The stakes at the Dutton ranch just keep getting higher!
In the latest episode of 1923 season 2, which premiered Sunday, March 16, the life of one of the Dutton ranch’s own was on the line — and the family learned that there was new life coming altogether.
Zane (Brian Geraghty) underwent a harrowing procedure by the town doctor to ease the pressure on his brain following the devastating attack on him and his wife Alice (Joy Osmanski) coordinated by Whitfield (Timothy Dalton) over their illegal interracial marriage that happened in season 1.
Jacob (Harrison Ford) and Jack (Darren Mann) held Zane down as the doctor drilled a hole into his head to let blood leak out, relieving the pressure on his brain that was causing him vision failure and trouble walking.
To everyone’s surprise, the procedure was a success, and a teary-eyed Zane thanked the doctor as he said he didn’t think he’d ever “walk again.”
Zane’s risky procedure was just the first medical ordeal of the day. When it came time for Elizabeth’s (Michelle Randolph) daily rabies shot — which was needed after a wolf bit her in episode 2 — the doctor revealed she was pregnant with Jack’s baby after he was tipped off by her stomach cramping.
“It appears the good Lord has two miracles for this family today,” he told Cara (Helen Mirren).
The news couldn’t have come at a better time, considering moments before, she’d told Jack she was not his “sweetheart” and made him leave her alone as she held firm to her commitment to leave the cruel Montana winter for Boston once she finished her round of the vaccine.
Jacob then tried to have a word with her at Cara’s behest — he reminded Elizabeth that the “sun doesn’t rise in the East” for Jack, but rather, “It rises with you” — and believed his pep talk to have solved the couple’s problems as Elizabeth came running outside to give Jack a big hug.
Unaware of the pregnancy news, Jacob bragged about how he was able to give Elizabeth “a little wisdom and understanding” to ease the tension.
“Yes, you certainly saved the day, didn’t you?” Cara asked cheekily, knowing the real reason behind the reconciliation had nothing to do with Jacob.
“Don’t be jealous honey, turns out I know more about women than you give me credit for,” Jacob said as Cara laughed.
“Jacob — and I say this from a place of deep affection — it is your complete ignorance on the mind of a woman that is the cornerstone of our marriage,” Cara admitted. “Without it, I would’ve left you decades ago.”
Moments later, Jack excitedly announced, “She’s gonna have a baby!” leaving Jacob with the realization that he had not, in fact, been the solution to the couple’s strife, and Cara walked off with a laugh.
Elsewhere in the episode, Spencer (Brandon Sklenar) continued his cross-country journey after narrowly escaping police custody in Texas, Teonnah (Aminah Nieves) realized that word was spreading about the hunt for her and Alex (Julia Schlaepfer) managed to make it onto her train against all odds.
New episodes of 1923 season 2 premiere Sundays on Paramount+.