Al from Deadwood surfing

I just finished watching the season (series?) finale of HBO’s John From Cincinnati and all I can say is the same thing I have said after every episode. Great theme song and wicked one-liners. After that, I am not even sure what to write about this bizarre series. I have enjoyed it and hated it for various reasons and there is always the feeling of “they canned Deadwood for this?”

Let me talk about the good first. As I said, the opening song is amazing when it is matched with all the surfing footage and shots of IB. I have listened to the song many times and it certainly lets you know what show is coming on, the real job of any good opening song. The overall music selection in the show is amazing as well and I can’t wait for a soundtrack to come out so I don’t have to go back and do all the work of finding track listings.

I don’t know if it will ever get the credit just because of the small fan base but some of the acting in the show was outstanding and I am not just referring to all the former Deadies that popped up each week.

Ed O’Neil should win something, anything for his role as Bill Jacks, a retired police officer who seems to remember his dead wife by talking to his birds and keeping on top of any Imperial Beach news. He has some of the best lines of the show and will always be remembered for “I’ve got my eye on YOU!”

Dayton Callie who played Steady Freddy Lopez was my second favourite character and he also has some laugh out loud one liners and was maybe the most interesting character (too me) of the show. You know him from Deadwood and one of the guys wrapped up in the Miniature killer episodes of CSI.

I could go on all day about some of the cast of this show. I liked Butchie Yost, Ramon and Meyer Dickstein a lot as well. The writing was as strong as David Milch has ever been and among my friends and family who have seen the show it is starting an ongoing quote battle.

Now for the not so good of the series. Easily at the top of this list is Cissy Yost played by Rebecca De Mornay. I have never wanted to pull off my ears more in a television show as when she was talking. Her lines, her voice, everything was just irritating to me and I was actually cheering for someone to haul off and belt her. For you Deadwood fans remember when E.B. finally got beat up and you felt that big grin on your face? Well it would of been like that except it would of been a smile so big your face would explode. Safe to say I will be happy if I never hear Cissy Yost overreact ever again.

Secondly on the negative side was there was not a lot of wrap up at season’s end. Normally that would not be a problem because there is generally a follow up season to explain it all. I don’t see this show coming back. What the hell was all that stuff at the end and the last shot of Kai?? Don’t get me wrong I like a little thinking and a show that does not explain everything 100 % but come on, give us a map of some kind.

I am pretty sure from everything I have read that the story is religion based but does it need to be so out there that even the experts are confused? At least have a few more episodes to explain it all a little more and tie up a few of the characters storylines. I think there were too many additions to the cast for 10 shows and it kind of made the story too broad.

I guess the whole experience was not a total loss. I actually liked watching it each week and so have some others I have talked to. The common opinon on why though seems to be the same. We like it but we are not sure why. I suppose that is a strength of the show and it is why it would be great to have a second year of the gang of IB. It is a show that needs to grow and become a part of us just like some other HBO shows have. The sad part as I mentioned in all of this however is John From Cincinnati is not and never will be Deadwood.

I miss Al, I miss Al a lot.

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