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The Best Episodes of Deadwood

Every episode of Deadwood ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Deadwood!

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The story of the early days of Deadwood, South Dakota; woven around actual historic events with most of the main characters based on real people. Deadwood starts as a gold mining camp and gradually turns

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Deadwood Season 1 Episode 12 - Sold Under Sin
    8.6/10(22 votes)

    #1 - Sold Under Sin

    S1:E12

    In the first-season finale, Farnum and Tolliver take advantage of the arrival of a U.S. Army general. Adams teaches Clagett a thing or two about loyalty. Bullock reacts when Alma's father states his intentions regarding her claim.

    Director:Davis Guggenheim
    Writer:Ted Mann

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  2. Deadwood Season 2 Episode 12 - Boy the Earth Talks To
    8.4/10(19 votes)

    #2 - Boy the Earth Talks To

    S2:E12

    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.

    Director:Ed Bianchi
    Writers:Ted Mann, David Milch

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  3. Deadwood Season 3 Episode 5 - A Two-Headed Beast
    8.4/10(18 votes)

    #3 - A Two-Headed Beast

    S3:E5

    Tolliver looks for a representative, the Captain calls Dan out, Swearengen continues to be perplexed by Hearst's moves, and Alma and Ellsworth's relationship takes a turn.

    Director:Daniel Minahan
    Writer:David Milch

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  4. Deadwood Season 1 Episode 4 - Here Was a Man
    8.3/10(29 votes)

    #4 - Here Was a Man

    S1:E4

    Alma asks Hickok to investigate the tragic fallout of her husband's gold claim purchase. McCall plots revenge after being humiliated at poker. Charlie Utter departs camp for Cheyenne. Doc Cochran makes a house call to the Bella Union.

    Director:Alan Taylor
    Writer:Elizabeth Sarnoff

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  5. Deadwood Season 2 Episode 6 - Something Very Expensive
    8.3/10(19 votes)

    #5 - Something Very Expensive

    S2:E6

    Merrick gives a schoolteacher a tour of the camp. An influx of Chinese labor enters the workforce. Swearengen is finally able to honor appointments. Alma suggests the idea of a bank; and Bullock insults the owner of a gold claim.

    Director:Steve Shill
    Writer:Steve Shill

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  6. Deadwood Season 1 Episode 10 - Mister Wu
    8.2/10(24 votes)

    #6 - Mister Wu

    S1:E10

    Swearengen receives a double dose of irritation when a drug supply is stolen and bad news arrives from a nearby town. Rev. Smith is an unlikely customer at the Gem. Merrick hatches an idea for Deadwood's first club.

    Director:Daniel Minahan
    Writer:Bryan McDonald

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Deadwood

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  7. Deadwood Season 2 Episode 1 - A Lie Agreed Upon (1)
    8.2/10(21 votes)

    #7 - A Lie Agreed Upon (1)

    S2:E1

    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.

    Director:Ed Bianchi
    Writer:David Milch

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  8. Deadwood Season 2 Episode 9 - Amalgamation and Capital
    8.2/10(19 votes)

    #8 - Amalgamation and Capital

    S2:E9

    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.

    Director:Ed Bianchi
    Writer:Elizabeth Sarnoff

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  9. Deadwood Season 2 Episode 4 - Requiem for a Gleet
    8.1/10(19 votes)

    #9 - Requiem for a Gleet

    S2:E4

    Alma fires Miss Isringhausen as her ward's tutor. Bullock struggles with domestic life. Cochran suggests a risky surgical procedure for an ailing Swearengen. Dority deals with a former associate's robbery proposal.

    Director:Alan Taylor
    Writer:Ted Mann

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  10. Deadwood Season 2 Episode 5 - Complications
    8.1/10(18 votes)

    #10 - Complications

    S2:E5

    Doc Cochran advises Dan and Johnny how to help Swearengen's recovery. Thriving business at a new brothel leads to a startling discovery by Tolliver. Merrick gets a scoop from Yankton about gold claims. Bullock's badge comes in handy for Commissioner Jarry.

    Director:Gregg Fienberg
    Writer:Victoria Morrow

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  11. Deadwood Season 2 Episode 7 - E.B. Was Left Out
    8.1/10(18 votes)

    #11 - E.B. Was Left Out

    S2:E7

    Alma and Bullock discuss the camp's financial future. Swearengen shares news about an important visitor. Wolcott seeks to make a deal with Utter involving Wild Bill Hickok's last letter. Tolliver relies on Lee's expertise.

    Director:Michael Almereyda
    Writer:Jody Worth

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  12. Deadwood Season 3 Episode 1 - Tell Your God To Ready For Blood
    8.1/10(17 votes)

    #12 - Tell Your God To Ready For Blood

    S3:E1

    Elections are just days away, and Bullock lets his temper get away from him. Alma's pregnancy is not progressing as expected, and Swearengen baits Hearst.

    Director:Mark Tinker
    Writers:Ted Mann, David Milch

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  13. Deadwood Season 3 Episode 3 - True Colors
    8.1/10(18 votes)

    #13 - True Colors

    S3:E3

    A dandy arrives by stage coach and immediately begins exploring how to bring culture to the camp, Alma and Hearst negotiate business, and Hearst's Aunt Lou comes to camp.

    Director:Gregg Fienberg
    Writers:Ted Mann, David Milch, Regina Corrado

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  14. Deadwood Season 2 Episode 2 - A Lie Agreed Upon (2)
    8.0/10(20 votes)

    #14 - A Lie Agreed Upon (2)

    S2:E2

    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.

    Director:Ed Bianchi
    Writer:Jody Worth

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  15. Deadwood Season 3 Episode 4 - Full Faith and Credit
    8.0/10(18 votes)

    #15 - Full Faith and Credit

    S3:E4

    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.

    Director:Ed Bianchi
    Writers:Ted Mann, David Milch

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  16. Deadwood Season 1 Episode 3 - Reconnoitering the Rim
    7.9/10(28 votes)

    #16 - Reconnoitering the Rim

    S1:E3

    Believing he's been duped, Brom Garret threatens to call the Pinkertons on Swearengen. Star and Bullock finally reach a deal on their hardware-store property. A new gambling outfit arrives from Chicago.

    Director:Davis Guggenheim
    Writer:Jody Worth

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  17. Deadwood Season 1 Episode 11 - Jewel's Boot Is Made For Walking
    7.9/10(22 votes)

    #17 - Jewel's Boot Is Made For Walking

    S1:E11

    Adams helps Swearengen out of a jam. Jewel seeks out Doc for treatment. Leon and Eddie go back to work for Cy. Alma's father arrives from New York. The camp's choice for a sheriff doesn't please Bullock.

    Director:Steve Shill
    Writer:Ricky Jay

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  18. Deadwood Season 2 Episode 10 - Advances, None Miraculous
    7.9/10(18 votes)

    #18 - Advances, None Miraculous

    S2:E10

    Cochran's ominous prognosis puts the camp on alert. Smallpox survivor Andy Cramed returns as a minister. Swearengen asks an unlikely pair to pull a scam on Commissioner Jarry. Martha Bullock has second thoughts about staying in Deadwood.

    Directors:Gregg Fienberg, Daniel Minahan
    Writer:Sara Hess

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  19. Deadwood Season 3 Episode 2 - I Am Not The Man You Take Me For
    7.9/10(18 votes)

    #19 - I Am Not The Man You Take Me For

    S3:E2

    Campaign speeches are rescheduled, Sol makes an investment, Alma's condition worsens, and Hearst starts a deadly game with Swearengen.

    Director:Dan Attias
    Writers:David Milch, Regina Corrado

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  20. Deadwood Season 3 Episode 6 - A Rich Find
    7.9/10(17 votes)

    #20 - A Rich Find

    S3:E6

    Hearst's feathers are ruffled, Aunt Lou's son comes to town, and Bullock and Swearengen make a decision.

    Director:Tim Hunter
    Writer:Alix Lambert

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  21. Deadwood Season 3 Episode 9 - Amateur Night
    7.9/10(16 votes)

    #21 - Amateur Night

    S3:E9

    An Amateur Night is organized by the new theater troupe, Pinkertons hit town, the students move to their new school, and Hearst makes another move regarding the elections.

    Director:Adam Davidson
    Writers:Zack Whedon, Nick Towne, David Milch

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  22. Deadwood Season 2 Episode 3 - New Money
    7.8/10(18 votes)

    #22 - New Money

    S2:E3

    Swearengen's deteriorating health worries his employees. Alma ponders a real-estate move after surveying her operation. A mining-company agent makes his presence known. Maddie lets Joanie in on a secret about their first client.

    Director:Steve Shill
    Writer:Elizabeth Sarnoff

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  23. Deadwood Season 2 Episode 8 - Childish Things
    7.8/10(18 votes)

    #23 - Childish Things

    S2:E8

    Wolcott reports his gold-claim acquisitions to his employer, George Hearst, and Nuttall shows off his new bicycle. Meanwhile, Miss Isringhausen reaches an agreement with Swearengen, who also meets with Bullock to discuss alternatives to annexation.

    Director:Tim Van Patten
    Writer:Regina Corrado

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  24. Deadwood Season 3 Episode 7 - Unauthorized Cinnamon
    7.8/10(17 votes)

    #24 - Unauthorized Cinnamon

    S3:E7

    A meeting of the elders occurs with surprising results, Doc's absence is noted by Swearengen, Alma battles her addiction, and Sol offers Trixie something she never expected.

    Director:Mark Tinker
    Writer:Mark Tinker

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  25. Deadwood Season 3 Episode 12 - Tell Him Something Pretty
    7.7/10(15 votes)

    #25 - Tell Him Something Pretty

    S3:E12

    Election day arrives, Hearst has his revenge, Sol and Trixie have it out, and Tolliver releases rage at his impotence.

    Director:Mark Tinker
    Writer:Ted Mann

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Best Episodes Summary

"Sold Under Sin" is the best rated episode of "Deadwood". It scored 8.6/10 based on 22 votes. Directed by Davis Guggenheim and written by Ted Mann, it aired on 6/13/2004. This episode scored 0.2 points higher than the second highest rated, "Boy the Earth Talks To".