I'd have to say that the show does take some chances. I found some of the early episodes hard to follow, but now some of the story threads are starting to bear fruit and I've found the last couple of episodes a lot more interesting than the earlier ones.

Good to hear that the lesbian action meets with the Worfster's approval. I have to agree though that Deadwood hasn't done to its genre what The Sopranos did to Mafia dramas, then again very few shows do that. Deadwood's pretty bold drama and worth watching for that reason alone, especially with network TV slipping off the "reality" deep end.