.

Regular Cast
Jim Beaver - Ellsworth
Powers Boothe - Cy Tolliver
Sean Bridgers - Johnny Burns
Earl Brown - Dan Dority
Dayton Callie - Charlie Utter
Kim Dickens - Joanie Stubbs
Brad Dourif - Doctor Amos "Doc" Cochran
John Hawkes - Sol Star
Peter Jason - Con Stapleton
Geri Jewell - Jewel
Paula Malcomson - Trixie
Ian McShane - Al Swearengen
Timothy Olyphant - Seth Bullock
Molly Parker - Alma Garret
Leon Rippy - Tom Nuttall
William Sanderson - E.B. Farnum
Bree Wall - Sofia Metz
Robin Weigert - Calamity Jane
Titus Welliver - Silas Adams
Keone Young - Mr. Wu

Season One

1. Deadwood
   July, 1876
   
   Seth Bullock abandons his position as Marshall in the Montana Territory to begin a career as a hardware merchant in Deadwood, Dakota Territory, a burgeoning, lawless gold-rush town set in the heart of Native land. Joining Bullock in the endeavor is his friend Sol Star. Before setting off from Montana, Bullock brings final justice to a horse thief, holding off dangerous mob to give him a legal hanging from a makeshift gallows in front of the sheriff's office.
   
   Also drawn to Deadwood is Wild Bill Hickok, the famed gunfighter and lawman. He travels with his old friend Charlie Utter and the foul-mouthed Calamity Jane. Hickok's reasons for moving to the Black Hills aren't immediately clear, but it's obvious that his very presence in the town sends excitement through its residents.
   
   Upon arriving at Deadwood, Bullock and Star rent a lot on which to open their hardware tent. Their landlord is Al Swearengen, proprietor of the Gem Saloon. Swearengen runs the whisky, women and faro games in Deadwood, and his cold efficiency is demonstrated when he beats Trixie, one of his whores, after she kills a trick in self-defense.
   
   As Bullock and Star's hardware business gets off to a brisk start, Hickok's presence in Deadwood continues to capture the attention of those in the town. Newspaperman A.W. Merrick of the Deadwood Pioneer tries to get some information out of him, but the gunslinger ignores him. Also taking notice is Jack McCall, a man given to sitting in the dark corners of Tom Nuttall's No.10 Saloon. McCall claims not to be impressed by Hickok, and swears to "gut that son of a bitch at poker" whenever he gets a chance. Wild Bill does get into a poker game and winds up on a terrible losing streak. He has recently married, and is trying to earn up enough money to buy a stake with which to support his wife.
   
   Meanwhile Swearengen enlists E.B. Farnum (proprietor of the Grand Central Hotel), along with Tim Driscoll and Dan Dority in a conspiracy to dupe East Coast dude Brom Garrett into buying a pinched-out gold claim. Brom gushes about his purchase to his wife Alma, who is supportive, but dealing with the difficulties of her situation with steady doses of laudanum. The conspiracy deepens as Swearengen has Doherty kill Driscoll to ensure his silence.
   
   News of a massacre arrives in Deadwood: the entire Metz family, a man says, has been killed by Indians. When pressed, the man says he saw two dead children, but townspeople say the Metz family had three children. Hickok puts together a party, including Bullock, to look for the missing child. Fearing a major disruption of business, Swearengen offers up free alcohol and discounted sex to those that stay behind with him.
   
   The party finds the third Metz girl, but she's unconscious and hovering near death. They take her back to Deadwood, dropping her off with Doctor Cochran. Hickok and Bullock then confront the man who originally brought the news of the massacre, accusing him of staging the raid in order to line his own pockets. The man draws his gun, but is shot dead. As the violence outside comes to a conclusion, Swearengen goes to bed with a bruised Trixie - unsettled by what he's seen in the streets.
    

2. Deep Water
   A new day begins in Deadwood, everybody is edgy after the violent events of the early morning. Going through the effects of the man that Bullock and Hickok killed, Reverend H.W. Smith determines that his name was Ned Mason.
   
   The little girl who survived the Metz massacre has become the focus of attention of several inhabitants of Deadwood, including Bullock and Swearengen. Calamity Jane takes a special interest in ensuring the safety of the still unconscious girl, while Doc Cochran does his best to hide her from Swearengen, realizing that if the attack were indeed committed by criminal "road agents"-and not Indians, as Ned Mason had claimed--anything she said about the incident would all but sign her death warrant.
   
   Back in the Grand Central, Hickok and Bullock cross paths again. Utter asks Bullock to set Hickok up with some prospecting equipment, but the gunslinger isn't happy that his friend has so loudly announced his intentions. Later, Utter tries to convince Hickok to take "appearance" money to gamble in one of the local joints, but Hickok rejects this, as he doesn't want to be a shill. Eventually, Utter does manage to broker a deal of this sort, to ensure that Wild Bill has a source of income.
   
   The city dude Garrett tries to work his claim with the assistance of Dan Dority, but finds no gold anywhere on his land. Another prospector, Ellsworth, happens upon the pair, and winds up raising Garrett's suspicions when he mentions that if the claim was good, they would have probably found some flakes of gold already.
   
   Johnny Burns tells Swearengen that he's learned that Ned Mason was behind the Metz attack and was likely working with his brother Tom and another man named Persimmon Phil. Meanwhile, Bullock and Star approach Swearengen to negotiate the purchase of their lot, but the landlord expresses his concern that the duo may have ulterior motives or unnamed partners in their endeavor. As the two leave without a deal, Tom and Phil arrive at The Gem, and are quickly ushered upstairs by Swearengen.
   
   There, Swearengen angrily confronts Phil. He's furious that the attack on the "Squareheads" was done without his approval and that loose ends were left to be dealt with. Although Swearengen didn't authorize this attack, it's clear that he's hired these agents in the past. Swearengen tells Phil about Ned's actions the previous night, then throws the bandit to the floor, demanding that he help straighten out the entire mess.
   
   Back at Cochran's office, the Doc entrusts Jane with the task of protecting the Metz child. Cochran then has to leave to attend to the women of the Gem, and while he's gone, Swearengen goes to see the girl. Jane tries to stand up to him, but his presence causes her to break down instead. He leaves without incident, but not before he pinches the child on the arm, causing her to open her eyes for the first time since the attack. Swearengen and the Doc then cross paths in the street, and Cochran's fears that Swearengen has ill intent towards the child are confirmed.
   
   When Brom Garrett returns to the Grand Central after a fruitless day of prospecting, he feigns a hurt back and tries to sell the property to Farnum, who had feigned interest to drive up the price Garrett had paid. Farnum claims that drunkenness caused him to bid on the claim in the first place. Later, Garrett's wife Alma wonders if he'll be able to recruit Hickok in a plan to reclaim the $20,000 investment.
   
   Swearengen enlists Tom Mason to kill Hickok, inciting the road agent to do the deed under the guise of revenge for his fallen brother. Mason makes the attempt while wildly drunk, tipping off Wild Bill. As would be expected, Mason is gunned down before he even manages to draw iron. Having anticipated the attack, Hickok had asked Bullock, also at the saloon, to watch his back. This pairing once again draws the notice of Swearengen, who becomes even more convinced that the men are working together. The assumed collusion makes it even more difficult for Bullock and Star to buy their lot.
   
   Dority goes to kill the Metz girl at Swearengen's behest, but Doc Cochran stands him down. Dority agrees to leave the girl for the time being, but he takes the Doctor with him to explain to Swearengen. While they're out, Utter and Jane grab the child and head for the hills in an attempt to protect her. As the long night ends, Swearengen decides that there is another way to tie up the loose ends from the Metz massacre-by stabbing Persimmon Phil himself.
    

3. Reconnoitering the Rim
   The sudden opening of the Bella Union, a new saloon that manages to sneak into town, challenges Swearengen's grasp on the vice of Deadwood. The establishment is run by Cy Tolliver, assisted by his right-hand man Eddie Sawyer and his Madame, Joanie Stubbs. The Bella Union is a stark contrast to The Gem, with cleaner women and a higher level of sophistication. Swearengen tries to quietly intimidate Tolliver and his crew, but they don't seem impressed.
   
   Wild Bill finally manages to win a hand of poker, taking a large pot from the lout McCall, and the game gets heated. Before the situation can escalate further, McCall is thrown out of the game, but not before spewing a stream of profanity.
   
   Meanwhile, the Metz girl begins to run a fever, so Utter moves into Hickok's room, surrendering his quarters to Jane and the child. The arrangement rankles Farnum, but he doesn't have the constitution to stand up to Wild Bill. Jane continues to watch over the little girl as she recovers, but Utter has to leave for Cheyenne for business reasons.
   
   Brom Garrett tries to enlist Hickok in recovering the money that he was swindled out of on the gold claim. Wild Bill isn't interested in the proposal, so Garrett decides to confront Swearengen himself. Swearengen starts paying attention when Garrett threatens to bring the Pinkerton agency into the dispute. He then tells Garrett that he should try prospecting one more time, upriver this time, and if that doesn't work out, he'll give Garrett back his stake. As Garrett leaves The Gem, Swearengen tells Dority to kill the city dude and to make it look like an accident.
   
   Livid at the arrival of the interlopers of the Bella Union, Swearengen briefly considers the possibility that Bullock and Star acted as advance agents for Tolliver. This theory falls apart when Swearengen sees Farnum heading into the competing saloon, leading him to conclude that that the hotelier is his "Judas Goat." Later, Swearengen confronts Farnum, who cracks under pressure. Swearengen lets the traitor live, but it's made clear that Farnum's continued survival depends on working as an informant.
   
   After much negotiation, Bullock and Star strike a deal for their store's lot--$1000, along with an agreement to no gambling, whoring or whiskey on the premises, and a right of first refusal for Swearengen. Construction on the hardware store begins immediately, with extra elbow grease provided by Utter and Hickok.
   
   Up on the claim, Dority follows his orders and pitches Brom off of a cliff, not realizing that the deed was witnessed by the neighboring prospector Ellsworth. Hiking down the hill to make sure the dude is dead, Dority makes a startling discovery-a thick vein of gold lines the cliff not far from the body. Realizing he's in over his head, Dority passes the information along to Swearengen.
    
4. Here Was a Man
   McCall and Hickok are back at the poker table, and this time, it's Bill who cleans out the foul-mouthed McCall. Rising from the table, McCall begins a typical stream of insults, but Cy Tolliver stops him, and Bill tosses him a dollar for a meal. Leaving the saloon to get some air, Hickok visits Bullock, who is in the process of building out his hardware store, even at three in the morning. The two exchange quick pleasantries, and the mutual respect between the two is apparent.
   
   In the morning, the body of Brom Garrett is returned to Deadwood after his "accident" at the hands of Dan Dority. Alma, his widow, immediately suspects foul play, and enlists Doc Cochran to perform an examination of the body. Her suspicions grow further when the Doctor won't completely rule out foul play, and Farnum, prompted by Swearengen, makes an offer on the claim that's supposed to be pinched out.
   
   Cy Tolliver recruits Doc Cochran to take care of his whores, paying him substantially more than Swearengen does for the same services. Soon after, a man named Mr. Cramed enters into the Bella Union throwing around cash, earning him extra attention and services from Tolliver. Moments later we see that Cramed and Tolliver are acquaintances and have run scams together in the past.
   
   Alma pleads to Wild Bill, begging him to help solve the case of Brom's murder and bring justice to those that may have done her husband wrong. Hickok heads to The Gem to question Swearengen, but as usual, Swearengen is able to deflect any inquiry directed towards him. Hickok takes an alternate approach by intentionally accepting a bribe from Swearengen. Wild Bill takes Swearengen's money and then enlists Bullock to do a review of the Garrett gold claim. Bullock agrees to help, but says that he'll need to bring in somebody from Montana to do the work.
   
   Ellsworth comes into town and lets Dority know that he's more than willing to mind his own business regarding the "accident" befalling Brom, if that keeps him from getting murdered himself. Later, Trixie tells Dority to leave Ellsworth alone, and he grudgingly agrees. Meanwhile Swearengen tells Farnum that he believes that "Hickok's got to die if I have to kill him myself..." Shocked, Farnum convinces his boss that he's got too much on his plate for such an ambitious idea.
   
   Back at the hotel, Andy Cramed has fallen ill in his hotel room, and Joanie fetches Doctor Cochran to attend to him. Crame is in bad shape, delirious, and Cochran becomes very concerned.
   
   Exhausted and nearly incoherent, Jack McCall tells the story of his poker showdown with Hickok to his pals at Nuttall's; even these world-weary men are concerned by what they see. Later, returning to the saloon wild-eyed, the long-simmering anger has come to a boil. McCall strides up to the poker table and shoots Hickok in the back of the head. Word spreads quickly through town, as people take to the street, and McCall is immediately apprehended. Drawn almost by instinct, Bullock and Calamity Jane find their way to Nuttall's saloon, but an era has already ended: Wild Bill Hickok is dead.
    
5. The Trial of Jack McCall
   The line to view the body of "Wild Bill" Hickok stretches throughout town, and equally long is the line of people volunteering for jury service for Jack McCall's upcoming trial. Swearengen realizes that the high-profile trial could bring unwanted attention from the U.S. government, since Deadwood technically doesn't have the sovereignty to hold such an event.
   
   Back at the Grand Central Hotel, Alma Garrett is still caring for the Metz girl, but the widow's withdrawal from laudanum is beginning to take a toll on her and she looks for help with the child. Still, Alma is determined to investigate the value of her claim. Meeting with Bullock, she signs a proxy giving him authority over the property, as Hickok had recommended. Swearengen is infuriated to learn that the former marshal has become involved in the matter, and he and Farnum devise a plan: Trixie will offer to help with the Metz girl, using the opportunity to secretly slip Alma some of Al's dope.
   
   At the Bella Union, Andy Cramed is still terribly sick, so Tolliver makes the call to have him taken out into the woods and left for dead. One of Cy's minion's isn't thrilled with this plan, but realizes that he has no choice in the matter and does as he's told. As this is going on, Doc Cochran visits the Bella Union to check in on the patient and learns of Tolliver's callous treatment. The Doctor warns Tolliver of the need for medicine for the upcoming epidemic, and the saloonkeeper reluctantly sends someone to Fort Kearney in Nebraska.
   
   Before the trial begins, Bullock goes to see McCall, who is imprisoned in Mr. Wu's slaughterhouse. After some tense conversation, Bullock ends up with his hands around McCall's neck, but the accused is saved when his lawyer steps in. Bullock leaves, and McCall and his lawyer begin to plan out their defense strategy.
   
   Trixie arrives at Alma's room and takes an immediate liking to her and to the Metz girl as well. She also recognizes that Alma is going through withdrawal. Defying Al's wishes, she doesn't give Alma Swearengen's dope, but instead visits Doc Cochran for some medicine to ease the widow's shakes.
   
   At The Gem, the trial begins, and McCall's defense-concocted by his attorney-is that he was avenging the death of a brother. The proceeding has not gone far, however, before Swearengen pulls the judge aside for a little talk. Upon reconvening, his honor sends the case quickly to the jury. They quickly return a verdict of innocent. McCall is set free.
   
   The residents of Deadwood that aren't hovering near the trial attend Hickok's burial. Joanie, angry with Tolliver over Cramed, goes to the funeral to annoy him; Bullock and Star are both at the sad event, which is presided over by the Reverend Smith. Star takes notice of Smith's pale appearance and stranger-than-usual demeanor, but Bullock doesn't seem to care, as he's still seething over the death of Wild Bill. Bullock's demeanor doesn't improve when Merrick arrives, bringing the news that McCall has been found innocent.
   
   Calamity Jane is absent from the burial, choosing instead to watch the event from a distance. She doesn't observe too long, however, as she's managed to find Cramed in the woods and, in a drunken stupor, has chosen to take care of him. His condition continues to worsen, but in her state, Jane is almost oblivious to just how badly off the man is.
   
   The trial concluded, The Gem is once again filled with those seeking women and booze. Among those celebrating is Jack McCall, but Swearengen makes it immediately clear to Hickok's killer that his continued health depends on leaving Deadwood immediately. McCall takes the advice and gets on a horse. But not far away, Bullock's anger is still boiling. After a few words with Star, he makes his decision: he is going after the murderer of his friend.
    
6. Plague
   On the trail of the murderer Jack McCall, Seth Bullock is ambushed. Though he manages to kill the Indian who attacked him, Bullock is beaten and bloodied and soon collapses.
   
   Back in Deadwood, a john falls ill at the Gem, showing the same symptoms that felled Andy Cramed. Worse news follows when Joey, Tolliver's messenger, arrives back at the Bella Union without having made Nebraska. He, too, is becoming ill and was not able to bring back the smallpox vaccine. Doc Cochran tells Swearengen about the outbreak, but the news is kept quiet for the time being.
   
   Smallpox is not the only thing on Swearengen's mind; he is still determined to steal Alma Garrett's gold claim. He sends Farnum to spy on the widow to find out if Trixie has succeeded in re-addicting her to dope, but Farnum reports back to Al that she's not high. Al confronts Trixie and makes it clear that she is to dope the widow--or else.
   
   Knowing that Swearengen means business, Trixie tells Alma to fake intoxication whenever Farnum shows up. Alma understands, playing the part perfectly, and Al is immensely pleased when he gets the report.
   
   Calamity Jane returns to Deadwood, and heads to Cochran's office to get an update on the Metz girl. The doctor doesn't want to deal with Jane, but is surprised when she tells him that she knows about the smallpox. Jane explains that she's been caring for Cramed, and Cochran realizes she may be immune to the disease.
   
   Despite the growing number of smallpox cases, it's business as usual at the Bella Union, where Ellsworth is spending a lot of time at the craps table. Tension grows between Tolliver and Joanie Stubbs, and when she shows a soft spot for Ellsworth, the boss makes it clear that she needs to improve her work in the Union-or he'll give her a reason to be morose.
   
   Outside of Deadwood, Charlie Utter finds Bullock, still unconscious from the attack. Charlie cleans him up, and when Seth comes around, he tells Utter about Hickok's death. Utter is eager to make his way back into town, but Bullock presses him to carry the corpse of the Indian to a proper resting place in a show of respect.
   
   Realizing the growing smallpox threat, a small group of Deadwood's town leaders meet at the Gem. It is decided that they will put together money to pay for riders to get the smallpox vaccine. They also decide to set up a tent for those afflicted.
   
   In his newspaper, Merrick-with heavy editorial influence from Swearengen--tries to minimize the fears that will no doubt arise when the rest of the town learns of the outbreak. The tent is erected for the sick, staffed by Cochran, Reverend Smith and Calamity Jane.
    
7. Bullock Returns to the Camp
   Riding into a stockade, Bullock and Charlie Utter spot the horse of the murderer Jack McCall. Soon the two are inside a crude bunk house, where McCall is passed out. "I guess sometime since he's been here, that fella face down on the table probably spoke of killing Wild Bill Hickok," Bullock says. "Well, we're Hickok's friends." Knocking McCall out with the barrel of his gun, Bullock ties him to a horse, and tells Charlie he thinks they should take him to Yankton for trial.
   
   Back in Deadwood, two teenagers, Flora and Miles, have arrived from Buffalo, showing a 12-year-old photograph of their missing father. Swearengen eyes Flora like a hungry wolf, but can't convince her to join his establishment so he settles for giving the boy a job sweeping up. Tolliver, meanwhile, is more successful with Flora and instructs Joanie to take the girl under her wing.
   
   With Swearengen watching out a window, Sol Star comes to pick up Alma, Trixie and the little Metz girl for Brom Garrett's funeral. "That widow ain't high,"Al observes, accusing Farnum of fouling up his plan. Farnum replies with an accusation of his own, saying he's tired of being a pawn, and the two agree to cut Farnum in for a percentage if the widow will sell her claim.
   
   But at the bleak and sparsely attended funeral, Farnum sees Bullock returning and makes a rushed and inappropriate offer to Alma. The widow later reports this to Bullock, and, flushed, tells him of Swearengen's scheming and of her own addiction. Feeling stronger, she offers to let Bullock out of his promise to help, but he says he'll stay on. "You are changed," he tells her. "You seem to be, too," she replies.
   
   Swearengen gets physical with Trixie and confronts her with her betrayal, but Trixie is cool. The dope wouldn't help sell the claim, she says, and the child needs someone to take care of her. Swearengen backs off, but calls after her: "Don't kid yourself, Trixie."
   
   Talking with Joanie, Flora begins to reveal a steely side, telling the madam that she isn't a virgin, and calling her old boyfriend a "son-of-a-bitch." Elsewhere in the Bella Union, Andy Cramed, now fully recovered thanks to Jane, walks in and confronts Tolliver. Flustered, Tolliver offers to stake him. But Cramed remembers that it was Cy who left him to die. "We ain't getting nothing going, Cy," he says. "All I came back for was my things, and you thrown those out too."
   
   Exhausted, Doc Cochran, the Reverend Smith and Calamity Jane continue to tend to the sick. The matter is complicated somewhat by Smith's seizures, which the Doc attributes to a lesion, but the reverend feels may be divinely inspired.
   
   As Bullock recounts to Star the story of the Indian who fought him to avenge his friend, he becomes increasingly emotional; something has crystallized for the former lawman. Striding to the Gem, he asks for a private moment with Swearengen, and informs the saloon boss that he is holding him responsible for the outcome of the widow's claim. "She gets a square deal, or I come for you," Bullock says. "And what if I come for you," Swearengen says. "Are you ready for that?"
   
   Flora, the sweet little girl, has advanced to turning tricks, but returns to her prim self to pick up her brother from work at The Gem. Her fresh-faced brother Miles greets her, and without changing his expression, asks, under his breath. "Which place'd make a better score?"
   
   "Where I'm working," Flora replies. "But why not take 'em both?"
   
   In Alma Garrett's room, Trixie announces that she is headed back to the Gem. Alma offers to finance a trip for Trixie to leave Deadwood with the Metz girl, but Trixie is angry at Alma- for her stubbornness and for her inability to understand Trixie's situation. After blowing up at the widow, she touches the little girl goodbye. "She's about to say her name," she says to Alma. "Think of selling. If you took the money, you could hear her say it."
    
8. Suffer the Little Children
   In the Gem's back office, Swearengen rebukes Dority for losing his head over the girl Flora. "You might, Dan, want to learn how to indicate interest in a girl without murdering another person." Also on hand is E.B. Farnum, who is extremely agitated. He suggests murdering Alma Garrett and Seth Bullock in their sleep for their unwillingness to sell the widow's claim, but Al and Dority look skeptical.
   
   Celebratory gunshots interrupt, as one of the gangs of men sent for smallpox vaccine has arrived back in town. "We'll be celebratin' a treaty, too, with the f*ckin' heathens," one of them reports to Swearengen, who is very pleased by the news.
   
   Sitting down with Farnum, Swearengen tells the hotelier that with a treaty, their fortunes are bright-the only thing that would ruin things is "unnecessary bloodshed." He also says that Bullock will be "the perfect fucking front man" for the future thriving Deadwood. Much as they want the widow's claim, it's a luxury now to forgo.
   
   A pale Flora arrives at the Bella Union, telling Joanie she's seen a man killed. After some fawning and flirting, she asks the madam if she can stay with her until it's time to get up. Joanie agrees, and ends up holding the girl through the night.
   
   With Andy Cramed keeping order, townspeople line up at Bullock's store to receive the smallpox shot. Bullock meets Alma Garrett in line with the Metz girl, and the widow explains that she has decided "for reasons we needn't explore" to return with the child to New York City. She has also decided to take Farnum's last offer for her claim. Bullock, however, refuses to stand off, saying he made a promise to Bill to have the property assayed.
   
   Trixie, meanwhile, has been missing since her blow-up with Alma, and though Swearengen has dispatched people to look for her, it is Doc Cochran who finds her-unconscious on his office floor with an arm full of opium. "You botched the job pretty good," the Doc says to her, and she listens, barely aware, as he suggests going to New York with the widow Garrett.
   
   In the morning, Flora dresses for work, and Cy seems suspicious of the girl's professed innocence, a notion borne out when the young girl snarls obscenities at some of the other working girls. Later, when her over-amorous John pesters her, she tells him to "Get away from me before I cut your fucking heart out."
   
   Flora tells her brother that it's time to hit the Bella Union. "I can move the dyke," she says. "She held me all night like I was a f*cking kid." Miles disagrees, arguing that if they take it slow they can be 50 miles away before they're discovered, but Flora says her boss is onto her. "You're full of shit," he says. "You want to do it fast and dirty so we have to cut somebody's throat."
   
   Swearengen has arranged for Ellsworth to assay the Garrett claim, and Bullock, Dority and the old prospector head out to the site. Ellsworth is nervous, but Dority tells him not to worry, and the band soon discovers the huge gold strike. Later Bullock knocks at the widow's door. "Don't sell, Mrs. Garrett," he says, and shows her a bag filled with nuggets. . Alma and Bullock discuss her plans; she admits that she would like to stay, but that she has to take care of the girl. "Why can't you care for her here?" he asks.
   
   Later Bullock shares a drink with Swearengen. "If the treaty is signed, it would be wise for you and me to paddle in the same direction," the saloon boss says. Bullock asks him to guarantee Alma Garrett's safety, and Swearengen agrees.
   
   Recovering in the Doc's office, Trixie receives a visit from Alma and the girl. The widow tells her that she has decided to stay, but that she would be grateful if Trixie would stay with them. As an alternative, she offers to finance her escape from Deadwood, and gives her a huge nugget as a start. Even the Metz girl adds to the plea, breaking her silence by saying, "Trixie." She then adds her own name: "Sophia." Trixie says she wants to think things through.
   
   Flora tells Joanie she is quitting; moments later she is stealing the madam's jewelry. Joanie is unflustered, but upset, telling the girl to put down the valuables and she'll let her go. "Why don't you let me go, with your things, and shut your fucking mouth," the girl suggests. "Because I remind you of whoever I remind you of." Joanie implores her to stop."You're going to die here," she says, but Flora pulls a knife on her and walks out.
   
   Out in the saloon, Cy Tolliver is not quite so understanding. "It don't feel right to me babe," he says, and slaps her viciously. Flora responds by stabbing him in the leg and making a break with her brother, but they are both quickly captured and savagely beaten in the street. Taking them inside, Tolliver finishes the job, taunting and relentlessly beating the two, and finally shooting Miles. Giving the gun to Joanie, he tells her to put the terribly beaten girl out of her misery. Joanie shoots her and nearly shoots herself, but Tolliver stops her.
   
   When things settle, Cy is apologetic to Joanie, explaining that he did what he had to do. Telling his madam that her happiness is important to him, he offers to set her up in a business of her own. But Joanie is unswayed by the offer. "Kill me too, Cy, or let me go," she says. "If you don't kill me or let me go, I'm going to kill you."
   
   As night comes in, and Alma Garrett puts Sophia to bed, she spots Trixie in the street. Doc Cochran, on his rounds, notices her, too. The two watch Trixie as she works her way through the muddy settlement, slowing occasionally until, finally she arrives at her destination, walking through the threshold of the Gem Saloon.
    
9. No Other Sons Or Daughters
   Waking up and getting dressed the morning following Trixie's return, Al Swearengen is agitated: the United States government is poised make an agreement with the Indians to annex the Black Hills-- and therefore Deadwood-- and Swearengen is to meet with a magistrate to discuss the matter. "It'll be different after the annexation, that's all," Al says, nervously.
   
   When the magistrate arrives, he lays out the thinking of the legislature. Should the treaty be accepted, the rule of the land will be "you're on it, and you improve it, you own it." Of course, nothing is that simple, and a steady supply of bribes will likely be required to grease the wheels of progress. Also, an ad hoc government will need to be established, to show that there is something to build on. The magistrate also mentions that an arrest warrant has appeared in Yankton accusing Swearengen of a murder in Chicago. Dealing with that will require $5,000.
   
   At the Grand Central, Bullock introduces Alma to Ellsworth, explaining that he is the man that found the gold on her claim. Ellsworth can work her claim to retain her title, Bullock says, if she trusts him. Alma and Ellsworth hit it off quickly.
   
   Farnum's employee, expresses his excitement to have rediscovered a letter that Hickok wrote to his wife just hours before his death. A letter he was supposed to mail out for Mr. Hickok. Farnum berates him for having the letter, and then summarily pockets it.
   
   With a bad eye and a bad arm, the Reverend's health continues to deteriorate, and he is beginning to imagine that his body is emitting an odor of decay. He also frets that he no longer feels the full love of Christ when he reads his scriptures. He quickly annoys Jane with his delusions and she wastes no time in cursing him out for being a fool and for hiding his condition from Doc Cochran.
   
   Joanie Stubbs decides to take Tolliver up on his offer and goes off in search of a location. While walking around Deadwood, she runs into Charlie Utter, himself busy with his new business, Utter's Freight and Postal Delivery Service.
   
   Back at The Gem, Swearengen has assembled the Deadwood's leaders. "We're forming structure enough to convince those territorial f*cks in Yankton that we're worthy enough to pay them their f*cking bribes," he says. The first order of business is appointments, and Farnum immediately request the position of Mayor. Since there are no immediate objections, the hotelier is given the title. The rest of the "elections" continue similarly until all posts are filled, with Utter serving as Fire Commissioner and Bullock on board as Health Commissioner-only, he says, because he didn't want to be made Sheriff.<
   
   After the appointments, life returns to normal in Deadwood. Business continues at The Gem, and Trixie is back on the job. Starr goes to the Gem to see Trixie, but she does her best to discourage him. "I don't want what I can't have," she says.
   
   Smith's health issues continue, and Cochran finally feels the need to step in. He examines the Reverend, but Smith seems to attribute his physical and mental problems to the will of God. Cochran doesn't take to this explanation, but he also realizes that there isn't much he can do without Smith's full cooperation.
   
   The execution of Flora and Miles is still weighing heavily on the mind of Eddie Sawyer. He sits in the Bella Union with a morose look on his face, greatly angering Tolliver. Later, Cy confronts and insults Eddie. Their job is to sell the illusion of a fresh start, he tells Joanie; now people close to him seem to be believing the illusion themselves.
   
   At the end of a long binge, Calamity Jane decides it's time to ride out of town. "The direction of this camp makes me f*cking sick," she says. "And it bores the shit out of me." She runs into Utter, but he's unable to convince her to stay and continue her work with Cochran. She says her goodbyes to her former running partner, and staggers off into the night.
   
   Bullock visits Alma in her room to check up on her, and see if she feels that Ellsworth is capable of working her claim. Uncomfortable in their mutual attraction, Bullock and Alma talk a bit, and the widow stiffens upon learning that Bullock has a wife and a son in Michigan, and that he has written them to come join him. As he leaves, Bullock explains that his wife is his brother's widow, and that the child isn't actually his. The pair lingers over their goodbyes, and Bullock leaves her clearly unnerved.
    
10. Mister Wu
    It's the breakfast hour in an ever-more-crowded Deadwood, but Seth Bullock is having trouble pulling himself away from his work as health commissioner. "What was in my mind to raise my hand," he asks aloud to Sol. On the way to the Grand Central for a meal, Bullock outlines a couple of his ideas for improving the town to E.B. Farnum, but the spurious mayor is loath to divert any tax money away from bribes to the magistrates.
    
    An angry Mr. Wu causes an uproar by using the front door of the Gem and calling for Swearengen; Al invites the man up to his office. Drawing pictures on a piece of paper, Wu furiously explains that two white "c*cksuckers" killed his courier and stole an opium shipment-much of which was destined for Swearengen. Al sends Wu on his way - out the back door-and calls for Dority to scare up the dope fiend Jimmy Irons.
    
    Bullock, Star and the newspaperman Merrick share breakfast in the Grand Central, which is packed to the rafters. Bullock gives Merrick a letter to the editor in an effort to build support for his health proposals. Later, as the three take a walk with Charlie Utter, Merrick proposes the formation of Deadwood's first club-perhaps dedicated to walking-but the idea falls flat with the others.
    
    Swearengen and Farnum are stuffing bribe envelopes when the two "bagmen" from the magistrate arrive. Al becomes furious when he reads a letter from the magistrate, and curses the messenger, Silas Adams.
    
    Later, the junkie Irons has been produced. Swearengen asks about the whereabouts of fellow dope fiend Leon, who deals Faro at the Bella Union. Jimmy says he hasn't seen him, but Swearengen immediately sees through him. "Jimmy, you've been wrong since you got in here," he says. The junkie quickly caves and admits that he and Leon jumped the courier, and promises to bring Al whatever is left.
    
    The Gem has a surprise guest in Reverend Smith, who is having a world of a time listening to the piano, despite his obviously worsening condition. Swearengen asks Smith to frequent another joint, as men of the cloth are bad for business.
    
    Now holed up in the Grand Central, Joanie entertains her old friend Eddie, telling him that she doesn't want Cy Tolliver to back her new whorehouse. Eddie tells her that he'll bankroll her. "I'm gonna rob Cy," he says. Joanie tries to talk him out of it, but he seems to have made up his mind.
    
    After interrogating the two hapless dope-heads, Al Swearengen heads to Chinatown to talk to Wu. He tells the man he can kill one of the "c*cksuckers" who killed his courier, but that two whites for one Chinese was out of the question. Walking out of Wu's butcher shop with Dority, Al mutters, "Even money this will end up a bloodbath."
    
    Swearengen meets with Cy to determine which dope fiend will go. Cy, having no financial interest in the dope trade, says he will take the moral high ground: "I don't deliver white men to chinks," he says.
    
    But Al is determined to satisfy Wu. "I'm a purveyor of spirits, dope included, and when chance affords, a thief, but I ain't no fucking hypocrite," he says.
    
    Reverend Smith is back in the Gem, wildly enjoying the piano, which seems to make many observers uncomfortable. Al chews him out, but it is clear the Reverend is losing touch with reality; Doc Cochran says he believes it's a tumor.
    
    Watching Deadwood from the porch of their store, Bullock and Star talk. Bullock is irritated at his own "meddlesome" nature. He's moved 300 miles just to get himself mixed up in town planning again. Now a wife and kid he barely knows are moving coming out as well. Maybe, he says, he's just borrowing his brother's life so he doesn't have to live one of his own.
    
    Back at the Gem, Swearengen explains his outburst to the bagman Adams, who acknowledges that the magistrate is less than straightforward. Al reveals that the letter demanded more money to settle an older murder warrant, and goes on to tell Adams about his difficulties with Wu and Tolliver.
    
    He invites the newcomer to the bathhouse where the two opium addicts are enjoying a bath in a state of intoxication. Swearengen tells the men they must draw straws to see who will apologize to Wu, and after Jimmy selects one, Al holds him under and drowns him. As he explains to Adams on the walk home, he elected to kill his own man to avoid giving Tolliver an excuse to go to war.
    
    Delivering Jimmy Irons to Wu's pigs, Swearengen seems to have dealt with the politically charged situation and Wu gruffly bows in thanks to 'Swurgin.'
    
    "Yeah, well," Al replies, "Swurgin hopes we didn't sign ourselves up for killing, too."
     
11. Jewel's Boot Is Made For Walking
    As day breaks over camp, Trixie stands at the window reporting Deadwood's activities to Al, who is in bed describing the Chicago murder that led to the warrant for his arrest. Complaining about the treachery of the magistrate, he moans that he's "never going to be able to f*cking operate in peace."
    
    One of the residents observed by Trixie is Jewel, who struggles through town on her bad leg all the way to Doc Cochran's. She has a book that describes leg braces, and she is hoping that the Doc can fabricate one for her, so her leg dragging won't continue to irritate Swearengen. But Cochran tells her that the devices won't work for her.
    
    In Farnum's dining room, Joanie and Charlie Utter share breakfast, as do Alma Garret, Sophie and Ellsworth. The old prospector tells Alma that his work on her claim is just about done, and that it is time to sink some shafts. Alma affectionately entreats him to remain in her employ. Their discussion is interrupted when a surprise guest arrives: Alma's father, Otis Russell.
    
    Silas Adams, the magistrate's bagman-and Swearengen's latest protege-visits Al at the Gem. What message does Swearengen want to send to the magistrate? "Tell him no more envelopes, and go f*ck himself," Al says. Adams, who understands that Swearengen is not just posturing, tells him that people in Yankton believe he is the person to deal with in Deadwood. And, he adds, "It's just the magistrate that can earn on that warrant. No one else knows about it."
    
    The two agree on a deal to get rid of the magistrate, after haggling over the price-with Al offering $2,000, and Silas thinking $20,000. "Take the two," Al says. "You gotta believe you're opening the door to your future. And making hundreds of thousands back and forth between here and Yankton."
    
    Visiting Alma's room, her father jokes that he always knew she'd end up in a boarding house with a farmer's child and a bonanza of gold. After examining a nugget, he tells his daughter that there has been talk that she had something to do with her husband's death. "You have to admit, it's a suspicious sequence," he says.
    
    Charlie Utter, who says he's not making any friends in town in his new role as fire commissioner, threatens to fine Tom Nuttall if he doesn't make his saloon safer. Nuttall is nearly inconsolable. "Jesus Christ almighty, that's the kind of sh*t that ran me out of Wilkes Barre," he says. Con Stapleton, who is on hand, tells him that this is where the camp is headed, and offers a novel solution. Have Al Swearengen appoint him Sheriff, and he'll use his influence to help Nuttall.
    
    The junkie Leon returns to Cy Tolliver's employ, but in a new capacity. His new job, Tolliver says, is "expressing your f*cking opinion." Leon is to stir outrage over Swearengen handing Jimmy Irons over to Wu. Nuttall convinces Al to make Stapleton Sheriff. "Truth is," he implores, "I feel like the camp's getting away from me." Al reluctantly agrees, but warns him not to expect Stapleton's loyalty. "Press your luck no further," he says, allowing the new officer to be sworn in at the Gem. "Don't expect me to attend."
    
    At the hardware store, Trixie visits Sol. "Anyways, would you like a free f*ck?" she asks after a bit of small talk. Star is taken aback, but he locks up the store and they are soon going at it-at least until Bullock walks in and catches them in fligrante.
    
    Shuffling out, Bullock wanders to the Gem, where he learns of Stapleton's swearing in. He confronts Al about the appointment, and Swearengen supports Bullock for the job, but the former lawman emphatically rejects the idea.
    
    Reverend Smith is worse than ever, twitching and repeating scripture manically. Weaving with whiskey, Swearengen watches from his balcony as the Reverend delivers a sermon to an oxen. Al seems unable to stop watching Smith, and becomes emotional as the rant continues. He drinks more and more, confronting Trixie and then Sol about their tryst.
    
    "What can any one of us really f*cking hope for," he says, clearly upset over Trixie's betrayal. "Except a moment here and there with a person who doesn't want to rob, steal or murder us." Lashing out at Trixie he tells her to get back to work: "You sleep tonight amongst your own."
    
    Alma's father invites Bullock to dinner, and Farnum immediately recognizes Russell as a fellow swindler. Ignoring Alma, Otis discusses her future with Bullock, and Alma is quickly brought back to a world where women sit silently as men make decisions. "If we didn't hate them too much to be curious about the world," she muses to Sophie as she watches her father and Bullock smoking cigars on the street, "We'd wonder what they had to say."
    
    Eddie returns to the Bella Union and immediately begins palming chips at the gaming tables, "for the Joanie Stubbs construction fund." Leon has loudly begun his work as anti-Swearengen agitator. Bullock tells Star about Alma's unsavory father. "Cold enough world without gettin' done against by your own," he says.
    
    Back at the Gem, Al's day ends as it began, but Trixie has been replaced, and he is under a whiskey-induced full head of steam. Rambling about the Reverend, he launches into a profanity laced, semi-coherent history of his youth in a boy's orphanage in Chicago, all the while being serviced by his new companion. "Anyways," he slurs, pulling a slug from another bottle of whiskey. "I don't look backwards."
     
12. Sold Under Sin
    As false dawn enters Deadwood, Al Swearengen is at his usual post at the Gem's balcony, staring out over the nearly silent town. Not far away, Reverend Smith lies in Doc Cochran's office, twisting and talking deliriously. The Doc is clearly upset by the grim spectacle.
    
    A small band of cavalry officers ride into town; Al seems to have expected them. "Tell Johnny brew some coffee, open some peaches," he calls out to Dority. The party includes the Yankton magistrate, Clagett, and General Crook, who is leading a force seeking reprisals against the Indians for Little Big Horn.
    
    As the officers make arrangements to give the troops a respite in town-but not one that will lead them to "balk at re-harness," warns the general-Al seeks a moment with the magistrate. He learns that the bagman Silas Adams has not conveyed his message to the official, so Al is forced to deliver it himself. On the issue of additional bribes to quash the murder warrant, he can go f*ck himself.
    
    Unsure if the double-crossing Adams has double-crossed him, Al makes it clear to Clagett that more is at stake than a few orders. But the magistrate is unfazed: "You can't murder an order, " he says. As the meeting breaks up, Al apparently disagrees. "The f*cking magistrate don't go back to Yankton alive," he says, to no one in particular.
    
    Cochran arrives at the Gem with Jewel's new boot brace and delivers a forceful lecture about reporting any problems. Afterward, he speaks with Swearengen about the reverend, asking him to arrange a girl to care for him, at the doc's expense. Al feigns indifference. "A human being in his last extremity is a bag of shit," he says, but he still accepts the arrangement.
    
    Alma's father Otis offers to handle the "man's work" of mining Alma's claim, but the pretense of paternal warmth is quickly dropped between the two. Russell is in substantial debt again--$47,000 worth-and Alma will bail him out again, or he will create problems in New York. The daughter is horrified, but agrees, with the stipulation that he remove himself-in writing-from the venture. Otis's reply mingles insult and threat, with a razor thin veneer of affection. "No darling, you'll help me, and you'll have no such thing."
    
    Shaking and weeping, she picks up Sophia and rushes from the boarding house, straight to Bullock's store.
    
    Bullock is incensed, more so than Sol has seen before. He demands to speak with Otis Russell, who suavely informs him that it would not look very good if Alma's father was injured by her agent in the wake of her husband's suspicious murder. Blithely condescending to Bullock, he asks him if he was bullied as a youth, since he now seems so interested in setting everyone's business straight. Threatening to lie about Alma's involvement Brom Garret's murder, he dares Bullock to take a swing at him, smugly assuming that Bullock will do no such thing in the middle of Tolliver's casino.
    
    But Russell has misjudged Bullock, who not only strikes the man, but savagely pounds his face until he is left gurgling and spitting teeth on the floor. Finally stopping, he is barely in control. "Leave this camp," he says. "And draw a map for anyone who wants to believe your lies...and tell 'em I'll be here waiting."
    
    Walking out, Bullock sees that Tolliver's efforts at creating hostility toward the Chinese are coming to fruition. Con Stapleton has shot a Chinese citizen who was in an altercation with Leon and the ersatz sheriff is threatening others. Bullock confronts Stapleton and pulls off his badge, throwing it in the mud.
    
    Still incensed, Bullock makes his way to the Gem, and tells Dority that if Otis Russell lives, he's going to end up investigating who did in Brom Garret. Dority asks Seth if he wants him to tell Al that Russell's luck has run out. "I don't swim in that shit," Bullock says. But the two understand each other: "You ought to pin that on your chest," Dority says of the silver star clutched in Bullock's hand. "You're hypocrite enough to wear it."
    
    Wu has gone to Al for help, but the situation is out of Swearengen's hands. "When did you start thinking every wrong had a remedy, Wu?" he yells as the man leaves. "Did you come to camp for justice? Or to make your way?"
    
    Finally settling down, Bullock realizes he has gone too far. "What kind of man have I become?" he asks Sol. "I don't know," he friend replies. "The day ain't fucking over."
    
    At the Gem, Swearengen has problems on every flank. Tolliver's moving on Chinatown and soliciting a garrison of soldiers to help with enforcement. Clagett is threatening to enforce the warrant; Russell could be bringing trouble to town. Dority offers to walk over and take 'em all down at once.
    
    Meanwhile at the Bella Union, General Crook has taken a dim view of Tolliver's plan to garrison troops in town to fight "lawlessness." The offer of $50,000 in gold doesn't change his mind. In fact, his soldiers have already begun deserting to the gold fields and casinos, and the general has decided to bivouac out of town.
    
    Bullock interrupts Crook's dinner to ask him to take Russell under his protection, explaining that he himself is among those who seek to harm him. Impressed by Bullock's story, the general suggests that the former marshal take on the responsibility of sheriff. "We all have bloody thoughts," he says.
    
    Bullock visits Alma and tells her of his conversation with Crook, and says that they will deal with her father later if he decides to act against her interests. With the attraction between them irresistible, Bullock stumbles. "I stand before you a married man....," he says. But the two are soon kissing passionately and undressing.
    
    Trixie takes care of the Reverend, but he is clearly on his last legs. Across town, Doc Cochran is kneeling in anguished prayer, asking for Smith to be taken from his pain, and recalling the hundreds of screams he witnessed on the battlefield. He doesn't know that at that moment, Al has been summoned to the reverend's room. Filled with emotion, he takes Smith in his arms, then holds a cloth over his face to smother him. "You can go now, brother," he says gently.
    
    Wiping his eyes, Al walks upstairs to face other business. The magistrate has arrived, and joining Silas Adams in the Gem's office, it is time to sort out who sides with whom. In short order, Adams cuts Clagett's throat and removes the warrant from the magistrate's pockets.
    
    As the troops muster and leave town, Bullock visits Swearengen. Explaining that Russell is under Crooks' protection, he says he'll be dealt with if he returns. "The way you and Hickok dealt with Ned Mason?" Swearengen surmises. "No," Bullock says. "I'll be the f*cking sheriff."

Season Two

1. A Lie Agreed Upon (Part 1)
   Seth Bullock's growing affection for the widow Alma Garret finds full expression. Even as a stagecoach bearing Bullock's stepson and wife-the widow of his brother-heads toward Deadwood, Bullock makes passionate love to Alma in her hotel room at the Grand Central.
   
   Their lovemaking is so exuberant that it threatens to bring down the ceiling on Sofia and her new tutor, Miss Isringhausen, as they sit beneath the bedroom in the hotel lobby, trying to concentrate on Sofia's lesson. The ever-watchful E.B. Farnum also notices the commotion upstairs and comments about the impending shipment of Garret's gold to Denver.
   
   Elsewhere in town, other eyes scan the distance for the approaching stagecoach. Joanie Stubbs, now intent on separating from the increasingly poisonous Cy Tolliver, anxiously awaits the arrival of three prostitutes and an old friend, Maddie, who will serve as the madam in her new brothel.
   
   At the Gem, Al Swearengen is in a particularly foul mood as he learns that Governor Pennington of the Dakota Territory has divided the hill country around Deadwood into three counties, each with its own Commissioner. Not only is Al upset by the inexorable encroachment of civilization on the perfect little corner of hell he controls, but by the fact that all three of the Commissioners hail from Yankton and without representation from the Hills, which means they're less susceptible to his bribes or threats.
   
   Dority, looking to cheer Al, points out that it "saves time travelin' to the one destination-- murder the three of 'em, 'see how they like being Commissioners after they're dead."
   
   When he steps on to the balcony outside his office, Al's mood is not lifted by his view: workers have begun putting up telegraph poles. "Messages from invisible sources," he says disgustedly. "What some people think of as progress...."
   
   And when Bullock, fresh from his tryst, steps out of the Grand Central wearing his Sheriff's badge, Swearengen's rage boils over. "Our sheriff, about his duties to the camp," he says loudly. "Lucky trouble didn't jump off earlier, eh Bullock? Might've found you mid-thrust at other business," he says, glancing towards the widow Garret's window.
   
   Outraged by the public insult, Bullock stares so hard at Swearengen even Al is unnerved. "What is it? Taken by a vision? You wouldn't want to be staring like that at me." But Bullock is on an official mission, having heard a gunshot, and strides away angrily to investigate. What he finds at the No. 10 saloon is a practical joke gone very wrong. Warned that he would be shot if he urinated in the saloon's cuspidor again, a man named Slippery Dan has switched coats with fellow sot Bummer Dan and dared him to relieve himself in the establishment. The challenge was taken, according to witnesses--and Bummer Dan was promptly shot by Harry Young the bartender.
   
   Dismissing the matter, Bullock heads back to the Gem to even the score with Swearengen. Trixie alerts Bullock's partner, Sol Star, and Charlie Utter attempts to dissuade Bullock, to no avail. In short order, Bullock and Swearengen are fighting like rabid dogs, falling from the Gem's balcony into the muddy street, where they flail at each other. Bullock, bloodied and broken-nosed, gets the best of an even bloodier Swearengen, whose ribs are fractured in the fall.
   
   Into this chaos arrives the stagecoach. Dority is aiming his rifle at Bullock, ready for the kill, when Adams bearhugs him from behind. "Ain't your kill," he tells Dority.
   
   Star, with his tiny Derringer drawn, advances on the scene, and is felled by a shot from Johnny Burns, who then takes down Charlie Utter, wounding him slightly.
   
   As the stage pulls up, Swearengen looks up from the carnage. "Welcome to f*cking Deadwood," he offers the stunned passengers by way of greeting. The arrival proves to be fortuitous. Swearengen, bested in the battle, has pulled a concealed knife and is advancing on Bullock, but stops when his eye is caught by Bullock's son William, whose look of terror and fear causes something in Al to disarm. He passes Bullock and limps back inside the Gem.
   
   Bullock, in sorry shape himself, is reunited with his wife and stepson. And Joanie, to the surprise and consternation of Tolliver, is reunited with her friend Maddie.
   
   Bullock and Swearnengen minister their wounds while Doc Cochran tends to Star and Utter, neither seriously wounded. Farnum reports back to Swearengen that Bullock intends to return and retrieve his gun and badge. "Did it sound like he be coming back for more?" Swearengen wants to know. He also has noticed the new whores on the stagecoach, and demands to know where they'll be working.
   
   Meanwhile, Alma Garret is undone by the afternoon's events. The transformation of her new lover to a bloody, broken mess and the extraordinary complication of his wife and child having arrived on the scene have left her a bit daunted. Under the guise of delivering a welcome gift to Bullock's wife Martha, Alma visits the hardware store for a closer perspective, leading to an awkward moment between the three adults.
   
   At the Bella Union, Tolliver's rage over Joanie's impending departure is masked by a sarcastic facade. Feigning gentility, he asks Maddie if he could speak with Joanie alone. "Suck some pr*cks if you like, and keep whatever they give you. My way of saying welcome." Maddie responds with her own sarcasm: "Any blind ones out there?"
   
   Tolliver is suspicious about who is bankrolling Joanie's venture, suspecting the recently departed dealer Eddie Sawyer. "I knew Eddie'd been stealing from me. And he flees, and you turn up owning that place," he says. After hectoring her further, he decides to let her go: "I feel like a boy. I feel like skipping, I'm that f*cking hopeful and excited for you."
   
   To celebrate Joanie's departure, he breaks out a bottle of champagne, but insists on pouring it in the mouths of Joanie, Maddie, the new ladies and the whores Joanie is taking with her from the Bella Union. He also insists that Joanie take the whore Doris with her, too. "Being funds stole from me by Eddie put the Chez Ami on its feet, I consider myself an investor, and I will have my interest looked to-sixty cents from dollar one-and a true count f*cking verified."
   
   Bullock escorts his wife and boy to the new house he's built for them, but excuses himself rather than go in with them just yet. Departing the house, he walks back to the Grand Central and into the waiting arms of Alma.
    
2. A Lie Agreed Upon (Part 2)
   Swearengen licks his wounds following the battle with Bullock and inquires of Doc Cochran as to Bullock's well-being. "Inform that fucking lunatic next you see him I'm fit as a fucking fiddle and ready to play on," he says. Cochran is more concerned with Swearengen's difficulty urinating, but is interrupted by the arrival of Farnum, reporting in that Bullock has returned to the widow Garret's hotel room. "I can't say if they 're in rut-I didn't linger for the song of the bedstead."
   
   In fact, Bullock and Alma are discussing their future, and she is shocked by his proposal: "We leave the camp, immediately, or remain and sever connection." To continue in this manner, Bullock says of his wife, would "renew her humiliation daily."
   
   At the hardware store, Trixie ministers to Star's wounds, and Utter and Merrick discuss Bullock's intention to recover his weapon and badge from the Gem, where he left them before the battle with Swearengen. Bullock arrives and asks his partner Star if, should Bullock disappear, Star will take care of Martha and her son with his share of the hardware store. Star, emboldened by painkillers, insists that Bullock acknowledge directly what he is only hinting at. "I'm sick of knowing and your not saying," Star says. Whereupon Bullock finally admits: "I love her."
   
   "Good. You fucking said it," Star says. "So now I can tell you you're wrong. You loved her these months and stayed. Ain't love make you run, but shame. And now let me ask you this-you think shame would end when you cleared the fucking camp?" Bullock admits that either way-staying or going-"It's shameful."
   
   Departing the store, Bullock is joined by Charlie Utter, who feigns illness in an attempt to delay Bullock's return to the Gem to retrieve his gun. The two end up sitting outside the building housing Utter's freight business while Bullock reminisces about his late brother until he's overcome with grief.
   
   Across town, Maddie, Joanie Stubbs and the whores begin the job of transforming raw space into the Chez Ami, the high-class brothel they envision. Farnum skulks outside to learn what he can of their progress, while inside, four laborers do the heavy work. When one of them asks to be paid in pussy for his efforts, Joanie Stubbs tells him: "You let it be known in camp. 'Close to pussy as two bucks'll get a man in here is a deep whiff walking past."
   
   Doc Cochran-performing an autopsy on the recently departed Bummer Dan-is interrupted by the return of Calamity Jane, so inebriated that she's has fallen from her mount and lies in the mud, one foot still tethered to her horse. "This happens to be a rig and contraption of my own devising against repeated accidental falls that has temporarily malfunctioned," she tells Cochran by way of explanation. Jane has come back to Deadwood to die, she says, and Cochran convinces her to let him examine her before she expires. When she resists, he tells her, "Even if you're past help, enhancing my understanding may allow others the benefit of your mortal illness."
   
   After examining her, the Doc suggests temperance on Jane's part: "Your liver runs from your chin to your genitals. I suggest you quit drinking." To which Jane responds: "I will when you do you ugly son-of-a-bitch." The Doc also informs Jane that Charlie Utter has saved a room for her should "you care to sojourn among us."
   
   Alma Garret agonizes in her hotel room over what course of action to take, trying out the options on Sofia's tutor, Miss Isringhausen, but coming to rest on the inevitable conclusion: "We do love each other. Our being together wouldn't seem so outlandish a proposition . . . except for every other single thing."
   
   Adams' man Hawkeye returns, explaining his disappearance with lame excuses. He so irritates Dority that the two begin to fight, Dority quickly dominating the proceedings, with Swearengen-despite pleas from Adams-refusing to intrude. When the drunk Slippery Dan wanders in and admires the beating Dority is handing out ("Chris, that's a country ass-kicking.") Adams unleashes his fury on Dan, impaling him on a set of antlers beside the bar. "He just twelve-pointed Slippery Dan," says Tom Nuttall in amazement.
   
   When Swearengen finally ends the fight by firing a rifle into the Gem's ceiling and warning Dority that the "next one's to your head Dan," Dority is undone. Convinced that Swearengen prefers Adams over him, Dority beats a hasty retreat from the room, weeping as he goes: "That's great, and fucking great, and fucking beautiful."
   
   Later, even as Mr. Wu's hogs are finishing up on Bummer Dan, Hawkeye arrives with Slippery Dan's corpse over his shoulders. After giving the Chinaman five dollars, he tosses the corpse into the pigpen.
   
   Swearengen, meanwhile, offers an apology of sorts to the bereft Dority. "Whatever lurks ahead of grievous abominations and disorder, you and me walk into it together, like always."
   
   At Utter's freight company, Bullock finally decides the time has come for him to retrieve his weapon and badge, whereupon Utter and Calamity Jane scramble to accompany him. As the trio arrives at the Gem, Swearengen is in the midst of a painful prostate massage at the hands of Dolly the whore, who soon moves on to more a more pleasurable Swearengen pursuit, namely fellatio. Bullock confronts Dority at the bar, who has rifles trained on both Jane and Utter. And as Jane is quick to mention, Burns has a bead on Bullock from the kitchen: "Be aware Bullock, some fungus-faced fuck has a rifle on you from this shit-box's version of a kitchen."
   
   Bullock exits and shouts up to Swearengen's office to be down in five minutes with Bullock's gun and badge or Bullock is coming up. He continues to shout out the minutes as Dolly attempts to bring Al to completion, and the distraction proves to be too much for Swearengen. "You talk about one person fucking up another person's entire fucking day," he shouts in frustration.
   
   Finally he gives up and when he emerges from the Gem, he actually apologizes to Bullock. "I regret the delay. I was sequestered. Have been, one thing and another, since last we met." And then, handing the gun and badge to Bullock, Swearengen utters conciliatory words: "I offer you these in hope you'll wear 'em for a good long fucking time, and in this fucking camp."
   
   Nearly dawn, and Bullock at last returns home, where Martha awaits. "I see that you installed a bundling board in the bed upstairs," she says to him. "I hope you don't mind that I removed it." "No," Bullock replies, as they head upstairs to bed.
    
3. New Money
   Francis Wolcott, agent for the mining magnate George Hearst, arrives in Deadwood and is immediately fawned over by Farnum, who-not knowing who he's up against-sees in Wolcott's fancy leather bags and his stated intention to "locate and secure an assortment of claims" an easy mark.
   
   Observing them across the dining room during breakfast at the Grand Central are Joanie Stubbs and Maddie, who it turns out, knows Wolcott. After watching the interaction between Farnum and Wolcott, Maddie offers a prediction: "The man the Mayor expects to digest is going to toy and play with Mister Farnum from camouflage for as long as he finds it amusing and then make him a meal of his own."
   
   Across town at the Bullock resident, Martha and Seth sit down to breakfast, both with regrets over things said the previous day. "Representations I made, as to letters I'd written. I didn't," offers Bullock. "I'll be grateful," responds Martha, "if you'd not rely on my assurance I got them." And then she adds, "I'll hold my deepest gratitude Mister Bullock for what will let us live, as we are now."
   
   At the Gem, Swearengen is in a bad way, lying on the floor suffering from septic shock and kidney stones, barely able to speak. Because his reign is one of fear, his minions are reluctant to intrude when he fails to appear in the morning and ignores their knocks on his door.
   
   Bullock visits the Grand Central to call on the widow Garret. Richardson goes to fetch her but returns with Sofia and Miss Isringhausen instead, who informs Bullock that Alma is visiting her claim. She returns Bullock's timepiece, and though he is taken aback by the meaning of the gesture, he presses ahead with the message he'd intended for Alma, hoping to convince her to give up her child and depart with him: "As few children as are in the camp, certainly , if she decided it was appropriate, other parties would be delighted, and grateful."
   
   Maddie tells Joanie who Wolcott works for, and says that were it not for Wolcott's offer to pay for one of Maddie's girls to come to Deadwood that she herself might not have come. Wolcott, it seems, is "a specialist," someone, that is, who likes his sex a bit kinky. In Wolcott's case, he's a sadist: "Mister W enjoys being cranky with his women, but sometimes when disappointed, his crankiness runs away with him," Maddie says.
   
   Farnum, as yet unaware of Wolcott's eminent employer, wastes no time trying to run a con on him. For $10,000, he offers to sell Wolcott the letter written by Wild Bill Hickok that he's been holding, telling Wolcott that just before Hickok died, he revealed to Farnum that he'd discovered a quartz deposit which, in Bill's words, promised "wealth beyond counting." "How much wealth is that?" Farnum asks. "I don't know Mister Wolcott. I don't know how high Bill could count."
   
   Later, Wolcott returns with a cash-filled envelope and buys the letter, to the amazement of Farnum, who has no idea he's being set up. Later still, Wolcott returns again, feigning distress over having read the letter and found no mention of a quartz deposit. Farnum is disinclined to return Wolcott's money, but sits up straight when he learns that Wolcott purchased the letter as an agent for George Hearst. Farnum is apoplectic, and readily agrees to serve as Wolcott's agent in a scheme. "This service would enlist you and one or two others circulating certain rumors about the future of the camp," Wolcott says. "In particular, about the validity of the present titles to the claims." "Consider me enlisted," Farnum replies.
   
   At the Gem, Doc Cochran, with Jewel's help, persuades Dority that Swearengen may be in dire straits, and that his door must be broken down. Once inside, Cochran indeed finds Swearengen in a puddle of sweat on the floor, incoherent from septic shock. Cochran, fearing kidney stones may be causing Swearengen's bladder to back up, inserts a device through the penis and into the bladder, and relieves some of the pressure. Swearengen's agonizing cries echo through the streets of Deadwood, giving pause even to his enemies.
   
   Wolcott calls on Cy Tolliver at the Bella Union, who treats him rudely until discovering that Wolcott works for George Hearst. Wolcott, an odd duck who doesn't like to be touched, waves away Leon and Con Stapleton when Tolliver starts to introduce them. Wolcott wants the same thing from Tolliver that he wanted from Farnum: the rumor spread that Deadwood's gold claims may not be valid.
   
   The widow Garret surprises Ellsworth when she tells him she wants to buy the Grand Central Hotel. "I can think of better locations Ma'am, with friendlier views." "None," she replies, that would offer the further pleasure of putting Mister Farnum in the thoroughfare." Ellsworth tells her that "most of us got enough luck to be too broke to act on them-type ideas. The type the low-born would say we get when we're pissed off, though with my own aristocratic lineage, I use the term 'sore-disappointed.' " To which Alma replies: "I am pissed off."
   
   Stapleton and Leon take Tolliver's bait following his bizarre, rambling speech to the Bella Union's staff about people who might want to apply for severance and leave his employ. When they inquire as to the meaning of the outburst, Tolliver tells them of the "rumor" that Deadwood's gold claims may be invalid.
   
   Trixie shows up unbidden at the hardware store and asks Star if he'll teach her how to keep books. "I'll pay you, or you can take it out in c*nt," she tells him. "I won't teach you if you keep that up," Star replies, a judgment that angers Trixie. "F*ck every f*cking one of you. I wish I was a f*cking tree," she says, exiting angrily.
   
   Maddie welcomes Wolcott to the Chez Ami, where he's gone in search of the whore Carrie, whose passage to Deadwood he'd arranged. He is irritated to learn that she's has "been detained." When Joanie offers to f*ck him "for free," he tells her "you ain't my type," but nonetheless repairs to a private room with her. Forewarned by Maddie of his violent nature, Joanie is armed for the encounter-a Derringer hidden in her waistband. Unable to arouse Wolcott with conventional means, Joanie struggles to locate the nature of his desire, but he remains a mystery to her. Shortly, he dismisses her, but not before surprising her further by saying he admires that she came armed to their encounter.
   
   The widow Garret, irritated by what she perceives as Miss Isringhausen's judgmental attitude towards her and the way she conducts her affairs, fires the young woman. "I'll say good night then" Miss Isringhausen says. "As is your custom," Alma points out, "without having spared one affectionate look for my child." "My training, Ma'am," Miss Isringhausen responds, "is that, being engaged to see to the child's education, my soliciting her affections would intrude on the mother's province."
   
   Calamity Jane, in an encounter with Trixie, learns that Swearengen has a soft side she had not expected. According to Trixie, the reason Swearengen keeps Jewel around is not as a cheap trick for those unable to pay full freight. It's to protect her. "There's entries on both sides of the ledger is the f*cking point," Trixie says.
   
   Farnum, doing Wolcott's bidding, spreads further unrest by sharing Wolcott's "rumor" with Richardson, that Deadwood's gold claims are being overturned. Transparent as ever, Farnum then gives Richardson the night off and warns him to "confide in no one."
    
4. Requiem for a Gleet
   Martha and Seth Bullock wake up together and Seth, intent on starting his day, is lured back to bed by his wife, to have a "conversation."
   
   At the Gem, Dolly and Trixie minister to a desperately ill Al Swearengen, who sweats and shivers and moans as the two whores mop his brow with cool water.
   
   Wolcott is confronted by Ellsworth, angry that Wolcott's been snooping around Alma Garret's gold claim without permission. His anger is further motivated by the fact that Wolcott, in mining the Comstock claim years earlier, had caused the death of 46 miners.
   
   At the Grand Central, Alma Garret formalizes her firing of Miss Isringhousen, but offers a generous severance package. Alma tells her: "Cotton Mather would have found hard and joyless the standards you so resolutely apply to me, and Sofia, and of course to yourself."
   
   The local thug known as Crop Ear comes calling on Swearengen for assistance in a criminal endeavor he plans. Dority tells him Al is away and to come back the next day, but that evening, Crop Ear is back, drunk this time, and irritating in the extreme to Dority. So irritating, in fact, that Dority slits his throat and then tells Burns: "Crop Ear's dying up there. Take him to the Chinaman and throw him away."
   
   Wolcott's favorite whore Carrie arrives in town, and when Wolcott asks he if can help her with her bags, she says, "No, you can't. Or look at me or talk to me 'til I've took a bath." Arriving on the same stage is Hugo Jarry, the Lawrence County Commissioner, who immediately seeks out Cy Tolliver at the Bella Union, where Tolliver is negotiating to buy a gold claim from a prospector.
   
   At the Chez Ami, Joanie Stubbs and Maddie argue over Joanie's encounter with Wolcott. Maddie is angry because she feared Joanie might kill Wolcott, whom, she describes as "a cruel and evil man," adding that "Before I go, I intend a long and comfortable retirement, and that cocksuck's going to pay the freight." At that very moment, Carrie arrives at the Chez Ami and says to all within earshot: "This whole place smells like shit."
   
   Silas Adams goes to the Gem to tell Al that Jarry is in town and up to no good. Asking Dority if he can speak with Al, the usual friction between the two kicks in, prompting Adams to ask: "Is there any fucking chance you and me don't end in blood?" After more harsh words, Dority lets Adams know that Swearengen is seriously ill.
   
   Alma Garret meets with Ellsworth and asks him about the rumors that Deadwood's gold claims may be in jeopardy. "Panic's easier on the back than the short-handled shovel," Ellsworth replies, explaining that rumors seem to accompany gold. He also tells her his suspicions about Francis Wolcott: "Nor the sort'd shrink from a lie, or more than one, to advance his purpose, or be ignorant how to circulate his falsehoods without others knowing their source."
   
   Upstairs at the Gem, Doc Cochran attends to an ever more desperate Swearengen. Unaware if Al can even hear him, Cochran says: "We come to a crises Al, and I have to say my piece." The options are not appealing: surgery to cut into the bladder and remove the stones, entering either above the penis or below it. Two of ten men survive the surgery, Cochran acknowledges, but "at what point, absent intervention, will your condition so deteriorate as to put you beyond recovery? I believe," Cochran adds, "that point approaches."
   
   At the Bella Union, Commissioner Jarry tells Tolliver and Wolcott of new rules that will apply to gold claims in the territory. Claims pre-dating the treaty with the Sioux will be deemed legitimate, and those filed afterward will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Overturned claims will be awarded at set prices, via lottery. Tolliver, hearing this, responds: "Better tell your friends and relatives to pick their lucky suits out for that drawing." To which Jarry-revealing at last his true loyalty-responds: "Only after Mister Wolcott's have picked out theirs."
   
   Jarry suggests that once people learn of his presence in Deadwood, those afraid of losing their claims altogether may sell out and leave anyway. "Would that argue for allowing word of my presence to circulate a bit before I present myself officially?" Tolliver's response: "A man might use that time to put some stink on his Johnson."
   
   Trixie visits Star at the hardware store to say she can't concentrate enough to sit for her accounting lesson. Weeping over Al's deteriorating condition, she tells Star: "He's too sick, maybe he'll fucking die but I can't stay, though it'd be smarter to stay and to learn to calculate fucking interest on that accommodation paper or discount notes or whatever the fuck." Seeing Bullock arrive, whom she dislikes intensely, she abruptly departs.
   
   Star tells Bullock that he has news from Denver about their proposal to start a bank. They must provide 15 percent of their proposed capitalization-$300,000 if they capitalize at $2 million-in order for Denver to underwrite their proposal. Star says Denver officials suggested they'd credit widow Garret's account as collateral, an idea Bullock flatly rejects. When Star says Swearengen would put up the money, Bullock winces, indicating he wants "reputable people." Star's response: "If money had to be clean before it was recirculated we'd still be living in fucking caves."
   
   Cochran, preparing for surgery, is outraged by Burns' suggestion that he have a whiskey to help steady his hand. "Whiskey does not steady the hand," the Doc replies. "It just dulls worry over the hand's unsteadiness." At the last minute before beginning surgery, Cochran decides to again insert an instrument into Al's bladder to dislodge the stones. Afterwards-with Dority and Burns on either side of Al-they get Swearengen to his feet and shout at him to pee. To everyone's amazement, he does, and blood, urine and kidney stones pour out of him. No one is more relieved that the Doc, who says: "God bless you Al, and thank you for saving me,"
   
   A distraught Mr. Wu comes to see Al but is sent packing by Dority, who has difficulty understanding what he wants. A distraught Miss Isringhausen calls on Adams and convinces him that she's afraid for her life, that the widow Garret is going to kill her. "I know it seems impossible," she says, laying the groundwork for a plot, "but I can testify to you Mister Adams, I would not be the first she's killed."
   
   Miss Garret, in an encounter with the despised Farnum, tells him she wants to buy his hotel. And Wolcott tells Tolliver that a new Chinaman in town-Mister Lee-will now provide opium to Tolliver to sell in the camp, and that Tolliver and Mister Lee will split the proceeds from gambling and prostitution at a new place called Celestials' Alley.
   
   Wolcott visits the Chez Ami and has a sexual encounter of sorts with Carrie. She sits atop the fully clothed Wolcott and he orgasms almost immediately. "I'm too quick," he says to Carrie, who responds, "You can't be too quick for me." And then she says to him: "You might try sometime with your prick outside of your pants."
    
5. Complications
   Al Swearengen returns to the land of the living, opening his eyes at last to find, hovering over him, an anxious Dority, Doc Cochran and Burns. "You fuck me while I was out," he asks Dority. " 'Cept for talking a little cockeyed," Burns observes of Al's slurred diction, "Al is back to his accustomed self."
   
   Swearengen at the moment is more interested in how he looks, and whether Bullock looks worse. Dority warns him that much has gone down while he's been incapacitated: "You got to bring all your fucking wiles to bear Al, 'cause developments need interpretating on every fucking front."
   
   Swearengen discovers his right arm is partially paralyzed although when Cochran asks if he can use it at all, Al manages—through sheer exertion of will-to raise his arm from the bed. Cochran's reassurance—"That's a good sign, Al" only irritates Swearengen. "Do not talk to me that way," Al warns. Based on the blood pooled in his eye, his uncertain speech and his partial paralysis, Cochran concludes that Al has had a small stroke. Unwilling to show weakness, Swearengen order the Doc to "keep bullshittiing" the rest of Deadwood and threatens him that "If this gets out, I'll slit your fucking throat, and I wield the blade good with my left." Cochran assures him the secret is safe. Al insists, "If I need it, you fucking kill me."
   
   At the Bella Union, Doris brings Tolliver his share of the weekly proceeds from the Chez Ami. Tolliver is both impressed and depressed by the amount. "You wouldn't s'pose they'd be salting the fucking find over there, now would you Doris?" Doris pleads ignorance, but Tolliver does learn from her that Wolcott has abused her. "There's a man with a problem, ain't it Doris." And to himself, hatching a plot: "Jesus Christ. Can I be that fucking lucky."
   
   County commissioner Jarry, newly arrived, pays a call on Merrick, insisting that he run, on the front page, what appears to be a legal notice. Written in impenetrable legalese, it purports to call into question the legitimacy of Deadwood gold claims, although a careful reading by Merrick leads to the conclusion that the statement means not much of anything.
   
   At the Grand Central, Farnum rehearses his lines turning down the widow Garret's offer to buy his hotel. Suddenly Garret arrives in the lobby and inquires if Richardson can accompany her on a few errands. At the hardware store she finds Trixie, being tutored in bookkeeping, and sharp enough to quickly discern the nature of Alma's visit: "Are you knocked up?" When Alma admits she is pregnant, Trixie inquires as to why she hasn't taken "your tale of woe to the Doc?" Alma explains that a childhood ailment may have made rendered her incapable of having children, and that she hasn't sought out Cochran as she fears he may have judged her harshly when she was a drug addict.
   
   Trixie, an old hand at abortions via a botanical concoction, is hardly reassuring: "I can tell you this much Mrs. Garret-if you take the tea, lay plenty of dope in beforehand, 'cause I've killed seven and every bleeding out I laced on good and tight and for a good long fucking while after."
   
   Angrier than ever, Trixie storms over to Doc Cochran's office, telling him that Alma, in need of help, is reluctant to call on him because he was judgmental during her opiate withdrawal. "I'll call on her," Cochran says. "On some other fucking pretext," Trixie insists. As Trixie departs, Cochran shouts after her: "You have as miserable a disposition as your employer." Later, however, under the guise of checking up on young Sofia, Cochran visits the Alma Garret, but finds she is not yet ready to reveal the nature of her predicament.
   
   Miss Isringhausen seduces Silas Adams at the Grand Central. When Adams is apologetic afterwards, he is assured: "You took no more advantage of me, Silas, than the Samaritan did the traveler from Jerusalem." She also tells Adams that the widow Garret claims she hired Al Swearengen to murder her husband, and asks if Adams will introduce her to Swearengen. "Why do I feel lucky," says an incredulous Adams, "we didn't meet across a poker table?"
   
   An African-American named Samuel Fields but known as Nigger General, returns to Deadwood and pays for a mount he'd rented weeks earlier from a livery stable owned by another African American, Hostetler. Encountering Calamity Jane, who as usual is hitting the bottle, Fields asks if she'll sell it to him. "You ain't buying it but you can have a fucking drink."
   
   At the Bella Union, with Jarry observing, Wolcott peruses the bills of sale for gold claims Tolliver has bought from miners spooked into selling cheap by the rumors Tolliver has spread. The claims, of course, are intended for Wolcott's employer, George Hearst. Jarry notes that Merrick resisted running in his newspaper an "official" statement from Yankton that Jarry pushed on him. "That the Yankton statement might cause unease among the local claimholders as to the security of their titles, Mister Merrick found personally distressing," Jarry notes. And so it is, they learn moments later, when Tolliver's man Leon interrupts to say that "people are fucking riled." They want "to know where he is and who the fuck he thinks he is," he says, indicating Jarry.
   
   The locals indeed are restive. "New county commissioner give Merrick a fucking 'statement' mitigating us into an ass-fucking," says one. Burns, observing the growing tumult from Swearengen's balcony, informs Al that trouble is brewing, and also that the county commissioner is in town. When Swearengen learns that the commissioner is at the Bella Union, he surmises-correctly-that Tolliver and the commissioner are in cahoots, and orders Dority to fetch Bullock at once. When shortly Bullock arrives at the Gem, Swearengen tells him he doesn't want Jarry harmed, and asks Bullock if he's aware that Jarry and Tolliver are allies. When Bullock replies no, Al tells him: "Bedridden I know more than you." Swearengen's concern is that if the government knows Jarry is allied with Tolliver and harm befalls him, Al will take the blame.
   
   The crowd, angry now and in possession of the knowledge that Jarry is in fact inside the Bella Union, heads over without further ado. Finding Jarry inside a cashier's cage, they turn it over and fall upon Jarry, with every intention of doing great harm until Seth Bullock arrives, firing into the ceiling to restore order.
   
   The mob, thwarted, turns its anger on Fields, who's taken refuge under the hay in Hostetler's livery shop. Flushed out of hiding, he's being tarred with hot pitch before Bullock makes his second rescue of the day. "Disperse this riotous assembly," he says, and the mob complies.
   
   Alma Garret relents, allows herself to be examined by Doc Cochran and learns that most likely she can have a child, although with more difficulty than most women. "It adds pain. 'Difficult' in that sense." Garret is nonplussed. "I've been told it wasn't an alternative for me even to contemplate, so this is new information," she responds.
   
   The Doc examines Al's eye and observes "a reabsorption of the hemorrhage," to which Al responds: "What the fuck is less blood in my eye? I want use of my fucking limbs." Bullock arrives and reports that the commissioner is safe. "Thanks for that," Al says. "Let me get on my feet and I'll hold my end up and more so... They're coming against us, have no illusions on that score either."
   
   Swearengen senses that there's another force at play in what's going on in Deadwood. "I'll guarantee you too, politicians ain't got balls for this type unsupported move," he says. "Someone's backing their play or they'd be here bending over for us." When Bullock asks if that might be Tolliver, Al points out, "Tolliver is us. They're not going to back Tolliver over me this early in the game. There's a nigger in the fucking woodpile, someone from outside the camp."
    
6. Something Very Expensive
   Doc Cochran gives Swearengen the once-over and is amazed his miraculous recovery. "You, Al, are an object lesson in the healing powers of obstinacy and hostile disposition," he says. Al complains the his arm and leg still feel waxy, but Cochran declares him ready to meet the world, and he is soon propped up and receiving a long line of supplicants.
   
   Down on the street Cy Tolliver asks Wolcott how long he should keep buying claims. "This phase is almost over," Wolcott says, watching the arrival of a cart driven by Lee and his men. "Even as another begins."
   
   As the cart stops, Wu approaches and angrily slices open the canvas covering its sides, revealing a cage filled with Chinese women. "Tell me those are my new employees," Tolliver says.
   
   Alma and Sol meet, and the widow proposes the founding of a bank in town, to be run by Star. But Sol refuses, saying he has other obligations. "We all have complicating obligations," Alma says, turning pale as she rises and vomits in a basin.
   
   County commissioner Jarry has been badly shaken by his run-in with the mob and accuses Tolliver of being a Pontius Pilate. But Cy claims that he was merely manipulating the crowd on their behalf and that the morning has brought a raft of new claim sales for even lower prices.
   
   A terrified Jarry flees town, leaving Wolcott to wonder aloud what report he will make to Yankton. "That your money spends and that I am a dangerous man with whom to disagree," Tolliver answers.
   
   Back at The Gem, Trixie is first to give a report of the town's activities during Al's convalescence. Swearengen asks how things are going with "the Jew" and Trixie describes Alma Garret's bank offer. Al warns her against giving herself away for free, and Trixie explains that she is trading for accounting lessons.
   
   Next up is Farnum, who describes to Al how he set himself up to be a shill for Wolcott and Tolliver. "How much did he pay you?" a skeptical Swearengen asks. Farnum swears his loyalty. "You looked out for yourself against the chance I would die," Al says matter-of-factly. "I never wished for that outcome," Farnum replies. "But I am a born follower."
   
   Downstairs, Trixie locates Ellsworth. She is exasperated at his density, but makes the bewildered man understand that his boss, the widow Garret, is pregnant. Knowing that Alma might want to keep the baby, Trixie suggests to Ellsworth that he should consider "doing the right fucking thing." Ellsworth seems stunned by the concept, but appears to consider it.
   
   When the stage arrives, an ecstatic Merrick fawns over Deadwood's new school teacher, offering to take her on a tour of the camp.
   
   Sol arrives at the hardware store after his meeting, but Bullock has already opened. Bullock gets his partner to admit that he has met with Alma and the two argue. Bullock gets ugly and brings "the whore" into the discussion and Star warns him that he is over the line. Fuming, Bullock storms out.
   
   Al continues his audiences, now hearing from Miss Isringhausen, who has been escorted by Silas Adams. The woman tells Swearengen that while in Alma Garret's employ, the widow, under the influence of opium, admitted to having her husband killed, and named Al as her instrument. Swearengen, seeing through this artifice, asks Isringhausen who she works for, adding that he hopes it's not the Pinkertons, sent by Brom Garret's family to swindle the widow out of her gold.
   
   Miss Isringhausen declines to name her employer, insisting instead that Al focus on the money: $50,000 for his cooperation. Looking hard at Adams, Al asks if there is "no charge for the pussy" and asks for a day to consider the offer.
   
   Afterward, Silas is furious for being made to look like a fool. "Come on up and fuck me, why don't you," the former tutor says, promising to answer any of his questions afterward.
   
   Still riled, Bullock takes his anger out on the rabblerousing former claimholder Steve. "There'll be no murdering of people in this camp of any color and no assaults of officials," he says. "If you can't live with it, get out of this fucking camp." To punctuate his point, he slaps Steve to the ground.
   
   Tolliver and Wolcott are concluding some claim business when Cy complains about the quality of the new Chinese whores who are kept in unsavory cribs in the alley. In addition, there is something about Wolcott's anger, Tolliver says, that he is concerned about. "I hear accounts, Mr. Wolcott that you are a dangerous lay," he says. "And that adds to my concerns."
   
   Tolliver pointedly warns that such information might not be appreciated by Wolcott's boss, George Hearst. "It's a dangerous habit to indulge when you are not among friends," he says. But with barely controlled rage, Wolcott explains that Hearst is aware of his inclination, and finds it immaterial. Anger rising, he tersely insults and threatens Tolliver and suggests he find a way to make himself useful. Cy insults him in return, and Wolcott leaves.
   
   In bed, Miss Isringhausen describes how she was hired to answer Alma's ad for a tutor, but claims she was not told details about her employer. Silas suggests that Garret's family would seem a likely client of the Pinkertons, and Miss Isringhausen agrees.
   
   Charging briskly across town, Wolcott is rambling in fury over the betrayal of his secret. "No, Doris," he mutters. "We must not let you become past surprise." Entering the Chez Amis, he is told by Maddie that Carrie is napping, but he tells her he would like to see Doris. Maddie tenses, and Doris enters the room with him.
   
   Soon Joanie is back, and, knowing that Doris has been reporting to Tolliver, she is terrified at what could be going on in the room. Finally Wolcott emerges. "I would like to see Carrie now," he says. The girl is summoned, and is soon looking at Doris's murdered body. With a tear running down her cheek, she tells Wolcott that the problem can be dealt with. But Wolcott says he has another problem. Carrie has "seen him." Carrie realizes what has come. "You're fucking crazy. And I am going to die in this shithole." She asks if he can make it so it won't hurt, and in a flash, Wolcott has slit her throat with a razor.
   
   Outside Joanie can wait no longer. But when she goes to her drawer, her gun is not there, it is in Maddie's hand, pointed at her. "Go on, get out," Maddie tells her, crying.
   
   When Wolcott comes out this time, Maddie is waiting for him. "What have you done, Mr. W," she asks shakily. "Something very expensive," he answers in a daze.
   
   Maddie points the gun at Wolcott's face, telling him he will pay her $100,000 and more, almost babbling as she pushes the gun toward him. He reaches for her and in one move flicks his blade across her throat, and Maddie falls to the floor, blood pooling from her.
   
   Back at the Gem, Wu has his turn with Al explaining about the emergence of the "San Francisco cocksucker" Lee. Tolliver, meanwhile, engages Col Stapleton and Leon to break into the Pioneer, in retribution for Merrick's lack of cooperation with Jarry.
   
   Joanie rushes to the Bella Union to enlist Cy's help. At first disinterested, he jumps up when he hears about Doris. "Don't fucking follow me," he says running out. At the Chez Amis, he finds Wolcott, and after collecting himself at the ghoulish scene, smiles his alligator's smile and tells the man to go back to the hotel.
   
   At the Gem, Al's final meeting is with Lee. With Wu looking on from a closet, he has Dority stack bags of gold in front of him, but Lee is unmoved. After he has left, Swearengen shakes his head. If twenty won't sway him, he must be working for Hearst.
   
   Bullock apologizes to Star and asks about the details of Sol's meeting with Alma. "She never mentioned your name," Star says, but adds the bombshell. "I got the impression she was with child."
   
   At the livery, Hostetler wakes up to observe a strange scene. An impossibly drunk Steve is having sexual congress with Bullock's horse. Hostetler ties him up, and later tells Samuel Fields that he is going to kill him. "He needs to be dead," Hostetler says. But Fields convinces him to let him go, after securing from Steve a blessing and a written confession: "I fucked Bullock's horse."
   
   Receiving another good report from Doc Cochran, Al tells Dority and Burns that they need to muscle up with out of town recruits. Shuffling over to his balcony, Swearengen looks out over the street at night, as Joanie secretly hustles her girls out of town in the back of Utter's wagon
    
7. E.B. Was Left Out
   Al is surprised to find a door that connects his place to the Pioneer, and going through it, finds a despondent Merrick, who explains that Tolliver has wrecked his newspaper office in retribution for not publishing the county commissioner's notice. Swearengen gives him his version of encouragement—complete with a slap in the face—and tells him to "stand it like a man and give some back."
   
   At the Chez Amis, Tolliver enlists Lee to dispose of the three whores' bodies. When Joanie asks him about the women later, Cy refuses to acknowledge them, instead inquiring about the three women that Joanie secreted out of town. "They're sent away, Cy, never to return or be a problem, and I won't be either." Tolliver seems unhappy about the departure. "It's a not picnic, is it honey," he sneers. "Runnin' pussy."
   
   Joanie is badly shaken, and confides her secret to Charlie Utter. She reflects especially on Maddie: "She wasn't scared of any man. First I ever met," she says. When Utter asked why Wolcott did such an act, Joanie answers in a confused daze. "I don't know that. I'm not a man." As Charlie comforts her, she urges him to keep the information secret.
   
   Meanwhile, Con Stapleton and Leon are having difficulty generating business for Tolliver's new Chinese whores. They "ain't pullin', even at a dime a pop," Leon says, and Cy recommends marketing their exoticism and anatomical abilities. "We are dwarfs in the company of a giant," Stapleton admires.
   
   At the Grand Central, a seething Utter continuously insults Wolcott and accuses him of stepping on his foot. As the disagreement grows, Wolcott warns that if they fight, it won't end lightly, but Charlie unleashes a string of profanities and ends up beating the man brutally in the street.
   
   Bullock finally stops Utter's savage attack, and Al, observing casually, begins to connect Charlie's actions to the evacuation of the prostitutes the night before. Tolliver, however, is disturbed, and entreats Al to call a meeting of the town leaders so he can make it clear that Wolcott is the "wrong ox to gore."
   
   Tending to Wolcott, Doc Cochran explains that Utter is Bill Hickok's former partner. Wolcott, seeking to learn more of Utter's motives asks the doc to tell Charlie that he is in possession of a letter of Hickok's, said to be his last. Cochran is hesitant. "If I do deliver the message, will there be a renewal of the violence?" he asks. "Well, I don't know doctor," Wolcott replies. "I didn't do well in the original."
   
   Still recovering from his illness, Al limps over to Alma Garret's room for an arranged meeting. Although the widow's disgust for him is barely concealed, Swearengen endeavors to earn her trust, informing her that her former tutor is in the employ of the Pinkertons. She has difficulty believing his story: that Brom Garret's family hired the agency to "bag her gold," and attempted to enlist Swearengen for $50,000. Asked how much payment he would require to tell the truth, Al shakes his head. "I don't like the Pinkertons," he says. "They're muscle for the bosses, as if the bosses ain't got enough edge."
   
   He further explains that with George Hearst's agents in town, it serves his interests to have Alma remain. "If you want to match their fifty, that'll be between you and your god."
   
   At the meeting of Deadwood's town fathers, Tolliver says that the incident with Wolcott cannot be repeated. "The background of the beatin' ain't the point," he says. "The Hearst interest requires special treatment." As Al and the crew enjoy some canned peaches Cy adds that no "human court" can convict the Hearsts, whether they buy judges, juries or "start to killin'.
   
   With neither side seeking remedies, Al asks if Bullock would like to speak for the camp, but the sheriff declines. As the meeting adjourns, Cochran tells Utter about Wolcott and the letter.
   
   Farnum, watching from the Grand Central is beside himself that he has been left out of the meeting, muttering obscenities and averring that "public service was never my primary career."
   
   Bullock pays an uneasy visit to Alma Garret, but the two manage to hold a sincere discussion, talking politely about Alma's proposed bank. Circling around the issue of her pregnancy, Bullock asks her if he should leave the camp, but Alma refuses to make any decisions for him. As he leaves, they share a look. "It becomes you," he says.
   
   Trixie tells Al she is done with the hardware store, but Swearengen convinces her to return. "Now harpin's on the same level of hardship as a boot on your fucking neck," he says of her complaints of Bullock's criticism.
   
   In the alley, Con and Leon interview a man who has availed himself of one of the new whores. The customer tells them that there's a line of men waiting who have been "outpaced by white pussy's price." They're being watched over, he says, by a very tall Chinese man.
   
   Calamity Jane shows up at Utter's for her package run, but she is two days late and sports a face that looks much worse for the wear. "It's getting the upper hand on me," she says to her friend, who tells her to go up to her room and clean up.
   
   Feigning interest in shipping a parcel, Al tries to learn more about Wolcott from Charlie, but Utter won't bite. Later Swearengen tells Dority that the trip to Cheyenne to deal with the commissioners if off. He feels that Wolcott's troubles will spread to Tolliver, and that prospects are improving.
   
   Utter shows up at Wolcott's room, and the two agree not to shake hands. Using Hickok's letter as a lure, Wolcott tries to learn what Joanie has told Charlie, but Utter becomes enraged at the mention of her name. He tells Walcott that he would rather blow his head off and take the letter from the corpse that divulge a secret, and Wolcott seems satisfied.
   
   At the Bella Union, Joanie is in a stupor, drunk and upset. Cy sits her down for a talk and says that they should "wrestle the future to the ground," together. He tells Joanie that they'll reopen her place and asks her to move back to the Bella Union while "that maniac" is still in camp, but she rejects him. "Why'd you come here," says Cy, "If not to be protected?" Pulling her hand away from his, she answers, "I came to turn a trick."
    
8. Childish Things
   Swearengen calls a sit-down with Bullock to enlist him in "the coming campaign," explaining that their cause is "survivin', not being allied with Yankton or with cogs of the Hearst machine." He wants Bullock to consider contacting his judge friend in Montana, with an eye toward annexation. Creating a dispute between Helena and Yankton might offer the opportunity for a new territory, statehood, or even a new republic, and Swearengen wants Bullock to be the town's "trustworthy mug.".
   
   Bullock says he's not interested, but Al disputes it. "To not grab an ankle is to take a position," he says, and an unspoken agreement is made.
   
   Wolcott writes to his employer George Hearst that he has consolidated many claims and that, with the exception of the Garret claim, every considerable deposit in the region is now under his control. He also outlines the brutal steps that have been taken at the mines to control the workers -"Germans and Cornish" - who are bent on stealing, but suggests that bringing in Chinese laborers and moving to a 24-hour operation is still a delicate issue.
   
   He closes the letter saying that he is looking forward to Hearst's arrival in town and promising that what he will see is "the largest and most forward-looking gold operation in the world."
   
   At the Bella Union, Doc Cochran offers to check in the Chinese whores, who are being treated abominably, denied even food to keep them alive. But Tolliver declines, saying that he is trying to be tolerant of a culture that considers the women disposable. When an outraged Cochran says he'll do the work pro bono, however, Tolliver changes his view.
   
   The stage brings a pair of interesting arrivals to town. One is the new telegraph operator, who will rent office space with Merrick. The other is an enormous "bone-shaker" bicycle that has been ordered by Tom Nuttall. Showing off the specimen at his saloon, some patrons express doubt that it is built to handle streets as rutted and muddy as those of Deadwood. A bet is soon made, with many of the citizenry taking a position.
   
   Martha Bullock and William pay a surprise visit on Alma Garret and the two are able to conduct a civil conversation. Since the new schoolteacher has already fled town, Martha proposes that she take over in the education of the camp's children. Alma agrees that it is a good idea, but their unspoken conflict looms large, and whatever civility the two have mustered quickly evaporates. After a terse discussion of past slights, Martha leaves upset.
   
   Al summons Miss Isringhausen to his office and agrees to the offer she has made. Al will sign a document that he instructed Dority to kill Brom Garret at Alma's behest. Miss Isringhausen will sign a document outlining their arrangement. When Dority has escaped custody, final payment will be made, and Isringhausen's signed confession will be destroyed.
   
   Martha's visit to the widow Garret leads to a chain reaction of discomfort. Recounting the conversation to Seth, she sees her husband grow quiet and distant. Bullock then promptly argues with Sol Star about the future location of Alma's bank.
   
   And at the Grand Central, an agitated Alma finds herself knocking on the door of her former employee, the Pinkerton spy Miss Isringhausen. Seething, Alma condemns the woman, and when Miss Isringhausen icily mentions Bullock, Alma moves to strike her. But Miss Isringhausen is no na‹f and, grabbing Alma's wrist, she dismisses the widow: "Alright, Mrs. Garret, you've had your fit of temper. Get the f**k back to your room."
   
   Calamity Jane is in a bad way, throwing up on the boardwalk in front of Utter's store. Charlie suggests that Jane's experience in losing a loved one could prove useful to Joanie Stubbs. "How does standing in my own puke prompt you to volunteer me to give a condolence call?" Jane asks with disdain.
   
   Tolliver introduces Wolcott to Mose Manuel, a large, surly saloon hound who co-owns a lucrative gold claim with his brother. The brothers have had a falling out, and Wolcott offers $200,000 cash if they'll both sell.
   
   Soon after, the entire town gathers to watch Nuttall in his quest to ride the bone rattler and win his bet. Richardson goes looking for his boss to ask permission to observe the spectacle, and bursting into Farnum's office, finds him choking on a poultice he had applied to a bad tooth. The old man digs out the obstruction and saves Farnum, earning him a tongue-lashing and a stomp on the foot.
   
   As the huge crowd whoops in excitement, the bicycle ride is successful. Swearengen - accompanied by his confidante, The Chief-watches from his balcony, and Merrick preserves the moment for posterity with his camera. By the time Nuttall has completed his ride, Al, Bullock-even Wolcott-find it difficult not to smile at the event.
   
   Two people not in attendance are the Manuel brothers, who are discussing Wolcott's offer. Mose implores his brother Charlie to accept the deal, but he refuses--and Mose promptly shoots him dead.
   
   Jane pays her condolence visit to Joanie, who is waiting in the dark at the Chez Amis. Even in her intoxicated state, Jane manages to piece together the events of the murders and Wolcott's beating at Utter's hands.
   
   Ellsworth, after much soul searching and discussion with his dog, pays call on the widow Garret. Explaining that he lost his wife and baby girl to typhus, he gingerly explains that he understands Alma's condition, and offers himself as a candidate for marriage. Alma is clearly moved and surprised, and asks her friend for a brief interval before giving an answer.
   
   At the Bullock house, Martha confronts Seth, telling him that he is an able provider and a good father for William and that no further demonstrations of affection from him will be necessary "as other duties claim your attentions." Bullock makes it clear that there have been no other duties since Martha arrived at camp, but his wife becomes incensed. "Do not sacrifice further on my account, Mr. Bullock," she says angrily.
   
   Dropping in on his neighbor Merrick, Swearengen offers a newspaper item that suggests that Bullock "would not confirm" his discussions with Montana regarding annexation. Surprised, Merrick asks if the story is true. "Did he f**king confirm it to you?" Al asks. Then, seeing the telegraph apparatus, Al upbraids Merrick for not keeping him informed.
   
   Utter visits his old friend Wild Bill in the cemetery, and describes his concerns about Jane's self-destruction. "I won't stand before you claimin; optimism," he says. He also promises to deliver Bill's final letter to his wife.
   
   In the alley, Doc Cochran is horrified by the treatment of the Chinese whores, and Mose Manuel is overwhelmed by his act against Charlie. "It's not easy to forget a f**king brother," he yells. "Money has properties in this regard," Wolcott tells him.
   
   Unnerved by the staring eyes of the Chinese prostitutes, Wolcott finds himself at the Chez Amis. Joanie, her back to the door, tells him to "do what he came to do." But Wolcott seems uncertain what that is. Finally, Janie smashes him in the head with a bourbon bottle and runs to the back room. "I got a gun in here. Get the f**k out and lock the front f**king door," she says, seemingly out of her reverie.
   
   Jane, drunk and late as always, stumbles out to keep an eye on Joanie, and discovers a bleeding walking Wolcott down the street. "Are you the f**king c**ksucker," she asks him, pointing her gun. Wolcott, a little stunned at the recent turn of events is calm. "I may well be," he says.
    
9. Amalgamation and Capital
   Over coffee, Bullock and his stepson William share a moment of conversation, and Seth asks the boy about his father. Martha watches the pair from the stairs, moved by William's remembrances and by Seth's interest.
   
   When the talk is interrupted by Charlie Utter, however, the communication between Martha and her husband is still very strained.
   
   Farnum reports to Al, who is still irked that E.B.'s toothache detained him from his duty of reporting on the telegraph man's arrival. He tells Farnum to befriend the operator Blasanov and monitor any wires coming in from Yankton.
   
   At the Bella Union, Tolliver is agitated. The extremely belligerent-and now wealthy-Mose Manuel has ensconced himself in his establishment, but is not spending at an acceptable rate. To make matters worse, A.W. Merrick has filled the Pioneer with rumors of potential suitors for Deadwood, confusing Tolliver's own interests.
   
   Ellsworth and Alma discuss the impending arrival of a safe filled with currency, which will be secured at Bullock & Star until the new bank is ready, but business has become awkward between them as she ponders his marriage proposal. Before rushing out in another bout of nausea, she gives him a letter to be delivered to Swearengen.
   
   Hostetler and The General have come into possession of a valuable wild horse, and they intend to "nut him" in order to sell him to the Calvary. Hostetler warns that the moon isn't right for it, but the men stand to make $100 on the horse, which makes a delay unpalatable.
   
   Al is irritated at Merrick's coverage of the annexation issue, which includes rumors of interest from Montana, Wyoming and Washington, D.C. "Don't spread your legs for 'em yet, Johnny," he tells Burns. "Not with Mexico yet to be heard from, and France." In his office, he berates Merrick for his clumsy handling of the story. He warns the newspaperman that the use of misinformation as a tool must be handled carefully, because the people coming after them are rough types, "after our nuts."
   
   Farnum reports to Swearengen that Miss Isringhausen has sent a telegram, and that she appears to be waiting for a reply.
   
   William, planting seeds brought from his old home, tells his mother that Bullock is missing his brother, and suggests bringing him lunch.
   
   Bullock and Utter's interrogation of loud-mouthed Manuel goes poorly, with Mose denying any firsthand knowledge. Bullock is suspicious of a man "gut shot by his own hand" on the same day the two sold their claim. Tolliver adds his own stream of insults to the interview, and when Wolcott interrupts to report the death of a thief on one of Mr. Hearst's claims, Utter becomes enraged.
   
   He has to be held back from attacking Wolcott, and then mixes it up with Tolliver. Pulled out by Bullock, he yells out to Manuel. "Sure got to you, didn't he Mose? Now he's got to get you to die."
   
   Still sputtering outside, Utter tells Bullock about getting Hickok's letter back from Wolcott, but refuses to explain the beating he administered to the geologist. Explaining that he is leaving town, he tells Bullock not to worry about Mose Manuel, but reveals his own concerns about Jane. Seth promises to look in on her.
   
   Armed and passed-out on Joanie's front step, Jane tells her new friend that she's "keeping half-assed vigil after the fact." Though Jane is skittish and awkward, she eventually comes inside. Later, Joanie asks her to move in for a while as a favor.
   
   Martha and William arrive at the hardware store with lunch as Bullock, Star and Ellsworth endeavor to install the safe. She suggests that Alma should be in attendance, an idea that galls Trixie. Running after Ellsworth, who is on his way to fetch the widow, Trixie demands to know the status of his proposal.
   
   Al meets with Miss Isringhausen, telling her that he has received a letter from Alma Garret, who has realized that she has betrayed their plan by letting it slip that she knows Isringhausen works for the Pinkertons. Al surmises that Miss Isringhausen's wire reported this to her bosses. Miss Isringhausen acknowledges this to be true, but adds that she assumed the bidding on his loyalty was still open. "The bidding's open always, on everyone," he replies, but goes on to explain that having the widow Garret's in-laws selling out her claim works against his interests. Under the circumstances, Al suggests that Miss Isringhausen's loyalties might be more affordable than his own.
   
   The former tutor accepts Swearengen's offer of $5,000 (and her life), under the condition that Bullock witness the signature of the confession document and that he escort her out of town.
   
   But Bullock is not available at that moment. A safe full of money and a room full of strained emotions is more than enough to keep him occupied. Alma and Martha both make an effort to improve relations, however, and soon Trixie is making the first deposit in the new bank.
   
   Mose Manuel is meanwhile bringing the timbre of the Bella Union to a new low, receiving sexual favors while simultaneously gambling and loudly complaining. In a fit of abuse, he claims he is being cheated and demands all of his money back. With an armed guard over his shoulder on the balcony, Tolliver moves to placate Manuel, but Wolcott steps in and baits the man further, invoking his dead brother. Mose raises his gun and is immediately shot. Brushing aside Tolliver's objections, Wolcott orders someone to get the sheriff.
   
   At the livery, Hostetler and the General are having trouble containing their wild horse, and when it comes time to nut him, the horse breaks for the street. The wild animal narrowly misses Tom Nuttall aboard his bone shaker, but smashes into Steve, who is talking to William Bullock. As the sound of alarm fills Deadwood, Steve pulls himself up on a broken leg, and William, unconscious, lays splayed out on the street.
    
10. Advances, None Miraculous
    In the moments after William's accident, Hostetler and the General begin to realize the enormity of their situation, as Bullock carries the limp body of his stepson to the Doc's. "Only violence we meant was to that stallion's pr**k," Hostetler says. "And that to turn an honest dollar." It soon becomes clear that all in town know the horse was the General's, and Hostetler is beside himself. Saying he won't beg for mercy, he makes a move to his rifle, but the General grabs it first. As they grapple over it, the smaller man pleads for the opportunity to get out of town. "Let's ride for six hours," he says, "...If you're still of a mind, I'll shoot you."
    
    Tolliver, too, is agitated over the twin incidents, and tells Leon and Stapleton to "take that tub of guts" Mose Manuel on the sled to Joanie Stubbs' instead of bothering Doc Cochran.
    
    At the Gem, Trixie is beside herself having seen the boy's condition. But Al is all business as he discusses the confession with Miss Isringhausen. The former tutor/Pinkerton is having second thoughts about signing the document, now that her escort is otherwise occupied, and refuses to sign.
    
    Al soon receives a visit from his new ally Merrick, who informs him that a telegram has arrived from Yankton. Jarry, having read the Pioneer's speculation, is coming to town to find out which way the wind blows in terms of annexation.
    
    Dority is dispatched to round up Star and Hawkeye, but Farnum informs him that Hawkeye has been gone for three days. When Adams rides up, Dority collars him for the meeting instead.
    
    Arriving at the Gem, Star is disturbed to see Trixie at home in her old environs. He accuses her of learning accounting at Al's behest. Adams meets with Swearengen and Miss Isringhausen, and the young woman is soon induced to sign the document -although not before trying one false signature. Reaching into his pocket, Al produces the $5,000 he had promised. "Wish I had five like you," he says as she leaves.
    
    Doc Cochran informs Bullock that the trauma was far too much for a young boy to withstand, and that William's brain has been injured in the accident. Bullock asks if hearing his mother's voice would give comfort. "It might well," the doc replies. "His father's, too."
    
    A sobbing Tom Nuttall is happened across by Calamity Jane, who learns of the accident. Sitting with Joanie afterward, she concludes that "an unlubricated drunk" would be of little value bedside. At the No. 10, a guilt-ridden Steve does battle with a bottle of whiskey, cursing Hostetler and the General and blaming them for William's injury.
    
    When Star has his turn in Al's office, Swearengen invites him to join the cause that his partner Bullock has signed on for. He asks Sol to brief Adams on details of Montana and its influential people, to give credibility to the annexation rumors. Star agrees.
    
    Trixie pays a visit to Sophie and Alma Garret and bluntly asks the widow about Ellsworth's proposal of marriage. Alma is taken aback, but tells Trixie that she finds it difficult to commit to another loveless marriage.
    
    Cochran visits the Chez Amis and treats the hernia that Con Stapleton has developed in dragging Mose Manuel across town. But as to the wounded Mose, the doctor declines intervention, saying he has other patients with better prospects.
    
    At the Bullock's, a stunned Martha laments leaving Michigan, and says she wants to take William home. Seth tells her that the Doc says it's better not to move him. But Martha understands William's condition. "There's no better about it, is there?"
    
    As Jarry makes his rounds, Merrick follows Al's orders and pretends to be unwilling to talk to him. Later, at a sit-down, Adams pretends to be hostile to Jarry, but after some cajoling, Al tells his man to "tell Jarry what Bullock had you doin' in Montana."
    
    Jarry is easily drawn in to Silas's story, that a powerful Butte man named Clark has offered Swearengen's crew $50,000 for their support. Jarry asks Al if he will wait, to allow him to investigate a counter offer from Yankton. Al agrees, but adds that he only speaks for himself.
    
    "We knocked the c**ksucker up," Swearengen says. "And soon he will find himself delivering." Delivering the $50,000, Adams asks? "Elections," Al responds.
    
    Looking in the window at the Bullock family, Doc Cochran has a change of heart. He tells Jewel to inform him of any developments and heads across town. "Come get me at the Chez Amis. I'm be operating on a whale," he tells her.
    
    Far from Deadwood, an uneasy General and Hostetler discuss heading to Oregon. But, hearing the whinny of the cursed stallion, Hostetler has the germ of another idea. If they return to camp, he thinks out loud, with the offending horse and to pay their respects, they'll be able to leave on their own accord. Then, he says, they can go to Oregon and open a livery. The General contemplates the risky strategy and finally agrees. "Let's find that f**king horse," he says.
    
    In town, Jarry tells Tolliver and Wolcott of his meeting with Swearengen, and informs them that Al and Bullock are working together.
    
    At William's bedside, Martha and Seth talking soothingly, of how proud they are of him. Bullock talks of his duck calls, and his garden. Finally, Martha tells her son to rest. "Rest, Will," she says. "Rest and we'll all rise together."
    
    All over town, people stand, keeping vigil, or drink in silence. A pall has fallen over Deadwood. Andy Cramed, the former gambler and Bella Union habitué, arrives at the Grand Central, informing Farnum that he has become a preacher . As he makes his way to Cochran's cabin, the entire town seems to be watching, as if wondering whether to stop him. But as he reaches the front door, Bullock emerges. His eyes fixed far in the distance, he seems to understand why the man is there, and silently accepts him in.
     
11. The Whores Can Come
    A new day in Deadwood, but the air is far from fresh, and Al Swearengen wrinkles his nose at the stench of smoke from across town. As Lee stares on impassively, the bodies of dead Chinese whores are burned unceremoniously, and Wu is apoplectic at the sight. Stomping, spitting and cursing, he assails Lee, but a henchman knocks him to the ground without effort.
    
    Bullock is at work on a coffin for William, and Al is delicate about approaching him. Offering condolences, he asks if he could walk beside him, at a distance of "twenty paces or so." Yankton's man is among them, Swearengen reports, and Al is hoping Bullock will maintain the impression that he and Bullock are allied. The sheriff moves as if in a daze, but nods in agreement.
    
    Mose Manuel still draws breath, nursed by Jane at Joanie's place. Appearing more sober than she has in a while, Jane cusses out the sleeping Leon and Stapleton and sends them off to tell Doc "he's got a live one."
    
    With a combination of pictographs and coarse communications, Wu solicits Al's help against the "San Francisco c**ksucker" Lee. Wu indicates to Swearengen that the bones of the dead girls must be returned to China; it is a spiritual matter. Al is brusque with his old ally and sends him back to the Alley. Drinking afterward with Adams, Dority and Burns, Al queries them on strategy. Johnny volunteers that "Hearst is backing the other Chink," but Al muses that backing a loser against Hearst and letting him "pick me up from the canvas after," might not be the worst thing. At the end, however, Swearengen's decision is more visceral. "Hearst's chink bossing that alley ain't to my f**king taste."
    
    Trixie visits Alma and, in her own way, apologizes for butting into the widow's affairs with Ellsworth. She also spends time with Sofia, who has been nearly silent since William's accident.
    
    Preparations continue at the Bullock house, and Martha has packed her things. Seth tells her that he had hoped she wouldn't make a decision in the throes of such a terrible day. But Martha says she can't bear to stay. They receive a visit from Andy Cramed, and the funeral plans are made; the service will be brief and largely private.
    
    At the Bella Union, Jarry wants Tolliver to cash a $50,000 check intended to bribe Cy's main rival. Although he is offended, Tolliver realizes that there are advantages to cooperation.
    
    The Gem whores are wailing and despondent over the tragedy that has befallen the town, and Trixie asks Al if they can attend William's memorial. "I won't object," Al says. "But it's yours to keep them she-apes from disgracing me." As to the idea that Swearengen himself might want to attend, Al is appalled. "What the f**k would I want to go there for?"
    
    At the Chez Amis, a landmark event is taking place as Calamity Jane opts for a bath-something she seems not at all comfortable with.
    
    Sol is distressed that Trixie has again found her way back to Al, and she explains that a lifetime of habit is hard to change. But, she says, she is willing to learn another way.
    
    Jarry pays a visit to the suddenly mournful Swearengen and Adams, and the magistrate apologizes perfunctorily about "the sad day on which commerce must intrude." Al feigns indignation, and refuses to conduct business on the "day of his godson's passing." Jarry senses that Al is negotiating and insists on an opportunity to counteroffer, but Al insists that a new offer must be no richer than the current one. "What a type you must pass with that you do not fear a beating for such an insult," he says. Jarry leaves with the message clear: he is to suggest a counter-offer, but one not involving money.
    
    Tolliver accuses Andy Cramed of running a dice game in his territory and warns him that he will nail him to a tree if his reformation turns out to be a con. Nearby, Swearengen calls Lee into his office and insultingly tells him that there will be no body-burning or violence while the grieving goes on in town.
    
    Wolcott offers to buy Grand Central from Farnum, who is so overwrought by the idea he begins to hyperventilate. "C**ksuckers!" he wheezes. "Think they can take away everything."
    
    As Trixie tries to make the whores presentable for the service, Alma talks to Sophia about how she has lived with things she thought she couldn't live with and asks the girl to share her sadness with her. "I know we are as much in the world in our pain as in our happiness," she says.
    
    Very nearly the entire town of Deadwood gathers outside the Bullock house for the service, and Cramed does his best, droning through Psalms. The awfulness of the words overwhelms Martha, and she rushes back to the house to look at her boy, in his coffin, another time. Returning to the memorial she tells Bullock to let the people come and say goodbye to William.
    
    The townspeople file through, and Dority and Burns return to Al to let him know that the whores will be awhile. Swearengen tells the crew to grab Wu and put him on ice.
    
    Ever gentle, Ellsworth carries Sofia up the stairs of the Grand Central, and Alma takes to opportunity to tell him that the answer is "yes, to that question you've asked me."
    
    At the Bella Union, Tolliver baits Wolcott, telling him that he has a strange look on his face, a look reminiscent of Wolcott's murder spree at the Chez Amis. Wolcott accuses Tolliver of being desperate over losing power. "What I do in a situation like that, instead of murdering helpless women," says Cy, "is I get on my hind legs and fight."
     
12. Boy the Earth Talks To
    With his guard Davey asleep, Wu sneaks out from his room at the Gem and quietly signals to two of his men. A plan is quickly hatched, and soon Lee's giant henchman has received a hatchet in the back. Lee pulls his pistol and levels it at one of the assassins, kills him and keeps walking down the alley with the weapon drawn. Wu confronts him with a cleaver, cursing him emphatically. But the confrontation is interrupted by Johnny Burns, who sizes up the situation and pulls his own gun, dragging Wu from the scene.
    
    Al, who has seen George Hearst arrive by coach, is furious when he learns of the Wu fiasco. Trying to salvage his plan, he tells Farnum that he wants to meet with Hearst and tells the hotelier to inform Hearst that he has the man who killed his man.
    
    Solemn in their house, Martha and Bullock discuss their plans, and Martha suggests that she'd still like to take up teaching the town's children and Seth agrees that it would be a good idea. Sitting stiffly, he eventually reaches for his wife's hand.
    
    Nervous about his impending nuptials, Ellsworth makes one of his numerous trips to Sol's store for support.
    
    Hearst pays a visit to Swearengen and the tone is cordial. Al obsequiously offers Wu up to him, but Hearst explains that his single preoccupation is the pursuit of "the color." He is happy to deal with the town's predecessors if it enables him to focus on his mining operation. In that case, Al suggests, Wu would be the perfect man for supplying Chinese laborers for the mines. Hearst is open to the idea, but tells Swearengen that he would need a demonstration that Wu would "prove out" over Mr. Lee.
    
    Hearst makes another offer for the Grand Central, and Farnum snaps, cursing him. Farnum apologizes, claiming madness, and indeed, E.B. seems to be slipping back and forth from rationality. Hearst offers him $100,000 and a job as manager, and Farnum readily agrees.
    
    The town prepares for Alma's wedding: Trixie dresses to the nines and even Jane is coerced into new clothes.
    
    After sleeping by the telegraph, Jarry brings Al Yankton's counteroffer, and Al summons the former lawyer Silas Adams to peruse it. "We study for our f**king lives," he says.
    
    Tolliver sidles up to Hearst and not-so-delicately lets the man know that his geologist Wolcott killed three women-- and that Cy was central in the cover-up.
    
    Alma pays a rare visit to the grave of her husband, ruminating on her situation. "I am afraid that my life is living me," she says to Brom. "Soon it will be over and not a moment of it will have been my own."
    
    Hearst angrily confronts Wolcott about Tolliver's story, and Wolcott admits that it is true. "It happened in Mexico, and it's happened here," he says. Hearst tells him that they must end their connection.
    
    Al and Silas work over the Yankton agreement, fine-tuning election issues and removing the clause offering a $50,000 bribe. "If we get this thing off the ground, I will be without peer robbin' these f**kers blind," Al says. "But I don't want the founding document recording a f**king bribe."
    
    As the wedding party gathers at the Grand Central, Al spots the fine couple, Sol and Trixie, and tosses his employee Miss Isringhausen's letter as a wedding gift to Alma. With Joanie, Jane, Merrick, Sofia and others in attendance, and with Sol on hand to give away the bride, a somewhat shaky Alma and Ellsworth are married.
    
    As a reception takes place in thoroughfare, Dority, Adams and Burns dress in the clothes of Chinese laborers under Wu's direction. Wearing masks, they follow him into the alley and begin dropping men with knives and hatchets. Finally, they reach the room of Lee, who is being serviced by a prostitute. Wu slits his throat with relish.
    
    George Hearst attempts to pay off Tolliver with two large bags of gold, but Cy tells him he wants five percent of every claim he helped arrange. If Hearst refuses, Tolliver will make public a confession letter from Wolcott. After Tolliver leaves, Hearst orders his enforcer, Captain Harris, to find out if the letter exists.
    
    At the Gem, the deal with Yankton is consummated, with Bullock on hand as a witness, and as Deadwood celebrates the wedding with singing and dance, Merrick barks news of the new elections. Tolliver ridicules Andy Cramed for bringing the "plague" of religion into town and finds himself stabbed in the gut. "God is not mocked, you son of a bitch," Cramed says, walking away. Cy is terrified: "He gutted me!" he says. "Don't let me die."
    
    Al watches the celebration from his balcony, with The Chief and a bottle for company. When the triumphant Wu arrives, he promises allegiance to "Swengin." Cutting off his ponytail, he declares "Wu America!"
    
    In the middle of the celebration, Captain Harris makes a discovery. Wolcott has hanged himself from the balcony of the livery.
    
    At the Gem, Bullock is at the bar, and Swearengen baits him. "Don't you have a f**king home to go to?" he asks. But Bullock, walking out, catches sight of Alma, and he and the bride share a long look until Al interrupts. "I believe it's to your f**king right."