Guest star Rita Wilson plays a storekeeper who helps Margaret unwind while Shea helps Elsa cope with her loss.
Warning: This is an overview of Episode 106 of 1883, so there will be scads of spoilers here. We strongly recommend that you not read this if you have not yet watched the episode on Paramount+.
As the group prepares for another river crossing, Thomas and Noemi grow closer, and two newcomers join the wagon train. What are we to make of this? Here are our five takeaways from “Boring the Devil,” Episode 106 of 1883.
Takeaway No. 1
This felt more like a transitional episode than anything else — wrapping up some old business, laying groundwork for another river crossing and other plot developments, and allowing Margaret to take a well-earned break — but pay the title no heed: It sustained interest throughout. Guest star Rita Wilson keyed a few moments of welcome humor when, during a stopover in Doan’s Crossing, a settlement marking the divide between Texas and The Oklahoma Territories, Margaret (Faith Hill) got comically sloshed with Carolyn (Wilson), an understanding storekeeper with a ready supply of whiskey punch. James (Tim McGraw) knew enough to leave the ladies be — probably because he figured, after all this time on the trail, his wife was more than entitled to a Girls Day Out. (It should be noted that Wilson had a much cheerier time of it than her real-life husband, Tom Hanks, when he cameoed on 1883 a few episodes back.)
Takeaway No. 2
Also in Doan’s Crossing: Thomas (LaMonica Garrett) hired Cookie (James Jordan) to provide satisfying cuisine — or at least edible chow — for the party, while Shea (Sam Elliott) retained the services of a new cowboy, Colton (Noah Le Gros), to replace Ennis, who met with a violent demise in Episode 105. Truth to tell, Colton — who just happened to be a buddy of Ennis — wasn’t especially eager to join the wagon train until he set his eyes on Elsa (Isabel May) and reconsidered his ambivalence. Naturally, Colton wasted no time in trying to flirt with Elsa. Just as naturally, Elsa — still grieving for Ennis — more or less told him to buzz off. Which he did. Initially, at least.
Takeaway No. 3
Shea tried his best to comfort Elsa for her loss, encouraging her to press forward — “I don’t have anyone left who loves me! You do!” — and explaining that the main reason he’s “still sucking air today” is to finally see the ocean, something his late wife dearly wanted to do and never did. With her in his heart, Shea reasons, she can see through his eyes: “I’m taking my wife to the ocean.” Elsa was grateful for his words — but they didn’t do quite enough to calm the rage and guilt she felt after fatally shooting the varmint who killed Ennis. Indeed, she very nearly shot dead some creep who looked at her the wrong way — for much too long — while in Doan’s Crossing, prompting James to take her gun away (for now) and Carolyn to remark: “Pretty short fuse on that girl.” James finally calmed her down a bit by sharing a memory about his own first kill, a young flag bearer he shot during a Civil War battle. And while that might not sound entirely relevant to the situation at hand, never mind: She accepted James’ observation that the guy she killed was going to bleed to death or be hanged anyway, so she shouldn’t blame herself for hastening his quietus. By the way: Early in the episode, Elsa realized it was her time of the month. So for those of you who were hoping Ennis might have impregnated her before he joined The Ghost Riders in the Sky — well, sorry.
Takeaway No. 4
Once again, Thomas tried to make it clear to widowed mother Noemi (Gratiela Brancusi) that they were just good friends, and love had nothing to do with it. But that was before he insisted that she hold on to her shotgun for protection when she asked him to sell her husband’s effects in Doan’s Crossing. “I can teach you how to use it,” he said. “You’re going to need it.” (Uh-oh. Is The Law of Chekhov’s Gun being invoked again?) And before Thomas purchased an expensive looking glass for her from a trader in the settlement. Not for the first time, Noemi saw right through him. “You want me to be happy,” she said. “You want me to be safe. That’s love.” Thomas didn’t argue the point. So she slipped off her clothes, and one thing led to another. But wait, there’s more: The next morning, she actually got him to start addressing her as “Noemi,” not “Ma’am.” Let’s just hope Shea isn’t jealous.
Takeaway No. 5
Guess it’s safe to assume that Margaret got too dang drunk to remember to buy that candy bar Wade (James Landry Hébert) asked her to get for him in Doan’s Crossing. You think?
