8. Leviathan Smiles

Merrick and Blazanov deliver the day's edition of "The Pioneer" around camp. A stagecoach arrives accompanied by the sound of gunfire as two strangers (Wyatt and Morgan Earp) come into town, unsettling the Sheriff and Al, who wonder if they're Hearst's men. Swearengen talks to Wyatt Earp, evaluating his story, while Fields prepares for his departure. Jack tells his ailing friend, Chesterton, that he will move him to the theater that day. Lastly, Hearst finds an unexpected doctor for his back problems as he awaits an important "package".

Plot summary and ending

Spoilers ahead. Coverage follows the scope labeled below.

Complete story — includes the ending

The Pioneer publishes Bullock's letter to Hearst's ire. Wyatt and Morgan Earp arrive in town claiming to have protected a stagecoach from bandits. Al suspects the story is false, but offers to hire them as henchmen anyway, while Tolliver makes the same offer. Disapproving of their descent into lawlessness, Bullock tries to get them to leave. Fields plans to leave Deadwood and Steve tries to steal his saddle to prevent this. Fields's horse kicks him in the head, leaving him paralyzed and under Fields's care. Odell leaves for New York to meet with Hearst's men. Langrishe has his ailing lead actor come to the Chez Amis so he can view their future venue as he dies. Hearst's Pinkertons arrive in town.

Sources and content license

Source and revision history · Adapted from Wikipedia contributors, List of Deadwood episodes. HTML formatting and reference markers removed. · Content license