The Weep of Surrender
The caravan out on the plains begins with a group of people out on a journey to find new land. Sam is still there too, and alongside Elsa, James and the others, they begin herding some wild horse. Elsa continues to embrace this wild way of life, howling like a banshee as she works to round up the horses.
Elsa has come a long way this season and after ripping her pants, she heads back to her caravan to begin stitching them up. Margaret is there though and she suggests Elsa wear a dress… which is met with a vehement refusal. The thing is, dresses are her future, given that’s where she’s heading, and Margaret admitting all this hits her with bitter regret. ..
The main drama of this episode stems from the fact that the caravan is heading to a new location. James suggests talking to the immigrants, while Shea deduces going back to Denver. This won’t fly with James. ..
The traders are interrupted by a group of Native Americans who have come to trade. James trades with one of the men, but takes a fancy to a Spanish helmet behind him. It’s not for sale, he says, but is quick to mention how these men tried to take their land but were cut down and stopped in their tracks. ..
James is quick to reassure him though, telling him he’s not there to take anything, but given the opening scenes in episode 1, this feels like a nice bit of foreshadowing.
Charlie and Shea part ways, with the former admitting he thinks this is his last journey. This trip is not going to be easy and Shea admits that with only 8 wagons, the old and young are going to have to ride inside while everyone else walks on. The alternative is that they head back to Denver, which will take six weeks. The land there is not free though.
Shea’s choice is usurped by James, offering Josef and the others the choice of joining them and heading North where they can learn to ride and press on. Josef decides to join him rather than head to Denver. Shea decides to turn leadership duties over to James, making him responsible for their wellbeing.
Elsa helps show Sam how to hunt and kill a buffalo. This symbolic act sees the Indians rally together and ride. Off the back of this, Elsa decides to stay with the Indians now.
Elsa’s proclamation sets off a chain of events that night. Elsa, knowing she is now a woman, decides to do what she wants. Margaret, though not convinced, tries to get through to Elsa but is unsuccessful. In the morning, after hearing about Elsa’s proclamation, Margaret calls out her hypocrisy.
Margaret offers to ride with the Indians until Oregon, but she will stay with the Mormons. Elsa is not interested in God and refuses to ask Sam for permission to do so.
With Shea on the verge of leaving, Thomas urges him to stay. After all, he’s made a promise and he’s going to see this through to the end and believes Shea should do the same thing. Eventually he agrees.
Elsewhere, James catches up with Sam. After breaking a horse in, Sam hands the reins over to James and lets him ride to prove he’s as good as he says. While he marvels over the beauty of the plains, Margaret watches from afar and realizes that this is exactly where Elsa gets her spirit from. ..
Oregon is a place that Sam and the other Indians don’t want to go to. They’re staying on the land they’ve made their own and they promise to bring Elsa back if she changes her mind, but Elsa’s tenacious spirit is not something to be tamed easily. James knows that.
Elsa and the others ride off into the sunset, parting ways with the Indians. Elsa cries as she presses onward, her heart heavy with sadness.
The Episode Review
The episode feels like it’s missing something, but it’s hard to say what it is. It could be the development with Anna and Sven that doesn’t quite feel right, or the lack of action in the final moments that feels like a let-down. Either way, 1883 needs more of this kind of thing to make it feel like a strong episode.
This week’s episode of “The Crown” focuses largely on Elsa’s choice to embrace the Indians and their way of life, beyond that there is little else to write home about. There is barely anything in the way of drama, with only a few plot-intensive moments. Instead, all of this plays out like a proverbial catch of one’s breath; a way to unwind and recharge after that amazing episode last week.
This is just a brief moment in time and things will pick back up soon.
