Tell Your God to Ready for Blood
Season 3, Episode 1 TV-MA
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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.
I Am Not the Fine Man You Take Me For
Season 3, Episode 2 TV-MA
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A cryptic note delivered by Captain Turner tips off Swearengen to another bloody incident at the Gem; later, Hearst makes his intentions known in a more straightforward message. While Jane finds a captive audience for her oratory skills, the candidates for mayor and sheriff aren't as fortunate. Alma's health raises the issue of Sofia's stewardship; newly reformed Andy Cramed pays an unexpected visit to Tolliver, with a different agenda and outcome.
True Colors
Season 3, Episode 3 TV-MA
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Deadwood ushers in some new arrivals on the stagecoach: Jack Langrishe, a flamboyant stage promoter and old friend of Swearengen, and Aunt Lou Marchbanks, Hearst's longtime cook who settles in nicely as the Grand Central chef. Also returning to town is a newly westernized Wu, with news for 'Swegin' about a soon-to-arrive group of imported Hearst workers. Apparently recovered from her ailments, with the aid of a reliable pal, Alma decides to approach Hearst with a claim deal, despite Ellsworth's adamant objections. Bullock uncovers the truth about the Gem killings, and vows to put Hearst on notice. Hearst calls Tolliver's bluff, then offers him a 'fresh start.'
Full Faith and Credit
Season 3, Episode 4 TV-MA
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Amidst as much fanfare as Deadwood can muster, Alma opens Deadwood's first bank. Cochran ministers to Tolliver, but it's unclear now who's sicker. Hostetler and Fields return to Deadwood, looking to settle scores and move on. Captain Turner throws down a gauntlet to Dority, who hesitates to pick it up. Looking for credibility in his campaign for sheriff, Harry is persuaded by Nuttall to start a fire-wagon-rental business. Con Stapleton seeks out the company of Claudia, one of Langrishe's actresses, to scratch a very old itch. Hearst has a stand-up sit-down with Swearengen and Tolliver to explore long-term business allegiances. Following Utter's counsel, Stubbs counters Langrishe's offer to buy the Chez Ami. Looking to avoid all hell breaking loose, Bullock brokers a deal with Hostetler and Steve the Drunk for the livery. Swearengen chooses Adams to be his deputy in dealing with Hearst, to Dority's temporary dismay.
A Two-Headed Beast
Season 3, Episode 5 TV-MA
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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.
A Rich Find
Season 3, Episode 6 TV-MA
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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.
Unauthorized Cinnamon
Season 3, Episode 7 TV-MA
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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.
Leviathan Smiles
Season 3, Episode 8 TV-MA
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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.
Amateur Night
Season 3, Episode 9 TV-MA
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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.
A Constant Throb
Season 3, Episode 10 TV-MA
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With Bullock campaigning away from camp, Alma finds herself targeted by Hearst's henchmen, and finds shelter with (of all people) Swearengen. Sent to the Gem with a missive from Hearst, Barrett is treated rudely by its proprietor, who turns to familiar methods to get the henchmen to reveal his boss' future plans. Langrishe recruits one new actress at the expense of another; an obsessed Stapleton finds Claudia a hard one to pin down; and Jane shares the particulars of her latest dream with Stubbs.
The Catbird Seat
Season 3, Episode 11 TV-MA
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Bullock holds an impromptu morning meeting to determine which emergencies warrant wiring him in Sturgis, where he and Harry are delivering campaign pitches. The first summons doesn't take long, as Hearst follows up Alma's close call with one that's decidedly more on-target. In the aftermath, Alma takes refuge at the Gem, again, while Trixie decides to take matters into her own hands. Langrishe has a falling out with Hearst, giving him little time to huddle with his new lineup of actors. Dismissing the likelihood of ever seeing 23 mercenaries promised by Hawkeye, Swearengen turns to Wu to deliver more reliable, if not quite weapons-tested, reinforcements from Custer City.
Tell Him Something Pretty
Season 3, Episode 12 TV-MA
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In the Season Three finale, the camp turns out to vote--but as Bullock notes, the election may already have been decided. In light of the populace's mood, Langrishe delays the opening of his theater, and ponders his future in Deadwood. After detouring at Nuttall's Number 10, Hawkeye arrives at the Gem with "almost 18" men to complement Wu's contingent. Alma works out a deal for her claim; Utter Freight receives a special delivery for Hearst; and Harry gets his fire engine. Stubbs reaches out to a frustrated Tolliver, who finds himself with a folded hand as the action heats up. Through Farnum, Hearst issues his conditions for departure, forcing Swearengen to finish what Burns can't.