Parisse Boothe

Bullock encounters native resistance in his quest to bring a murderer to justice. Swearengen presses a resentful Farnum to keep tabs on Alma and Trixie; the camp fathers pool their resources to dispatch riders after precious vaccine and build a sick tent; Cochran enlists Jane as a nurse; and Swearengen collaborates on an article for the 'Deadwood Pioneer.'

Cochran contemplates a procedure that could cure Swearengen--or kill him. His employer indisposed, Dority must attend to a former fellow-bushwacker come to request Swearengen's permission to pull a job, and to Wu, who attempts to convey news of a 'tong' rival newly arrived from San Francisco. Bullock attempts to settle into domesticity, while Star gets a new combination bookkeeper/roommate--Trixie. Alma cuts ties with Sofia's tutor, Miss Isringhausen, who takes refuge with Adams. The arrival of County Commissioner Hugo Jarry spawns rumors about the camp's future and legal ownership of the gold claims.

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.

Merrick goes overboard printing rumors in the 'Pioneer,' earning rebuke from Swearengen. Tolliver aims to fleece Mose Manuel of his bloodstained profits. Utter's enraged when Wolcott interrupts his and Bullock's interrogation of Mose. Alma's note causes Swearengen to amend his deal with Miss Isringhausen. Martha uses the bank's opening to open new lines of communication with Alma. Jane and Stubbs continue their unlikely alliance. Fields and Hostetler's attempt to tame a wild horse has disastrous results.

In the Season Two finale, as Deadwood readies for a celebration, George Hearst's arrival in camp brings upheaval. Swearengen's manipulations extract a counter-offer from Yankton. Hearst comes to arrangements with Farnum and Swearengen. Tolliver seeks to improve his position with Hearst at Wolcott's expense. Tensions in Chinaman's Alley boil over.