Plague (25 Apr. 2004)

Bullock encounters native resistance in his quest to bring a murderer to justice. Swearengen presses Farnum to keep tabs on Alma and Trixie. After an outbreak of smallpox hits Deadwood, the... See full summary »

Director:

Davis Guggenheim

Writers:

David Milch (creator), Malcolm MacRury

Stars:

Timothy Olyphant, Ian McShane, Molly Parker

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Timothy Olyphant	...	Seth Bullock
Ian McShane	...	Al Swearengen
Molly Parker	...	Alma Garret
Jim Beaver	...	Whitney Ellsworth
Brad Dourif	...	Doc Cochran
John Hawkes	...	Sol Star
Paula Malcomson	...	Trixie
Leon Rippy	...	Tom Nuttall
William Sanderson	...	E.B. Farnum
Robin Weigert	...	Calamity Jane
W. Earl Brown	...	Dan Dority
Dayton Callie	...	Charlie Utter
Powers Boothe	...	Cy Tolliver
Jeffrey Jones	...	A.W. Merrick
Ray McKinnon	...	Reverend H.W. Smith (as Raymond McKinnon)

Storyline

Bullock encounters native resistance in his quest to bring a murderer to justice. Swearengen presses Farnum to keep tabs on Alma and Trixie. After an outbreak of smallpox hits Deadwood, the camp fathers pool their resources to track down the vaccine, and Doc enlists Jane as a nurse. Swearengen proudly collaborates on an article in the Deadwood Pioneer meant to minimize the threat of the outbreak.

---

Plot Keywords:

19th century | title spoken by character

---

Genres:

Crime | Drama | History | Western

---

Certificate:

TV-MA

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 April 2004 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Melody Ranch - 24715 Oak Creek Avenue, Newhall, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Home Box Office (HBO), Red Board Productions, Paramount Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

52 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

After Bullock fights the Indian, he walks away a few steps, and falls over on his left side. When the camera angle changes, he is seen landing on his right side.

---

Quotes

Joanie Stubbs: Do you shoot craps?
Ellsworth: No, I don't - but I'm a lethally quick study.

User Reviews

Unlikely (yet temporary) alliances are formed as smallpox hits Deadwood

On his path towards seeking justice by tracking down the coward Jack McCaul, Seth Bullock is attacked by an Indian but manages to cave his head in with a rock in the ensuing hand-to-hand combat on the deck. He passes out from his injuries, and is later discovered by Charlie Utter who is skipping town. Meanwhile back in camp, Swearengen presses E.P. to keep tabs on the widow Garret and the whore Trixie who has been assigned the task of getting the widow hooked on dope. Trixie has not been obeying her pimp however, and has instructed the weak Widow to play sick and to act high whenever E.B. Farnum is around to 'change the sheets'. The Doc and Swearengen approach Cy Tolliver about the smallpox his crowd have brought to the camp (it was earlier feared to be syphilis). Tolliver, Swearengen, the Doc and Mr. Merrick - the editor of the Deadwood Pioneer, come together and combine their resources to track down and buy some vaccine to cure the many people who are dropping down sick from smallpox. Doc sets up an aid station for the sick, and enlists the help of a drunken Calamity Jane to help him. Tolliver and Swearengen help Merrick construct an article for the Deadwood Pioneer, ensuring people that help is on the way and that the rider with the vaccine should be here any day now. The Reverand has another fit, and the Doc sees to him. Bullock and Utter bury the fallen Indian, and the episode ends with Swearengen proudly reading the article he helped construct. "Plague" is yet another flawless, superbly made episode with the usual gritty dialogue and fast-paced, neatly constructed scenes.