Sunday’s episode of the “Yellowstone” prequel “1923” finally kicked the limited series into high gear, with some major arcs and the most satisfying disfigurement ever written into entertainment.
Some aspects of “1923” have been far from what we’ve come to expect from creator Taylor Sheridan and the “Yellowstone” universe. While there’s been plenty of violence, historical commentary and gaps filled in the origin story of the Dutton-Yellowstone Ranch, we’ve also been offered some reprieve.
Take, for example, the love story evolving between Spencer Dutton and his British beau, Alexandria. Up until the last moments of Sunday’s episode, we watched them fall in love. It was the type of serenity and beauty that has escaped most of Sheridan’s characters’ storylines. Somewhere in the love story is always an agony, but at least Spencer was spared the gut-wrenching terror until the final moments of the episode (which technically took place the following morning). Which sets us up perfectly for Sunday’s upcoming episode!
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— Terry Schaub (@tbird_goinggalt) January 5, 2023
There are just so many directions Sheridan can go with this epic plot twist. Are we going to watch the story in Montana play out before Spencer comes back, or will he return with Alex in tow by next Sunday? Will Spencer even make it back in the limited series, offering a wholly new heir to the ranch, now run by the iconic matriarch Cara Dutton (Helen Mirren)?
Sunday night also brought us the most satisfying and deserved disfigurement of any character ever created by Sheridan. After enduring a brutal beating by Sister Mary and the other nuns at the hellish Catholic conversion so-called “boarding school,” which included being scrubbed with steel wool, Teonna Rainwater finally got some serious revenge. (RELATED: ‘1923’ Star Brian Geraghty Says Taylor Sheridan ‘Tortured’ Cast During Training For Epic Show)
Rainwater’s intensely deserved scarring of Sister Mary had been building from episode one. I thought Rainwater was going to kill her, and she probably should have. Sister Mary deserves to be eaten alive by wolves. While I never condone violence as the answer, I’d like to think I’d have done exactly the same thing if I found myself in Rainwater’s position.
Along with these two massive plot twists, Cara Dutton finally became the most fierce female role model on television. Also, what an impressive power move to found the Livestock Agents, an association of law enforcement officers that run the length of the “Yellowstone” series. If Mirren doesn’t win every major award for this role, then Hollywood is officially pointless.