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In the series, the paper is published and edited by Albert W. Merrick, who was the real-life founder of the paper. The first edition was published June 8, 1876.
Merrick, as played by Jeffrey Jones, is a weak-willed character eager to serve the powers that be in Deadwood. On that note revolves part of the tale that is unfolding in the series' third season.
George Hearst has set the camp aflame with his arrival and his challenge to Al Swearengen, the brutal pimp, bar owner and murderer who is the central character of the series. Swearengen, played by Ian McShane, is seeking a way to bring Hearst down.
Swearengen teams with his enemy, Seth Bullock, played by Timothy Olyphant, in an effort to stop Hearst, played by Gerald McRaney. In last Sunday's episode, the town's "leading citizens" gathered for a meeting on how to handle Hearst.
Bullock wrote a letter, which Merrick reads aloud: it's a message of condolence to the family of a murdered Cornishman whose body was placed in a cell next to Hearst when he was arrested by Bullock.
Swearengen orders Merrick to publish the letter for Hearst and others to read: "That's a very nice ******* letter," he said, in typical 'Deadwood' language.
The next episode, "Leviathan Smiles," airs Sunday night on HBO and is rerun through the week. Here is HBO's capsule preview from its Web site:
"The Pioneer edition featuring Bullock's letter is published, raising concerns about Hearst's response. Erstwhile lawman Wyatt Earp and his brother Morgan ride into town, having defended, ostensibly, an incoming stagecoach against sabotage that marks them heroes. Maintaining that they intend to work on a timber lease won in a card game, some question the brothers' actual motives. Langrishe grants Chesterton a curtain call and offers to perform long-term therapy on Hearst's chronic aching back. Fields' departure is delayed by an injury at the livery to Steve the Drunk."
For a rundown on "Deadwood" episodes and more on the series, go to http://www.hbo.com/deadwood/
For a look at the facts and fiction in the series, go to http://www.legendsofamerica.com/WE-DeadwoodHBO.html
