River

The river is a huge obstacle, and it’s going to take a lot of hard work and determination to make it to Oregon. But even if they make it, they’ll still have to face the dangers of the wilderness. They may not be able to find food or water, but they can sure as hell find danger.

James and Shea are aware of the dangers that lie ahead and they are determined to make the most of their trip. However, they are also aware of the fact that their journey will be shorter if they go the longer route. They have come up with a plan to make the most of their time on the road, but it will require them to take different risks.

It’s not much of a negotiation in truth, and it’s going to be tough going. If they try and cross the river where they are though, a good deal of them will drown. After their heated exchange of words, Thomas worries that James is undermining Shea’s authority.

Thomas and Shea meet a gypsy woman named Noemi. She is having trouble with her horses and Shea gives her some advice. Her two boys haven’t had anything to drink for a while, which concerns the grizzled old man. He offers them canteens of water. ..

Shea tells Noemi that he will help her get to Oregon, but he won’t be marrying her.

Thomas begins talking to Noemi and learns that one of the men in camp has stolen all of her things. This theft, against their own, brings Shea into cutting the thieves’ horses loose, messing up their wagon and taking back the resources to Noemi. Shea also promises to kill them if they go the same way they are. ..

Shea confronts Josef and implores him to control his people. If he can’t, then it’ll be up to him to pick someone else to lead them forward. Thomas has concerns over Shea’s behaviour, reminding him that they need these travelers to trust them if they want to make the journey in one piece. ..

Elsa is volunteering herself to help Ennis with the herd. James is not sure this is a good idea but Margaret decides to join her, intent on keeping an eye on the young woman. Ennis has more than herding on his mind though, and as Margaret and Elsa approach, those intentions are very obviously clear. However, something does happen but it’s definitely bubbling up.

James takes John out hunting today. They found a big stag and it would be enough food for the whole camp for a week. James taught John the art of honoring the kill, staining his cheeks with blood as they headed back to camp with their kill. ..

James and Shea are on their way to the east. Shea tells James that going east may be easier but it’ll add another 3 weeks to their journey. So naturally, they’re going to go West. Although Shea does begrudgingly agree, he points out James questioning his authority and how that’s damaging for the whole journey.

James only cares about his only family, the traveling rabble of foreigners. Eventually though they do agree to head out together. ..

That night, the robber from earlier attempts to rally the people to his cause was met with resistance from Shea. Shea certainly makes his point clear that night, drawing his gun at a lightning quick speed and reminding the sobbing man that killing him would mean absolutely nothing, especially not after the massacres he’s faced in the past. ..

When the robbers eventually leave, Shea tells the rest of the foreigners to take care of themselves or he and Thomas will step in. They’re going to leave in the morning but before they go, he implores them to collect up water - boiling it before drinking of course. ..

The robbers have an adverse effect on Shea as well. They put the caravan in grave danger by leaving them alive, and Thomas is aware of this. He worries about it, especially when he talks to Shea and bemoans his conscience for not killing them. Will it come back to haunt him in the future?

As the caravan starts moving, the threat of death moves with them, leaving plenty of dangers in the near future.

The Episode Review

Shea is the headstrong, independent type who doesn’t take kindly to anyone telling her what to do. James, on the other hand, is more of a team player and takes orders from no one. They both have their own agendas and don’t always see eye-to-eye. But as the two characters start to clash, they quickly realize that they have a lot in common.

Shea and West have a complicated relationship that is only made more complicated by their travels. Shea is worried about West’s mental health and whether he is ready to face the world.

1883 is a clever game that shifts the perspective across to different family members and gives them their own subplots. It’s a nice way of adding depth to each of these characters, even John who starts to learn the way of the hunter. ..

This series has been really compelling and well written from the get-go, and the ending hints that we’re about to step it up and dive into even more drama for the upcoming episodes.