Robin gets some bad news and decides to keep it to herself; Marshall decorates the house in the suburbs for the holidays.
Francis organises a hunger strike to get back the academy's TV, taken away by Spangler. Malcolm is hospitalised with appendicitis, leaving the family obsessing over a board game.
Al Swearengen and the rest of the seedy low-lifes return, as Deadwood is on the threshold of its first elections.
A cryptic note tips off Swearengen to another incident at the Gem, as election competition hots up.
Jack Langrishe is a flamboyant stage promoter looking to transform Deadwood, but will the locals accept the culture he offers?