‘1883’ Fans React To Gut-Wrenching Cliffhanger From Episode 9: “Racing Clouds”

Wes Langeler·
LIFEVIDEOS
·
Elsa Dutton 1883

Taylor Sheridan… you evil genius.

If you’ve already seen the latest episode of of the Yellowstone prequel series 1883, “Racing Clouds,” you’re probably neck deep in a box of tissues right now. If you haven’t, you might want to scroll on through to the next article…

Shit just got REAL.

But… didn’t we see this coming?

In Episode 9 of 1883, the penultimate episode, we see the Dutton clan making their way to Oregon when they stumble across a camp of slain Lakota Indians… just women, children and horses.

Slain by wannabe “deputies,” Shea Brennan (Sam Elliott) and Thomas (LaMonica Garrett), know the Lakota men will think they are responsible and hunt them down.

And that’s exactly what happens.

Shea, Thomas and James Dutton (Tim McGraw) go to hunt down the bandits before the Lakota catches up to their wagon train, but it’s too late.

Prior to their arrival, we see Elsa Dutton (Isabel May) change into that white dress from the very first episode… you know, the one with the wagon’s burning, the Indians attacking, and Elsa starring down the head of an arrow.

The End Of Elsa Dutton

And our worst fears from that opening scene have been realized.

Elsa takes a dirty arrow through the liver and while we don’t technically know for sure, it seems like this the end of her. Infection sets in, fever sets in it doesn’t look good… Tim takes a slap to the face telling Faith Hill, who plays his wife Margaret Dutton, that she’ll die.

However, we know that the Dutton family was on their way to Oregon, but somehow wound up settling in Montana… could the death of Elsa be the reason they never finish the journey?

Seems pretty likely…

James Dutton said they’ll settle wherever they end up burying her… sounds like Montana is where she’s buried.

Either way, this episode left fans GUTTED:

The final episode is set to air on February 28th…

We know that Paramount+ has ordered more episode of 1883 but it’s unclear if that means a full second season or just a few more episodes. They just announced plans for a follow up Yellowstone prequel titled 1932, that will presumably join the timeline when James and Margaret’s kids (with or without Elsa) are grown with their own kids.

“The show will follow a new generation of Duttons during the time of Western expansion, Prohibition and the Great Depression.”

So even if Elsa Dutton dies, the Dutton story is just getting started.

Faith Hill Slaps Tim McGraw

There’s the slap we’ve been waiting for.

Faith previously mentioned that the intimate scenes with her husband were a bit uncomfortable, but perhaps the most hilarious part of the interview?

Faith slapping the shit outta Tim while filming a scene.

Tim said that it’s been very rewarding to work alongside his wife, however Faith took one scene a little too far. And he’s not convinced it was “just acting.”

“It’s been incredible to do scenes together and to watch her work. We had this scene where she has to slap me.

I was expecting a finger slap but it was a paw to the jaw. There was 25 years of pent-up aggression going on! When you see it on screen, you realize it was a genuine hit.”

Sounds like Tim could’ve used a stunt double for that scene.

Here’s a little bit more of their interview:

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