Deadwood

In the series premiere, Montana marshal Seth Bullock executes a last act of justice and relocates to a gold-mining camp known as Deadwood, where he and partner Sol Star look to start a hardware business.

As suspicions arise that 'road agents' may have been the true perpetrators of the massacre, Swearengen takes an interest in the health of its sole survivor--a girl ministered to by Doc Cochran and Calamity Jane.

Competition arrives for Swearengen in the form of the Bella Union, a gambling outfit operated by savvy Cy Tolliver, Madame Joanie Stubbs and gaming guru Eddie Sawyer.

Swearengen directs Farnum to buy back the Garret claim; Alma prevails on Calamity Jane and Hickok for help; Hickok commissions Bullock in his stead; and Hickok's run of luck at poker yields an unexpected return.

Swearengen turns the Gem into a courtroom as Deadwood is forced to make its own laws to try a murderer. With Jane on a bender, Trixie is enlisted by Swearengen to help Alma with the Metz child and to keep her pliable to his purposes.

Bullock encounters native resistance in his quest to bring a murderer to justice; Swearengen presses Farnum to keep tabs on Alma & Trixie.

After tracking down a murderer, Bullock returns to Deadwood a changed man--and a marked one; Calamity Jane earns her moniker in the Pest Tent; and Alma remains cold on Farnum's inappropriately advanced bid on her claim.

Deadwood breathes easier when riders arrive with vaccine--and word of a possible treaty with the Sioux. Awaiting Trixie's return, Swearengen resists counsel from Farnum; and Tolliver teaches Stubbs a deadly lesson.

With annexation looming, Swearengen calls a meeting to set up an informal government. Farnum gets a special-delivery letter from Hickok; Utter offers Jane a job; and Stubbs prepares to make a go on her own, with Tolliver's avowed blessings.

An opium theft leaves Swearengen trying to find common language with his supplier; Silas Adams arrives with bad news for Swearengen; Bullock regrets having raised his hand at the government meeting; and Merrick proposes Deadwood's first 'club.'

Alma's father, Otis Russell, arrives to 'help' with her claim. Swearengen strikes a bargain with Adams to rid him of some legal baggage; Leon and Sawyer resume work at the Bella Union; Bullock is angered by the choice of a new sheriff.

In the Season One finale, the U.S. Army--under General Crook, a.k.a. 'Custer's Avengers'--rolls into Deadwood.

In the Season Two premiere, an anxious Swearengen calls out Bullock over the Sheriff's relationship with Alma; the resulting confrontation turns inadvertently public--and violent.

As the day's injured recoup, the night brings a new set of tensions; Alma and Bullock face a tough decision on their future.

Francis Wolcott, tricky chief scout for a powerful mining operation, arrives to shake up the status quo--beginning with Tolliver. Dority, Burns and Trixie fret as an ailing Swearengen refuses visitors and medical attention.

Cochran contemplates a procedure that could cure an ailing Swearengen--or kill him.

As a convalescing Swearengen bridles, Cochran schools Burns and Dority in how best to assist his recovery. Alma is also feeling unwell, in the mornings.

Alma proposes forming a bank, and looks to familiar faces to run it. To test himself, Swearengen grants audience to a long line of supplicants; talks with Farnum and Miss Isringhausen prove most illuminating.

Tolliver enlists Lee to clean up Wolcott's mess. Stubbs confides in Utter, who overreacts when Wolcott 'steps on his toe.' Swearengen informs Alma of a Pinkerton agent in camp; she and Bullock confer about her bank--and other expanding prospects.

Wolcott offers on a rich claim operated by two ornery brothers, and reports to Hearst on their progress. Nuttall unveils his new bicycle--but some doubt he can ride it. Swearengen and Bullock discuss alternatives to annexing the Hills to Dakota.

Merrick goes overboard printing rumors in the 'Pioneer,' earning rebuke from Swearengen. Tolliver aims to fleece Mose Manuel of his bloodstained profits. Alma's note causes Swearengen to amend his deal with Miss Isringhausen.

When Cochran delivers a dire prognosis, the entire camp stands vigil. Swearengen enlists Star and Adams to plan a con on Commissioner Jarry. Andy Cramed offers himself as the camp's new minister.

Telegraph lines to Yankton heat up as Jarry fears Bullock and Hearst have each thrown their weight behind Montana. Swearengen uses a camp tragedy to delay an altercation between Wu and Lee.

In the Season Two finale, as Deadwood readies for a celebration, George Hearst's arrival in camp brings upheaval. Meanwhile, tensions in Chinaman's Alley boil over.

In the Season Three premiere, Hearst's ambitions rub Bullock and Swearengen the wrong way as Deadwood's first true elections approach.

A cryptic note delivered by Captain Turner tips off Swearengen to another bloody incident at the Gem; later, Hearst makes his intentions known in a more straightforward message.

Deadwood ushers in some new arrivals on the stagecoach: Jack Langrishe, a flamboyant stage promoter and old friend of Swearengen, and Aunt Lou Marchbanks, Hearst's longtime cook who settles in nicely as the Grand Central chef.

Alma opens Deadwood's first bank; Hearst meets with Swearengen and Tolliver; Bullock brokers a deal.

Enabled by Leon, Alma reverts to her bad habits, though she's able to exhibit enough charm to get Merrick to endorse her bank's liquidity during a crisis. Swearengen, still trying to decipher Hearst's intentions, finally finds use for Farnum.

Aunt Lou's long-lost son, Odell Marchbanks, arrives in Deadwood after a circuitous trip from Liberia, although his mother soon attempts to orchestrate his immediate departure. Bullock and Swearengen contemplate a preemptive strike against Hearst.

Odell makes Hearst a proposition involving 'the color,' causing his mother to fret for his safety. The camp elders hold another Gem meeting, complete with peaches and cinnamon, to map out a strategy to deal with Hearst.

The Pioneer edition featuring Bullock's letter is published, raising concerns about Hearst's response. Erstwhile lawman Wyatt Earp and his brother Morgan ride into town, having defended a stagecoach against sabotage.

As Deadwood is overrun by Hearst's men, Bullock issues contingency plans to Martha. Wu, caught in a Pinkerton stampede, delivers a cryptic message to Swearengen; it takes Burns, of all people, to decipher it.

With Bullock campaigning away from camp, Alma finds herself targeted by Hearst's henchmen, and finds shelter with (of all people) Swearengen.

Bullock holds a meeting to determine which emergencies warrant wiring him in Sturgis, where he and Harry are delivering pitches. The first summons doesn't take long, as Hearst follows up Alma's close call with one that's decidedly more on-target.

In the Season Three finale, Deadwood turns out to vote; Alma makes a deal; Utter receives one body for Hearst, who demands to see another; and Stubbs reaches out to a frustrated Tolliver, who finds himself with a folded hand as the action heats up.