Our pioneers are still recovering from tornadoes and livestock thieves assaults in Season 1,
Episode 8, "The Weep of Surrender," which airs in 1883.
Episode 8 opens with our beloved wranglers attempting to herd a gang of wild stallions
with the aid of new acquaintances Sam (Martin Sensmeier) and Charles Goodnight (directed
by Ben Richardson) (Taylor Sheridan).
With a long road ahead of them and a desperate need for supplies, either Sam or Charles has
sent news to the Comanches, inviting them to come and trade with the pioneers.
He gives Elsa (Isabel May) a pair of buckskin chaps as a token of his good intentions for
her.
As Charles and Captain Shea (Sam Elliott) debate the hazards that await the wagon train,
Shea concludes that Colorado, rather than Oregon, is the best option.
Before leaving Shea to pursue cattle thieves, Charles laments the new innovation of barbed
wire and the status of the West in general: "They're going to slice this area into small
rectangles."
Regrettably, he is correct.
So there you have it, a complete recap and explanation of Episode 8 of 1883.
LET'S MAKE A DEAL!
When Josef and the settlers notice the Comanches approaching the camp, he and the rest of the
party arm themselves.
"Well, that's not very nice," Charles warns, riding in front of Josef and pointing his
rifle at him, protective of his pals.
"We don't know they're friends," Josef says, shocked, to which Charles adds, "If they weren't
friends, we'd already be dead."
Other immigrants sell their stuff for buffalo skin blankets and food, while Sam swiftly
barters with a seamstress for chaps for Elsa.
When James is selling a box of ammunition with a Comanche, he notices a Conquistador's
helmet among the man's belongings.
"From the Spanish," the guy says when James asks about it.
They sought to seize our land as well."
"I ain't taking nothing," James says hastily.
"All I'm doing is passing through."
"Our land cannot be seized," the guy says, despite the fact that he knows James has yet
to harm his people.
The white man believes he was the one who snatched it.
The white guy resembles a wolf.
He slaughters everything until only wolves remain.
The wolves then murder each other, and there's nothing left, and our country is once again
free."
"That seems about right," James says after listening.
That is all that needs to be stated.
EMERGENCE OF A NEW LEADER
Shea has Josef explain his decision concerning the shift in their eventual objective because
he is concerned about the group's safety, endurance, and lack of supplies: "If we're
fortunate, which we haven't been yet, we'll reach Fort Laramie in October."
This necessitates either traversing South Pass in the snow or remaining in the Fort
for the winter.
Neither is secure.
The alternative is that we travel to Denver.
In six weeks, we'll be there."
Josef and the others are afraid to wait until Spring to continue West because there is no
open land available in Denver.
James takes a bold step to the front and announces to the pioneers, "I'm traveling north."
Anyone who wishes to travel along with me is welcome."
"You come with me, I ain't going to pamper you like he did," he says, pointing to Shea.
You're going to work, and you're going to keep up, because I'm not going to traverse
the mountain in the snow, and I'm not going to winter in any fort."
When Shea says, "You're going to murder them all," James responds, "People die in Denver
too."
It's all up to them."
Instead of following Shea, the party decides to follow James.
DECISION OF CAPTAIN SHEA
Shea, upset by their decision, expects Thomas (LaMonica Garrett) would accompany him back
to civilization, oblivious to the depths of his relationship with Noemi (Gratiela Brancusi).
"I promised to see her to Oregon, and that's what I'm going to do," Thomas says Shea.
"Well, free country," Shea says, shocked and saddened.
"It'll be hard enough with you, but we ain't got no hope without you," Thomas adds quietly
but firmly.
I've never asked you for anything before, but I'm asking you now.
Captain, don't abandon us."
How can Shea say no to his old pal's request?
Shea later gives James some of Cookie's liquor as a peace gift after Elsa and Sam announced
their decision to be together.
"These people don't trust me anymore," Shea says James.
And I have no faith in them to make the best decision for themselves.
I can't lead people I don't believe in, but you do."
"I trust their desire to see it through," James says.
"I'm going to trust you," Shea says earnestly.
That's something I can live with, but you'll have to lead them.
I'll lead them and protect them, but you'll be in charge."
James accepts, and the two men are once again (tentative) buddies.
CHAT BETWEEN MOTHER AND DAUGHTER
Elsa asks Margaret whether she wants to travel to Denver instead of Oregon when James decides
to go to Oregon.
"He said to trust him, and I'm trusting him," Margaret responds, before asking Elsa, "Know
why he lets you go free, don't you?"
When Elsa claims that he trusts her as well, Margaret tells her the truth: "'Cause he knows
clothes are your future."
Regardless of where we go.
You're dressing up, having babies, sweating over a garden, and swallowing every ambition
you've ever had because that's all the world wants from you."
Margaret is upset when Elsa decides to live with Sam on his estate.
Margaret begs Elsa to reconsider her decision, claiming that she has no idea what true love
is.
"You are my child," she says.
Margaret tears, "It is my job to lift you up when you fall down, and you will."
"It's not your responsibility anymore, mother," Elsa swiftly responds.
But I'm a woman, and I adore you.
I get to my feet.
I'll accompany you to Oregon so that I'll know where to go if I ever have to restart."
Margaret is content, but she is hoping for a happy ending for Sam and Elsa.
"All I want is that there be a ceremony."
Make promises to God so that something has a chance."
"He saved my life," Elsa says intelligently and forcefully.
Twice.
You also saved your husband's life.
It's not necessary for me to seek God's permission to adore him.
He was sent by God."
GOODBYE, SAM AND ELSA
Elsa and Sam are even more adamant about their desire to marry after killing a buffalo and
spending a few nights beneath the stars together.
Sam gives her a beaded vest as they prepare to part ways and assures her they'll meet
back on the route in June when the flowers blossom.
As Sam rides away, Elsa cries "I love you" in English and Comanche.
Sam gathers his soldiers and rides in a circle with them.
"Know you fill my heart," Sam exclaims in his own tongue.
You should be aware that you are the wife of a fighter.
"Be aware that you are a fighter."
The pioneers are understandably taken aback by this public exhibition of adoration.
Elsa feels unafraid and proud of their love for one another, even as tears stream down
her face.
Elsa's voice-over narration takes over as she rides past the group to the cow herd:
"I felt their eyes move over me."
I sensed their sympathy and disgust, but it didn't mean anything to me.
Riding away was the only thing that mattered.
I was riding away from him at the time."
We can only hope, like Elsa, for a nice reunion with Sam in
the spring.