Deadwood Chinese Camp
Mr. Wu's Chinatown, the camp within the camp.
Deadwood's Chinese population is substantial but mostly unseen in the series, and its official or unofficial leader is Mr. Wu, the Asian counterpart to Al Swearengen. Wu deals with Swearengen over the opium trade and over the disposal of bodies, which are fed to his pigs; Swearengen shows real loyalty to him even though most of his alliances are self-serving.
Quick Facts
- Leader
- Mr. Wu (Keone Young)
- Key storyline
- Season 2, the fight with Lee
Lore & Background
In season two Francis Wolcott's agent Lee burns the bodies of captive Chinese prostitutes who have died from malnourishment in his care. Wu asks Swearengen for help against Lee, but because Lee works for Wolcott, and Wolcott for George Hearst, Swearengen refuses until the negotiations over the camp's future are settled. Swearengen then negotiates with Hearst on Wu's behalf: Wu can regain his position if his people prove better workers than Lee's. In the season finale Wu, with the blessing of Hearst and Swearengen, slits Lee's throat while Swearengen's crew kills Lee's men, and Wu takes over Lee's role of finding labourers for Hearst's mining operation.
Reader's Guide
The Chinese camp is seen almost entirely through Mr. Wu's dealings with Swearengen; the Lee storyline in season two is where it moves to the centre of the plot.
More in Factions & Power Structures
Elsewhere in Deadwood
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