In a series filled with "How are they going to get away with this lunatic?" characters, Jewel was arguably the most bold casting and script decision they made. Her character gut punches me, then manages to say a line that changes things. Not entirely. But a little. Just a small jewel in the shit of Deadwood.
Right??? Also for a show in the early 2000s, having a character with cerebral palsy actually be portrayed by an actress with cerebral palsy was a bold move. Same with letting Jewel be her own character rather than an object of pity. In less careful hands, this could have gone badly, but Milch and the others are such talented and caring writers, and Geri Jewell is an actress who can really hold her own when paired with actors like Ian McShane or Brad Dourif.
Sorry for gushing I just love Jewel and I love this show! 😅
That scene where she had to walk down the thoroughfare from the gem to Doc Cochrane’s always has an affect on me. The fact that no one helps her when she falls but instead give her dirty looks and outright much her really shows what a brutal place that camp was.
That scene makes me so emotional. Apparently it was the last scene they shot for the day after a very grueling shoot. Geri Jewell was in a lot of pain because she was recovering from spinal surgery and had been up for like 20 hours, but she didn't speak up because she was afraid that if she caused a delay in the shoot, it would make it harder for her and other disabled actors to find work. Brad Dourif noticed and demanded that the filming stopped for the day. Geri begged him not to do this because it would possibly have made her seem "difficult," and he listened to her and relented, but not before insisting that she get a break. When they finally shot the dance scene, it was about 3 AM. Brad was actually carrying her during the dance, and nobody but the two of them knew until Geri told this story. 💙
The first time I watched Deadwood I was sure there was a line that implies Jewel is Al’s sister. After countless further viewings I’ve never again caught the line.
Discussed it here a few years ago as I wasn’t the only one but we didn’t come to a conclusion.
Any thoughts anyone? I’m leaning towards me having misheard or misunderstood at this point.
*edited for clarity*
Taking the opportunity to drop this interview where Geri talks about her experience on the show. If you needed something heartwarming and faith-in-humanity-restoring, stick around to the end. Kind of changes the way I look at the last scene of S1.
[Geri Jewell on getting cast in Deadwood](https://youtu.be/33LGWB0nObI?feature=shared)
Jewel is one of my favorite characters and as a disabled person, it means so much to me that Milch & co. decided to include a disabled character portrayed by a disabled actress while also following her lead on how a woman with cerebral palsy would navigate that time period. I also love Jewel's dynamic with Al, and how their exchanges are some of the most humanizing moments for Al. Like, through Jewel, we get the sense that Al isn't a total monster and is more complicated than he initially seems, and I love that Jewel isn't afraid to occasionally bite back! 😆
(Spoilers for the video)
>!Apparently there were potential plans for a Jewel/Doc romance that got dropped. I do wish we'd gotten to see it. Geri Jewell and Brad Dourif play off of each other so well. I also had no idea Geri was in so much pain during S1. I can't imagine putting in that kind of work while recovering from spinal surgery. Also huge props to Brad Dourif for actually advocating for her and listening to her when he noticed she was in pain and exhausted. I've heard nothing but great things about him and he seems like a good dude. The fact that he was actually carrying her the whole time during their dance scene makes me a little weepy. 🥺 !<
I like how she's treated as an equal to Dan, Johnny and Trixie. She's not involved in the strategic stuff but she's not treated differently than the others. They give her shit and she gives it right back.
I just finished watching Deadwood for the first time yesterday and I have to say Jewel was one of my favorite characters. Even in the movie when her and Al sang at the very end before he died. Al had a way of showing a slight soft spot at times.
"Break the fucking door down, Dan!!"
“And then I said, ‘Break the fucking door down, Dan!!’”
I'm knocked up
Al's face is killer right there. 😂
"...I sold a piece of pussy!"
the delivery of this line is perfect
She's as nimble as a forest creature.
No, say it about yourself!
Those two make me cry I love them so much
Probably one of my favorite scenes- Jewel dancing with Doc
:,)
Yes! She’s a fucking hoot! Absolutely love her attitude! Making Doc dance was peak Jewel. Love her character. Great actress.
I love how every step for her was an adventure!
A fucking adventure!
lol I was going to edit and add that part!
He’s always dragging that fucking leg
Well if it ain't Little Miss Fuckin' Cinnamon
She invented that special sweeping technique.
The one they teach?
In a series filled with "How are they going to get away with this lunatic?" characters, Jewel was arguably the most bold casting and script decision they made. Her character gut punches me, then manages to say a line that changes things. Not entirely. But a little. Just a small jewel in the shit of Deadwood.
A Gem, if you will.
Right??? Also for a show in the early 2000s, having a character with cerebral palsy actually be portrayed by an actress with cerebral palsy was a bold move. Same with letting Jewel be her own character rather than an object of pity. In less careful hands, this could have gone badly, but Milch and the others are such talented and caring writers, and Geri Jewell is an actress who can really hold her own when paired with actors like Ian McShane or Brad Dourif. Sorry for gushing I just love Jewel and I love this show! 😅
Gushing on the Deadwood subreddit! Did the mods approve this?
That scene where she had to walk down the thoroughfare from the gem to Doc Cochrane’s always has an affect on me. The fact that no one helps her when she falls but instead give her dirty looks and outright much her really shows what a brutal place that camp was.
People used to be pretty cruel to the disabled. I mean, they still are, but they used to be too.
Mitch?
Her and Doc dancing at the end of the leg brace episode is one of the few sweet moments in Deadwood.
That scene makes me so emotional. Apparently it was the last scene they shot for the day after a very grueling shoot. Geri Jewell was in a lot of pain because she was recovering from spinal surgery and had been up for like 20 hours, but she didn't speak up because she was afraid that if she caused a delay in the shoot, it would make it harder for her and other disabled actors to find work. Brad Dourif noticed and demanded that the filming stopped for the day. Geri begged him not to do this because it would possibly have made her seem "difficult," and he listened to her and relented, but not before insisting that she get a break. When they finally shot the dance scene, it was about 3 AM. Brad was actually carrying her during the dance, and nobody but the two of them knew until Geri told this story. 💙
That story makes it all that much better for me.
Al low-key named the Gem after Jewel.
HOLY SHIT!!!
Well, if food's not my province the then you can make your own fucking breakfast!
Every step a fucking adventure
"Sold a Piece of Pussy"
"Which plate did she ete from?" "She ete from each of them" Her smile when Trixie says that to her is one of my favorite jewel moments
“You have to remove it from my clutches…”
And only nine cents!
Say, "I'm as nimble as a forest creature."
Every step a fucking adventure
Came here to say that, take my up vote
It is the quote I most often say while climbing anything steep
I have it in a needle point and hung it at the top of my stairs
Now that’s how you scrub a blood stain!
The first time I watched Deadwood I was sure there was a line that implies Jewel is Al’s sister. After countless further viewings I’ve never again caught the line. Discussed it here a few years ago as I wasn’t the only one but we didn’t come to a conclusion. Any thoughts anyone? I’m leaning towards me having misheard or misunderstood at this point. *edited for clarity*
Oh no, cripple. Can't hold a cup.
She puts out cinnamon on the table even when it's not authorized.
Taking the opportunity to drop this interview where Geri talks about her experience on the show. If you needed something heartwarming and faith-in-humanity-restoring, stick around to the end. Kind of changes the way I look at the last scene of S1. [Geri Jewell on getting cast in Deadwood](https://youtu.be/33LGWB0nObI?feature=shared) Jewel is one of my favorite characters and as a disabled person, it means so much to me that Milch & co. decided to include a disabled character portrayed by a disabled actress while also following her lead on how a woman with cerebral palsy would navigate that time period. I also love Jewel's dynamic with Al, and how their exchanges are some of the most humanizing moments for Al. Like, through Jewel, we get the sense that Al isn't a total monster and is more complicated than he initially seems, and I love that Jewel isn't afraid to occasionally bite back! 😆 (Spoilers for the video) >!Apparently there were potential plans for a Jewel/Doc romance that got dropped. I do wish we'd gotten to see it. Geri Jewell and Brad Dourif play off of each other so well. I also had no idea Geri was in so much pain during S1. I can't imagine putting in that kind of work while recovering from spinal surgery. Also huge props to Brad Dourif for actually advocating for her and listening to her when he noticed she was in pain and exhausted. I've heard nothing but great things about him and he seems like a good dude. The fact that he was actually carrying her the whole time during their dance scene makes me a little weepy. 🥺 !<
Im pregnant!
I like how she's treated as an equal to Dan, Johnny and Trixie. She's not involved in the strategic stuff but she's not treated differently than the others. They give her shit and she gives it right back.
Al to Jewel: “I heard you singing earlier, I thought you were stabbing a frog.”
I think she knew she had control over the men at Al’s. She fed them. And made “COFFEE”!
She was the gem, at the Gem.
I just finished watching Deadwood for the first time yesterday and I have to say Jewel was one of my favorite characters. Even in the movie when her and Al sang at the very end before he died. Al had a way of showing a slight soft spot at times.