This week on ‘1923,’ the Dutton family finds themselves in a conflict with Banner Creighton, a local shepherd who desires their Yellowstone Ranch and takes action against them. Episode 7, named ‘The Rule of Five Hundred,’ portrays Banner being caught for his crimes against the Duttons, but his alliance with Donald Whitfield may help him escape punishment. Meanwhile, Teonna is still struggling to return home on the outskirts of Montana, and Alex and Spencer have a surprising reunion with family.
The episode commences with Jack Dutton bidding farewell to Elizabeth before going out with his uncle, Jacob Dutton. The Duttons are on their way to town, hoping to arrest Banner Creighton, the Scottish shepherd who attacked their family and murdered John Dutton. However, Jacob assures Cara Dutton that he will return home safely. In the town, a source of Donald Whitfield notices the Yellowstone cowboys riding to Sheriff McDowell’s office.
In the meantime, Banner is relishing the comforts of the extravagant residence gifted to him by Whitfield. However, his revelry is interrupted when Sheriff McDowell shows up at his doorstep. The sheriff apprehends Banner for his attack on the Duttons after Jacob, who is alive and willing to testify against the shepherd, reveals his whereabouts. Banner argues that Jacob killed his acquaintances for entering the property illegally, resulting in the altercation. Nevertheless, Sheriff McDowell declares that Jacob acted lawfully. Consequently, Banner is taken into custody and incarcerated by the sheriff.
Elsewhere, a source informs Whitfield of Banner’s detainment. Whitfield sends his attorney to post bail for Banner while dealing with the prostitutes left behind in Banner’s house. The attorney assures Banner that he will resolve his legal troubles but advises him not to converse with anyone at the Sheriff’s office or in the jail. At the log cabin, the Dutton women await the return of the men. Cara confides in Elizabeth about how she writes letters to Spencer to cope, and writes him another letter to organize her thoughts and express her sentiments.
Upon their return, Jacob and Jack are greeted by Cara, who is teaching Elizabeth how to bake a cake. Later, the family sits down for a pleasant dinner. However, Jack reads the newspaper during the meal, prompting a political discussion between him and Jacob, causing Cara and Elizabeth to become annoyed with them. Meanwhile, Hank’s son, Pete, encounters Runs His Horse, Teonna’s father and the leader of the Native American tribe. Runs His Horse discovers Issaxche’s corpse in her house and suspects government officials killed her. Pete informs him that Teonna is in trouble and hiding with Hank.
Runs His Horse asks Pete to go ahead while he performs a burial ceremony for Issaxche. Following the ceremony, Runs His Horse embarks on a journey to reunite with his daughter and rescue her from danger. Later that night, the Priests, who were sent to retrieve Teonna, come across Pete while he is camping. The Priests inquire about Teonna’s whereabouts, but Pete refuses to divulge any information and appears to challenge their religious beliefs. In response, the Priests attack him.
One of the Priests attempts to take Pete back to the Catholic Boarding School, while the other two continue their search for Teonna. When the Priest attempts to kill Pete, Runs His Horse intervenes and kills him. After disposing of the body, the two track down Teonna. Meanwhile, the two Priests catch up with Teonna and realize that she is disguised as a boy. As they try to take her back to school, Hank finds them and shoots them with his shotgun, but one of the Priests survives and shoots him, killing him. Teonna kills the remaining Priest by bashing his head in with a rock, and grieves Hank’s death.
In the final moments of the episode, viewers are given an update on Spencer and Alex's situation. The couple is facing various challenges during their ocean journey to Montana. However, the first phase of their journey seems to come to an end as they approach a port in Italy. Alex watches from the deck, while Spencer thanks Captain Shipley for his generosity and is reminded of his past as a famous hunter in Africa.
After disembarking in Sicily, Spencer and Alex spend some time at a cafe, but their peace is disturbed by the arrival of Alex's ex-fiancé. The episode concludes without revealing how the couple will handle the situation. Since Alex and Spencer eloped, her family might not approve of their marriage, and her ex-fiancé could try to interfere. These family issues could delay their return home or force them to separate. But knowing Spencer and Alex, it won't be an issue. With next week being the finale, we'll soon find out if they finally make it home.
