1923 SEASON 2 EPISODE 5 RECAP: The latest episode titled (Only Gunshots to Guide Us) of 1923 continues the intense struggles of the Duttons and their allies, deepening the conflicts that have defined this Yellowstone prequel. Episode 5 brings heartbreak, danger, and a desperate fight for survival as multiple storylines unfold across vast landscapes.
TEONNA ESCAPES AMARILLO
After escaping the abusive Catholic boarding school, Teonna Rainwater (Aminah Nieves) continues her harrowing journey with her father, Runs His Horse (Michael Spears), and her love, Pete Plenty Clouds (Cole Brings Plenty). The trio had briefly found shelter among friendly ranchers, but their peace was short-lived. Posters with Teonna’s face plastered across town forced them to flee immediately, heading toward Mexico in the hopes of escaping the relentless pursuit of Marshal Kent (Jamie McShane) and Father Renaud (Sebastian Roche).
The path ahead is treacherous. The flat, barren land offers no cover, making them easy targets. Kent, an experienced tracker, is relentless in his mission to find Teonna and the looming threat of capture or death follows them every step of the way.
WHAT HAPPENED TO PETE
Pete leaves the group to get water for the horses as they move forward. Runs His Horse tells him it’s risky to travel by yourself, but Pete tells Teonna he will be back soon. It’s too bad that fate has other ideas.
Pete is looking for water and decides to follow an animal. Instead, he runs into Kent and Renaud, who are already at a watering hole with their horses. Pete tries to run away when he realizes he is in danger, but his horse trips and he falls to the ground. He quickly gets up and points his gun at Kent, but the screen goes black before he can fire.
Three shots are then heard.
It’s clear what the sad meaning is. Kent’s deadly accuracy—shown in earlier episodes when he easily killed innocent Native Americans—means it’s not likely that Pete lived. The pain of this loss will make Teonna want to get revenge even more. She has nothing left to lose since these men may have killed her grandmother, cousin and now Pete. It’s possible that her anger is the only justice left.
SPENCER DUTTON’S UNSTOPPABLE RETURN
Meanwhile, Spencer Dutton (Brandon Sklenar) finds himself facing yet another obstacle on his journey home. After hopping a freight train to evade law enforcement in Fort Worth, he takes shelter under a tree for some much-needed rest. But his troubles are far from over. Marshal Mamie Fossett (Jennifer Ehle), a determined officer investigating Kent and Renaud’s murder of Native children, stumbles upon Spencer.
Fossett’s instincts tell her something is off. When Spencer reveals he’s from Montana, she immediately becomes suspicious—after all, the missing Native girl and the two killers she’s after are also from Montana.
Fossett detains Spencer and takes him to a station in Amarillo to verify his identity. She contacts Sheriff McDowell, who quickly vouches for Spencer, revealing he is a decorated war hero with a Congressional Medal of Honor. Despite this revelation, McDowell is uneasy about Spencer’s return. He warns that Spencer isn’t just coming home—he’s bringing vengeance. Spencer makes it clear: he will spill as much blood as necessary to avenge his family.
Fearing the chaos that will follow, McDowell urges Fossett to detain Spencer as long as possible, but she has no legal grounds to hold him. She reluctantly hands him a train ticket, sending him back on his path to Montana. The storm is coming. And Spencer Dutton is at its center.
ALEX FIGHTS FOR HER LIFE
Alexandra (Julia Schlaepfer) faces her own nightmare as she struggles to reunite with Spencer. After being robbed at a New York terminal, she barely manages to board a train with what little she has left. But her troubles don’t end there.
With no money to buy food, Alex is forced to work as a waitress on the train to earn a meal. Unfortunately, this puts her in the path of a predatory passenger who gropes her inappropriately. In a desperate act of self-defense, Alex smashes a steel coffee jar into his face, leaving him bloodied. Instead of receiving justice, she is thrown into a locked cage at the back of the train, labeled a criminal.
Her nightmare nearly worsens when the train reaches Chicago, and authorities prepare to hand her over to the law. But salvation comes in the form of Hillary and Paul, a wealthy English couple who witnessed the assault. They intervene, testifying on Alex’s behalf and ensuring she isn’t falsely imprisoned.
Despite her freedom, Alex’s journey is far from over. With the train to Fargo canceled due to heavy snowfall, she has no way to continue her journey to Montana. Stranded and alone, she breaks down in despair. Seeing her distress, Hillary and Paul offer her refuge at their home in Winnetka, where she can stay until she finds a way to reunite with Spencer.
Hope is not lost. But time is running out.
KENT AND RENAUD CLOSE IN
The hunt for Teonna intensifies as Father Renaud and Marshal Kent close in on their prey. Renaud, once hesitant to enter a saloon, is now willing to go to any lengths to bring Teonna back. A local rancher who last saw Teonna shares misleading information, branding her as “evil” for killing two nuns—conveniently ignoring the years of abuse she suffered.
Kent, confident in his tracking skills, picks up Teonna’s trail, leading them further into the plains. With Pete likely dead and her father the only protection she has left, Teonna is in more danger than ever before.
1923 Season 2 Episode 5 is a turning point for every character. With Pete’s fate left uncertain, Spencer drawing closer to the inevitable war, and Alex fighting for survival, the tension is at an all-time high. Teonna’s story, filled with heartbreak and resilience, is far from over. The battle lines are drawn, and as the forces of justice and vengeance collide, the Dutton legacy faces its most perilous test yet.
Stay tuned as 1923 continues to unravel its gripping saga. And be sure to visit spikytv.com for more updates, previews, and recaps of your favorite shows!
