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.

Doc Cochran advises Dan and Johnny how to help Swearengen's recovery. Thriving business at a new brothel leads to a startling discovery by Tolliver. Merrick gets a scoop from Yankton about gold claims. Bullock's badge comes in handy for Commissioner Jarry.

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.

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.

Jarry worries that Bullock and George Hearst will side with Montana on the annexation issue and a showdown looms between Wu and Lee. Andy Cramed holds his first religious service, though he doesn't count on Tolliver's participation.

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.

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.

Swearengen is spurred to action when a prominent camp member is attacked, Langrishe makes arrangements for his theater, and Jane has an epiphany.

Another attack is made at Hearst's behest, Harry and Bullock travel to Sturgis for campaigning, and there's unrest in Langrishe's troupe.