The range war escalates, leading to a key Dutton’s demise.
Elsewhere, Banner (Jerome Flynn) also reunites with his family.
But their happy moment is cut short by a rampaging elephant that flips Spencer’s car.
Paramount+
On the drive back to camp, they agree it’s time for Spencer to find a new profession.
Back in Bozeman, Jacob and his crew are up early and preparing to return to the ranch.
The latter also sends his cowboys up ahead to ensure the path home is danger-free.
Paramount+
His plan backfires, however, and they’re soon ambushed on the trip back.
Banner has positioned his men along the route and ordered them to open fire on the Dutton family.
Meanwhile, Jacob, Jack, and their wives take shallow cover behind some branches.
Paramount+
And that’s before Banner pulls up in a car and exits with a Tommy gun.
He unloads on Jacob and Jack, riddling them both with bullets.
The cavalry eventually comes in the form of Jacob’s cowboys, who hear the shots from a distance.
When the dust settles, it’s revealed John didn’t survive Banner’s hail of machine gun bullets.
Things aren’t looking much better for Jacob.
He sends one of his nurses to tend to Elizabeth and takes another to help with Jacob.
Jack’s in comparatively good shape, so his care is put on the back burner.
The doctor also orders Cara out of the room.
“Spencer, your brother has been killed.
By the time you receive this letter, I suppose your uncle has been killed as well.
Your nephew has been wounded.
This ranch and your legacy are in peril.
War has descended on this place and your family.
Whatever war you fight within yourself must wait.
You must come home and fight this one. "
