In the final act of sadness, we tragically lose the beloved Elsa, as she and her father make the journey to the piece of paradise Spotted Eagle spoke of. Granted, Sheridan’s writing often pushes what the audience needs, rather than what the audience wants, so there is something to be said not only about how Shae’s death evoked such a gutteral emotional response, but my connection with Shae as well. This was one time where I questioned what purpose it served. But after so much death and loss at this point, the audience didn’t need yet another reminder of death in such a profoundly hollow manner. It felt empty, perhaps much like a real suicide would. In what some might see as a merciful end to a man who has seen so much tragedy in his 75 years, I felt it was a betrayal for a character that inspired others and that saved so many. Thomas (Lamonica Garrett) and Noemi (Gratiela Brancusi), along with her boys do seem to get the happiest ending, as they find a plot where they think they can be happy, and I’m thankful that Sheridan at least gave us that nugget of happiness. Optimistic perhaps, but a small consolation considering everything he has gone through. Even when he is safe, he loses his beloved wife, Risa (Anna Fiamora) and in his final sequence on screen, is seen trying to stake his plot of land. During their final days on the trail North, Josef (Marc Rissmann) has his leg amputated to survive the snake bite. It was a real jolt back to reality which I felt wasn’t needed at all, and a true disservice to the conclusion of these characters that Sheridan couldn’t leave the fate of the two men with even a shred of optimism.įor the remainder of the episode, that hopelessness follows. Elsa immediately narrates how the Cowboys doubtlessly are fated to become another unmarked grave in the unforgiving wilderness. That sea comes flooding back fairly quickly however, as Elsa’s voice-over turns back to thoughts of death. It is a moment that, even for a split-second, parts the seas of sorrow.
The three exchange flirtation, respectfully joke with one another, and two of the fan-favorite characters ride off into an unknown future. A memorable and touching moment of this inevitable separation is when Elsa says her goodbyes to our charming Cowboys, Colton and Wade (Noah Le Gros and James Landry Hébert). Familiar arguments of where the Duttons’ destiny lies, or where the pioneers have to trek, quickly resolve one way or another, and it conveniently leaves the Duttons and Shae with the remainder of the featured cast. Our fears are confirmed when only minutes after arriving at Fort Caspar, Elsa berates a pair of baby-faced soldiers guarding the gate, and immediately falls off her horse, succumbing to her injuries.įor the next several moments, for the first time, the show felt like it was merely delaying the inevitable. Perhaps it’s because the audience expects Elsa’s fate is in fact sealed, as we know Sheridan does not shy away from the tragic in order to serve his stories.
The melancholy pioneer-poetry continues to serve as the literal voice of the groups’ struggle, but this time it feels different. She speaks of how death connects the universe from the rabbits to the birds, from humans to the stars above.
We knew the family had to make it to Montana to found the family empire, and we knew along the way, many, many people were going to die.Įlsa, with her trademark narration, leads this finale with another darker look at life. We knew from the very start that the Dutton daughter Elsa (Isabel May) was fated to be attacked by Lakota warriors, wounded, and very likely killed. Fans who will go back to the premiere now that the season is complete will pick up on hints and foreshadowing Sheridan left that are as large as the Buffalo on the Oregon trail. It is crystal clear that Sheridan has always had a plan for 1883, and it has been evident from the very first episode. It’s because good writers write what they know. There’s a reason why Sheridan always has the Dutton family typically one step ahead of their rivals. There’s a reason 1883’s creator, Taylor Sheridan often writes about these steadfast characters born of an era where a man’s love of his family and his land was everything. Near the conclusion of this 1883 season 1 finale, the great Graham Greene’s newly-introduced character, Spotted Eagle, tells Tim McGraw’s hero of the story, James Dutton, that James looks “like a man who plans”.
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