Meanwhile, Shea (Sam Elliott), Thomas (LaMonica Garrett) and James Dutton (Tim McGraw) investigate a ransacked Indian campground. They discover all the women and children have been murdered and their horses stolen. The three also realize that their tracks will make it appear as if they are the ones who are the thieves and murderers.
What happens this week on 1883?
The trio decides they must hunt down the real killers and separate from the wagon train in their search. With no experienced gunmen to protect the remaining settlers, Cookie (James Jordan) decides he’s going to make a break for the fort and most of the caravan follows. With no other options, Margaret (Faith Hill), Elsa (Isabel May) and John (Audie Rick) follow but before they do, Elsa changes out of her Indian garments into her respectful and proper Western dress at the forceful request of her mother. With Cookie leading the way in unfamiliar territory, the caravan is soon ambushed by Indians, who believe those in the caravan are responsible for the deaths of their wives and children. They set fire to Cookie’s wagon and kill him. Upon seeing Elsa, the Indians lay chase as she heads back to the caravan. If Cookie also looks a bit familiar then you probably recognize him from Yellowstone where he played Livestock Agent Steve Hendon or from Mayor of Kingstown where he played Ed, one of the corrupt prison guards. Elsa is able to defend herself for a short while, killing several attackers but then is shot in the gut with an arrow, clipping her liver. She is spared any more bloodshed when she speaks a few Comanche words that Sam (Martin Sensmeier) had taught her. But the damage is done. Margaret and Wade (James Landry Hébert) remove the arrow from Elsa and the crippled caravan slowly heads toward the fort in need of doctors and medicines for the injured. Upon seeing the dirty arrowhead, James is certain Elsa will die from her injuries and tells Margaret as much.
Does Elsa die on 1883?
After surviving raging rivers, tornadoes, cattle thieves and having her heart broken when her first love was killed, will Elsa ever make it to the end of the trail or return to Sam? Her death seems to be foreshadowed in the first episode as we saw the melee with the Indians in the opening sequence of the series. During this scene in the first episode, Elsa says, “If this is hell and I’m in it then I must be a demon too. And I’m already dead.” Will her death be the catalyst for the Duttons to settle in Montana, eventually owning the largest ranch in the U.S.? It’s unclear whether Elsa will die by the end of the first season or if she will make a miraculous recovery. One would think she will survive as her character also serves as the narrator for the series, but perhaps young John Dutton Sr. (Audie Rick) or another Dutton will take over if she does. While next week’s episode was originally meant to be the season finale, Paramount+ announced that there would be additional episodes of 1883 beyond the initial slate of 10. How many more episodes and when they will air has not been determined. Production wrapped in late January so we probably won’t see the additional episodes until summer at the earliest. The show garnered the streamer’s highest original series premiere and with all the other Taylor Sheridan shows filming or in development, there’s more than a good chance that 1883 will return for season 2. Additionally, Paramount+ announced a new Yellowstone prequel series, 1932, which will likely premiere sometime in 2023. 1932 will take place during another time of US expansion. We’ll see how the Duttons deal with the Great Depression and Prohibition. John Dutton Sr. (currently played by Audie Rick on 1883) will be in his early 50s in this series and likely a father or even a grandfather at this stage in his life. New episodes of 1883 premiere on Sundays on Paramount+. Get a free month of Paramount+ (new subscribers only) with the code “1883”. Next: It’s Official! Season 5 of Yellowstone is happening!
