Just when you thought you had it all worked out, 1923 Season 2 Episode 4, “Journey the Rivers of Iron,” throws in another huge twist that puts the Dutton family tree into question once again. (Warning: major spoilers ahead!)
Did Taylor Sheridan just trick us all? Quite possibly. The newest episode of the Yellowstone prequel series 1923 has just thrown a big twist into the mix, and it all has to do with Liz.
Things are getting pretty dire in the Western series. Alex gets attacked in Grand Central Station, Spencer is pulled over by the police, and Zane has to go through a traumatic procedure.
But there’s hope too, and the Dutton’s legacy is about to unfold before their very eyes.
Donald Whitfield’s plan is revealed in 1923 Season 2 Episode 4
The episode begins with Donald Whitfield schmoozing a group of other wealthy men, dressed in suits and laughing with each other over dinner.
He then pitches a new idea: travel. He supposes that as free time becomes more popular, tourism will become a trend, and he wants to turn Montana into a hot new destination. (By doing this, he’s essentially kickstarting the century-long battle the Duttons will face against tourism developers.)
He wants to pave a road through Paradise Valley in Yellowstone, which would allow people to travel to his other idea: a winter park resort. He believes the state will pay for the infrastructure because of how much money it will bring in.
Needless to say, his rich buddies are all in.
Meanwhile, over at Grand Central, Alex’s train is getting ready to depart. However, she’s suddenly attacked in the ladies’ bathroom by a man demanding her cash. He takes it from her, punching her in the face when she tries to fight back. He also empties her bags and steals the diamond bracelet from her wrist.
She almost misses her train, but just barely makes it by sprinting down the platform and jumping on board the moving carriage. Finally, she’s on her way to Billings.
Liz is pregnant once again
Back at the ranch, the family is trying to rebuild some of the winter’s damage. Jacob and Jack are also building a platform for the doctor to use for his surgery on Zane. It’s time to get to work, and the procedure without anaesthesia or proper equipment is gruelling and uncertain.
Things get worse when Zane suddenly awakens midway through, though Jacob manages to calm him down just enough for the doctor to finish. Thankfully, it seems to have worked.
But things aren’t good between Liz and Jack, since she’s still intent on leaving once the snow clears. When Jack tries to get close to her, she brushes him off.
In an attempt to help, Jacob decides he’ll try to talk some sense into Liz. He manages to get Liz to understand how much the ranch means to the family, and how Jack feels as though he doesn’t have a choice in staying to run it. He doesn’t try to get her to stay, but rather, tells her he hopes she’ll come back in the summer.
Things seem okay, but drama strikes when Liz gives herself her next shot and is hit with a wave of pain. Cara brings up the doctor, and he discovers that Liz is pregnant. (Again! Perhaps Alex isn’t John Dutton III’s grandmother after all.) Finally, some good news! The family then rejoices as Liz shares the news with Jack.
Spencer gets captured by the law
Spencer is on his journey home by foot when he’s suddenly followed by a police officer. Suspicious, the officer gives him a ride in his car (though it’s not a request). He seems friendly at first, but then its revealed that he knows Spencer was in the car with Luca the day previously.
He drives him into a secluded part of the woods, where the old fish truck is now sitting, surrounded by men with guns. Spencer insists her wasn’t part of the bootlegging operation by choice.
The officer gives him two options: finish delivering the whiskey so they can find out who the buyer is, or go to jail. Seeing no choice, Spencer agrees to continue the journey to Fort Worth.
They arrive not long after to a strange scene. The Temperance Society have tarred and feathered a sex worker and are parading her down the middle of the street. But Spencer drives on, finding the drop-off point for the whiskey with another officer alongside him, keeping an eye on things.
However, Luca’s cousin quickly recognizes that something’s wrong, and a shootout soon begins with Spencer trapped right in the middle of it. After freeing himself from the handcuffs on the driving wheel, he makes an escape. (But not before also freeing the woman being paraded through town.)
Much like Alex earlier, he runs into the train yard and jumps aboard a passing train. Though he’s not safe there either, and finds he’s sharing a carriage with a man who calls himself the “Tax Collector,” who looks like he may try to hurt or steal from Spencer.
The origins of the Train Station are revealed
Banner once again has to convince his wife that his new work is worth their new lifestyle. Clearly she doesn’t trust Whitfield, and encourages Banner to take him down as soon as he’s able to secure their future. Later, Banner visits Whitfield himself with good news about his “army” he’s requested.
Now, here comes the twist: Whitefield tells Banner about a spot between the border that’s exempt from the law. That’s right – he came up with the Train Station!
There’s not much time to ruminate on this, however, since the men are interrupted when Whitfield’s lover comes in to tell them she’s accidently killed the hostage they’ve been keeping for sex games. A disturbed Banner is then instructed to take her body to the Train Station for “practice.”
Meanwhile, Teonna, Runs His Horse, and Pete wait for the cowboys to arrive that morning. They help them transport the cattle across the river, which earns them the right to camp on the land. The rancher is impressed with their efforts, since they clearly have a talent for it.
Later, while eating with the cowboys, Teonna spots a wanted poster with her face on it. Runs His Horse also finds one, and it turns out, they’re everywhere. It’s getting increasingly harder to hide.
On the train, Spencer struggles to stay awake and protect himself. Eventually he falls asleep, and the Tax Collector and his crew try to steal his gun. But he wakes up just in time and fights back, killing the two men and knocking out the girl.
Deciding he’s gone far enough, he jumps from the train. As he begins to walk, there’s no telling where he is or how far he still has to go to get back home.
1923 Season 2 Episode 4 is now available on Paramount+.
For more, check out the full 1923 release schedule and see what’s happening with 1944. You can also check out all the best TV shows to watch if you love Taylor Sheridan.
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