The Killing Season is the first episode of 1923: A Yellowstone Origin Story and the season premier. The episode premiered on February 23, 2025.
Outline[]
The winter brings new challenges and dangers for the Duttons; Spencer and Alexandra set off on separate journeys.
Summary[]
The Dutton Ranch falls on hard times, with the family having sold off the last of their herd to keep up with their financial strains. Jacob heads to Bozeman for the trial against the newly-wealthy Creightons, but not before scaring off a cougar seeking shelter on the porch. At the Whitfield mansion, Donald gloats over the start of the trial with one of the prostitutes from the last season, and it is revealed the other one is kept tied up in a closet. On a merchant steamship bound for America, Spencer earns his passage back by working in the boilers with young Italian crewmate, Luca. Later that night in the sleeping quarters, Spencer wakes up to the muffled cries of Luca being raped by a crewmate. He fights the crewmate, but is interrupted by the captain, who shoots the crewmate dead. Still on the hunt for Teonna, Father Renaud and the Marshalls arrive at a Comanche encampment, where Marshal Kent shoots three armed Natives and holds a Comanche child hostage until they confess if they've seen Teonna. A woman speaks up that there are no Crows in their tribe. As Renaud and the Marshalls leave the camp, Kent tramples over the child as a warning. At a distant creek, Teonna gathers water as Runs His Horse and Pete prepare weapons, and Runs His Horse laments the destruction brought on by colonialism. He asks her if she wants to marry Pete, and implores her to give him the permission to ask first. She walks off to join Pete's hunt, where they begin to make love but are interrupted by a horseman in the distance. As Pete retrieves Teonna's clothes, he discovers the horseman to be a rancher hunting for wild cattle and informs him that they are in Texas. In England, Jennifer visits Alexandra, depressed since losing Spencer and eager to get to America. Jennifer decides to book her a ticket when Alexandra reveals her pregnancy, and writes Spencer a letter. Back on the ship, when Luca doesn't show up to work, Spencer discovers a suicide letter and finds Luca preparing to jump. He talks him down by reminding him of his family and that people are not defined by what happens to them. In the boiler room, Luca and Spencer bond over their respective family histories. While in Bozeman, Jacob visits a speakesy, where William McDowell warns him about Donald's tactics. Back on the boat, Luca sets up a fight between Spencer and two crewmates, Spencer emerging victorious. As Elizabeth heads outside to bask in the first sunlight of the season, Cara sees that she is frozen in fear, the cougar having returned and menacing her. Cara kills it with a shotgun.
Cast[]
Episode Deaths[]
- NA
Notes[]
- Jeremy Gauna is recast in the role of Pete Plenty Clouds, following Cole Brings Plenty's death in 2024. Brings Plenty received an In Memorium dedication at the beginning of the episode.
Gallery[]
Promotional Videos[]
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