1923 Episode 5 Review: Ghost of Zebrina

As harsh as that criticism may seem, the subplot is not completely bereft of intrigue. Peter Stormare makes an amazing cameo as the grizzled Captain of the tugboat that will eventually get Spencer and Alex to a port where their options will open up. While the small fellowship is journeying across the pitch black waters, he even spins a sea-soaked yarn of the ghost ships that inhabit the ocean. These ships roam the waters like blind behemoths, often coming out of nowhere and claiming the lives of smaller vessels if those boats aren’t paying. It is enough of a salt-crusted anecdote performed by an iconic character actor to break up the otherwise flavorless expedition so far. 

Arguably, the most intriguing story thread is that of Teonna (Aminah Nieves) escaping the horrors of the Residential school that kidnapped her and other indigenous children. The bloody aftermath of her rage is quite a sight to see. When audiences last saw her, she was asphyxiating the brutal Sister Alice (Kerry O’Malley), returning only a small portion of the brutality she suffered. 

As the school discovers the bodies Teonna left behind, the barbarous Father Renaud (Sebastian Roché) sends a party after her to catch her and bring her back to the school. Since he cannot unleash his anger on Teonna himself, the bloody priest beats Teonna’s cousin, Baapucti (Leenah Robinson) showing no end to his savagery. Roché’s performance, as brief as it may be, is one of the highlights of the early episodes of 1923, alongside O’Malley’s reign of brutal discipline. The two actors, as well as Sheridan’s writing have created two antagonists of the most vile manner, and they can certainly elicit red-eyed fury out of any audience member. 

Teonna’s story of survival gives the audience some hope, as after a sleepless night fending off wolves, Teonna wakes to a friendly face. An indigenous shepherd, Hank (Michael Greyeyes) sees the poor girl, lost and afraid and listens to her story. Teonna even shares that she is a Rain-Water, undoubtedly an ancestor to Yellowstone’s Thomas Rainwater (Gil Birmingham). Funnily enough, this was yet another moment that could have had some gravitas to it, as the reveal of her name should have had an impact. If it were, in fact, a surprise. 

The irony being that Paramount was trying to keep this reveal a secret (even at one point kindly asking Den of Geek to not reveal the character’s full name). What Paramount seemingly forgot, is that they themselves had this information in one of the trailers they released before the show even aired. As humorous as that situation was, it does not lessen the impact of Teonna’s storyline, or the history Sheridan is trying to teach his viewers. In fact, the inclusion of Hank sternly warning Teonna that escaping to Canada is not an option, as Canada is “even worse” hit home hard (literally) for this Canadian writer. These are definitely moments in the dark history of this continent that should never be forgotten. 

Sadly, many moments of “Ghost of Zebrina” will be forgotten. Timothy Dalton gets a little more screen time as the snake-like Whitfield, but so far, he’s more of a caricature, spouting venomous charm more than genuine danger. The character will undoubtedly be the major antagonist of this season, but so far, he’s been a waste. The episode contains moments of tension, moments of sweetness, moments of loss, but they are just mere moments.