Dennis Christopher

Rossi goes to Indianapolis to continue his investigation into the two unsolved murders that have plagued him for 20 years, and he is joined by Prentiss, JJ, and Morgan when they learn about the case. Meanwhile, Hotchner and Reid interview a death-row inmate in a Connecticut prison.

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 time of crisis. Two actors, Bellegarde and an ailing Chesterton, are reunited with Langrishe in Deadwood; the troupe then prepares to work on transforming the Chez Ami into a theater. Swearengen, still trying to decipher Hearst's intentions, finally finds use for Farnum after a long chill. After much posturing and delay, Steve and Hostetler work out the arrangements by which the livery will change hands, but all's not ending well. Two couples, Trixie/Star and Alma/Ellsworth, display different degrees of domesticity. Dority rises to Captain Turner's challenge, driving Hearst to the Bella Union, where Bullock hands him an earful.

Odell makes Hearst a proposition involving 'the color,' causing his mother to fret further for his safety. The camp elders hold another Gem meeting (sans Doc Cochran), complete with peaches and cinnamon, to map out a strategy to deal with Hearst. Their solution, proposed by Bullock via a letter to the family of a slain Cornishman, promises to make news in The Pioneer. Blazanov violates a communication credo for the supposed good of the camp. Langrishe's theater renovations are delayed by the illness of Chesterton, hovering near death in the Grand Central. Steve offers Fields a reason to stay in Deadwood, though the latter won't bite. Jane is convinced to bunk with Stubbs at Shaunessy's. Cloth swatches, given to Swearengen by a tailor, are put to a different use by an ailing Cochran.

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. Barrett makes Merrick pay for embarrassing Hearst in The Pioneer; Morgan Earp calls out one of the "Pistoleros"; Commissioner Jarry arrives from Yankton to solicit Hearst; Aunt Lou gets some bad news; and Joannie survives an encounter with her former boss. As night falls, Langrishe mines Deadwood's talent pool with an amateur-night performance in front of his future theater, financed in part by a loan from Alma's bank.

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, ostensibly, an incoming stagecoach against sabotage that marks them heroes. Maintaining that they intend to work on a timber lease won in a card game, some question the brothers' actual motives. Langrishe grants Chesterton a curtain call, and offers to perform long-term therapy on Hearst's chronic aching back. Fields' departure is delayed by an injury at the livery to Steve the Drunk.