AMARILLO, Texas — The latest episode of ‘1923,’ titled ‘Only Gunshots to Guide Us,’ thrusts viewers into the chaos faced by Teonna Rainwater, Spencer Dutton, and Alex Dutton as their separate journeys converge on the treacherous American frontier. This fifth installment of the season explores themes of abandonment, violence, and survival in an unforgiving era.
In a shocking plot twist, the episode unfolds without ever setting foot on Yellowstone ranch, instead focusing on the harrowing trek that characters must navigate. ‘Everywhere is America,’ Teonna expresses to her father, revealing the pervasive injustices against Indigenous people, each step they take fraught with peril.
Early scenes show Teonna and her party grappling with desperation as they evade capture from authorities. Marshal Kent and Father Renaud continue their relentless pursuit as they spread wanted posters of Teonna. Kent’s dismissive remarks about her reflect the racial tensions of the time: ‘Pray for the day she is no more,’ he chillingly states.
The story then shifts to Spencer, who finds himself in a precarious situation after waking to Marshal Mamie Fossett, and a crew holding him at gunpoint. ‘What happened to this country?’ he asks, hinting at his disillusionment after serving abroad in war. Fossett’s determination to get to the bottom of his story enables him to make a brief phone call to Sheriff McDowell, who serves as a reluctant ally.
Meanwhile, Alex struggles with a deeply unsafe environment aboard her train toward Billings. After agreeing to work in exchange for meals, she faces harassment from passengers, notably being coerced into inappropriate situations, reaffirming that her ordeal is far from over. ‘Mothers can endure anything,’ her cabinmate cruelly observes, insisting on the resilience women must muster in times of adversity.
One pivotal moment arises when she’s confronted by a man from the previous night, prompting her to retaliate violently after a failed attempt at self-defense. ‘He raped me with his hand,’ she insists; moments later, witnesses vouch for her actions, aiding her escape from unjust arrest.
As the episode concludes, the demand for resolution builds as Alex faces yet another setback when her train to Fargo is canceled due to severe weather. In a desperate moment, she gratefully accepts the invitation from the British couple she met earlier. ‘You’ve seen what happens to men with wayward hands around me,’ she observes, hinting at the looming dangers she will continue to confront.
The closing scene brings us back to Pete, who finds water only to be met with confrontation from Kent and Renaud, culminating in a cliffhanger as shots are fired. With their fates hanging in the balance, audiences are left anxiously awaiting the next reveal.
‘Only Gunshots to Guide Us’ encapsulates the harsh realities of survival against systemic oppression while threading through the interconnected lives of characters in ‘1923.’ As we continue to explore their journeys, the question remains: how will they navigate the gunfire that guides their fate?
