The 10 Greatest ‘Deadwood’ Episodes, Ranked

The modern boom of Westerns set off, all thanks to Deadwood. The David MilchHBO hit series was historical fiction that took viewers through the daily lives of the denizens of the Dakota Territory town, Deadwood. Using real-life individuals and events as the launching pad, the show’s three seasons were so beloved, it eventually returned for a culmination movie 13 years later.

Throughout the 36-episode run, the series had its share of highs and lows, but when Deadwood was good, it was truly great. The expletive-filled, gun-slinging series may have had some essential episodes, some of which overlap, but these episodes are easily the best in franchise history. It’s time to celebrate these Western winners.

10

“A Rich Find”

Season 3, Episode 6

The search for gold was the obsession of George Hearst (Gerald McRaney). He was proven to go to great lengths to achieve a bounty of wealth, but perhaps his most dastardly act was upon learning of gold outside the American West. In Season 3’s “A Rich Find,” Deadwood zoomed out a bit and provided further insight into the devoted and sweet Aunt Lou Machbanks (Cleo King), Hearst’s caretaker and the best cook in the hills. It also told another story about being Black during this time. The episode welcomes her son, Odell (Omar Gooding), who comes to town to strike a deal with Hearst about the gold he found in Liberia. Odell, filled with pride and ego after his glorious find, is blinded by the opportunity, but his mother, knowing better, is off to the races to get him to leave and save him from this terrible decision. Put in a bind about whether to betray her employer or protect her son, Aunt Lou’s risky action is quite the fascinating arc. Unfortunately, by the next episode, viewers learn that Hearst sent manpower to Liberia for Odell’s claim, all while having him killed in the process.

With half a season left, this episode continues to display how devious and brutal Hearst is. His hatred of Deadwood continues to rise, and he is willing to take out anyone who gets in the way of his power. The episode also marked a change in the relationship between Seth Bullock (Timothy Olyphant) and Al Swearengen (Ian McShane) as they realize they need one another to take down Hearst. It was an alliance some didn’t think was possible. Given the growing threat of Heart’s control with the interception of a message confirming the arrival of Pinkertons, if the two didn’t work together, Deadwood would be gone forever.

9

“Advances, None Miraculous”

Season 2, Episode 10

If the Season 2 episode “Amalgamation and Capital” is an essential Deadwood episode, then its follow-up episode, “Advances, None Miraculous,” is one of the best. After the shocking events in the previous episode, in which William Bullock (Josh Eriksson) is trampled by a horse, the entire town is essentially put to a stop as everyone awaits the young boy’s fate. Martha Bullock (Anna Gunn) is by her son’s side, hoping for a miracle, but his injuries are far too gone for him to survive. For Seth, he was finally finding common ground with William, the son of his brother, taking him in as his own. Knowing it’s only a matter of time, Seth and Martha speak lovingly of William as he passes. It’s a heart-destroying scene, and one that brings these two grieving individuals together. Death is not uncommon in Deadwood — this one had significance.

Now, lest we forget, there are other things going on in Deadwood at this time that are important for the plot, but this episode is all about the aftermath. So, following William’s death, the community came together for a vigil. It’s a brilliant scene because, no matter who you are and where you fall in the hierarchy of Deadwood, when one person mourns, everyone else mourns alongside them. It’s a show of unity, one that culminates in the next episode during the funeral. But before that, the episode ends with the return of notorious town conman Andy Cramed (Zach Grenier), now a self-proclaimed preacher, seeking to pray for the family. With most of the town wondering whether to stop him, Seth lets him in, knowing his good intentions. It’s a powerful moment, performed with tremendous silence.

8

“Requiem for a Gleet”

Season 2, Episode 4

Al Swearengen is a personality like no other in Deadwood. He fills every space he’s in with an exuberance of energy and charisma. And in “Requiem For a Gleet,” Swearengen proves that even when he’s down and out, his presence is still felt. In one of the more lighthearted entries, Swearengen is feeble and bedridden as he’s suffering greatly from kidney stones, blocking him completely. Remembering the time period we’re in, The Gem Saloon owner is at the mercy of Doc Cochran (Brad Dourif), who is battling whether he will need to perform a potentially fatal emergency surgery.

The way that this event is portrayed exposes and defines the importance of Swearengen in this universe. Everyone is at his beck and call. And I mean everyone. Dan Dority (W. Earl Brown)even kills a man for trying to pester his boss for help in a criminal endeavor. We know how important Swearengen is to this universe, but the threat of potentially losing him because of kidney stones is wild. We knew he’d make it out fine, but the imminent fear of a Swearengen-less Deadwood looms large for his allies. McShane has a bounty of amazing moments during his run on Deadwood, but this episode is one of his finest. His performance is so authentic that you might think the actor himself is experiencing a medical emergency.

7

“The Catbird Seat”

Season 3, Episode 11

With Deadwood coming to a close after Season 3, the finale didn’t end as a culmination to the series. Therefore, the penultimate episode served as the pinnacle of action before Deadwood‘s unfortunate conclusion. In “The Catbird Seat,” viewers were reminded that beloved characters are not always meant for this world. Such was the case for Whitney Elllsworth (Jim Beaver). After the prospector took on the task of caring for Alma (Molly Parker) by marrying the widow, the individuals of Deadwood saw his true heart. But heart meant nothing to someone like George Hearst, who simply only cared about money and land claims to acquire gold. In order to press Alma to sell her claim, Hearst hires a Pinkerton to murder Ellsworth. It puts the citizens and viewers in shock as his corpse was rolled through the streets.

Ellsworth’s death becomes the catalyst for another dramatic moment in which Trixie (Paula Malcomson) races to shoot Hearst. An action that failed as she only wounded him, causing his immediate revenge that carried its way into Deadwood: The Movie. The series was filled with death, but the amount of grief that came through this episode solidified the heart that Deadwood had beyond the foul-mouthed action.Watching young Sofia Metz (Bree Seanna Wall) take her final moments with Ellsworth’s body, something she wasn’t granted to during the pilot, was easily one of the most gut-wrenching scenes because it was a child understanding death for the very first time. This episode easily could have been the season finale.

6

“Something Very Expensive”

Season 2, Episode 6

There were some very mysterious and illusive individuals roaming around Deadwood throughout the series’ run. Though most people kept their intentions out in the open in the lawless camp, it was the arrival of Francis Wolcott (Garret Dillahunt) who took Deadwood by storm. When Wolcott arrived, he served as Heart’s mouthpiece before his presence was physically felt. He was truly a complex and despicable individual. He was a sexually vile human, using the women in camp to satisfy his every fantasy.As someone who was willing to take his secrets to his grave, he was willing to spill blood with anyone who compromised that. After being blackmailed by Cy Tolliver (Powers Boothe), rather than take his rage out on the rival saloon owner, he took aim at the employees at The Chez Amis.

As much as Maddie (Alice Krige) wanted to protect the girls from the monster, she was no match for the vengeful Wolcott. To ensure no more loss came to prostetutes of The Chez Amis, Joanie Stubbs (Kim Dickens) sends the remaining girls away for safety as she turns to Cy to clean up the mess. Women in Deadwood are not always showcased in the best of lights, but its reflection was true to history. This episode exemplified the difficulties women faced on the frontier. Wolcott’s whimsy exposed how disposable the women were. “Something Very Expensive” is a brilliant character study that brought a typical side plot to the forefront.

5

“Jewel’s Boot Is Made for Walking”

Season 1, Episode 11

Deadwood is a tried-and-true ensemble series. There are some characters who rise to the top of the story, but when a less prominent character has their shining moment, you know it’s destined to be important. In Season 1’s “Jewel’s Boot Is Made For Walking,” Deadwood gives Doc Cochran a mission for good. Jewel Caulfield (Geri Jewell), the Gem’s disabled clearing lady, asks Cochran to fit her for a brace for her bad leg. Why? She’s tired of being made a mockery of. Initially fearful of the project, he takes it on, crafting a brace and completely changing Jewel’s life. So much so, the culmination of his success leads to the pair dancing. Women in Deadwood are often portrayed as subservient, but Jewel has always had a certain gumption. Now, her confidence skyrockets, and the men see her for her strength. Those eager to learn about medical marvels in this era will likely rejoice seeing science and history combine.

What helps make this healing moment prominent is the doom occurring around it. Alma’s father comes to town trying to benefit from her claim. Con Stapleton (Peter Jason) becomes de facto sheriff because, at that time, no one wants the position, despite Swearengen knowing the right man for the job is his rival, Seth Bullock. Reverend H.W. Smith (Ray McKinnon) begins to lose his mind. Sol Starr (John Hawkes) and Trixie finally have sex, as Swearengen demands that he pay for it. But it all circles around Jewel. It’s a phenomenal episode that reminds viewers that a great deal can happen during a single slice of life moment.

4

“Here Was a Man”

Season 1, Episode 4

Deadwood played around with historical fiction quite a bit, fudging reality here and there. But the most authentic and most well-known story came in the series’ fourth episode, “Here Was a Man.” Easily the most recognizable name in Deadwood was that of Wild Bill Hickok. Portrayed by the brilliant Keith Carradine, Wild Bill rides into town with his companions, Charlie Utter (Dayton Callie) and Calamity Jane (Robin Weigert). For those history buffs, you might have known the timeline of events would lead to Wild Bill’s death early into the series, but for those who were unaware, yes, Deadwood killed off a major character played by their biggest name four episodes in. All at the hands of Jack McCall, played by Garret Dillahunt in his first Deadwood appearance.

The true-to-life episode was something extraordinary for Milch and his team’s ability to tell this story in such brilliant fashion. There have been other bits of media that have told the Wild Bill story, but none did it service like Deadwood. As we’ve discussed, deaths in Deadwood are often met with seismic aftermaths, but none were as big this early as Hickok’s execution. It officially launched Seth’s hero journey while serving as a reminder that no one is safe in Deadwood. Or on Deadwood, for that matter.

3

“No Other Sons or Daughters”

Season 1, Episode 9

Deadwood was a lawless camp. It was part of its charm. From the outside, at least. Eventually, it would be time to form a coalition of leadership, with the threat of annexation looming. So the leaders of the camp, and those who think they should be, meet up at the Gem to begin the proceedings of creating a government. Until now, there had been a distinction between good and bad in Deadwood, but the community finally comes to fruition when everyone finds themselves on the same page in maintaining the status quo. At first, many leadership roles are assigned to individuals who won’t keep them, as well as, you know, our favorite sheriff starting out as “health commissioner.” But nothing is sweeter than the delusional E.B. Farnum (William Sanderson), the owner of The Grand Central hotel, perking up to offer himself as mayor. The comedy of the moment ensues with the straight-up silence he’s met with.

For those seeking a bit of politics beyond the action, this episode firmly provides that wish. The manner in which the heads of town communicate and interact is quite brilliant, as they are forced to speak to one another in a manner we’ve yet to see. This newfound sense of leadership further develops many of our characters, namely Seth, who initially rejects the desire for a title. Change is coming, and thankfully, Swearengen provided the peaches.

2

“A Lie Agreed Upon (Part 1)”

Season 2, Episode 1

If you have a mild obsession with Timothy Olyphant like I do, you know there are very few actors who can play lawmen quite like the actor. Especially if they have a stellar hat as part of their identity. During his recent Vanity Fair Rewatch video, Olyphant pointed out how a scene in Justified, in which his character, Raylan Givens, and Walton Goggins‘ Boyd Crowder scrumish and smashed through Chief Deputy U.S. Marshall Art Mullen’s (Nick Searcy) office window, was inspired by a moment in Deadwood.Well, it came from this episode. This was that moment. And let’s just say, it’s one of the most iconic moments in the series. With big changes coming to Deadwood, the Season 2 premiere further established the relationship between Seth and Swearengen. After taunting the sheriff for his romantic affair with Alma, Seth is on the attack. The two engage in a violent scrumish where they fight on the balcony of The Gem Saloon, which leads them both tumbling over the railing and into the mud-lined streets. Swearengen nearly kills Seth, but is only stopped when Martha and William arrive, leading to the line of the series: “Welcome to f–ing Deadwood!”

Perhaps one major reason why this episode falls to second on the best list, despite landing in first on the essential list, is because it technically is a two-parter. Symantics, I know. Nevertheless, the ebbs and flows between Seth and Swearengen reach this peak before they suddenly have to let bygones be bygones as Deadwood takes a turn for the modern and everyone’s lives are about to change with the annexation. The episode also serves as a second pilot of sorts as “A Lie Agreed Upon (Part 1)” could be the start of your viewing experience. Lots of new people arrive that cause a unique rehash similar to that of a pilot.

1

“Sold Under Sin”

Season 1, Episode 12

For many Deadwood fans, the top spot is nearly interchangeable. The end of Season 1 and the start of Season 2 are always in the discussion for the best or essential. But best and essential are two different things. While I do consider the Season 2 premiere the most essential episode in show history, I think the Season 1 finale is the best episode in the franchise. Let’s discuss. Season 1 was the jumping off into this universe. It was our first chance to meet our new friends who we’d follow on this extraordinary journey with. But “Sold Under Sin” marked a massive shift for the camp. Thus, it’s our final opportunity to see Deadwood before a new era dawns. By the start of Season 2, major changes are about to embark as the camp evolves into a town and the Dakota Territory is about to be officially annexed.

Aside from the Wild Bill Hickoff episode, this is another glimpse into history while providing an engaging narrative. With the arrival of U.S. soldiers, their presence causes a commotion from a smattering of individuals. Some see them as a source of peacekeeping. Others find them to be the catalyst of change. Seeing who is on what side indicates where they stand in Deadwood’s future and the loyalty to the community.As we eventually see, when new things come into town, the energy shift causes a ripple effect.

Though the series has a brilliant ensemble cast, the focus often lies on Seth and Swearengen. From rivals to allies to finding a mutual understanding of one another and the betterment of Deadwood, this episode marks a massive shift. Seth finds the rage and anger inside him as he only wants what’s best for Deadwood. Swearengen has always had a fondness for the people of town, so when it comes time to put Reverand Smith out of his misery, he does so because he only wants the best for the people of Deadwood. They are diametrically opposed individuals, yet strikingly similar. This episode is a bittersweet episode as change is about to come. If you truly fell in love with Deadwood from its pilot, this episode is truly special.