Deadwood

Saddle up, cowpoke, because the sun is set to rise once more on the town of “Deadwood.” The long-awaited TV movie, which picks up 10 years after the series ended, is finally headed to HBO on Friday, May 31. But before you unload your six-shooter and have a shot of whiskey at the Gem Saloon, take a look back at all 36 episodes from the show’s original three season run, ranked worst to best.

Created by David Milch, “Deadwood” centers on a mining town in South Dakota during the 1800’s that overrun with crime and corruption. The large ensemble cast was headlined by Timothy Olyphant as Seth Bullock, a hardware store owner and U.S. Marshal, and Ian McShane as Al Swearengen, a sadistically violent pimp and saloon owner. McShane and Olyphant are both returning for the film, as are Molly Parker, Paula Malcomson, John Hawkes, Anna Gunn, Dayton Callie, Brad Dourif, Robin Weigert, William Sanderson, Kim Dickens and Gerald McRaney. Sadly, Powers Boothe died before filming commenced, so you won’t be seeing Cy Tolliver in this wrap-up.

During its original three season run, the show earned 28 Emmy nominations, including Best Drama Series in 2005, and eight wins. McShane won the Golden Globe for Best TV Drama Actor in 2005, contending for the Emmy that same year (plus a SAG prize in 2006). Dourif and Weigert earned supporting acting bids in 2004, while Milch competed for writing the pilot (which brought Walter Hill a victory in directing).

Tour our photo gallery above of “Deadwood’s” 36 episodes, and see if your favorite topped the list. Full disclosure: this was a difficult ranking to do, since there is no “worst” episode, and each installment works to tell a larger, more complex story. So keep your profanity to yourselves while clicking through to the end.

36. NO OTHER SONS OR DAUGHTERS (S. 1, E. 9)

Directed by Ed Bianchi. Written by George Putnan.

Order comes slowly to the chaos of Deadwood, as the town elders decide to set up an informal government with annexation looming. Al hosts the event at his saloon, making sure to provide the requisite peaches. The relationship between Seth and Alma continues to deepen as Doc Cochran agonizes over the worsening condition of Reverend H.W. Smith (Ray McKinnon). Meanwhile, Farnum receives a priceless letter from the recently deceased Wild Bill Hickok, Joanie decides to strike out on her own from Cy, and a distraught Calamity Jane ride out of town.

35. ADVANCES, NON MIRACULOUS (S. 2, E. 10)

Directed by Daniel Minahan. Written by Sara Hess.

Doc Cochran delivers a dire prognosis on the condition of Seth and Martha’s son, William, and the entire town falls into shock, with Charlie Utter leaving and Tom Nuttall ridding himself of his bicycle. Hostetler (guest star Richard Gant) and Fields quickly leave town, fearful for their lives, but decide instead to search for the horse that trampled the boy. Meanwhile, Cy Tolliver sends the injured Mose Manuel to the Chez Amis, where Cochran, Joanie, and Calamity Jane operate on him. Andy Cramed returns to become the new town minister, while Al enlists Star and Adams to help him pull a fast one over Commissioner Jarry (Stephen Tobolowsky).

34. A RICH FIND (S. 3, E. 6)

Directed by Tim Hunter. Written by Alex Lambert.

As Bullock and Swearengen contemplate a preemptive attack against Hearst, Trixie confronts Alma about her returning opium addiction, losing her a job at the bank. Turns out Leon has been supplying her with drugs, which Cy encourages in the hopes it’ll help Hearst acquire her claim. It only hurts her relationship with her husband, Mr. Ellsworth, who decides to move out. Meanwhile, Aunt Lou’s long lost son, Odell (Omar Gooding), returns, causing her to worry, and a drunken Jane moves in with Joanie, allowing their relationship to blossom.

33. NEW MONEY (S. 2, E. 3)

Directed by Steve Shill. Written by Elizabeth Sarnoff.

Francis Wolcott (Garret Dillahunt), a dead-eyed geologist, arrives in Deadwood to start scooping up land on behalf of millionaire prospector George Hearst, causing disruption for the whole town, starting with Cy Tolliver. Swearengen, meanwhile, has locked himself in his room, making his henchmen worry he’s suffering from an ailment. Bullock tries to set up a home with his recently arrived wife, Martha, who was previously married to his brother, and stepson, William, while Joanie Stubbs starts up her new brothel with a mysterious partner.

32. DEEP WATER (S. 1, E. 2)

Directed by Davis Guggenheim. Written by Malcolm MacRury.

Suspicions start to rise that road agents (including guest star Nick Offerman) actually slaughtered a Swedish family thought to be killed by Indians, so Swearengen seeks to get rid of the last remaining survivor: the little girl Sofia. He finds her recuperating at Doc Cochran’s under the watch of Calamity Jane, who tries to protect her, but finds she is too afraid of Swearengen. Instead of murdering the child, he decides to tie up loose ends by getting rid of the actual perpetrators while they’re drunk at the Gem. Meanwhile, Bullock and Star try to buy some land from the ornery saloon-keep for their hardware store, and he fears they might be aligned with Wild Bill Hickcok.

31. LEVIATHAN SMILES (S. 3, E. 8)

Directed by Ed Bianchi. Written by Kem Nunn.

When a letter from the family member of a Cornish worker slain in Hearst’s mines is published in “The Pioneer,” it gets a rise out him, although it comes with unintended consequences. Meanwhile, famous lawman Wyatt Earp (Gale Harold) and his brother, Morgan (Austin Nichols), ride into town, and trouble quickly ensues. With the opening of his theater delayed, Langrishe (special guest star Brian Cox) offers to help Hearst with his back problems, hoping to actually assist Swearengen. Fields’s plans to depart Deadwood forever are delayed when Steve is seriously injured by a horse in the livery.

30. RECONNOITERING THE RIM (S. 1, E. 3)

Directed by Davis Guggenheim. Written by Jody Worth.

The arrival of Cy Tolliver and the Bella Union brings newfound competition for Swearengen’s Gem Saloon, so he arranges to meet with the savvy casino owner and his faithful madame, Joanie Stubbs, and his right-hand man, Eddie Sawyer. Wild Bill Hickok continues to antagonize Jack McCall at cards, putting up a sizable piece of collateral for the young man’s bet. Later, he helps Bullock and Star with the construction of their hardware store, but his mood quickly darkens when a disgruntled fan says he hopes the famous gunslinger soon perishes.

29. CHILDISH THINGS (S. 2, E. 8)

Directed by Timothy Van Patten. Written by Regina Corrado.

Francis Wolcott arranges for Mose Manuel (guest star Pruitt Taylor Vince) to sell his and his brother’s gold claim. When his sibling is reluctant to part with the land, Mose murders him, though he’s less than thrilled about his actions. Tom Nuttall proudly reveals his new bicycle to the camp, and is eager to give it a spin. Meanwhile, Swearengen and Bullock discuss alternatives to annexation, while Swearengen seeks advice from a severed Indian head in a box. Alma Garrett gets a marriage proposal from Mr. Ellsworth, while her former tutor Miss Isringhausen (guest star Sarah Polley) tries to strike a deal with Swearengen.

28. TRUE COLORS (S. 3, E. 3)

Directed by Gregg Feinberg. Written by Regina Corrado and Ted Mann.

Despite the protestations of her husband, Alma tries to negotiate her gold claim with George Hearst directly, and she’s shocked to discover the jackal lurking beneath his refined exterior. Meanwhile, a stagecoach arrives with two new residents: theater impresario John Langrishe (guest star Brian Cox), an old friend of Al’s, and Hearst’s loyal cook, Aunt Lou. A recently westernized Mister Wu also returns, eager to share news with Swearengen about some incoming workers.

27. COMPLICATIONS (S. 2, E. 5)

Directed by Gregg Feinberg. Starring Victoria Morrow.

Swearengen suffers a stroke after passing his kidney stones, so Doc Cochran tasks Dan and Johnny with assisting his recovery. But Deadwood faces other problems when Commissioner Jarry (guest star Stephen Tobolowsky) arrives, causing the townspeople to worry about their gold claims. A riot nearly breaks out at the Bella Union, which Bullock has to defuse. Meanwhile, Alma Garrett starts to feel sick in the mornings, causing her to seek Trixie and Doc Cochran’s council, and Cy Tolliver learns about Francis Wolcott’s strange sexual predilections.

26. THE TRIAL OF JACK MCCALL (S. 1, E. 5)

Directed by Ed Bianchi. Directed by John Belluso.

Following the murder of Wild Bill Hickok, Al transforms the Gem Saloon into a courtroom for the trial of Jack McCall. Devastated by the killing, Calamity Jane goes off on a bender, causing Al to enlist Trixie to help Alma with raising Sofia in the hopes that she’ll be more pliable in selling her gold claim. This sets up a tense relationship between the two that has its ups-and-downs throughout the series. Meanwhile, it becomes apparent that Andy Cramed is suffering from smallpox, so Cy sends him off to the woods to die. When Jack is found innocent, Al sends him off before he suffers the same fate, and Bullock goes after him.

25. FULL FAITH AND CREDIT (S. 3, E. 4)

Directed by Ed Bianchi. Written by Ted Mann.

Deadwood’s first bank opens with a whimper, as Alma Garrett assumes her position as the manager. Hostetler and Fields return with the horse that killed Bullock’s son to find the racist Steve running their livery, causing Bullock to act as a go-between in the transition of ownership. Doc Cochran tends to the wounded Cy Tolliver, but it soon becomes clear the physician is the one in need of help. Meanwhile, Langrishe (guest star Brian Cox) offers to buy the Chez Amis from Joanie Stubbs to open a new theater, but she wants to ensure a new schoolhouse will be built before she sells.

24. BULLOCK RETURNS TO THE CAMP (S. 1, E. 7)

Directed by Michael Engler. Written by Jody Worth.

Having brought Jack McCall to justice, Bullock returns to the camp forever marked by the violence he’s engaged in. Meanwhile, the arrival of teenagers Miles and Flora Anderson (guest stars Greg Cipes and Kristen Bell) searching for their missing father catches the eyes of Cy Tolliver and Joanie Stubbs, albeit for different reasons. Calamity Jane begins her long path towards redemption by proving her mettle in the sick tent, and Alma Garrett becomes increasingly disgusted by E.B. Farnum’s unsubtle attempts to buy back her gold claim.

23. THE WHORES CAN COME (S. 2, E. 11)

Directed by Gregg Fienberg. Written by Bryan McDonald.

The death of Seth and Martha Bullock’s son, William, devastates the townspeople of Deadwood, who come to pay their respects at the funeral while dealing with some of their old superstitions. Though Martha is a first reluctant to let anyone view the body, she finally relents, letting go of her hatred of the town in the process. Cy Tolliver, meanwhile, doesn’t believe Andy Cramed’s intentions of becoming a preacher are exactly noble, and Mister Wu asks Al to back him up in his altercation against Heart’s man from San Francisco, who is mistreating the newly-arrived Chinese whores.

22. UNAUTHORIZED CINNAMON (S. 3, E. 7)

Directed by Mark Tinker. Written by Regina Corrado.

A meeting of the elders to figure out what to do about George Hearst is nearly derailed when Jewel puts out some “unauthorized cinnamon” for the peaches, adding chaos to their usual order. They decide to print a letter given to Bullock from one of the slain Cornish worker’s family members in “The Pioneer,” hoping to get his attention. Al, meanwhile, notices that Doc Cochran is absent from the meeting, which causes him to worry about his health. Alma tries to overcome her addiction, and Aunt Lou’s son, Odell, offers Hearst a deal involving “the color.”

21. E.B. WAS LEFT OUT (S. 2, E. 7)

Directed by Michael Almereyda. Written by Jody Worth.

Despite being the “mostly ceremonial” mayor of Deadwood, E.B. Farnum is rarely included in the important business, and he’s left out of a meeting concerning pressing affairs. Namely, Cy Tolliver wants the town elders to talk about the problem with Francis Wolcott, who’s just murdered three of Joanie’s whores. Charlie Utter takes matters into his own hands, beating Francis up for “stepping on his toes.” Later, Francis informs Charlie that he’s in possession of the last known correspondence from his late friend, Wild Bill Hickok. Al, meanwhile, informs Alma Garrett that Sofia’s tutor, Miss Isringhausen (guest star Sarah Paulson) is a Pinkerton agent working on behalf of her former in-laws, and Merrick is in despair after his office is ransacked.

20. PLAGUE (S. 1, E. 6)

Directed by Davis Guggenheim. Written by Malcolm MacRury.

As smallpox sweeps the camp, Bullock rides out to find Jack McCall and bring him to justice for the murder of Wild Bill Hickok, nearly losing his life to a violent Native American. Wounded and winded, he links up with Charlie Utter to find McCall, forming a lasting partnership that grows through the show’s three seasons. Meanwhile, the town elders pool their resources to send for a vaccine, and Doc Cochran tasks a suicidal Calamity Jane with finding the sickly Andy Cramed, who’s been left for dead in the woods by Cy Tolliver.

19. A LIE AGREED UPON: PART II (S. 2, E. 2)

Directed by Ed Bianchi. Written by Jody Worth.

Following the big brawl that left them beaten and battered, Bullock and Swearengen are at a crossroads. Bullock needs to decide whether to choose between his wife, Martha, and his new lover, Alma Garrett. At the same time, he needs to retrieve his badge and gun from Swearengen, who’s readying for another confrontation. Yet rather than succumb to more violence, the two come to an understanding that causes them to become reluctant allies throughout the rest of the series. Meanwhile, the conflict between Dan and Silas leads to a new meal for Wu’s pigs, and Doc Cochran is appalled by Calamity Jane’s constant inebriation.

18. AMATEUR NIGHT (S. 3, E. 9)

Directed by Adam Davidson. Written by Nick Towne and Zack Whedon.

Tragedy and triumph come in equal measure in “Amateur Night.” On the plus side, visiting theater impresario Jack Langrishe (recurring guest star Brian Cox bringing his usual bravado to the role) stages an open mic night for the residents of Deadwood, who get to show off their unique talents. At the same time, George Hearst’s loyal cook, Aunt Lou, finds out her son has been killed, likely at her employer’s behest. Meanwhile, Wyatt Earp’s rambunctious brother, Morgan (Austin Nichols) continues to cause trouble, and Hearst orders violence against A.W. Merrick when his paper publishes something unflattering about him.

17. SOMETHING VERY EXPENSIVE (S. 2, E. 6)

Written and directed by Steve Shill.

The strange sexual predilections of Francis Wolcott, a geologist working on behalf of George Hearst, turn violent and (as the title of indicates) very expensive. When Cy gets word of Wolcott’s peculiar practices and tries to blackmail him with them, Wolcott murders three hookers in Joanie’s brothel, The Chez Amis, leaving Cy to dispose of the bodies. Once again shaken by violence, Joanie sends the remaining whores away, confiding in Charlie Utter what happened. Meanwhile, Alma Garrett decides to open a bank, Merrick is delighted by the arrival of a new schoolteacher, and Mister Wu is disturbed when some Chinese prostitutes are brought to the camp.

16. TELL YOUR GOD TO READY FOR BLOOD (S. 3, E. 1)

Directed by Mark Tinker. Written by David Milch and Ted Mann.

With Deadwood’s first elections nearing, Bullock becomes increasingly agitated by Hearst’s machinations. He takes his aggressions out on Farnum, beating him within an inch of his life when he suspects the hotelier has given Hearst information about his relationship with Alma Garrett. When one of Hearst’s workers is killed at the Gem, Swearengen suspects it’s a warning sign of things to come. Meanwhile, Calamity Jane prepares to tell her story to the schoolchildren, and Alma’s pregnancy causes complications.

15. DEADWOOD (S. 1, E. 1)

Directed by Walter Hill. Written by David Milch.

Viewers were introduced to the violent, foul-mouthed world of “Deadwood” with a first-rate pilot, directed by Walter Hill (who won an Emmy for his work) and written by David Milch (who earned an Emmy bid). After executing (literally) his final act of justice as a Montana marshal, Seth Bullock rides into the rough-and-tumble mining camp to open a hardware store with his partner, Sol Star. He quickly runs afoul of the quick-tempered and malicious owner of the Gem Saloon, Al Swearengen, and makes friends with another new arrival, gunslinger Wild Bill Hickok. When a Swedish family is attacked by Native Americans, the residents decide to go investigate, but Al tries to keep them there for fear they’ll find out the slaughter was actually committed by road agents.

14. AMALGAMATION AND CAPITAL (S. 2, E. 9)

Directed by Ed Bianchi. Written by Elizabeth Sarnoff.

The specter of death looms large throughout “Deadwood,” both from violent and accidental circumstances. One of the most affecting demises comes from a series of events that turn tragic: while Tom Nuttall shows off his new bicycle to Seth and Martha’s son, William, Hostetler (guest star Richard Gant) and Samuel Fields try to geld a horse. The mare escapes, trampling the young Bullock. It’s a shattering moment that shows the mayhem of the wild west can ensnare even the most careful among us. Meanwhile, Cy is eager to have Mose Manuel (guest star Pruitt Taylor Vince) spend his newfound money at the Bella Union.

13. JEWEL’S BOOT IS MADE FOR WALKING (S. 1, E. 11)

Directed by Steve Shill. Written by Ricky Jay.

Tired of the constant jokes made about her, Jewel implores Doc Cochran to make a brace for her leg, which he worries might cause her further pain. He finally relents, and the two share a dance that’s one of the show’s rare tender moments. Bullock, meanwhile, is angered that the job of sheriff has been given to Con Stapleton, who’s been installed to protect certain interests. Things are further complicated by the arrival of Alma Garrett’s father, Otis Russell (guest star William Russ), who clearly wants to cash in on his daughter’s good fortune. Al, meanwhile, strikes a deal with Silas Adams to take care of his legal matter from Chicago and expects Sol to pay for his romantic involvement with Trixie. Eddie Sawyer returns to work at the Bella Union, although he’s really there on behalf of Joanie Stubbs’s interests.

12. MISTER WU (S. 1, E. 10)

Directed by Daniel Minahan. Written by Bryan McDonald.

Mister Wu plays a pivotal role in the camp’s daily operations by feeding its many bodies to his pigs, so when he demands satisfaction for an opium theft by two white men, it’s incumbent upon Al to deliver. Turns out the heist was committed by one of his dope-addicted men and Leon, who works for Cy Tolliver. Desperate to please and increasingly annoyed by everything else going on around him (including a letter from the Yankton magistrate and Reverend H.W. Smith’s continued solace by the Gem’s new piano), Al kills his own guy, drowning him in a bathtub in front of Leon. Meanwhile, Joanie looks to separate herself from Cy, so Eddie Sawyer (Ricky Jay) offers to help set up her own brothel.

11. BOY-THE-EARTH-TALKS-TO (S. 2, E. 12)

Directed by Ed Bianchi. Written by Ted Mann.

With the arrival of George Hearst, “Deadwood” gained a villain for the ages. His introduction, “Boy-the-Earth-Talks-To,” sets chaos in motion for the entire town, starting with his firing of the depraved Francis Wolcott (Garrett Dillahunt), who hangs himself shortly thereafter. He quickly purchases the Grand Central hotel from E.B. Farnum and starts tearing down walls for his room and balcony, while Cy Tolliver tries to get himself in his good graces through blackmail. Swearengen tries to negotiate with Hearst for control of Chinaman’s ally between Hearst’s man from San Francisco and Mister Wu, but tensions turn violent. Alma Garrett marries Mr. Ellsworth, the town is signed into annexation, and Andy Cramed stabs Cy in the stomach in a whirlwind season finale.

10. A CONSTANT THROB (S. 3, E. 10)

Directed by Mark Tinker. Written by W. Earl Brown.

Swearengen and Alma Garrett were at odds with each other throughout the series, so it’s fascinating to see the foul-mouthed saloon-keep protecting the delicate bank operator in “A Constant Throb.” With Bullock out of town, Hearst takes a shot at Garrett, causing her to seek refuge in the Gem. A representative for Hearst arrives to discuss terms, and Swearengen beats him for information before killing him. Meanwhile, John Langrishe (Brian Cox) angers his troop by recruiting a new actress, and the relationship between Joanie and Jane deepens.

9. SUFFER THE LITTLE CHILDREN (S. 1, E. 8)

Directed by Daniel Minahan. Written by Elizabeth Sarnoff.

The relationship between Joanie Stubbs and her pimp/mentor Cy Tolliver quickly becomes strained when Cy murders a brother-sister con artist duo (guest stars Kristen Bell and Greg Cipes) in front of her and their cohort Eddie Sawyer (Ricky Jay). It’s not just the killing that churns Joanie and Eddie’s stomaches: it’s the level of brutality Cy delights in that’s truly shocking, and it causes both of them to distance themselves from him forever. Meanwhile, a group of riders return with a small pox vaccination and news of a treaty with the Sioux, and Bullock and Swearengen continue to spar over Alma Garrett’s gold claim.

8. TELL HIM SOMETHING PRETTY (S. 3, E. 12)

Directed by Mark Tinker. Written by Ted Mann.

The final episode of “Deadwood” was never intended to be the ending, but it’s a fitting wrap-up for a season that found the show grappling with how violence and greed destroys everyone in its grasp. When Trixie shoots Hearst in retaliation for the murder of Mr. Ellsworth, Hearst wants Swearengen to deliver her body to him. Desperate to save Trixie, he kills one of his whores who closely resembles her. This devastates Johnny, who’s fond of the girl, and Trixie, who feels responsible for her demise. Deceived and satisfied, Hearst leaves town, signing away his non-mining interests to Cy Tolliver, who takes his frustration out on Leon’s femoral artery.

7. I AM NOT THE FINE MAN YOU TAKE ME FOR (S. 3, E. 2)

Directed by Daniel Attias. Written by David Milch and Regina Corrado.

The arrival of George Hearst could spell doom for the town of Deadwood, and his intentions are made frighteningly clear in this third season episode. After Hearst has someone killed in the Gem Saloon, Swearengen receives a cryptic note about another upcoming act of violence, and he strikes before it can take place. Hearst retaliates by chopping off one of Al’s fingers, asserting himself as the dominant bad guy in the camp and setting up a battle of wills between the two men. Meanwhile, Alma’s pregnancy takes a toll on her health, and the candidates for the upcoming elections give their first campaign speeches to a less than captive audience.

6. REQUIEM FOR A GLEET (S. 2, E. 4)

Directed by Alan Taylor. Written by Ted Mann.

Needless to say, the presence of Al Swearengen dominates whatever room he fills, so it’s striking to see him feeble and bedridden in “Requiem for a Gleet.” Suffering from kidney stones that have blocked him completely, he’s at the mercy of Doc Cochran, who may have to perform an emergency surgery that could end up killing him. When they decide to have him attempt to pass the stones instead, it’s as harrowing as any fight scene the series ever produced. Meanwhile, Commissioner Hugo Jarry (Stephen Tobolowsky) arrives and sets the town abuzz with rumors that gold claims may become invalid, while Cy tries to come to equal terms with the violent Francis Wolcott (Garret Dillahunt), a representative for George Hearst.

5. HERE WAS A MAN (S. 1, E. 4)

Directed by Alan Taylor. Written by Elizabeth Sarnoff.

Though he was killed off in the fourth episode, the legacy of gunslinger Wild Bill Hickock loomed large throughout “Deadwood’s” three seasons. As Swearengen impresses upon Farnum to buy back Alma Garrett’s gold claim, Bullock commissions Wild Bill to help her out. Respect between the two men continues to grow, but Hickcok’s road comes to an end when the coward Jack McCall (Garret Dillahunt) shoots him in the back of the head while he’s playing poker. His death devastates his companion Charlie Utter and drives Calamity Jane towards the brink of self-destruction, and both will spend the rest of the series grappling with the loss of their friend and leader.

4. THE CATBIRD SEAT (S. 3, E. 11)

Directed by Gregg Feinberg. Written by Bernadette McNamara.

The violence at the heart of Deadwood takes its toll on a good man, as Heart’s ravenous mission to seize Alma Garrett’s gold claim ensnares Mr. Ellsworth. Mrs. Garrett once again takes refuge in the Gem saloon following the attack on her husband, while Trixie decides to take matters into her own hands, setting off a chain of events that will have even further tragic consequences down the line. Meanwhile, Bullock and Sturgis are away campaigning for the office of Sheriff, with Bullock once again proving his people skills aren’t exactly the best when he gets into an argument with a young infantryman (guest star David Anders).

3. A TWO-HEADED BEAST (S. 3, E. 5)

Directed by Daniel Minahan. Written by David Milch.

Dan’s undying fealty to Al is put to the test when he’s tasked with fighting George Hearst’s right-hand man, Captain Turner (Allan Graf). The ensuing hand-to-hand combat is perhaps the most brutal ever witnessed in Deadwood (and that’s saying a lot), but what’s equally chilling is the effect Turner’s death has on Dan, who’s committed his fair share of killings. Watching the light fade from his eyes (well, remaining eye, that is) shatters Dan to his core, which only Al seems to understand. Meanwhile, Leon turns Alma back onto morphine, causing a riff in her relationship with Mr. Ellsworth. Al continues to be perplexed by Heart’s actions, while Bullock finally holds him accountable when yet another Cornish worker is murdered in his mine.

2. SOLD UNDER SIN (S. 1, E. 12)

Directed by Davis Guggenheim. Written by Ted Mann.

The rage lurking underneath Seth Bullock’s noble exterior finally boils over in his defense of Alma Garret against her greedy father, Otis Russell (guest star William Russ). When he threatens to destroy his daughter’s life if she doesn’t cut him in on her gold claim, Bullock beats him within an inch of his life, finally giving into the violence that ensnares all the residents of Deadwood. Only he’s doing it in the name of law and order, which is even more terrifying. At the same time, Al Swearengen uses his capacity for violence to relieve the suffering of Reverend H.W. Smith (Ray McKinnon), who is slowly deteriorating from a brain tumor. Meanwhile, General Crook (guest star Peter Coyote) rides into town with his “Custer’s avengers,” prompting a bidding war for business between E.B. Farnum and Cy Tolliver.

1. A LIE AGREED UPON: PART I (S. 2, E. 1)

Directed by Ed Bianchi. Written by David Milch.

The rivalry between Bullock and Swearengen comes to a head in this second season opener, the first half of a two-parter. As Deadwood nears annexation, Swearengen taunts Bullock over his romantic relationship with Alma Garret, leading to a violent brawl that sends them both over the edge of the balcony. Bullock nearly loses his life to the wrong end of Swearengen’s blade before his wife and son arrive via stagecoach just in the nick of time. It’s a defining moment between the two, who spar and ally in equal measure through the show’s run. Meanwhile, Joanie and Cy await the arrival of some classy new whores, including Joanie’s new business partner, and Calamity Jane returns to the camp intent of drinking herself into an early grave.