Comments on: Deadwood Writer Bryan McDonald – An Open Letter

By: Drew Staniland

Drew Staniland — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 22:38:14 +0000

What a great chat about the show. Thanks so much. I have to tell you, as an actor and writer myself, that I think DEADWOOD is BY FAR the best show that has ever aired. I generally hate something about a show and it often has to do with the WRITING. I have watched the entire series 5 times now and it amazes me how RICH the show is, how fresh and new it seemed even after watching it several times. So much to absorb and process! Of course you had the stellar Ian McShane and everyone else in the cast, but the writing is so SENSITIVE to the human condition. Here is this brutal, lawless place with “every man for himself”, yet the TENDERNESS that even the seemingly reprehensible characters exhibit is awe-inspiring. Subtle work, and generally I find most American television to contain little approaching the realm of “subtle”. So many moments where nothing is said, but you know EXACTLY what is going on and what the characters mean to each other. To the directors, editors and everyone else involved, I applaud you for creating such an amazing depiction of the birth of a community. It never ceases to amaze me that amidst the chaos of a film set, anything resembling “Art” can be produced, but Deadwood is one of those freaks of nature I long to be apart of one day.
CHEERS!!

By: David

David — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 09:18:58 +0000

I just saw The Whores Can Come and was really impressed. Great writing. Thanks for the demystifying interview.

By: reader

reader — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 04:10:27 +0000

Nice article Bryan.
“Mr. Wu” was my favorite episode of season 1,probably because I was given my first (and thankfully not only during the series) speaking role in the episode.
Great show to work on in almost all respects.
Craft services Wasn’t that bad, was it?

By: Yeets

Yeets — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 21:46:23 +0000

Amazing. Truly amazing. You paint images into pictures so well, Bryan, no wonder you got where you did. Love the golf cart and the walk-back-after-honesty moment!