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Critic’s Rating: 2.25 / 5.0
2.25
What lies ahead after such devastation?
The recent episode of 1923 Season 2, Episode 6, was a significant turning point, claiming the lives of seven characters and leaving another one in a perilous situation. It appears that creator Taylor Sheridan has no intention of offering the Duttons any form of joyful resolution, regardless of the era in which they find themselves.
Engaging with a television series can profoundly influence your emotions, and I’ve been wrestling with this overwhelming sense of sorrow for the past couple of weeks, struggling to make sense of it all.
Fortunately, we can share in our collective sorrow. The odds may seem insurmountable for Alex, yet the teaser for Episode 7 indicates that she “braves the cold.”
If Paul’s journey through the frigid weather barely allowed him to progress more than 15 feet, one must question how a pregnant woman could possibly navigate through relentless snow and an unforgiving landscape.
Let’s take a moment to reflect on other heartbreaking conclusions within the series. Why not delve into it?
Recall my earlier remarks in the review of Episode 1 of Season 2, where I celebrated Teonna’s role as a beacon of hope from the very start.
Unless she is already expecting, any semblance of happiness seems far off. Even if she carries Pete’s child, it could serve as a bittersweet reminder of the tumultuous years she has endured.
Yes, Pete has met his tragic end, along with his horse, and both losses are immensely painful. Teonna had a sense of the impending doom, while her father clung to false hope, which ultimately cost him dearly.
In a somewhat positive turn of events, Father Renaud reached his breaking point with the corrupt marshal and made the decision to eliminate him. However, this leaves Father Renaud alive, unsettlingly stalking Teonna and Runs His Horse as if he possesses an unexpected prowess in survival.
It feels disingenuous that viewers are expected to accept this scenario involving a priest. While the Native Americans represent the series’ protagonists, their historical struggles have often forced them into desperate situations. The idea that a priest could outmaneuver them feels overly contrived.
Perhaps the words of Runs His Horse resonate with Teonna, instilling in her a determination to persevere, as the survival of her people hangs in the balance. This notion could have driven her to confront Renaud, or she may simply have reached her emotional limit with his continued malice.
Witnessing her retaliate against him using hot ashes and multiple stabbings was a moment of release.
Despite the bleakness, I hold onto the hope that ultimately, her community will find justice. Interestingly, the Duttons play a crucial role in that narrative, albeit their paths have yet to cross directly.
Before Teonna’s retribution against Renaud unfolded, tragedy struck the Dutton family with the loss of Jack.
The Dutton storyline in this episode began on a light-hearted note but quickly devolved into despair. They had yet to resolve the fallout from a previous incident before the weight of tragedy struck again, forcing the youngest Dutton into darkness.
Earlier that day, Jack expressed his nostalgia for simple breakfasts of beans, bringing a moment of laughter to his wife, a welcome reprieve from her previous melancholy.
Now, Jack won’t have to endure another breakfast, and if Elizabeth manages to survive this turmoil, it will be nothing short of a miracle.
The sheriff delivered news of Spencer’s impending homecoming, setting off a series of unfortunate events.
Meanwhile, Zane remains incapacitated from his head injury but is eager to return to action. Jacob understands the need for caution and recovery, but this very carelessness contributed to losing Jack.
Jack’s youthful arrogance led him to believe he could navigate the dangers surrounding his family. His choice to seek out Jacob, rather than remain hidden and safe, proved to be fatally misguided.
Upon encountering Banner’s men in the woods, it was evident that Jack wouldn’t escape alive. His bravado ultimately cost him everything, and the repercussions will hit Elizabeth the hardest, as Jacob reminds her that she was Jack’s sunrise.
One possibility for Elizabeth’s future is that, should Spencer return only to find Alex dead, he and Elizabeth might forge a bond through shared grief, raising a child to carry on the Dutton legacy.
If that isn’t enough to weigh on one’s spirit, I can’t imagine what is. Still, Elizabeth might surprise us. The Irishwoman on the train demonstrated the extreme lengths a mother will go to protect her child, and now that Elizabeth is a mother, here’s hoping she fights to survive.
On a brighter note, the sheriff seems to align with the Duttons’ interests.
Although his perspective seemed questionable during Episode 5, he was attempting to be pragmatic by urging Spencer to stay away. It mirrors a desire to avoid the worst-case scenario by ignoring potential dangers.
Spencer is making his way back home, finally armed with a train ticket. Yet, can he truly rest? His thoughts are fully occupied, focusing on his responsibilities back home. Has he considered Alex at all in the midst of his journey?
As he traverses further into the snow, a conductor offered alternative routes that could reunite him with Alex if she happened to be stranded nearby.
Her decisions, however, led her to accept a ride from a couple as unaware of the harsh realities of the American West as Alex is. Paul and Hillary were brief characters whose lighthearted approach to travel ended tragically when they succumbed to the weather, seemingly oblivious to the peril they were inviting.
Being adventurous is commendable, but foolishness can have dire consequences, as they both discovered.
Upon stopping for gas, they should have parted ways, allowing Alex to find a safer route, but instead, they pressed on into the blizzard, leaving her stranded with a vanishing hope of rescue.
As the camera zoomed out, it illustrated her isolation, a mere speck in a boundless expanse.
No one was aware of their predicament, save for the gas station attendant, who likely wouldn’t give them another thought.
While the episode hints that Alex confronts adversity, the narrative has set forth multiple ominous signs suggesting that luck may not be on her side.
Similarly, Teonna is anticipated to have a significant encounter in the next episode. With so few characters remaining, one wonders who she might come across. It’s doubtful that their paths would intertwine meaningfully given the distance now between them.
Elsa’s concluding voice-over hinted at a troubling fate, suggesting that perhaps nature would be a kinder fate to all involved than the relentless suffering they currently endure.
At this juncture, it’s exhausting. My spirits are low, and the uncertainty surrounding Spencer and Alexandra’s potential reunion is disheartening. How can this story reach a resolution in just one episode? It’s notable that we’ve fallen short of the promised full eight episodes, and anticipation looms for a nearly two-hour finale.
I’ve questioned the potential for another season, yet the mounting tragedies leave one wondering how the storyline could close without further exploration. The pace at which characters are being eliminated raises concerns about how many will remain by the end of Season 2.
What are your thoughts on “The Mountain Teeth of Monsters”? Does Alex have any chance of survival? How will Elizabeth cope with Jack’s tragic death? How will they all navigate the burdens of their losses?
Join the discussion in the comments below.
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