There's No Mercy in 1923—And That's the Point
If you thought 1923 was brutal before, Episode 6 just laughed in your face and said, Hold my whiskey. Titled The Mountain Teeth of Monsters—a name that should've been our first clue—this episode racked up a body count so high it would make a Tarantino villain blush. Seven people dead, and with only a few episodes left, the question isn't if more bodies will fall, but who's next?
This episode hammers home the show's core thesis: survival isn't just difficult—it's damn near impossible. From the frozen wastelands of Wyoming to the lawless mountains of Montana, every character is inches away from death, and Taylor Sheridan makes sure we feel it.
Let's break down the carnage.
The Hunt for Teonna: A Trail of Blood
Teonna Rainwater's (Aminah Nieves) desperate run for freedom has been one of 1923's most gripping storylines, but in Episode 6, it reaches a gruesome climax. Pete Plenty Clouds (Jeremy Guana) is dead before the opening credits even roll, his body left as a warning. But the real gut-punch? Father Renaud (Sebastian Roche) shooting Marshal Kent (Jamie McShane) in cold blood. If there were any lingering doubts that Renaud is beyond redemption, that moment shattered them.
Teonna's father, Runs His Horse (Michael Spears), tries to keep her going, but grief is a heavy weight. And just when you think they might make it—Renaud slithers back in. He nearly kills Teonna, preaching salvation with the kind of religious fervor that makes your skin crawl. But Teonna? She's done being a victim. A handful of hot coals and a blade later, Renaud is dead, and justice—however brutal—has been served.
But here's the problem: 1923 has made it clear that killing one monster doesn't mean the fight is over. Teonna might have survived this night, but the system that hunted her isn't done yet.
Duttons vs. Whitfield: The War Isn't Coming—It's Here
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Jacob Dutton (Harrison Ford) and his crew scramble to intercept Spencer (Brandon Sklenar) before Whitfield's men can. The stakes? Life and death. Whitfield (Timothy Dalton) isn't just a villain—he's a vulture, circling the Duttons' land and tearing apart anything that gets in his way.
His latest act of depravity? Torturing a man while sipping whiskey, as if he's merely enjoying a fine evening. It's a reminder that Sheridan's villains aren't just bad—they're irredeemable. And with Banner Creighton (Jerome Flynn) bringing news of Spencer's return, Whitfield's next move is clear: kill the war hero before he even steps foot on his family's land.
But here's the twist—Spencer isn't some lost lamb returning home. He's a battle-hardened soldier. Whitfield might think he's laying a trap, but he could be walking straight into one himself.
Jack's Reckless End?
Then there's Jack Dutton (Darren Mann), who proves once again that impulsivity gets you killed in 1923. Instead of staying put, he rides out to find Jacob—and walks right into an ambush. Two of Banner's men shoot him, then ride off, leaving him for dead.
Jack's fate remains uncertain, but let's be real—this is 1923. If he survives, it won't be without a cost.
Alexandra's Nightmare: Frozen Bodies & Broken Dreams
The episode's final act shifts to Alexandra (Julia Schlaepfer), still desperately trying to reunite with Spencer. She finds help in a kind couple, Paul and Hillary, who offer her a ride west. For a brief moment, there's hope. A cross-country adventure. Laughter. Even driving lessons.
Then reality hits like a sledgehammer.
A brutal storm traps them in the wilderness, and by morning, Alexandra wakes up to find both Paul and Hillary dead—frozen solid. It's a stark reminder that in 1923, even kindness isn't enough to keep you alive.
Her isolation mirrors Spencer's, setting up an agonizing final stretch. Will she make it to Montana? Or will 1923 take yet another tragic turn?
The Bigger Picture: Why 1923's Violence Isn't Just for Shock
With seven deaths in one episode, it's easy to write off 1923 as just another grim Western. But Sheridan's brutality serves a purpose.
This isn't just about bloodshed—it's about exposing the raw, unforgiving nature of the early American West. 1923 strips away the myth of frontier heroism, showing that survival was rarely about being the strongest or the bravest—it was about sheer luck. And luck, as this episode makes clear, runs out fast.
With only a few episodes left, the question isn't just who will make it—but whether anyone can escape the monster's teeth.
What do you think? Will Spencer's return turn the tide, or is the Dutton family doomed? Drop your theories below.
