In episode 6 of the Yellowstone prequel series 1883 on Paramount+, one love ended and another
grew.
The most recent episode, "Boring The Devil," dealt with Elsa's (Isabel May) grief following
the death of her beloved Ennis in episode 5, as the wandering gang came across a little
town on the outskirts of Texas.
A trip to town almost cost some money, but it also gave one of the Duttons a chance to
relax and decompress.
Fans of 1883 were left in the dark last week when the program went on hiatus, but Taylor
Sheridan's spin-off will be back on a weekly basis from now until the season's finish.
Here's what happened in episode 6 of 1883 on Paramount+, "Boring the Devil."
Ennis' death, as expected, had a significant influence on Elsa's well-being.
She begins episode 6 in the same state that she ended episode 5: in tears.
She sees she is bleeding while crying in the back of the wagon.
Margaret is informed that she is going to get some privacy because she has her menstruation.
This will most certainly put a stop to the rumors that she is expecting Ennis' child.
As Shea approaches her, she walks to sit by Ennis' grave and pulls out a pistol, possibly
contemplating suicide.
The scene reminds us of times when he did the same thing in 1883, when he was still
mourning the loss of his wife and daughter to smallpox.
Shea delivers an expertly written speech penned by Taylor Sheridan, and Sam Elliot offers
an incredibly heartbreaking performance.
He explains to Elsa his grieving theory, which states that when someone you love dies, a
portion of them lives on in you, implying that she carries a bit of Ennis with her.
He informs Elsa that he plans to go to the beach in Oregon so that his wife can view
the ocean through his eyes.
Then he desires to see his wife one again.
Elsa returns to her job with the cattle after Shea's motivational talk (of sorts).
She then stops crying and remains stoic for the remainder of the show.
As the camp arrives at Doan's Crossing on the Red River this week, we have an accurate
position for the wagons.
This was a real Old West setting, complete with cottages and a store where cowboys might
rest before crossing the river.
The river marks the border between Texas and Oklahoma for the clan.
When the Duttons arrive in town, Elsa becomes enraged when a man leers at her.
She draws her weapon, he draws his, but James (Tim McGraw) diffuses the situation by pressing
a pistol on the man's temple.
Elsa is sent back to keep an eye on the animals.
Later, he informs her about his first kill, as well as the countless others he's had to
carry out since then.
He begs his daughter not to hate because the man she killed (one of the bandits) was already
going to be killed and she didn't technically murder him.
Papa Dutton's story appeared to benefit her, as she spent the night dreaming of Ennis and
was able to see colors again the next morning.
She returned to work with a smile on her face, even flirting briefly with a new cowboy who
had recently joined the gang.
Before herding the livestock across the Red River, she expresses her gratitude to Shea
for his kind comments.
Shea stands there, visibly moved, likely because his connection with Elsa reminded him of his
own daughter.
Thomas succumbs to love.
In another scene from Episode 6, Thomas (LaMonica Garrett) appears to finally give in to his
affections for Noemi (Gratiela Brancusi), the Romani widow he's been caring for.
He brings her husband's possessions into town to pawn them at her request.
He buys a gleaming hand mirror from Paris as a present while he's there.
While Thomas is in town, he arranges for a cook to accompany the group until they get
in Oregon.
James Jordan, who also plays livestock agent Steve Hendon in Yellowstone, is credited as
Cookie.
He returns to Noemi later that night and gives her the gift.
She confronts him about his feelings for her, effectively telling him that he loves her
but isn't aware of it.
She takes off her clothing and walks up to him, telling him that he is the one who is
afraid, not her.
They kiss and stay together all night.
Another river crossing, a cameo, and new cowboys
Margaret (Faith Hill) breaks away from the group and enters the shop as the Duttons arrive
in the small town of Doan's Crossing.
She meets Carolyn, the owner, who is played by Rita Wilson.
She's the second member of her family to appear in 1883, following Tom Hanks' appearance in
episode 2.
Margaret and Carolyn become fast friends and spend the rest of the day getting wasted and
having a good time till they pass out.
James eventually arrives to collect his wife and returns her to the camp.
Cookie isn't the only newcomer to the party; Colton is also presented (Noah Le Gros).
He appears to be taking Ennis' place on the trail (he even appears in the opening titles
as Eric Nelsen), and he, like his predecessor, has a thing for Elsa.
She is initially uninterested in his friendship, but by the conclusion of the episode, she
is referring to him as a pretty boy.
The gang will then have to brave an even more risky river crossing than the first, which
will most likely take the entire day if they want to get everyone safely across.
This week's episode of 1883 will air on Paramount+ on Sunday, February 6, 2022, with no break
in between.