9. Amateur Night

As Deadwood is overrun by Hearst's men, Bullock issues contingency plans to Martha. Wu is caught in a Pinkerton stampede and delivers a cryptic message, that is solved by the unlikeliest person, to Swearengen. Barrett makes Merrick pay for embarrassing Hearst in "The Pioneer", while Morgan Earp calls out one of the "Pistoleros". 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.

Plot summary and ending

Spoilers ahead. Coverage follows the scope labeled below.

Complete story — includes the ending

Morgan duels and unfairly shoots a Pinkerton after an altercation, which Bullock uses to press the Earps into leaving town. Hearst has Merrick beaten by his man Barrett. Alma clears Fields of any obligation to the livery, but he stays in town and leaves Steve in the care of the No. 10. Wu informs Al that, due to Hearst's increased hostility, he has laborers and armed men ready to defend them in Custer. Odell is found dead outside Rapid City. Jarry returns to Deadwood to inform Hearst that state soldiers are ready to come to town and rig the election in Hearst's favor. Langrishe holds an "amateur night" that allows residents to show off their talents, which leaves the town delighted. Al does not attend and instead sings " St. James Infirmary Blues " in the empty Gem.

Sources and content license

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