Contrary to the pacing of Yellowstone's fifth season's opening seven installments, 1923 races ahead at a clip, where the third episode witnessed the inaugural skirmish in a conflict destined to resonate not just through this series but across the entire chronicle of the Dutton clan. The episode unfolds with the Dutton men finally returning to their ranch after herding cattle and confronting the sheepherders. Prompted by these latter encounters, Jacob (Harrison Ford) informs Cara (Helen Mirren) of their need to venture into the town the following day.
Banner Creighton (Jerome Flynn), barely scraping through his own ordeal, returns home to a reception far from jubilant. Battered and enraged, he instructs his son to rally their supporters. In town, the Duttons catch glimpses of the burgeoning technologies of the 20th century, such as a washing machine and a refrigerator. While acknowledging their convenience, they dismiss them with laughter, believing that they would merely end up working harder to afford devices meant to ease their lives. Meanwhile, Jacob bluntly informs the sheriff that a range war has erupted between them and the sheepherders, and if he fails to uphold law and order, Jacob will take matters into his own hands.
As the Duttons spend the night in town, Jack (Darren Mann) and Elizabeth (Michelle Randolph) venture into a speakeasy. They discover that numerous easterners have come to the park for vacation. Jack appears unperturbed by their presence, unaware that this is precisely what his descendant, John Dutton (Kevin Costner), will fiercely oppose a century later. Perhaps Jack was merely engrossed in the present moment, as he and Elizabeth find themselves swept up in a passionate embrace. Although Cara and Emma (Marley Shelton) have hinted that Elizabeth might already be with child, this definitely seems like the first time the couple has shared such intimacy. A potential scandal in the making, or merely a misjudgment on Cara and Emma's part?
Unlike his nephew, Spencer (Brandon Sklenar) doesn't dawdle. Having just met Alexandra (Julia Schlaepfer) in the second episode, the two have already bolted off together for Spencer's next job. The attraction between Spencer and Alexandra, whom he affectionately calls Alex, is unmistakable, making it unremarkable when he swiftly pops the question and she eagerly accepts. In awe of Africa's beauty and history, Alex shares Spencer's philosophy of not wanting to squander a single moment.
Their blissful engagement soon took a turn for the worse as, on their return journey to the camp, they were unexpectedly assailed by an enormous elephant. Despite Spencer's swift action in dispatching the beast, their peril was far from over. Anticipating an easy meal, other predators began to converge on the carcass, and with night descending, the prospect of reaching the camp on foot seemed insurmountable. They resorted to climbing a tree for refuge, but Spencer realized its slim trunk offered scant protection against a determined lion or leopard.
True to his fears, a pride of lions soon arrived, drawn to the elephant, and were swiftly joined by a cohort of hyenas. Alex's scream alerted the lions to an additional potential meal, prompting them to turn their attention to the trapped couple. Spencer valiantly fought to defend them, but the sheer number of predators was overwhelming. Only the timely arrival of the group that had hired Spencer provided them with an opportunity to flee.
Alex, still haunted by her harrowing ordeal, vowed never to experience such terror again. Spencer, however, acknowledged that until he met her, such intense feelings were all he knew. Despite their brush with mortality, their love for each other remained as unyielding as ever.
Similarly unyielding was the love between Jacob and Cara, as evidenced by a tender scene the next morning in Bozeman, which explained why their bond had lasted an impressive 44 years (or, as Jacob put it, rounding down to 40). The family made their way back to the ranch, with Zane (Brian Geraghty) and the cowboy contingent speeding ahead to scout for any signs of trouble.
Little did they know that the sheepherders had been lying in wait, patiently biding their time until the perfect moment to strike. In a valley, they unleashed a hail of bullets upon the Duttons. Jack was grazed on the shoulder, while Elizabeth sustained a wound to her waist. Jacob, Cara, and John (James Badge Dale) sought cover and returned fire as the sheepherders charged towards them. Fortunately, Zane heard the gunfire and swiftly doubled back, arriving just in the nick of time to help repel the majority of the attackers.
But their rescue was not complete, as Banner emerged from a car, wielding a Tommy gun. Jacob instructed Cara to flee, but he and John were left vulnerable as Banner opened fire, striking both. Banner then sped away. Jacob was gravely injured, while John lay lifeless. Enraged, Cara's determination was reignited, bringing us back to the harrowing opening scene of the series, where she tracked down and avenged one of her assailants.
Upon their return to the ranch, they attend to Jacob and Elizabeth with tender care. Jacob, convinced that his end is near, urges them to refrain from alerting the sheriff, fearing it would attract vultures of all sorts—bankers, thieves, and the like—to their sanctuary. Instead, he insists that Cara summon Spencer back home. Physicians soon arrive, yet their demeanor hardly inspires hope for Jacob's recovery.
Cara, still reeling from the shock, pens an urgent letter to Spencer, breaking the news of John's demise, Jack's injury, and Jacob's probable fate by the time the missive reaches him. War has infiltrated their family, and they desperately need him to return and aid in their battle.
While it would be premature to conclude Harrison Ford's tenure on '1923' after merely three episodes (perhaps his character's injuries will merely sideline him temporarily), episode three amply assures us that there is ample cause for excitement as this pivotal chapter in the Dutton saga unfolds. From Mirren's Cara to Spencer's impending journey, and the looming battle for their land, the narrative has commenced at a breakneck pace, captivating and entertaining in equal measure.
