, because our Internet went out on Monday, and I just got it back this afternoon. Grrr.
Amy, I know this is a day late, but I had to say hi. I worked with you at Kensington and share a love for historicals, too.
I will say I’m not a huge fan of the western but other times I like.
Obsessed with “Deadwood” is an understatement! I have not missed a single episode, bought the first season DVD set, and the CD of the first season’s music. I think that Al Swearengine is one of the great characters of cinema — small screen or large screen — and Ian McShane is wonderful in bringing the nuances of this complex character to the viewer. There are no cliches in “Deadwood,” and the shock of the language lasts about 10 minutes (or at least it did for me), and then it just becomes the norm.
I saw a discussion on Western Historicals and just had to jump in. (thanks Dawn and Deb for recommending my Promise series) I just blogged on this topic over on another blog site. Selling my Western Historical Series was hard. There is this preconception of what a Western historical is that’s difficult to battle. I had A LOT of interest in this series from NY print houses, but because it is a Western historical series there was a concern that the series wouldn’t sell. Taking that into consideration, I realized even if I sold to NY, my genre would hinder the support I’d receive from my publisher. That being the case, I decided to go in search of a house that allowed it’s authors great latitude in plot, was willing to take risks, and had good exposure. I found Ellora’s Cave. My editor read the first twenty pages of the PROMISES LINGER and bought the book. When I mentioned the genre and the potential effcts on sales, she dismissed my concern with a flat, “This series is going to be big with everyone, no matter what genre they prefer.” She was right. The Promise series has shocked everyone with it’s success. (Ok. Everyone except my editor) It’s Western historical. It’s a dead genre. Readers are not suppoed to be enjoying it. Sales are supposed to be blah at best, its fans limited to those few Historical readers still clinging to hope. No way are paranormal readers supposed to be hopping on the fan wagon. And no way should the first book still be selling as well as the third a year after its release. But it is, and everyday, new readers discover the series and write to 1) express their shock that they love a western Historical:lol:, and 2) to find out when the next book is coming out. IOW, The Western Historical is not dead, just seriously misunderstood.
I think the above just goes to show the danger of focusing on trends rather than individual books and also the down side of standardizing offerings within genres to the elements publisher think will sell the best. Readers (myself being one of them) burn out fast when they get the same book over and over. I don’t care whether it’s Paranormal, Suspense, Regency or Western historical. A great read is so much more than genre. Give a reader a book with a strong plot, snappy dialogue and characters so vividly alive the reader can’t help but relate, and the book will be a success because all we (readers) really want is a story that grabs our hearts on the first page and doesn’t let us go until the last. Give us that and we will flock to it no matter what the genre. It really is that simple.Sarah
Sorry about the formatting of that message. I can’t figure out the formatting and line breaks won’t hold for me.
Sarah, technically challenged.