‘1923’ Episode 3: Recap & Ending Explained: The Dutton’s Get Their Own Retribution
Welcome to the Recap & Ending Explained for Episode 3 of 1923, the newest spin-off to come out of the fantastic Yellowstone show, created by Taylor Sheridan. Episode 3, titled, “The War Has Come Home” gives us what could be considered the ending to the first act of the season. And what an ending! The season becomes fascinating at this point, and it will be really fascinating to see how the developments of these episodes end up spreading and having consequences for the characters and their stories.
In the previous episode, we saw how Jacob Dutton, the patriarch of the family, was creating enemies when trying to protect his land from the trespassing of others. The trespassers were none other than shepherds. The shepherds thought they could just slip into Yellowstone territory and use their lands for pasture. They thought that their needs were above the law and even shot fire at Jack Dutton and the rest of the Yellowstone cowboys when they were caught in the act. Jacob hanged some of them, but their leader, Banner, survived.
The following paragraphs contain spoilers for “The War Has Come Home” episode 3 of 1923. Read at your own risk.
The African Continent Shows Its True Colors
The episode focuses on two main storylines: one with Jacob and the ranch in Montana, and another one with Spencer and her new girlfriend Alexandra. This storyline goes in a very romantic and old-fashioned direction that actually feels fresh in comparison with everything we see on television nowadays. In the previous episode, the pair met, and they were instantly in love with each other. However, Alexandra was already engaged to another man. She left this man and decided to follow Spencer, who was in the direction of his next gig.
In this episode, we see that they have spent the night together, and Alexandra reflects on how beautiful the African continent is. The pair discusses how Darwin says we came from monkeys and how Africa might have been the cradle of humanity. Spencer doesn’t know if that is true, but he assures her that we have been here on this continent for a very long time, even when the soil was just lava. Spender, who now refers to Alexandra as just Alex, asks her if she wants to see the footprints of those ancient men, and she accepts.
They go together in their automobile, and soon they come across the footprints. The footprints are those of a child, and they are created right there on the stone. It is a wonderful sight that makes Alex feel small, and she realizes that our time on Earth is just a glimpse. Spencer demands that Alex marry him, and she accepts. They don’t have time to play games; if they are going to love each other, they better do it fully. On the way back, they are attacked by an elephant, which Spencer has to kill to escape.
They are in quite a pickle though; the car doesn’t work anymore, and they need to get somewhere high before night arrives. They get on a tree, but Spencer warns Alex that it might not be high enough. Soon, predators will come to eat the dead elephant, and they might be next on the menu. Alex is terrified, and soon a pride of lions and some hyenas arrive as well. They realize they are in the tree and attack. Spencer kills some of them until help arrives.
On the way to the camp, Alex explains that she looked death in the eye, and she didn’t feel alive; she felt terrified and doesn’t want to feel like that ever again. Spencer agrees, he says that now that he met her, he doesn’t need to do dangerous things to feel alive anymore. Spencer assures her, that his parents will love her and Alex assures him that her parents will hate him.
The War Has Come To The Yellowstone Ranch
Jacob and the rest of the cowboys return from their expedition, and from hanging the shepherds. Liz sees Jack arrive and she becomes quite happy. The entire family decides to go to the city to relax for a bit. There, the women and the cowboys see a glimpse of the future. Washing machines and more electric appliances are being sold on the street, but the cowboys are not convinced. They say they don’t need them, and that working to rent those things then will just end up making them employees of the electric company.
Jacob goes to the sheriff and informs him that he has hanged Banner and his men. Later, he goes back to Cara and his family and informs them that they will spend the night in the city. Jack and Liz go to a bar, and they end up having sex, even though Liz had promised she would wait until after their marriage. Meanwhile, Banner returns to his home and calls for the other shepherds to get ready. He will take the war to Jacob’s home, and he will have no mercy.
The next morning, on their way to the ranch, the Duttons are ambushed. The men shoot to kill, and a vicious gunfight ensues. Banner appears with a Tommy gun and shoots, killing John Dutton and wounding Jacob in the process. Cara picks up one of the shotguns and kills the last of Banner’s men after the cowboys from the ranch come to help them, saving them. Jack is wounded as well, and Liz is also wounded. It is a big blow for the family. They take Jacob to the ranch.
Once there, the doctor arrives. Jacob tells Cara that he is a lost cause and that no one outside the family should know he is dead. If they know, they will come for the ranch; the bankers, miners, and more. He tells Cara that she must bring Spencer home. It is time for him to take his place as the leader of the ranch and protect it at all costs. Cara accepts, and the episode finishes with Cara writing to Spencer about how John died and how Jacob will soon be dead. It all aligns pretty well with Spencer and Alex wanting to settle down, and the ranch needing Spencer back in the fold.
