Boxing The Devil – The show begins with the wagon train moving west towards Doan’s Crossing. Elsa Dutton (Isabel May) is distraught over the loss of her first love, Ennis (Eric Nelsen). In narration, Elsa tells how her mother promises the pain will go away. She describes herself as “shattered.” As Captain Shea Brennan (Sam Elliott) looks over the horizon, Thomas (LaMonica Garrett) suggests trying to convince a cook and cowboy working with another outfit to join them. Shea warns him that it would be more dangerous than stealing their cattle. He has no interest in getting involved in a gunfight, promising to hire a cook and cowboy near Doan’s. He turns his attention to James Dutton (Tim McGraw), asking about Elsa. He responds, saying she is as expected.

The wagon train stop for lunch. While lying in the back of a wagon, Elsa reaches her hand down her pants, pulling it back covered in blood. Margaret Dutton (Faith Hill) asks if she wants to eat as she steps out of the wagon. She needs some privacy to take care of her menstrual cycle needs. She narrates about death, how it causes acute pain and what purpose it serves.

Shea joins Elsa at a gravesite, telling her he knows what she is going through. He thought at times, he didn’t want to live if they weren’t by his side. Most days, he still feels that way but continues living. She asks why. He says you have a family who loves you, I don’t. Sniffling, his reason for still breathing is the ocean. He tells her a story from an Apache scout. Two people who love each other have a piece of the other’s soul. When one dies, a piece of the other’s soul dies as well. Wade can see the world through her eyes because she still holds a piece of him inside her. He will sit on the beach, so his wife can see the ocean. It was his wife’s dream to see the ocean. He tries to convince her to return to the herd. She returns to the camp for her horse when she runs into Margaret who asks where she is going. She informs her, she is returning to work.

The wagon train reaches Doan’s Crossing. James orders Elsa to hold the herd.

Noemi (Gratiela Brancusi) runs into Thomas as she heads to the traders. He warns her about thieves, offering to do it himself. She wants to sell her husband’s things. He promises to sell them except for the rifle, which he believes she will need later. When she admits to not knowing how to shoot, he promises to teach her before riding away.

Margaret tells James she wants some cow’s milk. He warns her it will spoil. He says grab some coffee too. She asks him to take their son, John Dutton Sr. (Audie Rick), so she can have a little time with Elsa. He places John on his horse while warning Margaret about swindling traders. Elsa is watching the herd when Margaret approaches. She convinces her to ride to the trading post before alerting Wade (James Landry Hebert) they are heading out. Wade tells her he would like to have a chocolate bar if they have one. She laughs, agreeing to buy him one.

The locals gawk at Margaret and Elsa as they ride into the trading post. Staring at one of the men, Elsa says, “What.” He responds by telling her it is a free country you don’t mind it. She angrily says I mind it. He asks, what are you going to do it. She pulls her gun, pointing it directly at him.

James and John are shopping at the trading post when Margaret yells for him. The man asks her is she going to shoot him, pulling his own gun. They argue back and forth until James approaches the man from behind, placing the tip of his gun on his forehead. The man quickly puts his gun away, saying they are heading to Fort Worth. James agrees with their decision. James takes her gun, suggesting she never point it unless she planned to use it. She says I was going to use it. James orders her to return to the camp. As Margaret enters the general store, Carolyn (Rita Wilson) speaks of Elsa’s short fuse. She says some cowgirls are ranker than cowboys like they don’t have a mother. Margaret immediately admits to being Elsa’s mother. Carolyn takes a deep breath, asking Margaret if she would like a lemonade. She refuses the offer but accepts a whiskey punch.

Margaret places the gold glass to her face before apologizing between a few sniffles. As Elsa joins the herd, Wade asks how her trip was. She admits it was not worth going. He says the stars, ground, open country, and a good horse is all a cowboy and cowgirl need.

Thomas tells Cookie (James Jordan) that the wagon train is headed to Oregon. He asks Thomas how he is supposed to get back home. Thomas suggests the train will take him anywhere he wants to go. Cookie questions why the immigrants can’t cook for themselves. Thomas says they can’t do much of anything. He tells him the direction they plan to take to get to Oregon. Cookie warns him, the wagon train won’t beat the winter. Thomas disagrees, asking what else he has to do. Cookie agrees to cook for the wagon train for $150 per month and his passage home. It will cost about $600 to buy supplies. Thomas is stunned, questioning why so much. He warns him about the dangers of Abilene. Thomas pulls the money out of his hat, giving it to Cookie.

Margaret is enjoying a bit of time with Carolyn who tells her about the plans to buy a school. Cookie enters the general store, looking for Carolyn. He calls her name, saying I need to load up. She tells him to write it down.

Thomas sells Neomi’s husband’s things to a local trader for $35. He admires a stylish mirror, describing it as “pretty.” The trader says its origin is France. Thomas asks, what are you doing with it. He says when you don’t have food, you trade for it. Thomas buys the mirror for $35.

Shea talks to Colton (Noah Le Gros) who questions if he is taking all the immigrants to Oregon. Shea describes the immigrants as “a work in progress.” Colton warns him about bandits around Wyoming. He hesitates to take the job until he sees Elsa. Before signing up, he asks about the food. Shea tells him, the food will be the same if Cookie agrees to work for them. Colton approaches Wade to ask about his previous job with Swenson. Colton admits to losing his wallet in Abilene. Wade tells Colton about Ennis and how Elsa shot his killer. He shrugs off Wade’s warning before approaching Elsa. She refuses to greet him, looking away. When he tells her, Ennis was his friend, she looks in his direction. He apologizes for her loss, saying Ennis was a good hand.

James warns Elsa if she looks for trouble, she will find it. She says I wasn’t looking for anything, but it found me. Shea approaches to talk to James about the river. James asks about Margaret. Elsa says she has never returned to camp. James and Shea ride into the trading post, where they spot Margaret’s horse. He looks in the general store to find it empty. When he walks behind the general store, he finds a drunken Carolyn and Margaret. They laugh at him when he says I have to go check the river. She agrees to stay put, laughing so hard she falls out of her chair.

Thomas, Shea, and James are stunned to see the river so high. James suggests they take the cattle over first, followed by one wagon at a time, which will take all day. He advises against letting the immigrants do it. Thomas asks how they are supposed to get the immigrants across the river. He points to a couple of wooden boats lying on the shore. Thomas says that will take all day too. Shea isn’t happy, as he believes the wagon train should be in Kansas already. He recommends the immigrants learn how to do things themselves. James says the only thing they will learn crossing the river is to die before walking away. Thomas agrees with James but will do whatever Shea wants to. Shea admits his anger is contributed to James being right.

When James returns for Margaret, she is passed out. He picks up her things, leading her back on a horse. She breaks down, warning him they are losing their daughter. When Elsa looks at her, she doesn’t know who it is, promising to never forgive him. He admits to not forgiving himself either.

Elsa watches the herd when James approaches. She says you didn’t see the way the man was looking at me, but it wouldn’t matter because men don’t understand it. James tells her about the first person he killed was a young boy. He describes the purpose of flag bearers, so soldiers know to stay with their troops. During a war, the dust, fog, and smoke cause poor visibility. Differentiating the enemy from your man is difficult, but the flags are always visible. The flag bearers are the first to be shot, which is exactly what he did. He still sees the boy looking at him. By the end of the war, he kills so many men that he forgot what the boy looked like. He tells her the man she killed was already dead, assuring her she didn’t kill anyone. He suggests she leave the hating to him.

Thomas meets with Noemi to tell her about the $35 from her husband’s things. He describes it as far. She offers him some stew. He grabs a bow, pouring himself some soup. She tells him about killing a rabbit with her husband’s shotgun. He says it doesn’t taste like rabbit. She admits to mixing the rabbit with rattlesnake. He gives her the mirror from the trader. She asks why he bought it for her. He says if I looked like you, I would probably stare at myself at every chance. She asks if it is a present. He acknowledges that is a present. She says you won’t marry or love me, but you will buy me something. He describes her as being scared and sad. If he can give her something to make her happy, there is no harm in it. She says his wanting her to be happy and safe is love. She says, me taking care of you is loving you back. She slowly removes her clothes, asking if he thinks she looks scared. He quietly stares at her as she approaches him. They kiss.

Elsa narrates as she lays in the grass. She talks about seeing Ennis and feeling his electrical touch. She loved him. When she opened her eyes, the color was back. She joins Wade and Colton with the herd. She tells Colton her name, suggesting he not flirt with her. He is too pretty for her. She wants to be the pretty one. He cracks a laugh while working with the herd.

James orders Margaret to ride his horse across the river. She snarky admits to being fully capable as John quietly watches. He refuses to lose her in the river, recommending she add it to the other reasons not to forgive him. As he passes by, she forgives him.

Thomas is sitting at the campfire with Noemi’s sons (Daniel Lada Jr. and Wes France) when she gets out of the wagon. He gives her a bowl of food. She sits down beside him, saying good morning. He says, “Good morning, ma’am.” She slowly moves her hand down his arm and gently grasps his hand, telling him no more ma’am. She wants him to say, “Good morning, Neomi.” He repeats it.

Shea approaches Elsa, noting an improvement in her attitude. She says you are the only person who would talk to me about it. She grabs his hand, kissing him on the cheek. She rides her horse into the water as Shea tearfully watches. He orders Wade and Colton to bring the herd across the river. Elsa narrates about their journey while the wagon train lines up to cross the river. Her narration continues as the episode comes to an end.

 

1883 Review

The wagon train has finally reached Doan’s Crossing. Now, they’re challenged with another difficult feat, crossing the river. To minimize the risk of death, Shea and James believe the immigrants should cross in wooden boats. They will bring the horses and wagons over later. We will need to wait till the next episode to determine if their strategy succeeds or fails.

Another love story has developed between Thomas and Noemi, which is no big surprise. Taylor Sheridan is not very generous when it comes to happiness and love stories are short-lived up to this point.

The scene in which Elsa pulls a bloody hand out of her pants is grotesque and unnecessary. Don’t understand the purpose of this atrocity. Women had more class than the writer seems to believe.

Isabel May is proving her worth as an actor, but narration is not her thing. I would love to see what it would sound like without the flawed Southern accent.

The episode deserves a 6. Get more 1883 recaps here. Support ReelMockery by clicking here.