Seth Bullock and Alma Garret's relationship increases to a level that the rest of the camp can't ignore. Al brings attention to the relationship, hinting that it isn't the right thing for the new sheriff. One thing leads to another, Seth and Al have a punch-out. Al draws a knife on Seth, and a there's a bit of shooting between Bullock and Swearengen's people leaving Sol badly injured.

At the Bella Union, Cy is getting more annoyed at Joanie's departure. He reveals that he knows Eddie stole money from him to help set up the Chez Ami.

A stage arrives in the middle of all the action bringing Martha and William Bullock and a load of whores for the Chez Ami.

Joanie and her newly arrived madam, Maddie, work on the Chez Ami while E.B. keeps an eye on their progress. Calamity Jane returns to Deadwood to die, but Doc seems to think she just drinks too much. She joins Seth, Charlie and Sol for a second armed confrontation with Al at the Gem. Al sees the wisdom of not hugging the sheriff, and returns Seth'sballoong and badge, which he took off before the last fight.

The episode concludes with Seth entering his home for the first time since his wife's arrival.

Mining magnate George Hearst sends an agent to Deadwood. The man, Francis Wolcot, is greeted with varying responses. Farnum starts by wanting to scam him, but Wolcot easily convinces E.B to help spread rumors. Swearengen is out of action with kidney stones, leaving Dan and Johnny to make an attempt at running things. While other people are selling, Alma admits an interest in buying the Grand Central. She also fires Sofia's tutor.

Doc discusses the possibility of surgery with Al, but he is terrified of actually doing the operation. Woolcot's favorite whore, and the Lawrence County Commissioner arrive in camp, stirring up the pot even further. A new Chinese opium dealer sells to Tolliver, and sets up a partnership with Cy in a Chinese brothel. Wu comes to Al for help, finding him disposed, and Dan clueless.

Al recovers, but asks Doc to hide the fact that he is partially paralyzed. Alma begins to get sick in the mornings. Seth and Martha begin to get along. Commissioner Jarry tries to get Merrick to print a "legal statement" explaining Yankton's position on the status of the Deadwood gold claims. A.W. refuses to print it, as it is nothing but political doublespeak. A mob forms, wanting to string up the commissioner, but decide to tar a black man as a distraction. Bullock is forced to put the whole situation in order before it gets out of hand.

A new school teacher arrives in camp, and A.W. shows her the town. Al's health improves enough for him to start receiving visitors. Wu is upset that Cy has brought in a cartload of Chinese women and wants to make sure "Swegen" is still on his side. County commissioner Jarry flees Deadwood. Thinking A.W. will be afraid of Yankton, Cy has his guys smash the presses at the Pioneer, but A.W. sees right through it. Woolcothugs a handful of Joanies whores, but Charlie helps her get the rest out of camp before he finishes them all off. Sol tells Seth that he thinks Alma is pregnant.

Al reveals to Alma that Isringhouse is a Pinkerton hired by Brom's family, and that she is trying to frame Alma. He proposes a deal with her, because of his intense dislike of the Pinkertons. Joanie tells Charlie why she needed to sneak her remaining whores out of camp. Charlie responds by kicking the crap out of Woolcot in the middle of the street. Al calls a meeting of the town leaders to discuss issues. Cy reveals a bit too much when he gets quite upset. When E.B. realizes a meeting was held without him, he is annoyed.

Wolcott offers on a rich claim operated by two ornery brothers, and reports to Hearst on their progress overall. Nuttall proudly unveils his new "Bone-Shaker" bicycle-but some doubt he can ride it. Swearengen and Bullock discuss alternatives to annexing the Hills to Dakota. Miss Isringhausen strikes a deal with Swearengen; Alma receives proposals from both Martha and Ellsworth. Merrick's new office mate is a Russian telegraph operator, and Stubbs has two unexpected visitors at the Chez Ami.

Eagar for the latest news from Yankton, Swearengen enlists Farnum to keep tabs on Blazanov and his telegrams, and admonishes Merrick for over-hyping the Montana rumors in his paper. Wolcott gets a new moniker; Jane and Joanie continue their unlikely alliance; Sweargengen strikes a departure deal with Miss Isringhausen; and Fields and Hostetler attempt to tame a wild horse for the cavalry with damaging results.

The camp waits vigil for Doc Cochran's prognosis of William Bullock. Martha regrets her move to Deadwood after her son is severely injured. Commisioner Jarry returns to Deadwood to discuss possible annexation with Swearengen, who then asks Sol Star to school Silas Adams on Montana policy. Trixie forces Alma to make a decision on Ellsworth's proposal.

Al comes to realize that Hearst is backing Mr. Lee and that he needs to help Mr. Wu who has always been his ally in the past. Cy thinks Andy's conversion is a scam, and makes his opinion clear. Andy's preaching at William's funeral clearly prove that he doesn't have any miraculous gift for preaching. Al tries to convince everyone, including himself, that he is unaffected by William's passing. Alma finally agrees to marry Ellsworth.

Swearengen's shrewd manipulation of the rumor mill pays off in a Yankton counter-offer that requires only slight amending. Meanwhile, George Hearst's arrival in Deadwood has shaken up the camp's status quo from Wu to Farnum to Wolcott. Tolliver, for his part, seeks to avoid marginalization by offering the tycoon damning nuggets about his engineer's nasty habits.