In the season finale of 1923, Marshal Thomas meets with Father Renaud to investigate Teonna Rainwater's disappearance after the deaths of Sister Alice and Sister Mary. After examining the crime scene, Marshal Thomas requests Father Renaud to accompany them in searching for Teonna. We discover that Teonna's cousin, who was last seen being interrogated and physically assaulted by Father Renaud, has "passed." Unfortunately, she is not the only student who has died at the school. An entire cemetery filled with Native American victims suggests that they also fell victim to the Catholic school's abusive disciplinary methods.
In the meantime, Teonna meets up with her father, Runs His Horse, and Hank's son, Pete, after Hank's passing. Prior to setting off on their journey down south, Teonna's father wraps Hank's body and uses the blood to write "CHILD KILLER" on the bare chests of the deceased priests. Later that night, the trio makes camp and Teonna and Pete cuddle near the fire, much to the chagrin of her father. He advises them to set their budding emotions aside until they are out of harm's way. However, Teonna is exhausted and emotionally distressed, so she ignores her father's advice. She gives Pete a kiss on the cheek before falling asleep in his arms while crying.
Meanwhile, Jacob leads the cowboys into town to attend Banner Creighton's trial. Donald Whitfield's lawyer defends Banner, and works his magic against the charges of manslaughter and attempted murder. When the judge sets a date for a bail hearing, Benton convinces the judge that Jacob is responsible for the deaths of Banner's fellow shepherds. Consequently, Banner is released without bail, and he challenges Jacob to a fight before leaving.
Banner and Whitfield strategize their next move against the Duttons at the Strafford Ranch. Whitfield advises Banner to avoid jeopardizing their plan by settling his score with Jacob. Banner, however, is determined to get revenge and is willing to risk going to jail. Whitfield insists that they take away the Duttons' land without any legal entanglements.
Jacob visits the local bank to secure a loan using his cattle as collateral to survive the winter. However, the banker declines the request, stating that the cattle industry is no longer a reliable asset. Instead, he suggests Jacob take a mortgage on his land and pay off the debt with a small interest rate over thirty years. But Jacob is proud of not having a mortgage on his home and does not want to burden his family with debt, so he declines the offer.
In the meantime, Zane takes a break from his ranch work and visits his family. He is married to Alice, an Asian woman, and they have two children. Unfortunately, Whitfield's spy tracks down Zane's family and informs the police, who arrive at their home and arrest Alice because it is illegal for her to be married to a white man. Zane tries to object, but the police knock him out before taking Alice into custody.
Elsewhere, Alex and Spencer embark on the RMS Majestic, a ship heading to England. However, Alex becomes worried about her ex-fiancé Arthur's presence on the vessel. Upon meeting up with her friend Jennifer during dinner, Alex discloses that she is married to Spencer. Arthur feels insulted and challenges Spencer to a duel. At first, Spencer declines the challenge, but he changes his mind after Arthur insults Alex. The duel ends with Spencer throwing Arthur off the ship in self-defense as Arthur pulls a gun on him. Unfortunately, none of the witnesses speak up in Spencer's defense, and he is arrested by the ship's authorities and imprisoned.
At the Yellowstone Ranch, Elizabeth suffers a miscarriage and loses her baby, but Jack is there to comfort her. Whitfield pays a visit to the ranch and comes face-to-face with Jacob, who is sitting on the porch with Cara, contemplating his age. Accompanied by two gun-wielding henchmen, the mining magnate taunts Jacob and Cara. The cowboys draw their guns, but Cara intervenes before any shots are fired. Following his own advice to Banner, Whitfield decides to forgo violence and use his business acumen. He hands Jacob a receipt for his overdue property taxes, assuring him that his debt is settled. However, if Jacob doesn't repay him by the end of the year, Whitfield will acquire the deed to the property.
Things take a turn for the worse for Spencer when it's revealed that Arthur comes from a royal family, giving him leverage on the ship. Despite Alex being imprisoned in her cabin, her friend Jennifer steps forward to help clear Spencer's name. Unfortunately, Arthur died when Spencer flung his overboard, and his father demands Spencer's release at the next port. Questions are raised about the legality of Spencer's marriage to Alex, who is apparently the Countess of Sussex.
When Alex learns that they will be separated, she decides to join Spencer, but she is caught by Jennifer too late - Spencer is already being escorted to shore by sailors. Alex and Spencer both put up a fight against their oppressors and scream out to each other, but they are unable to stop the separation. In a final act of determination, Alex shouts to Spencer that she'll meet him in Bozeman, and they both declare their love for each other before being torn apart.
When we see them again in season 2, how much time will have passed? We'll find out in 2024.
