So much happened in 1923 Season 1: War and the Turquoise Tide, here's a recap.
1923 is a great little period piece, I especially like that you don't automatically know what happens - which is the case on true historic event shows, such as The Crown. Fans of Yellowstone likely already know what happens with the Dutton family. So, spoiler alert I already know that this family is absolutely fine, just from Yellowstone. However, that doesn't mean that it's hard to be hooked on the storyline in 1923 season 1. Even if we already know that Harrison Ford will survive.
Regardless, the image of Cara cleaning the body after the injury is still shocking and heartwrenching. Let's dive into what happened in 1923 episode 4. Obviously, spoilers will be featured ahead.
You can watch 1923 on Paramount+.
What happened in 1923 Episode 4
After Jacob is wounded so badly, Cara decides that it should be kept a secret just how bad he really is. As the viewer, we know that he is close to death but nobody can know this. Cara says that they must get Spencer, regardless of how long it will take them. Spencer is currently in Africa - not exactly an easy man to contact.
It's then that we cut to Spencer who is still madly in love with Alex, his new bride. They are enjoying their time on a beach, swimming in the turquoise waters - hence the name of this episode. We are just eagerly waiting for them to receive their letter, then things will get interesting. I assume he will want revenge.
While these romantic seems might seem useless, they do offer us some information. Spencer, for one, goes into detail about how much the war affected him. He poetically describes it as "if insanity were a thing you could touch". We later see Alex read the letter, which we find out actually took 3 months to get to them.
1923 Episode 4 wasn't just about Spencer, though. It was actually more rememberable because of Cara. This episode really shows just how strong she is, and how she really is the rock of the family. 1923 kind of seems like her show at this point. 1923 episode 4 starts with her screaming in emotional pain, before snapping back and gaining full composure. The Dutton women are always seen as being able to maintain control, despite whatever is thrown their way.
Cara is thrown into Jacob's role becoming the new Head of the Livestock Comision. She forges Jacob's signature which states that the Commission can now create its own law-enforcement fraction. This will help them track down and punish the fleet of murderers and thieves who have been destroying the land. Unfortunately, this starts a war between Cara and Creighton as he predicts that Jacob is dead.
Cara is also seen shown to be sitting next to her husband's bed, sobbing. She begins to pray, and asks for guidance from god about "who should lead the family". Of course, we already know the answer to this. This is confirmed by the fact that Jacob, who is still hanging on for life, tells Cara that she is the lead the family needs. Perhaps this will give Cara the confidence she clearly needs. This raises the question of whether Cara really needed this to be told to her - everybody viewing already knew she was the head of the family.
Perhaps the most dramatic moment in 1923 episode 4 had to be when Teonna reaches her breaking point with the abuse inflicted on her by the nuns. She murders the evil nun in her sleep. We have to sit through the violent abuse of Teonna, including her hair being cut from her head - a clear attempt from the nuns of trying to rid Teonna of her cultural identity. The screams from Teonna parallel Cara's screams at the start of the show. It seems the theme of 1923 episode 4 is strong women, their sacrifice, and their struggles.
While it's been unilaterally agreed that 1923 episode 4 is likely a filler episode, bridging the gap for when Spencer returns and Jacob's recovery.
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