This Is Not Your Heaven
Does Elsa manage to get help from a surgeon?
Elsa reflects on the nature of death and how she’ll be facing it very soon. “Even stars die and we know absolutely nothing of it.” Elsa ponders, before she eventually rides up to the Fort. Two boys stand watch outside, but their fresh faces and thin arrogance means nothing in the wake of what Elsa has had to deal with.
James rushes to Elsa and starts to dress her wound, but the Fort is abandoned. He encourages them to head on to the next Fort, Laramie.
The group makes a decision and James decides to keep heading North instead, deciding to keep going until Elsa dies.
Do the caravan make it to Oregon?
The caravan of six people set out from the small town of Shea on Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019, in search of a new home. However, this means that the group will need to go a different way and eventually press on to Oregon in the Spring. Half of the caravan decide to leave and make it on their own, while Josef and Risa want to follow Shea. Wade also leaves the group, riding out into the wild.
Josef’s leg is looking pretty bad, so Thomas realizes they need to cut it off. ..
Josef wakes up the next morning to a gaping, raw wound on his leg. He can’t move it, and even when he tries to scream, nothing comes out. The guys start to panic and realize that Josef is going to die if they don’t do something soon. They take a knife and start cutting at the wound until Josef is screaming in pain and begging for them not to kill him. In the end, they manage to cut off his leg just as he’s about to die.
Elsa wakes up soon after the deed is done. She seems to be doing a bit better as well. Despite being knocked out for 3 days, she seems to be on the mend, which baffles James as he jokes that she pays about as much attention to the laws of nature as she does to his rules. Of course, this is all to help ease her passing, which we know is coming.
Do the native Americans help Elsa?
Elsa’s condition quickly deteriorates, just as foreseen. She falls off her horse and lands in a heap on the floor, just as three native Americans show up. They suggest bringing Elsa to the freezing creek, believing this will help stop the bleeding. After, a shivering Elsa is brought before the other natives, who chant and sing for her.
James speaks with the chief who offers a suggestion for where James can lay down his roots. He speaks of a special area, just south of the river; a little paradise they can call their own. The chief suggests that James move to a specific spot on the south side of the river, just beyond the trees and under the stars. James is hesitant at first, but after hearing what the chief has to say, he decides to take his advice and move there.
What does the Chief promise James?
Chief James agrees to travel to the land of his ancestors for seven generations in order to take it back from Elsa, who knows she won’t have long left. ..
James heads back to see her, as she’s huddled up at a campfire, she sobs that she’s dying. She wants to choose a spot to die too, and although James agrees to her terms, he’s obviously already chosen the general vicinity.
When Elsa does sleep that night, Shea reflects on how strong Elsa has become and how technically, she’s outlived them all. At least in terms of what she’s been through and done.
Thomas has decided to stay in the area and continue his journey, but only if the journey is over. Shea breaks the news that night to Thomas, and Thomas decides to stay in order to continue his journey with James.
Does Elsa die?
James tells Shea that they will press on to this paradise, intending to lay Elsa down to rest. James wants to ride with her but in order to do that, it means Margaret will need to say goodbye to Elsa now. They ride out in the morning, meaning there’s not a lot of time left.
That night, Josef awakens and finds Risa beside him, dead. This journey has taken its toll on them all, and the ride to Oregon seems like a million miles away now. As night turns to day, and Josef mourns the loss of his wife, Elsa says her goodbyes, with Shea promising to be right behind them.
James and Elsa find a large tree to rest in. Elsa tells James about her first memory, of being with her father. She says she’s not scared and then fades into sleep. ..
1 Year Later
Josef, one year after his escape from the concentration camp, is still alive but hobbling along. He has found a piece of land in Oregon and decides to make a new home there with Noemi. Thomas, who has also escaped the concentration camp, finds his patch of land in Oregon and prepares to make a new home there with Noemi. ..
Shea, just as he promised, makes it to the sea. He looks out at the crashing waves and marvels at the beauty of it all. However, a bird flies by in front of his face; a symbolic gesture that seems to be Helen or Elsa in another life. However, as the camera pans out, Shea shoots himself in the head.
How does 1883 end?
Elsa and Sam race off into the sunset, their lives coming to an end. They decide to race together, as the series comes to a close.
The Episode Review
In the finale of 1883, Josef goes it alone, and Shea meets his journey’s end while Thomas sets up his patch of land with Noemi. Just as he promised, this season’s finale closes out Oregon with a somber and bittersweet ending.
James and his family are preparing for the next step of their journey, which seems to be closer to 1884 now. Given a good year has passed now, it seems 1883 is going to be closer to 1884 now. It’ll be interesting to see what new developments that brings for our characters next season.
1883 has been an enthralling watch so far this season, with a slight blip near the end. There’s been a lot of work done to round out all of these characters and give them a good send-off. ..
This show has done a great job of setting up a potential second season. In that respect, 1883 has done an excellent job. However, I do question the decision to have Elsa in her version of heaven with Sam (who’s presumably dead too, I guess?) rather than her first love, given that had a far greater impact on her life.
Despite the nitpick, this season has been very good. Roll on season 2!
