In episode 4, “Journey the Rivers of Iron,” Timothy Dalton returns as the nefarious Donald Whitfield, wining-and-dining investors in his mansion as he plots to turn Bozeman into a tourist town for the wealthy. To achieve his plans, he tasks Banner with forcibly removing Jacob from his land. Meanwhile, Alex faces danger as she is attacked in a restroom, but manages to board a train to Billings despite the ordeal.
At the Dutton ranch, Zane undergoes a risky procedure to heal his injuries, with successful results. Elizabeth, still determined to leave Jack, is persuaded by Jacob to reconsider. Cara administers a rabies vaccine to Elizabeth, prompting concerns about the girl’s health.
Overall, episode 4 is filled with suspense, twists, and character developments that keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
After enduring a string of bad luck, Elizabeth discovers that her excruciating pain is actually due to a pregnancy. Excited, she rushes outside to share the joyful news with Jack, as Jacob and Cara happily observe from the porch. This rare moment of levity in their typically somber lives leads to laughter as Jacob initially believes his heart-to-heart with Elizabeth changed her mood. Despite playful banter and Jacob giving Cara an affectionate pat, the year 1923 continues to present challenges.
In another storyline, Spencer is coerced by a sheriff to assist in a bootlegging operation after witnessing a violent incident involving his friend Luca. Facing a tough choice, Spencer reluctantly agrees to help the police to avoid prison. However, when things escalate during the delivery, Spencer finds himself in a dangerous situation that ultimately leads to a dramatic escape.
Meanwhile, Banner grapples with conflicting feelings about his boss’s plan to eliminate the Dutton family. Although he’s comfortable seeking revenge on Jacob, he struggles with the greed-driven motives behind the order. Despite his wife’s approval of targeting the Duttons for a better life, Banner questions the morality of his actions. As tensions rise and plans are set in motion, Banner seeks validation from Whitfield, who justifies the scheme by framing it as a legal endeavor tied to property taxes.
As the characters navigate through challenging situations and moral dilemmas, the unfolding events in 1923 continue to shape their fates.
As Whitfield prepares to move forward after potentially facing a violent demise during the land acquisition, he shows Banner a map indicating an unregulated county devoid of laws, crimes, and repercussions. Anticipating a bloody battle with the Duttons, Whitfield sees this remote location as an ideal dumping ground for bodies. Shockingly, Whitfield suggests that Banner use this lawless area to practice disposing of corpses, as one of his captive women accidentally suffocates another. As Banner reluctantly carries the lifeless body away, Whitfield cruelly punishes the remaining woman for her mistake.
Meanwhile, Teonna, her father Runs His Horse, and Pete find some peace with the welcoming cowboys as they help out on the ranch. However, their sense of security is shattered when Teonna discovers her wanted poster at a rodeo they stop at for lunch. With panic setting in, Teonna rushes to warn her father, only to find him already holding a similar poster.
As the episode draws to a close, Spencer, exhausted and on high alert, dozes off on a train, only to be ambushed by shady individuals. In a quick and brutal showdown, Spencer defends himself, dispatches his attackers, and escapes the speeding train on foot.
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