As the episode opens, Captain Chesterfield (Evan Jonigkeit) and Lord Benton (Alun Armstrong) huddle in his office. The two men are seemingly stunned when they learn a Hudson’s Bay Company ship is due to arrive with no notice. What could this mean?
Meanwhile, Harp’s (Jason Momoa) team is on edge. It turns out, there’s growing dissent in the ranks. While their next goal is to gain an army to hopefully defeat Benton, there is still only four of them. Furthermore, the people they must impress are blinded by Harp’s European roots. No one in the area will trust him. There’s an outburst of frustration as Dimanche (William Belleau) storms off, vowing to take their men with him. Thus, Michael, Declan and Sokanon are left on their own.
At the same time, Douglas Brown (Allan Hawco) remains trapped under the controlling thumb of Grant. While Brown remains panicked over his connection to Peter Carruthers’ murder, he must now wrangle the man’s widow to meet with his powerful financier.
The tension over the arriving ship grows in Fort James as Captain Chesterfield meets the disembarking troops. The reception is chilly to say the least. Chesterfield leads Captain Johnson (Charles Aitken) and his men to the Ale House, hoping to learn what brings the battalion to their shores unannounced.
Meanwhile, Harp’s scrapy group of three plows ahead with their plans. They go off in separate directions, needing not only to collect intelligence, but also to secure ten barrels of gunpowder. They resolve to meet behind the Ale House once everything is completed.
Chesterfield is starting to panic as he meets Grace (Zoe Boyle). She’s made necessary changes to the company ledgers, but Captain Johnson is starting to count pelts. Could their arrangement be in jeopardy? While they talk, Grace comes to the conclusion that the new troops’ likely aim is to sack Benton. Captain Johnson would then replace him as Governor. As Chesterfield leaves, a hooded figure grabs Grace. It’s Harp.
Later, Michael (Landon Liboiron) and Sokanon (Jessica Matten) sneak around the HBC camp collecting their intelligence. Suddenly, Michael notices that the arriving ship has also brought Clenna (Lyla Porter-Follows). She’s a prisoner of the company. As such, Clenna is merely a pawn in the political chess match going on between the warring factions.
Meanwhile, Grace and Declan talk by cover of darkness at the back of the Ale House. However, each is playing the other. While he’s trying to gain access to the gunpowder he needs, he refuses to give her the information she requires. Harp says it’s to keep her safe. Despite everything, Grace is not a moron, and she reads exactly what Harp is trying to do. Meanwhile, Michael arrives with word of Clenna and interrupts their conversation. Now that Michael has betrayed Benton, it becomes an urgent matter to rescue her.
Later, there’s a moment of tension as Michael breaks into Clenna’s bedroom. The two share a familiar kiss, incredibly glad to see each other, and soon end up in bed. However, when they go to make an escape, Clenna refuses to leave. “There’s wolves out there”. Michael has to leap under the bed as Benton suddenly enters the room. He walks around, but seeing nothing out of the ordinary, he leaves just as quickly. Since Clenna’s unwilling to escape, Michael must leave on his own. However, across the compound, Benton stares out his window as Michael sprints into the darkness.
Douglas sits behind Carruther’s widow Elizabeth (Katie McGrath) as she prays in church. However, as he attempts to organize the needed meeting, she’s cautious. In fact, she’s glad her husband is gone, and is anxious to start running the business properly. She looks at Douglas, “If Grant wants my business, he’s going to have to murder me too”.
Later, tensions are building between the Lake Walkers and the Hudson’s Bay Company, especially as the tribe returns the charred corpse of an HBC captive. Benton looks annoyed as it becomes clear they’ll need to march on the Lake Walkers.
Meanwhile, Clenna leaves for a walk where she comes upon Michael. Despite his continued pleas for her to accompany him, she refuses.
Michael returns to the Ale House; however, he doesn’t realize that soldiers have followed him from the compound. As he enters the room, they storm in behind him. There is a battle, but Harp’s group is quickly overpowered. The episode ends with Declan Harp under arrest.
Viewers with a Netflix subscription can watch the entire first season of Frontier.
A Few Notes:
- Zoe Boyle continues to shine as Grace, who is an incredibly layered and multi-dimensional character. It’s a treat to see such an active and well-rounded character in a period piece of this nature.
- Evan Jonigkeit has taken Captain Chesterfield down an interesting path. He’s been a lot calmer and more under control, while in this episode the crazy psychophanitc side to him comes out. Could this be a sign of things to come?
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