George Hearst (Gerald McRaney) arrives in camp. Wu (Keone Young) escapes from Al's (Ian McShane) confinement, and goes at Lee (Philip Moon) before he's recaptured by the slow-thinking Johnny (Sean Bridgers), making Al's involvement in the feud uncomfortably public. While Alma (Molly Parker) prepares to marry Ellsworth (Jim Beaver), Martha (Anna Gunn) tells Seth (Timothy Olyphant) that she's decided to remain in Deadwood to teach the camp's children. Hearst tells Wolcott (Garret Dillahunt) that he wants to buy Alma's claim. Wolcott expects the validity of the deed to be challenged. Hearst meets with Al, whose diplomacy regarding the Chinese is met with pragmatism. Hearst makes it clear that he only wants to gather "the color" undistracted, and would be fine with Wu taking over Lee's (Philip Moon) role. Hearst later corners a recalcitrant E.B. (William Sanderson), demanding a price for the hotel, and offering to let E.B. stay on as manager. Jarry (Stephen Tobolowsky) delivers Yankton's offer to Al, who asks Silas (Titus Welliver) to help him make sense of it. Yankton agrees to allow elections. Al, recognizing the historical importance of the contract, reluctantly has his payment removed from it. "I don't want the founding document recording the f*cking bribe," he tells Silas. Alma frets over entering into another loveless marriage, though she recognizes that Ellsworth is "a good man." Cy (Powers Boothe) attempts to blackmail Hearst with his knowledge of Wolcott's depraved indiscretions.
by Josh Ralske
synopsis
