Ep 10. The Gunfighter

At the beginning of the episode, Jim Hardie, the Wells Fargo agent, arrives at his next location, the small town of Deadwood, South Dakota, to deliver payroll for a nearby mine. Upon arrival, he meets a young boy named Tommy, who has such a fascination with guns that Jim offers to take him to a shooting range for some target practice.

Things take a turn when a notorious gunfighter, Wes Dawes, comes to town and challenges anyone to a shootout, which Tommy eagerly accepts. Jim steps in and offers to take Tommy's place, hoping to prevent a tragedy and protect the young boy's innocence.

As the two men prepare for the showdown, tensions rise in the town as many residents worry about Jim's safety. Meanwhile, Dawes' drunken and reckless behavior makes him all the more dangerous. Jim's boss back at Wells Fargo is also on edge, as the whole situation threatens to tarnish the company's reputation.

The day of the duel finally arrives and the tension is palpable. As the two men begin to draw their guns, the whole town watches in suspense. Jim is the quicker draw, but Dawes manages to get a shot off and Jim collapses. The town is in shock, believing Jim to be dead.

In truth, Jim is still alive but seriously wounded. While he is recovering, the Wells Fargo office receives a letter from a woman claiming to be Dawes' long-lost sister. She explains that Dawes was raised in a violent and abusive household, which led him to develop a hatred of authority and a thirst for power.

Moved by the letter, Jim decides to track down Dawes and convince him to turn himself in. He finds Dawes in a nearby town and the two men have a heart-to-heart conversation about their pasts and their beliefs. Eventually, Jim convinces Dawes to accept responsibility for his actions and surrender to the authorities.

The episode ends with Jim returning to Deadwood, now hailed as a hero for his bravery and dedication to justice. Tommy thanks him for saving his life and Jim reflects on the importance of protecting the innocent and standing up against violence and injustice.