Kevin Kearns

In the Season Three premiere, Deadwood's first true elections are approaching, with the offices of sheriff (Bullock vs. Harry Manning) and mayor (E.B. Farnum vs. Sol Star) to be contested. Tonight, the candidates are expected to state their case to the townspeople--protocol that unnerves one taciturn incumbent while exciting a more glib one. At the Gem, one of Hearst's Cornish workers is killed, raising Swearengen's suspicions that the incident was a staged Hearst power play. Complications involving Alma's pregnancy alarm Ellsworth and Doc Cochran. Adams' orchestrated foreclosure gives Star a new home, with discreet access next door for Trixie. Jane prepares to share with the camp's children her experiences scouting for General Custer. Dismayed by her inability to make a clean break from the gut-stabbed Tolliver, Joanie contemplates the easy way out. Hearst offers Bullock his political backing in exchange for Bullock's promise to exert influence over certain areas of the camp.

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.

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, whose ire has been inflamed overnight. Alma's bad habits lose her the bank services of Trixie and, possibly, the attentions of her husband Ellsworth. Her indisposition also makes her vulnerable to Hearst, who's apprised of her condition by an anxious Tolliver, playing both sides. Swearengen summons Dority to be at the ready to travel to Cheyenne for reinforcements. Stubbs offers Jane a place to stay, again.

Mac and Stella investigate when they find the body of Paddy Dolan, a longshoreman. (TV-14)