The Buffalo Gun – As the fifth episode of The English begins, Kills on Water (William Belleau) asks Eli Whipp (Chaske Spencer) why he fought for the blues. Eli claims he fought for his people or his enemy’s enemy. He explains he is after 60 acres in Nebraska. Kills on Water wonders when he is going to realize that they took his rights and his loyalty. Although Eli says he was proud to serve, Kills believes he was fighting a war that he was only going to lose. He suggests it is the dream that is keeping him alive, but he is never going to get there in reality. Eli is asked about Cornelia and her destination before being told it might be best to change direction. First, there is something Kills on Water wants Eli to do for him. He explains that Captain Clegg (Jan Knightley) and his men worked that line for him so it was his business. Kills on Water wants him to stop Black Eyed Mog (Nichola McAuliffe) since she wants to take over that line and not for him.

He asks Eli to make it his business and see the world as it really is. He claims it is them and the Indians. If he does that, he might give back his item and his enemy’s enemy might become his friend. At the bootleg compound of Black-Eyed Mog, Cornelia Locke (Emily Blunt) sits down with Mog who can’t imagine why she came to her door. She has many scalps hanging up and a boy that will soon become her next victim. Mog shows Cornelia what the Cheyenne did to her in ’68. She was 21 and they took everything else besides her virtue and family. When Cornelia asks if she has already evened the score, Mog says not until every last one is on that wall. As for Cornelia, she isn’t sure what her boys have in mind for her although she is sure it’ll be a lot of fun. Cornelia says she talked to John Clarke and he told her about Kills on Water. Mog knows he must hate her guts because he left them inside her body. Cornelia tells her that Kills on Water is sending her friend to kill her and she doesn’t want him to die.

She believes Kills on Water has him as a prisoner and killing Mog will be the only thing to get his freedom. Since she can’t get to Eli, she thought talking to Mog was the next best thing. Mog tells her that she made a mistake, but Cornelia says otherwise before shooting her under the table. She shoots one of the boys before going outside where she runs into the other one. When she decides to let him live, young White Moon (Corey Bird) stabs him from behind. Cornelia gives the boy advice before they ride away on horses together. Then, she goes to the compound of Kills on Water to retrieve Eli. Once they ride away, Eli notices that her leg is burned by the gun although she insists she is okay. He tells her that she can’t let it infect down there or up there. Cornelia tells him about No Trouble who she rescued and he rescued her. When she asks where she should take him, Eli says he can go his own way with or without them since he thinks he’ll take her where she wants to go.

Eli says he is thinking about visiting Billy Myers, but he won’t tell her why he wants to see him. Cornelia explains she is traveling without fear because she is dead already. Thomas Trafford (Tom Hughes) talks to Sheriff Robert Marshall (Stephen Rae) about David and how he is stuffed into his pockets. The Sheriff wants to know if he is going to give the cattle back to Martha Myers, but Thomas isn’t eager to do that. He warns Thomas that he has seen what a hard freeze can do to a herd. Thomas doesn’t think anyone knows the country better than him. Robert thinks David Melmont might. He knows that David arrived with him and they opened up the valley together. Thomas denies that they were partners and explains that David was only his employee. Robert reveals that David is looking to make his way in trade now. Thomas tells him to take the snake for its meat, but Robert fancies a nice pork chop since David has gotten some chilled meat. The Sheriff meets with Martha (Valerie Pachner) to show her the letters and scars on Billy’s body.

Robert finds it odd that Timothy had the same mark in the same spot, but Billy tried to get rid of it and Timothy didn’t. She is told Grover Best wants to know if she wants the committal. They argue about Thomas giving the cattle back. Robert asks if everything was upstanding in her marriage because she seems more interested in the cattle. She explains that it was an accident when a steer broke her arm, but not when Billy did. Martha asks him to drop Billy in the churchyard. Then, she goes to Thomas’s place and shoots one of the cattle. Kelly (Steve Wall) will let it slide this time but not again. Martha is adamant that she is going to take what belongs to her. As she leaves, Kelly tells one of the men to fetch the Sheriff. Before long, the Sheriff visits Martha and Jed (Walt Klink) at home. Eli and Cornelia camp at the Colorado and Wyoming border. Eli tells her about the stars and how to use them to determine directions. Even when she is alone, Cornelia will think of him.

He tells her about home before she wonders if asks if they’ll let him be a part of that. He asks her. Cornelia says no and not the way he’d accept. Eli can’t tell if the country or Cornelia is changing quicker. Eli shows her what he found before asking why she found gloves. Cornelia says a woman is never supposed to take them off until she returns home. Eli thinks she’ll go home, but Cornelia admits that she doesn’t really have one anymore. He tells her that she’ll find it again since he is going to have to. Cornelia tells Eli about home and her son. He is home and she won’t ever go back. Eli begins talking about his wife. He explains what is home to him like Cornelia’s locket is home to her. There is nothing else to go back to because it is here with her. They begin kissing and continue until Cornelia stops and says she can’t. She runs away and begins covering herself in sand. Cornelia jumps up when she hears a gunshot in the distance.

Cornelia returns to Eli who tells her that several riders have taken No Trouble. They agree to go get the boy. At the Western Magnetic Cable Company in Wyoming, they talk to Major MacKay who tells them about the greatest Buffalo rifle ever made. Eli is told how starvation was used to make his people submit. When asked about hunting in England, Cornelia says she doesn’t if it results in the extermination of an entire people. He tells her not to guilt him because her people and the Countess of Sutherland gave them the inspiration. Cornelia learns how they cleared out his people using rent and starvation. MacKay says this country gave him a chance to start over and that is why he fights for it. He was taught that you can’t fight fair or kind if you want to win. The war is over so he wants to see this country offer Eli’s people the same as his people. His good fortune has helped build an Indian school. It is a portal in which any Indian can enter and which only Americans will depart.

He explains that he wants to take the boy to his school before introducing Cornelia to his other students. They learn more about Mable and Rose and how they’re training to be their servants. Eli talks to Rose using her language causing her to get frightened before running away. He reveals that they’ve met before and her name is Touching Ground (Tonantzin Carmelo). He goes on to say she is the widow of Chief Running Hawk before saying the boy they picked up is their son. Touching Ground cuts her son free. In private, Eli tells Cornelia about seeing Running Hawk’s death and the boy seeing him before he notices that she is burning up. Before they can leave, Touching Ground brings the boy over and identifies him as White Moon. When they flee with the boy, MacKay shoots White Moon’s horse. They try to save the boy while MacKay keeps shooting and reloading after each shot.

Eli uses the money bags to stop White Moon from being hit by one of the bullets. Rose kills MacKay and his spotter to stop them from killing her son. Eli kills two men when they ride out to attack. He signals this to Touching Ground who finds herself surrounded by men with weapons. Cornelia tells him that she is sorry before she collapses to the ground.

 

The English Review

When everything is going well, The English is a worthwhile adventure back to the wild west. When it isn’t, the story can be a bit contrived and difficult to follow due to the layout of the various timelines. Due to this issue, it has been difficult for me personally to get invested in the characters or the story. Even though I’ve watched each episode twice, it is hard to understand what the purpose of The English is or what the show is trying to achieve.

We know what the main characters set out to do earlier, but they haven’t made a lot of progress towards achieving those goals. The side characters have been briefly introduced without enough exploration of their intentions or motivations. Again, the scenery is gorgeous and the performances have been reliable from start to finish. Although the story had potential, it was hindered by nonlinear storytelling and possibly even trying to tackle too much.

With that being said, the fifth episode was probably the best so far even though the characters’ main goals are barely being touched on. It scores a 6.5 out of 10. Recaps of The English are available on Reel Mockery here. Did you find our recaps and reviews beneficial? Consider supporting our work here.