Swearengen is the evilest of evil guys – the saloon owner who is not only crooked but the biggest, baddest boss in town, a guy involved with everything from whores to gambling to killing – in other words, South Dakota Tony Soprano.
It sets new standards for the Western drama and brings to life an era of American history that, seen for what it actually was, is all the more extraordinary.
McShane’s slicingly deep voice is like a bowie knife stuck in the series’ heart, but instead of stopping its action, he brings the show to pumping, bloody life.