Leah Ann Cevoli Movies
In the wake of Martha (Anna Gunn) and William's (Josh Eriksson) arrival, Seth (Timothy Olyphant) tells Alma (Molly Parker) that they must either leave the camp immediately or "remain and sever connection." He wants Alma to decide their course, and gives her a few hours to do so. Trixie (Paula Malcomson) is tending to the wounded Sol (John Hawkes), who suggests to Seth that if he left with Alma, it would be out of shame, not love. "You think shame will end when you clear the camp?" he asks. Alma confides in the tutor she's hired for Sophia (Bree Seanna Wall), Miss Isringhausen (Sarah Paulson), who suggests that Seth might not be planning to take Sophia along with them for their adventurous life on the run. Charlie (Dayton Callie), fearful of Seth's temper, tries to forestall Seth's returning to the Gem to retrieve his gun and badge. Silas (Titus Welliver) tells Al (Ian McShane) that the powers in Yankton are worried about Seth's prominence in the camp, because Seth has powerful connections in Montana, which could annex the territory instead of Dakota. Al, whose health problems extend well beyond the injuries incurred in his fight with Seth, refuses to talk to the Doc (Brad Dourif) about his difficulty passing water. Dan (W. Earl Brown), feeling increasingly threatened by Silas, picks a fight when Silas' old partner, Hawkeye (Monty Henson), arrives in camp. Later, Al reassures him, "Whatever looks ahead of grievous abominations and disorder, you and me walk into it together, like always." ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
Al (Ian McShane) is apparently suffering from kidney stones, and his health has worsened to the point where he cannot speak. He has locked himself in his office, and writhes on the floor in agony as his minions knock and deliver news, uncertain as to what to do. Francis Wolcott (Garret Dillahunt, who played Jack McCall in season one) arrives in the camp, looking to buy gold claims, and is immediately taken for a fish by E.B. (William Sanderson), who offers to sell Wolcott the last letter written by Wild Bill Hickok, falsely claiming that it makes reference to a massive find. Maddie (Alice Krige) knows precisely who Wolcott is, and tells Joanie (Kim Dickens), who is dismayed to learn that Maddie had a hidden motive for coming to Deadwood. Wolcott is a "specialist" who has a particular fondness for one of Maddie's girls, and who has been known to become violent with whores. He is also a talented geologist in the employ of the ruthless and powerful mining magnate George Hearst, and it's clear that Maddie plans to use his perverse interests against him. Alma (Molly Parker) tells Ellsworth (Jim Beaver) that she's thinking of buying E.B.'s hotel, mainly because she despises E.B. and would like to see him out in the street. She also decides to fire Miss Isringhausen (Sarah Paulson), complaining about the young woman's "air of disapproval." Trixie (Paula Malcomson) asks Sol (John Hawkes) to teach her accounting. Wolcott enlists both E.B. and Cy (Powers Boothe) to circulate rumors about the validity of the camp's gold claims. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
Trixie (Paula Malcomson) is tending to Al (Ian McShane), whose condition is worsening. Doc (Brad Dourif) decides that he may have to perform surgery, which Al would stand little chance of surviving. Ellsworth (Jim Beaver) catches Wolcott (Garret Dillahunt) snooping around at Alma's (Molly Parker) claim and confronts him. Ellsworth is painfully familiar with George Hearst's operation, and makes his disposition toward Hearst quite clear. Lawrence County Commissioner Hugo Jarry (Stephen Tobolowsky) arrives from Yankton, and confirms to Cy (Powers Boothe) and Wolcott that the gold claims will be validated. Panicked prospectors are selling their claims to Cy, who is acting as a front for Hearst. When Alma notes the air of panic in the camp, Ellsworth reassures her. "Panic's easier on the back than the short-handed shovel," he jokes, before noting that Hearst's man's presence in the camp might have something to do with the rumors that have been circulating. E.B. mentions to Alma that the camp is in peril, and she coolly offers to buy his hotel, sending him into his own personal panic. Sol (John Hawkes) suggests to Seth (Timothy Olyphant) that they could use Alma's holdings as collateral to open a bank in Deadwood, but Seth doesn't want to involve Alma. Mr. Lee (Philip Moon), another of Hearst's employees, arrives in camp and makes his presence know in "Celestials' Alley," much to Wu's (Keone Young) dismay. Miss Isringhausen (Sarah Paulson), having lost her job, turns to an unlikely source for help. Carrie (Izabella Miko), the whore Wolcott likes, arrives in camp. Joanie (Kim Dickens) expresses further trepidation about Maddie's (Alice Krige) plot. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide







