'1883' Episode 4 Review: Romance blossoms as belongings and lives are further lost
Spoilers for '1883' Episode 4 'The Crossing'
It's Sunday and Paramount+ returned with a much-awaited episode 4 of '1883' after a short break and boy did the tensions run high! '1883' follows the origin of the Dutton family and how they came to be in Montana.
So far into the journey, one thing has been made very clear, the journey is not what it seemed and will be way more precarious. Shea Brennan (Sam Eliott) and James Dutton (Tim McGraw) along with his family and the clan of immigrants need to cross the vast expense of the Great Plains. But the trip comes with bandits, disease, death, and more. Add to it tensions between James and Shea and the situation is even worse. Read on to know what happened in the fourth episode and our thoughts on it.
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The episode opens with Elsa Dutton (Isabel May) talking poetically about the land and how it's waging a war on itself. She also said that the trip has helped her realize who she is and proudly says she's a cowboy. The entire traveling party has now reached a river but crossing the deep waters seems to be an incredibly difficult and dangerous task. Although James says they should cross the next day at noon, he along with Margaret Dutton (Faith Hill) cross the river at night when the water is low. What seems like a betrayal at first is actually thoughtfulness on his part as the smart man knows help is needed from the opposite bank.
Along with growing problems love also grows in this episode. Elsa is smitten with Ennis (Eric Nelsen) and even shares a first kiss with him. The young girl slowly falling for him was sweet to see amid all the stress, with Isabel May being an absolute pleasure to watch each time. Thomas who surprised us with his softness last episode continued it in the third one with him caring for Neomi (Gratiela Brancusi) and it looks like there may be a new couple in the show soon. But that's it for the mushy business this episode as it's time to cross a river. In a heartbreaking yet justified manner, the travelers are told to get rid of anything heavy that is unnecessary by Shea. As they're forced to lose their precious belongings, their distraught sobs have you empathizing. But it's far from over as it gets even sadder. The travelers, none of whom can swim, struggle to cross via a rope but a few ends up drowning. Margaret while getting pulled under by one of them has to push the woman away leading to the lady dying. Faith Hill's expression as she sits on the bank frustrated and defeated at being unable to save the person was commendable and you can feel her grief over losing the stranger.
Love, death, and emotions mark an emotion-filled watch. Seems like the travelers have the most to lose and the road isn't getting any kinder to anyone. Shea and Thomas have it tough as well and their decisions although hard, have the group's survival in mind. With more horrors to come '1883' is the show that'll keep you hooked and hungry for more.
'1883' returns with new episodes on Sundays on Paramount+.