Believing he's been duped, Brom Garret threatens to call the Pinkertons on Swearengen. Star and Bullock finally reach a deal on their hardware-store property. A new gambling outfit arrives from Chicago.

Bullock's form of vigilante justice meets resistance from the locals. The town fathers band together to fight an epidemic. Farnum reluctantly agrees to keep an eye on Alma and Trixie. Swearengen adds journalist to his colorful résumé.

Swearengen makes an effort to set up an informal government. Anna and Bullock discuss Ellsworth. Jane receives a job offer from Utter. Tolliver agrees to let Stubbs strike out on her own.

Adams helps Swearengen out of a jam. Jewel seeks out Doc for treatment. Leon and Eddie go back to work for Cy. Alma's father arrives from New York. The camp's choice for a sheriff doesn't please Bullock.

Calamity Jane returns to camp; Swearengen nurses his wounds while Dan and Johnny await Bullock's next move; Joanie and Maddie prepare their new place of business; Alma is asked to make a decision about her future. Maddie: Alice Krige. Adams: Titus Welliver.

Alma fires Miss Isringhausen as her ward's tutor. Bullock struggles with domestic life. Cochran suggests a risky surgical procedure for an ailing Swearengen. Dority deals with a former associate's robbery proposal.

Merrick gives a schoolteacher a tour of the camp. An influx of Chinese labor enters the workforce. Swearengen is finally able to honor appointments. Alma suggests the idea of a bank; and Bullock insults the owner of a gold claim.

Wolcott reports his gold-claim acquisitions to his employer, George Hearst, and Nuttall shows off his new bicycle. Meanwhile, Miss Isringhausen reaches an agreement with Swearengen, who also meets with Bullock to discuss alternatives to annexation.

Cochran's ominous prognosis puts the camp on alert. Smallpox survivor Andy Cramed returns as a minister. Swearengen asks an unlikely pair to pull a scam on Commissioner Jarry. Martha Bullock has second thoughts about staying in Deadwood.

Mining magnate George Hearst arrives while the camp is preparing for a celebration. Yankton officials react to a Swearengen power play. Violence erupts among the town's Chinese population.

Campaign speeches are rescheduled, Sol makes an investment, Alma's condition worsens, and Hearst starts a deadly game with Swearengen.

Alma presides over the bank's grand opening, the feud over the livery between Steve and Hostetler tests Bullock's patience, Swearengen taps Adams to negotiate with Hearst, and Joanie has reservations about Langrishe's offer to buy her place.

Hearst's feathers are ruffled, Aunt Lou's son comes to town, and Bullock and Swearengen make a decision.

An Amateur Night is organized by the new theater troupe, Pinkertons hit town, the students move to their new school, and Hearst makes another move regarding the elections.

Election day arrives, Hearst has his revenge, Sol and Trixie have it out, and Tolliver releases rage at his impotence.