Changes among nominees in the Primetime Emmy Awards’ outstanding drama series category occur at a glacial pace, but that’s not keeping critics from crossing their fingers for two of this season’s freshman offerings: HBO’s tough-as-nails Western "Deadwood" and CBS’ sweet and sensitive drama "Joan of Arcadia."

The Houston Chronicle’s Mike McDaniel lists "Deadwood" among his top five TV dramas, calling it a "richly realized Western where badness pays off big."

The Detroit Free Press’ Mike Duffy also salutes "Deadwood," which "has proved to be an intense and intensely watchable chronicle of a volatile, dangerous sagebrush Sodom populated by murderous fortune hunters."

In addition, Duffy joins other critics in saluting the performance of Ian McShane, who plays the "baddest of the bad" characters in "Deadwood."

He also speaks for many critics in hailing "Joan," in which Amber Tamblyn plays a teen who talks with God.

"Despite its outwardly hokey talking-to-God concept, this spiritual odyssey of young Joan Girardi has been one of the year’s most unlikely entertainment blessings," Duffy says.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Rob Owen says "Joan" is the only freshman drama he would nominate in the top category.

"The characters show growth, and it can be heartfelt without being sappy," he says.

But Owen, like other critics, also believes that it’s time for other dramas, most notably the recently cancelled CBS series "The Guardian," to receive overdue recognition.

"When (’Guardian’) is good, as it has been at certain points this season, it really is one of the best-nuanced character shows on television," Owen says.

McDaniel wants to see nominations for FX’s "The Shield," which he calls "the season’s richest viewing experience," and for CBS’ "Without a Trace." Duffy puts in good words for "Shield" and ABC’s "Alias."

USA Today’s Robert Bianco favors Emmy nominations for "Alias" ("still one of TV’s most entertaining, if confusing, hours," he says) and "Angel" — "a salute to the brilliance of (co-creator/executive producer) Joss Whedon" — which completed its run on the WB Network.

"I’m also hoping (that) this year, the academy makes room for the best of the HBO series, ’The Wire’ — though it remains a long shot because, along with being the best, it’s the least-publicized," Bianco adds.

Entertainment Weekly’s Ken Tucker hopes to see a nomination for "Deadwood" and also has a "fantasy hope."

"My fantasy wish is that (Fox’s) ’The O.C.’ would triumph over the Emmy nominators’ prejudice against nighttime soaps and teen-aimed hours," he says. "I know — fat chance."