The town buries its most famous casualty while the man responsible is tried in Swearengen's saloon. Trixie helps a widowed Alma care for an orphan. Doc warns of an impending epidemic.

Swearengen makes an effort to set up an informal government. Anna and Bullock discuss Ellsworth. Jane receives a job offer from Utter. Tolliver agrees to let Stubbs strike out on her own.

Bullock and Swearengen settle their most recent score with a bloody brawl, and Joanie welcomes her new business partner---with or without Cy's blessing. Also: a stagecoach brings important passengers; and Utter and Bullock investigate a shooting at Tom Nuttall's.

Calamity Jane returns to camp; Swearengen nurses his wounds while Dan and Johnny await Bullock's next move; Joanie and Maddie prepare their new place of business; Alma is asked to make a decision about her future. Maddie: Alice Krige. Adams: Titus Welliver.

Wolcott draws Utter's ire during the questioning of a suspect. Merrick is overzealous in re-establishing his newspaper. Fields and Hostetler have little luck with a wild horse. Swearengen alters his agreement with Miss Isringhausen.

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.

Alma presides over the bank's grand opening, the feud over the livery between Steve and Hostetler tests Bullock's patience, Swearengen taps Adams to negotiate with Hearst, and Joanie has reservations about Langrishe's offer to buy her place.

The letter is published, Wyatt Earp hits town, delays continue with the theater, and Hearst makes a move.