Drought, locusts, sheep herders, and even African wildlife threaten the Dutton clan.
Taylor Sheridan’slatestYellowstonespin-off/prequel wastes no time putting a shotgun in one of its high-profile star’s hands.
Ford’s weathered character is surveying a land plagued by locusts and drought.
Harrison Ford as Jacob Dutton and Jerome Flynn as Banner Creighton.Emerson Miller/Paramount+
This has lead to an escalating “ranch war,” resulting in trespassing sheep slaughtered by cowboys.
Outside, after the meeting, Jacob and Banner get into a scuffle over the matter.
She even suggests he marry a cow instead and christen the union when they reach the mountaintop.
Harrison Ford as Jacob Dutton and James Badge Dale as John Dutton Sr.Emerson Miller/Paramount+
Late that evening, we catch up with Banner, who clearly hasn’t learned his lesson.
He and his massive herd come upon a fence blockading some fertile ground.
During a graphic nightmare of his time in World War I, he’s awakened by an attendant.
Helen Mirren as Cara Dutton and Brian Geraghty as Zane.Emerson Miller/Paramount+
He re-actively pulls his gun on her, but quickly apologizes and pays her for the trouble.
Between this mysterious hunter’s exploits and Jacob’s ranch war woes,1923takes a lengthy, seemingly disconnected narrative detour.
Jack goes on ahead and spots the grazing sheep that were let in by Banner.
Helen Mirren as Cara Dutton.Emerson Miller/Paramount+
A man on horseback, watching the herd, raises his rifle and takes a shot at Jack.
But the episode cuts back to the ranch, leaving us wondering where the bullet landed.
But here’s the real kicker.
Shortly before this unfolds, we learn the man’s identity via a letter Cara is penning to him.
Aside from John Sutton Sr., Spencer is the only surviving member of1883’s Montana-settling clan.
