Yankton’s [expletive deleted] Revenge.

Will Deadwood be dead wood after three seasons? The [expletive deleted] [expletive deleted] at HBO have decided to [expletive deleted] us all by allowing the options on the cast to lapse after this [expletive deleted] season. Still, David Milch — who’s working on a “surf [expletive deleted] noir” for the network at the moment, says he’s good for a season 4, and HBO says they’re still considering it. What is there to [expletive deleted] consider, [expletives deleted]? The Wire notwithstanding, Deadwood is the best [expletive deleted] show on television. (By the way, if you think this is [expletive deleted] hard to read, you’re more than [expletive deleted] welcome to try it the other way around.)

Bullock Bullish.

August commencement to George Hearst’s time in town: Before Season 3 is even aired (it’ll return in June, with The Sopranos), Deadwood looks to get a fourth time ’round. Huzzah.

Gold Stryker.

Will Al Swearingen meet his match in Hannibal Lecter? Proving once again that quality character actors love them some Sioux country, Brian Cox joins Deadwood Season Three as “Jack Langrishe, an eccentric producer and theater owner who strives to introduce a modicum of culture to the mean streets of the South Dakota town.” (He’s likely the earlier rumored openly gay character in love with a male ingenue — Garret Dillahunt, perhaps?) (Also posted at Quiddity.) In other HBO news, memo to myself: The Wire Season 3 hits On Demand on Sept. 12, meaning I should probably pick up the service sometime before then.

Dems at the Gem.

Howard Dean, meet Al Swearingen. ‘Deadwood”s skepticism of government and celebration of individuality couldn’t be timelier. And its viciously profane yet pragmatic demonstrations of tolerance feel more stiff-spined and American than an anti-defamation industry that has been enthusiastically adopted by the same conservatives who once mocked it.Salon‘s Matt Welch gamely makes the case for “Deadwood Democrats.”

Dead Men Tell Some Tales.

Can’t tell a hooplehead from a squarehead? What are you, from Yankton? Well, this establishment here can at least help you separate fact from fiction on HBO’s Deadwood. Some spoilers to be had, if the writers keep following the basic history of the town. (Courtesy of the formidable proprietors of Triptych Cryptic.)

Sick to Deadwood.

“You take the blue pill: the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill: you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes.” Or, if you’re feeling as under the weather as I have, you just take ’em both: DayQuil when you get up, NyQuil at bedtime. Fortunately, I’m feeling a bit better today, and at least I got to catch up on the first season of Deadwood over the weekend. I know I’m generally a late-comer to quality TV, and this is no exception. Still, it’s a great show.