It has been four months since Cara wrote a letter to recall Spencer from Africa. The atmosphere is grim, with characters Jacob being bedridden and Emma grieving. Everyone in 1923 seems to be dying, and the air is filled with the threat of death. Elsa describes life as a series of melancholy routines and the family being lost in the tedium of healing.
Teonna is on the run after her escape from the school - after killing Sister Mary and another nun. Her story has been disconnected from the Duttons, but it finally connects in this episode. Spencer and Teonna are both on a journey of returning home, with Spencer fulfilling his duty and Teonna desperately seeking escape. They are both drawn back to their ancestral lands.
She embarks on a 400-mile journey on foot, facing challenges such as hunger and wolves. Eventually, she is rescued by a Native American sheep-herder, who introduces himself as Hank. Meanwhile, Father Renaud launches a manhunt to find Teonna, but she has covered her tracks and will hopefully make it to safety before they find her.
Spencer's journey home is facing setbacks. Upon reaching Mombasa, he discovers that the only route to America is via England on a ship that takes a month to reach there and won't depart for another three weeks. Determined not to waste seven weeks on only a third of his journey, Spencer seeks out a less conventional option and offers a grumpy tugboat captain 30 quid to be his deckhand as far as the Suez Canal. However, Spencer decides that this dangerous journey is not suitable for Alexandra. When Alex wakes up during his attempt to sneak out, she gives him an ultimatum - take her with him or lose her forever. Spencer chooses to take Alex with him, knowing that her presence will provide levity on the journey.
Jack, now an orphan, is filled with hate towards Banner, cowboys who left the Yellowstone, and the current situation, rendering him unable to assist anyone. However, there is a glimmer of hope. When Elizabeth tells Jack that his hatred has overshadowed his love for her, they finally get married, even if only they are present to hear the vows. Soon after, Elizabeth becomes pregnant, potentially with John Dutton II, who will one day become the father of John Dutton III.
Cara's friends are dwindling, while her enemies are growing stronger. Despite being shot by Banner's men, Jacob is slowly recovering and eventually becomes a counselor to Cara, advising her on Banner's possible actions. Donald Whitfield, the miner who desires Yellowstone for its gold, has formed an alliance with Banner and made him wealthy. He has given Banner a home with amenities such as running water, gas, and electricity. Though Banner seems to be aware of Whitfield's selfish intentions, he still accepts the keys to the home. They are set on acquiring the entire valley, starting with the Strafford ranch previously owned by Elizabeth's mother. Whitfield believes that Jacob is dead, which proves to be his downfall as he underestimates the Dutton family.
Cara waits for a daily telegram from her nephew but it never arrives. Until Alex informs Spencer that the ships can transmit and get a message to Montana, and a chain of communication begins. Eventually, a telegram reaches Cara at the small post office in Paradise Valley, informing her Spencer is on his way home..
Unfortunately, the captain of the tugboat dies of a presumed case of tuberculosis, leaving Spencer and Alex to fend for themselves on the tugboat. However, their lack of nautical knowledge leads to a collision with a ghost ship, resulting in the capsizing of the tugboat. The episode ends with no signs of life from the wreckage, leaving the audience to question the fate of Spencer and Alex. Surely this isn't the last we see of them? We'll find out next week.
