HBO PROJECT: Deadwood (2004) | Rome (2005)

The hoopleheads return to the camp for what is likely a final reconnoiter as they revisit the premiere of the series what done brought em to this here place to begin it: Deadwood (2004). It's a thrill being back in The Black Hills with our dear friends, many of whom are looking younger and less deceased than last we met: Tim Driscoll, Ned Mason, the family of the fivehead, that horse thief who gave us our signature sign-off... For a far more exhaustive discussion of this brilliant hour of television, go back and listen to our original podcast, recorded 987 days prior when Matt, Mel, and Carol didn't know a sluice from a rocker box. But first, in a surprise installment of Readers Theatre, Russell briefs us on camp business, including an alarm of fire and the suicide of Prospect Marquette by arsenic. (18:58-1:27:53) ... Then, we travel even further back in time to Rome (2005). Someone has purloined Julius Caesar's battle standard in Gaul, and reluctant bros Vorenus and Pullo of the 13th Legion are tasked with its recovery. Along their mission they encounter snot-nosed Kid Exposition, who helpfully explains Roman politics to Host Matt, whose attention wandered during the scene in which the white guys in robes were talking. (So, all the scenes.) This episode of the podcast is sponsored by 23andme. Send them your spit in a tube, and unlock the secrets of your DNA. You might be a secret Ubian! (1:27:54-2:35:22) ... Also, Aviation: And People Who Are Good At It, Game of Thrones, I Know This Much Is True, Who Fears Death, Room 104, The Deuce, and Utopia. (0-18:57) | Send feedback to hooplecast@gmail.com. Find our recording schedule, show notes, discussion threads, and more at hooplecast.com. | Recorded October 22, 2017. Released Nov 5, 2017. [Warning: Explicit Language.]