That is a solid price on a great series, wish I could justify the expense now, but alas.
Obviously the lead actors got their props and it greatly helped several careers, but how dialed-in were even the bit actors? E.g., Brian Cox as the theatre troupe leader and Swearingen's friend. I still vividly remember his confrontation with that snooty hotel owner, who tells him, without provocation, to go away as he's walking along the public street, minding his own business, because he (the owner) is "at prayer", to which Cox responds something to the effect of "If that's not a lie as I situate on the promenade; what claim has your piety upon my deference?". The hotel asshole, obviously flummoxed at having been put so squarely in his place, replies with a petulant and fumbling "
yourself", at which point Cox just ROARS "
you, sir!!" I just loved the easy, effortless shift from the high-flown and erudite to the primeval, so awesome.
I'd put it in the Top-5 TV dramas ever, not very far behind 'Breaking Bad' and 'The Wire'. It's just such a damn shame that it came to such an ignominious and sudden end.