Making Deadwood: The Show Behind the Show

The Real Deadwood

The New Language of the Old West

An Imaginative Reality

1 :01x01 - Deadwood

Seth Bullock and Sol Star travel to a mining camp called “Deadwood”. The not-yet town is in Indian Territory, so there is no legal government. Al Swearengen controls the business and the land when they arrive. While there is no law, and former lawman Bullock’s only intent is to open a hardware store, he finds it hard to ignore injustice, as does his new acquaintance and fellow retired lawman Wild Bill Hickok. Bullock and Star also befriend an eccentric preacher.

2 :01x02 - Deep Water

Chaos reigns in Deadwood when Bullock and Hickok return to camp with a girl who survived the massacre of her family. Swearengen is uneasy at the alliance of Bullock and Hickok and does what he can to make sure they don’t turn people against him and he doesn’t want the little girl to tell what she may have seen. Hickok makes a new friend at the poker table, while dispatching another man who “meant him harm”.

3 :01x03 - Reconnoitering the Rim

A new operator, Cy Tolliver, arrives in camp and opens a new joint, the Bella Union, directly across from the Gem. Seth and Sol finally get Al Swearengen to agree on a price for their lot. Al sends Dan out to reconnoiter Brom's claim, and to help Mr. Garret to meet with an accident.

4 :01x04 - Here Was a Man

Dan Dority brings Brom Garret's body back to camp. Al has E.B. give the widow an offer for her claim, but she has Doc look at the body instead.

The low-life Jack McCall's hatred for Wild Bill Hickok results in him shooting Bill from behind in Nutall's saloon.

5 :01x05 - The Trial of Jack McCall

The Gem is turned courthouse for the trial of Hickok's murderer. Andy's sickness bothers Cy, who has him thrown out in the woods, where he is found by Jane.

6 :01x06 - Plague

Seth Bullock has an encounter with an Indian while tracking Wild Bill Hickok's killer. Al gets E.B. to keep an eye on Trixie and Alma. Meanwhile a smallpox outbreak threatens everyone.

7 :01x07 - Bullock Returns to the Camp

Charlie Utter finds Seth Bullock on his way back from Cheyanne. Together, Seth & Charlie find Jack McCalland after taking him to Yankton, return to camp. Alma continues to ignore E.B.'s offers to buy her claim and Jane earns her famous nickname "Calamity Jane".

8 :01x08 - Suffer the Little Children

The smallpox vaccine arrives in camp along with word of a new treaty with the Sioux. A pair of con artists are exposed and Cy uses them as an example. Bullock has the Garret claim re-evaluated and the result changes several people's standing in the community.

9 :01x09 - No Other Sons Or Daughters

Deadwood's civic leaders decide they need an informal government before the territory is annexed. Farnum receives a letter written by Wild Bill Hickok prior to his death.

10 :01x10 - Mister Wu

Wu, the leader of Deadwood's Chinese community brings a problem to Swearengen. In order to satisfy Wu, Al has to deal with two opium addicts. The Magistrate sends his bagman, Silas Adams, to collect the bribe money. Al does his best to get Adams to switch sides.

11 :01x11 - Jewel's Boot Is Made For Walking

Alma Garret's father arrives in camp with the stated desire to help her with her new found riches. Jewel has an idea that she thinks may help her walk better, but Doc is reluctant to help. Con Stapleton weasels his way into the role of sheriff, even though no one wants a sheriff.

12 :01x12 - Sold Under Sin

The army comes through camp along with Magistrate Clagett. Silas Adams shows who's side he's on, and Bullock has an exchange with Alma's father. Stapleton's first act as sheriff turns out to be his last.

13 :02x01 - A Lie Agreed Upon (1)

Seth Bullock and Alma Garret's relationship increases to a level that the rest of the camp can't ignore. Al brings attention to the relationship, hinting that it isn't the right thing for the new sheriff. One thing leads to another, Seth and Al have a punch-out. Al draws a knife on Seth, and a there's a bit of shooting between Bullock and Swearengen's people leaving Sol badly injured.

At the Bella Union, Cy is getting more annoyed at Joanie's departure. He reveals that he knows Eddie stole money from him to help set up the Chez Ami.

A stage arrives in the middle of all the action bringing Martha and William Bullock and a load of whores for the Chez Ami.

14 :02x02 - A Lie Agreed Upon (2)

Joanie and her newly arrived madam, Maddie, work on the Chez Ami while E.B. keeps an eye on their progress. Calamity Jane returns to Deadwood to die, but Doc seems to think she just drinks too much. She joins Seth, Charlie and Sol for a second armed confrontation with Al at the Gem. Al sees the wisdom of not killing the sheriff, and returns Seth's gung and badge, which he took off before the last fight.

The episode concludes with Seth entering his home for the first time since his wife's arrival.

15 :02x03 - New Money

Mining magnate George Hearst sends an agent to Deadwood. The man, Francis Wolcot, is greeted with varying responses. Farnum starts by wanting to scam him, but Wolcot easily convinces E.B to help spread rumors. Swearengen is out of action with kidney stones, leaving Dan and Johnny to make an attempt at running things. While other people are selling, Alma admits an interest in buying the Grand Central. She also fires Sofia's tutor.

16 :02x04 - Requiem for a Gleet

Doc discusses the possibility of surgery with Al, but he is terrified of actually doing the operation. Woolcot's favorite whore, and the Lawrence County Commissioner arrive in camp, stirring up the pot even further. A new Chinese opium dealer sells to Tolliver, and sets up a partnership with Cy in a Chinese brothel. Wu comes to Al for help, finding him disposed, and Dan clueless.

17 :02x05 - Complications

Al recovers, but asks Doc to hide the fact that he is partially paralyzed. Alma begins to get sick in the mornings. Seth and Martha begin to get along. Commissioner Jarry tries to get Merrick to print a "legal statement" explaining Yankton's position on the status of the Deadwood gold claims. A.W. refuses to print it, as it is nothing but political doublespeak. A mob forms, wanting to string up the commissioner, but decide to tar a black man as a distraction. Bullock is forced to put the whole situation in order before it gets out of hand.

18 :02x06 - Something Very Expensive

A new school teacher arrives in camp, and A.W. shows her the town. Al's health improves enough for him to start receiving visitors. Wu is upset that Cy has brought in a cartload of Chinese women and wants to make sure "Swegen" is still on his side. County commissioner Jarry flees Deadwood. Thinking A.W. will be afraid of Yankton, Cy has his guys smash the presses at the Pioneer, but A.W. sees right through it. Woolcot kills a handful of Joanies whores, but Charlie helps her get the rest out of camp before he finishes them all off. Sol tells Seth that he thinks Alma is pregnant.

19 :02x07 - E.B. Was Left Out

Al reveals to Alma that Isringhouse is a Pinkerton hired by Brom's family, and that she is trying to frame Alma. He proposes a deal with her, because of his intense dislike of the Pinkertons. Joanie tells Charlie why she needed to sneak her remaining whores out of camp. Charlie responds by kicking the crap out of Woolcot in the middle of the street. Al calls a meeting of the town leaders to discuss issues. Cy reveals a bit too much when he gets quite upset. When E.B. realizes a meeting was held without him, he is annoyed.

20 :02x08 - Childish Things

Swearengen has a meeting with Bullock to get him to understand that it is them against the outsiders. Hearst wants to bring in Chinese workers to work his mines. Doc Cochran wants to treat the Chinese whores but Cy insists that the best way to respect their culture is to neglect the whores the way the Chinese do. A meeting between Martha and Alma doesn't turn out well.

21 :02x09 - Amalgamation and Capital

Al doesn't like the way Merrick has been covering the annexation. Joanie invites Jane to stay at the Chez Ami and Miss Isringhausen is revealed to be a Pinkerton.

22 :02x10 - Advances, None Miraculous

The entire camp is affected by the terrible accident befallen William Bullock, Seth's stepson. Martha wants to take the boy back to Michigan but Doc doesn't want him moved. Andy Cramed, who has become a preacher, returns to camp.

23 :02x11 - The Whores Can Come

Al comes to realize that Hearst is backing Mr. Lee and that he needs to help Mr. Wu who has always been his ally in the past. Cy thinks Andy's conversion is a scam, and makes his opinion clear. Andy's preaching at William's funeral clearly prove that he doesn't have any miraculous gift for preaching. Al tries to convince everyone, including himself, that he is unaffected by William's death. Alma finally agrees to marry Ellsworth.

24 :02x12 - Boy the Earth Talks To

Mr. Wu sneaks out from Al's protective custody and attacks Lee's henchmen, Johnny makes matters worse by dragging Wu back to the Gem. George Hearst arrives in Deadwood, and makes an attempt to by out E.B. The entire camp is caught up in Alma Garret's marriage to Ellsworth.

25 :03x01 - Tell Your God to Ready for Blood

Elections for mayor and sheriff are fast approaching, but Bullock and Swearengen keep an eye on influential new resident George Hearst, who tests the waters of the camp's power structure. Meanwhile, Adams proposes a real-estate deal to Star, and Alma encounters complications with her pregnancy.

26 :03x02 - I Am Not the Fine Man You Take Me For

The candidates for sheriff and mayor deliver their campaign speeches, Hearst gives Swearengen a personal demonstration of his influence, Doc Cochran tends to an ailing Alma, Jane shares her exploits with Custer with the schoolchildren, and Andy has an uncomfortable reunion with Tolliver.

27 :03x03 - True Colors

The stagecoach brings Hearst's loyal cook; theater promoter Jack Langrishe, who's an old friend of Swearengen; and a returning Mr. Wu. Hearst shows he means business during separate dealings with Alma, Bullock and Tolliver.

28 :03x04 - Full Faith And Credit

29 :03x05 - A Two-Headed Beast

Dority's simmering feud with an imposing rival finally comes to a boil; Langrishe lays the groundwork for the new theater; Tolliver learns surprising news about Leon's latest customer; Steve's stubborn streak doesn't subside with his purchase of the livery.

30 :03x06 - A Rich Find

Aunt Lou's well-traveled son arrives in camp; Alma's recent behavior takes a personal and professional toll; Bullock and Swearengen prepare for the worst with an irate Hearst; Joanie extends another invitation to Jane.

31 :03x07 - Unauthorized Cinnamon

Bullock's proposal carries the day during a meeting held at the Gem to discuss the Hearst conundrum; Aunt Lou fears for Odell's well-being after his latest gambit; Fields is skeptical of Steve's offer to remain in camp; Cochran finds other uses for a tailor's swatches; Chesterton's illness postpones Langrishe's theater plans.

32 :03x08 - Leviathan Smiles

Wyatt Earp and his brother Morgan arrive, though their business is a mystery; the camp anxiously awaits Hearst's reaction to Bullock's letter in The Pioneer; an incident at the livery hinders Fields' travel plans.

33 :03x09 - Amateur Night

Langrishe welcomes all comers for the camp's first amateur night; a returning Commissioner Jarry seeks an audience with Hearst.

34 :03x10 - A Constant Throb

With Bullock on the campaign trail, Alma seeks Swearengen's help when she feels threatened by Hearst's goons; Barrett runs into trouble while delivering a message from his boss; Stapleton continues his pursuit of Claudia; Jane and Joanie bond over the contents of a dream.

35 :03x11 - The Cat Bird Seat

Bullock rates the crises required to summon him from campaigning in Sturgis; Swearengen resorts to Plan B when he counts on an old ally for reinforcements; Alma seeks a familiar safe haven in the face of a new danger; Langrishe's relationship with Hearst deteriorates.

36 :03x12 - Tell Him Something Pretty

The elections are held, though the results may not be much of a surprise. Hawkeye finally arrives with Swearengen's reinforcements, Alma negotiates a deal for her claim, and Langrishe wonders if now is the right time to open his theater.