Episode 9 of “1883” sees the Dutton family’s journey come to a head. In the episode, the caravan is forced to improvise in a problematic situation that could have dangerous consequences for everyone. As the group continues their journey, they are forced to stop near a Native American camp after a few immigrants get injured.
What follows is a harrowing experience that tests the group’s resolve and demands every shred of belief in them. If you’re wondering how the Duttons and their companions get out of a tight spot and what it’s costing them, here’s everything you need to know about the ‘1883’ Episode 9 ending! SPOILERS AHEAD!
1883 episode 9 recap
The ninth episode of the series, titled “Racing Clouds”, continues the caravan’s journey down the Oregon Trail. The group is forced to stop on the road when a snake bites Risa’s horse. She falls off her horse and is seriously injured. Josef comes to see her, but the snake bites him too. The situation causes panic among the group and Colton steps in to calm them down. He crushes the snake and sucks blood from Josef’s foot. As the immigrants tend to Josef and Risa, the caravan faces another problem.
At the head of the caravan, Shea, James and Thomas discover an Amerindian camp that bandits have set on fire. Native Americans were brutally murdered and their horses were stolen. James suspects it’s the work of horse thieves. Shea fears that the family members of the deceased will arrive on the scene seeking revenge. Since the tracks of the caravan coincide with those of the robbers, the group is likely to become the target of the wrath of the Native American tribe. Therefore, James decides to find the robbers and kill them to get revenge on behalf of the Native Americans.
James orders the members of the caravan to stay put and goes looking for the horse thieves with Shea and Thomas. Cookie arrives and convinces everyone that waiting on the site is dangerous. He implores everyone to move as quickly as possible to Fort Caspar, the nearest military checkpoint. As Margaret tries to arrest everyone for their safety, she reluctantly agrees to follow them. However, the caravan is intercepted by the Native Americans, who open an attack against them. The group is forced to fight to survive while James’ unit deals with the horse thieves. James, Shea, and Thomas kill the horse thieves only to realize that the wagon camp is in danger.
1883 Episode 9 Ending: How Does Elsa Stop the Native Americans? Will Elsa survive?
In the final act of the episode, Native Americans attack the caravan. On the road to their camp, the Amerindians find the traces of the caravan and follow them. They believe the tracks belong to the horse thieves who killed their family members. Consequently, the Native Americans were in no mood to negotiate and opened an attack as soon as they spotted the caravan. As the Native Americans load the wagoners, Elsa is close to them. The caravan barricades itself with its wagons and prepares to retaliate. Elsa diverts some of the Native Americans loading onto the wagons so the others have a chance to survive.
However, Elsa is knocked off her horse and collapses. When Elsa comes to her senses, she tries to fight back but gets into a verbal altercation with the tribe leader. She explains that the group did not kill the people of the tribe. Elsa speaks the few lines Sam taught her in her tribe’s language. Thus, Elsa gains the trust of the tribal chief and proves that she is telling the truth. Also, the tribe leader is impressed by Elsa’s tenacity and spares the group. The fight ends and the wagoners prepare to continue their journey to Fort Caspar.
However, much to everyone’s concern, Elsa was stabbed with an arrow that went through her body. Wade and Margaret try to treat the wound, but it has become infected. James reunites with his family and quickly realizes that Elsa’s days are numbered. The episode ends with the group resuming their journey, but uncertainty hangs over Elsa’s fate. No one, including Elsa, believes she can survive. Although Elsa has survived against all odds time and time again, it seems she will soon succumb to her injuries and perish. Ultimately, Elsa’s death could serve as the motivation that causes the Duttons to change their destination from Oregon to Montana.
Read more: 1883 episode 8 recap and ending, explained
