Ep 7. Bullock Returns to the Camp

Deadwood season 1 episode 7, titled "Bullock Returns to the Camp," marks the return of Seth Bullock to the camp after being away for several weeks. The episode opens with Bullock arriving back in Deadwood and immediately getting into an altercation with his business partner, Sol Star. The two had planned to open a hardware store in the camp, but Bullock feels that Star has taken advantage of his absence to make some questionable decisions.

Meanwhile, rumors continue to spread through the camp about a possible gold strike in the nearby hills. Everyone is eager to cash in on the potential fortune, but tensions are also high as everyone tries to protect their claim to the land. Al Swearengen, the owner of the Gem Saloon and an influential figure in the camp, is especially interested in the rumor and enlists the help of his associate, Dan, to scope out the area.

As Bullock settles back into camp life, he discovers that his old flame, Alma Garret, is still in Deadwood and has been struggling to manage her late husband's mining operations. Despite her initial reluctance to accept his help, Bullock becomes determined to assist Alma and restore her business to profitability. Along the way, he must confront his complicated feelings for her and navigate the complexities of Deadwood's social hierarchy.

Other subplots in the episode include the ongoing tension between Swearengen and his rival saloon owner, Cy Tolliver, and Doc Cochran's attempts to treat a young boy who has fallen ill with smallpox. The disease proves to be a major threat to the camp, and Cochran works tirelessly to contain the outbreak and prevent it from spreading.

Overall, "Bullock Returns to the Camp" is a pivotal episode in the first season of Deadwood. It brings together several of the show's key characters and explores their relationships and motivations in depth. The intrigue and drama of the episode leave the viewer eagerly anticipating what will happen next in this wild and lawless frontier town.