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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!

Binge this in 1d 7h•Peaking at 9.1/10

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
    9.1/10(2671 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 3 Episode 5 - A Two-Headed Beast
    9.0/10(1932 votes)

    #2 - 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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  3. Deadwood Season 2 Episode 12 - Boy the Earth Talks To
    8.9/10(1986 votes)

    #3 - 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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  4. Deadwood Season 3 Episode 11 - The Catbird Seat
    8.9/10(1727 votes)

    #4 - The Catbird Seat

    S3:E11

    Another attack is made at Hearst's behest, Harry and Bullock travel to Sturgis for campaigning, and there's unrest in Langrishe's troupe.

    Director:Gregg Fienberg
    Writer:Bernadette McNamara

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  5. Deadwood Season 1 Episode 4 - Here Was a Man
    8.8/10(2777 votes)

    #5 - 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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  6. Deadwood Season 1 Episode 10 - Mister Wu
    8.6/10(2343 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)
    8.6/10(2198 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
    8.6/10(1840 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 3 Episode 10 - A Constant Throb
    8.6/10(1660 votes)

    #9 - A Constant Throb

    S3:E10

    Swearengen is spurred to action when a prominent camp member is attacked, Langrishe makes arrangements for his theater, and Jane has an epiphany.

    Director:Mark Tinker
    Writer:W. Earl Brown

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  10. Deadwood Season 2 Episode 6 - Something Very Expensive
    8.5/10(1884 votes)

    #10 - 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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  11. Deadwood Season 3 Episode 2 - I Am Not the Man You Take Me For
    8.4/10(1714 votes)

    #11 - 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:Regina Corrado, David Milch

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  12. Deadwood Season 3 Episode 12 - Tell Him Something Pretty
    8.4/10(1854 votes)

    #12 - 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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  13. Deadwood Season 1 Episode 11 - Jewel's Boot Is Made for Walking
    8.3/10(2207 votes)

    #13 - 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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  14. Deadwood Season 2 Episode 7 - E.B. Was Left Out
    8.3/10(1823 votes)

    #14 - 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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  15. Deadwood Season 2 Episode 11 - The Whores Can Come
    8.3/10(1763 votes)

    #15 - The Whores Can Come

    S2:E11

    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.

    Directors:Gregg Fienberg, Ed Bianchi
    Writers:David Milch, Bryan McDonald

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  16. Deadwood Season 3 Episode 1 - Tell Your God to Ready for Blood
    8.3/10(1769 votes)

    #16 - 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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  17. Deadwood Season 1 Episode 1 - Deadwood
    8.2/10(3709 votes)

    #17 - Deadwood

    S1:E1

    Former Montana marshal Seth Bullock starts a hardware business for miners, and the arrival of Wild Bill Hickok creates a stir. Meanwhile, a corrupt saloon owner brokers a land claim for a wealthy New Yorker.

    Director:Walter Hill
    Writer:David Milch

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  18. Deadwood Season 1 Episode 2 - Deep Water
    8.2/10(2853 votes)

    #18 - Deep Water

    S1:E2

    Calamity Jane helps Doc protect a young girl who survived a recent massacre. New Yorker Brom Garret realizes he may not be cut out for prospecting. Dan mulls over a difficult order from Al Swearengen.

    Director:Davis Guggenheim
    Writer:Malcolm MacRury

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  19. Deadwood Season 1 Episode 8 - Suffer the Little Children
    8.2/10(2502 votes)

    #19 - Suffer the Little Children

    S1:E8

    A much-needed vaccine arrives in Deadwood. There are rumblings of a treaty with the Sioux. Swearengen is reluctant to accept advice from Farnum while Trixie is away. Alma reconsiders her plans for her gold claim. Stubbs learns an important lesson from Tolliver.

    Director:Daniel Minahan
    Writer:Elizabeth Sarnoff

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  20. Deadwood Season 2 Episode 2 - A Lie Agreed Upon (2)
    8.2/10(2007 votes)

    #20 - 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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  21. Deadwood Season 2 Episode 4 - Requiem for a Gleet
    8.2/10(1932 votes)

    #21 - 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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  22. Deadwood Season 2 Episode 10 - Advances, None Miraculous
    8.2/10(1780 votes)

    #22 - 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:Daniel Minahan, Gregg Fienberg
    Writer:Sara Hess

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  23. Deadwood Season 3 Episode 9 - Amateur Night
    8.2/10(1630 votes)

    #23 - 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:Nick Towne, David Milch, Zack Whedon

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  24. Deadwood Season 1 Episode 3 - Reconnoitering the Rim
    8.1/10(2655 votes)

    #24 - 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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  25. Deadwood Season 1 Episode 6 - Plague
    8.1/10(2360 votes)

    #25 - Plague

    S1:E6

    Bullock's form of vigilante justice meets resistance from the locals. The town fathers band together to fight an epidemic. Farnum reluctantly agrees to keep an eye on Alma and Trixie. Swearengen adds journalist to his colorful résumé.

    Director:Davis Guggenheim
    Writer:Malcolm MacRury

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Best Episodes Summary

"Sold Under Sin" is the best rated episode of "Deadwood". It scored 9.1/10 based on 2671 votes. Directed by Davis Guggenheim and written by Ted Mann, it aired on 6/13/2004. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "A Two-Headed Beast".