User blog:The Noah Killer/Red Scream Redemption (Season 1)

Plot and Setting
Inspired from the game Red Dead Redemption 2, the story begins during 1899 in the Western United States. The Ghostface gang are a gang of criminals, dissidents and free-thinkers who have chosen to reject a corrupt system of power and live instead by their own code. Their motto is "We shoot fellers as need shooting, save fellers as need saving, and feed 'em as need feeding" As the price on their heads continues to grow, so does the struggle to remain free. With federal agents on their heels, the gang must rob, steal and fight their way across America in order to survive. Season 1 focuses on introducing the gang after a failed heist in Sunderland results in the loss of their money and several members.

Episode 1: Seeking Shelter
Fleeing from Sunderland, the Ghostface gang goes up the mountains of northern Ambario during a massive blizzard. With morale at an all-time low, Dutch, Arthur and Micah search for shelter and discover interests.

Episode 2: An Old Friend
With John missing, Javier and Arthur leave camp to search for him, and Arthur learns details about what exactly happened in Sunderland. Meanwhile, Charles and Karen go hunting for food.

Episode 3: Back on Track
Following their discovery, Dutch leads the gang on a mission to search for supplies, during which the expertise and strength of the Ghostface gang is really shown off. Afterwards, someone's backstory is revealed.

Episode 4: The Heist
With the gang ready to leave the mountains, Dutch leads a dangerous heist to gather up some money. Unknown to him, this leads to dire consequences.

Episode 5: New Grounds
With Cornwall’s train robbed, Dutch and the gang move over to Horseshoe Overlook, suggested by Hosea. Afterwards, Arthur takes some of them on a trip to a nearby town, Valentine.

Episode 6: Valentine’s Day
Charles, Bill, Javier, Abigail and Maggie all go over to Valentine to have some fun. This, however, instead ends up turning into trouble.

Episode 7: Ghostface at Work
After selling the Cornwall bonds, Hosea finds a new way of making money and brings Micah and Mary-Beth with him. Meanwhile, Dutch discovers a lead on a missing gang member’s whereabouts.

Episode 8: Paying a Social Call
After Kieran finally leaks some information, the gang follows his lead in hopes of confronting Colm and Hermione. Afterwards, Arthur collects another debt, which leads to consequences.

Episode 9: The Moment of Truth
Charles, Lenny, Javier and Trelawny engage in a dangerous operation to rescue Sean Macguire, resulting in a heated shootout that will determine the outcome of their efforts.

Episode 10: A New Threat
After another gang member is put in danger, Javier and Bill ride out to save him. Unknown to them, this attracts a new threat that will put more heat on them than ever before.

Episode 1: Seeking Shelter
We open on the mountains of northern Ambario, where there is a massive blizzard going on. There are four wagons, carrying members of the Ghostface gang, who are fleeing from the law following a failed heist in a town called Sunderland. The wagons are moving by horses (as cars haven’t been invented yet), and leading the first wagon are the gang’s leader, DUTCH VAN DER LINDE, and HOSEA MATTHEWS, Dutch’s best friend. Inside the third wagon, JAVIER ESCUELLA, a Mexican member, gets out and walks up to Dutch and Hosea. He informs them that Davey Callander, a gunman who was shot repeatedly in Sunderland, is dying and they need to find shelter soon.

Hosea asks how his wife Bessie is doing, to which Dutch and Javier are silent. Hosea has a brief flashback to Sunderland, where Bessie was shot and killed while fleeing on horseback with Hosea. He remains silent, sighing. Dutch puts his hand on his best friend’s shoulder, telling him to stay strong at least a little while long. Hosea understands and tells Javier that he sent gang members JOHN MARSTON, MICAH BELL, and CHARLES SMITH, a master hunter, to search for shelter.

At that moment, Charles returns on horseback and informs Dutch that he has found shelter at an old abandoned mining camp, not far from here. Upon hearing this, Dutch orders the wagons to move towards the mining camp, guided by Charles. After arriving at the camp, Dutch leads the gang into the biggest cabin there. BILL WILLIAMSON, a gunman, and ARTHUR MORGAN, lead enforcer and Dutch’s surrogate son, check if anyone is in there and find nobody. Dutch holds the door open for everyone and is the last person to enter.

Amongst the people there are John’s girlfriend ABIGAIL ROBERTS, their daughter JUDITH MARSTON, cook SIMON PEARSON, loan shark LEOPOLD STRUSS, old member GARFIELD “UNCLE” MILLER, and new member LENNY SUMMERS. Also, there are ladies KAREN JONES, MARY-BETH GASKILL, TILLY JACKSON. Once everyone’s inside, Charles and Bill retrieve the bodies of their dead gang members, including Davey. The other two are Susan Grimshaw, the camp matriarch, and Bessie.

Abigail takes a look and says that Davey is now dead. Dutch leans his head down for a moment, but stays strong. Dutch does a head count and sees that everyone except John and Micah are here, which worries Abigail and Judith. Also, two other gang members, Sean Macquire and Mac Callander (Davey’s brother), have been missing too. Pearson asks what do they do, as they have little supplies left. Dutch says that he and Arthur are going to look for John and Micah, and then gives a speech to his friends, whom he treats like family.

DUTCH: Listen. Now, we’ve had a bad couple of days. Terrible. I loved Davey. Susan, and nobody loved Bessie more than Hosea. Now, Sean and Mac, they may be okay, we don’t know. But we lost some folks. If I could…throw myself into the ground in their stead…(sighs) I’d do it, gladly. But, we’re gonna ride out, find John and Micah, and some food. We’re safe now, nobody’s going to follow us through a storm like this. As you know, we’ve been through worse than this. Pearson, I’m promoting you to the new camp boss, turn this place into a camp. NOW, all of you, get yourselves warm, bury our dead, stay strong. We ain’t done yet!

After this speech, Dutch and Arthur leave on horseback, taking lanterns so they can see, to find Micah and John. Arthur, who wasn’t present at Sunderland, asks what happened on “that boat” Dutch explains that they boat they were robbing had a LOT of money in it, but he had to leave it stashed away after the law caught on. He then proposes they focus on finding John and Micah, telling the rest later. They go through a blizzard, being careful not to go too far from camp. Arthur says he’s not sure what they will find out here.

Arthur laments over the deaths of Susan, Bessie and Davey, to which Dutch vows “He’s the last one, Arthur. NO MORE” Dutch and Arthur resume searching, eventually encountering Micah, who explains that he has found a small ranch near here ”blazing with light and noise”, suggesting there is a party going on. Dutch decides that this is a good opportunity to get food and heads for the ranch with Micah and Arthur. Arthur asks Micah if he’s seen John, to which he says no. Arthur thinks John will be fine, as things always go good for “that boy”

He then asks if Micah saw anyone else, to which Micah replies nobody is crazy enough to go in this blizzard except them. He then asks if everyone else is fine, and Dutch tells him about the mining camp. Micah makes a comment under his breath about the gang having “too much dead weight” which Arthur hears (but not Dutch). Before Arthur can retaliate, Micah spots the ranch up ahead. After dismounting and hitching their horses, Dutch lays out a plan: he approaches the owners and does the talking while Micah and Arthur hide, not wanting to be seen as too menacing.

Micah hides behind a wagon, while Arthur hides behind an old shed on the left. Dutch goes up to the front door and is confronted by five black uniformed people, who demand to know what Dutch is doing here. As Dutch asks for help, Micah notices something and gets Arthur’s attention. He informs him that there “some Chinese bastard dead” in the wagon, and that these people cannot be trusted. At that moment, one of the people recognizes Dutch and says “Hey, it’s Dutch Van Der Linde! Colm O’Driscoll is gonna-“ before getting gunned down by Micah, who uses dual revolvers.

A shootout quickly ensues, with the four men opening fire. A fifth man shoots from a window, but all five men are quickly and pretty easily dispatched by Micah, Arthur and Dutch. As the men lie dead, another one bursts in from an outhouse and shoots at Arthur. However, his shots accidently hit Arthur’s horse, killing it. This enrages Arthur, who rushes to the man, tackles him, and bashes him unconscious with his pistol. He then stomps on his throat to ensure the man is dead. Dutch realizes these men are the O’Driscoll boys, a rival gang whom the gang has been a feud with for several years.

Arthur goes over his horse, which has been shot in the head and dead already. Arthur pats his horse and says “Good boy…thank you” Dutch is silent for Arthur’s sake, but Micah looks annoyed that Arthur is taking time to mourn a simple horse, even though Arthur has owned it for years. Eventually, Arthur finishes mourning and goes to Dutch, who is shocked that the O’Driscoll boys are all the way out here, especially in this blizzard, having no idea why. Dutch also sees the corpse in the wagon, and tells Micah he’s Korean, not Chinese, to which Micah says “Whatever”

Dutch and Arthur then go inside the cabin, while Micah brings the horses closer to the house. Arthur notices a pool of blood, speculating this belongs to the body in the wagon (which was male), and a photograph, which reveals the man was married at some point, and has a young son. As he investigates, Dutch apologizes to Arthur about his horse dying, to which Arthur asks that they don’t talk about it right now and search for supplies, knowing it’s more important. Dutch and Arthur find a sizeable amount of food (in particular, canned food), blankets, medicine, and even some money.

As they loot the place, Dutch wonders why the O’Driscolls are here. Arthur speculates that maybe Colm O’Driscoll, their leader, is fleeing too, as the price on his head is nearly as big as Dutch’s, but doubts it. Eventually, the two finish looting and find Micah outside. Micah points to another corpse he found and tells them it looks like an 8 year old boy, with a bullet in his back. Dutch is furious at this, cursing the O’Driscolls for killing a young boy. Calming down, he instructs Arthur to search the barn near here, while Micah is sent back in the house in case anything was missed.

Arthur goes inside the barn and is ambushed by an O’Driscoll named Brian, whom he gets into a fistfight with and easily overpowers. Dutch investigates and asks Arthur to interrogate Brian, which he does. Arthur demands to know where Brian’s gang is and why the O’Driscolls are up here on the mountains. It takes multiple punches before Brian finally talks. Arthur and Dutch learn that Colm is planning to rob a train that is passing near here, and has stacks of dynamite stored in his camp for the job. Brian then gives up the camp’s location, at another old mining camp southwest of here, near the lake.

Arthur interrogates Brian some more, and learns that Hermione O’Driscoll, Colm’s wife and second leader of the gang, was here, but left about a half hour ago. Dutch says that’s a shame and tells Arthur to do whatever he wants to Brian. He begs to be spared, but Arthur, not in the mood for that, strangles Brian to death. Dutch then notices a fine horse locked up and suggests Arthur take it. He says that he’s not asking Arthur to just forget about his horse, but it could be very useful.

Arthur grumbles, reluctantly walking up to the horse and calming it. As Dutch goes to the house to check on Micah, Arthur pats the horse, calming it completely, and leads it to the house. After hitching the horse, Arthur hears a female scream shouting “GET AWAY FROM ME!” glass shattering, and Dutch shouting “MICAH! What the hell are you doing!?” Arthur rushes to the scene and finds that Micah is harassing a woman (who was hiding in the cellar) in a nightgown.

Arthur realizes that this is the wife from that photograph, and that the boy in the snow is their son. The woman is throwing glass at Micah, who laughs and calls her “a wild thing, ain’t ya, O’Driscoll bitch?” Dutch shouts that she isn’t an O’Driscoll and tries to calm them down. The Woman hits Micah with a glass, which causes him to flip a table over with a lantern on it, causing the house to catch on fire. Dutch nevertheless manages to calm down the woman and escorts her out of the house.

Feeling pity for her losses, Dutch offers to take her to camp and let her stay until she decides what she wants to do, which the Woman accepts. Micah is dismayed by this, but Arthur glares at him before he can protest. As the foursome leave on horseback and the ranch burns, Arthur asks what the woman’s name is, to which she replies “Maggie. Maggie Rhee” We then zoom on her husband’s corpse, revealing it to be Glenn Rhee, and the boy Hershel Rhee. As the house burns, we cut back to the Ghostface gang’s camp, where Pearson has set up some living requirements, and Lenny is keeping look out.

After seeing Dutch and the others, Lenny shouts they have returned. Dutch recaps what happened for everyone and orders them to take “this poor soul” (Maggie) inside to warm her up and comfort her, explaining that she’s a widow. Upon hearing she’s a widow, Hosea and Abigail quickly take her inside. Having not slept for three days, Dutch declares that he’s getting some rest and sends everyone off to sleep. Javier and Arthur go into their cabin to sleep, and Arthur tells Javier that his horse, which is named “Noah” got killed by the O’Driscolls.

When asked how he is feeling, Arthur replies “empty” and says he’s already exhausted by Bessie, Susan and Davey dying, and Sean, Mac and John are missing too (though he’s sure John is fine). He also tells him about the new horse, but he feels “empty” about using it right after Noah’s death. Javier sympathizes with Arthur, as his own horse, Donald, was killed in Sunderland. He advises Arthur to get some rest, as they will have tons of work to do tomorrow. Arthur agrees, but first asks Javier if he’s noticed Dutch is acting weird, Hosea gave him some warnings about the dangers of the Sunderland heist beforehand.

Javier, however, doesn’t want to talk about that and turns away on his bed. Arthur, depressed, takes out his journal, which he bought after his old one was destroyed in a fire, and looks back on a few entries. The previous entries reveal that Dutch had found some bank money being brought on a boat, around $150,000, and were planning to flee into desert country after a successful robbery. Of course, that went wrong and the course was changed. During the heist, Dutch ended up shooting a young girl (Arthur doesn’t know if it was an accident or not). He then focuses on writing today’s page, and we hear him as he writes.

ARTHUR’S JOURNAL: I am profoundly concerned as to what happens next, once we leave this place or the law finds us cowering up here. Found a girl, well a woman I should say. Maggie Rhee. Her husband and son had been murdered by some of Colm O’Driscoll’s boys, nasty business. Seems Colm has the same ideas as us too. He’s been hiding up here, scouting a train he wants to rob. Also, Pearson’s watching over the camp now, now that Grimshaw’s gone. And Hosea’s a wreck now. Whatever happens, I just hope we find Sean, Mac and John, and get out of here soon.

The scene then cuts to the mountains the next day, where a man is being chased by three wolves. The man is revealed to be John Marston, who became lost and separated from the gang while scouting ahead. Some ways back, we see John’s horse, bloodied and dead, mauled by the wolves. John is cursing and muttering to himself, and turns pale when he is cornered near an edge. With nowhere to go, John pulls out his gun and knife to make his stand. He starts firing as the wolves close in, and we cut to black.

Episode 2
We open on the next morning at the old mining camp, where most of the gang is working again. However, Uncle is still sleeping in bed and being lazy. Pearson goes up to Uncle and tells him that he needs to work. Uncle complains that he’s “got lumbago” to which Pearson replies, “You always got lumbago, Uncle” It’s clear that Uncle constantly uses lumbago as an excuse not to work. Pearson orders Uncle to work as everyone’s share is being increased due to the recent losses. Uncle complains, but reluctantly gets back to work.

Shortly after, Pearson goes to the cooking table and finds that they are low on supplies. He calls out for Charles and Karen, who come in. Pearson frets they are going to starve to death up here as they only have a few cans of food and a rabbit for around 12 people. Pearson then tries to tell a story of when he was in the navy, but Karen does not want to hear it (as Pearson has repeated it MANY times in the past). Pearson still mentions he and his crew were stranded for fifty days, but Karen just rolls her eyes.

Pearson gets to the point and says he wasn’t able to get any supplies in while fleeing Sunderland, to which Karen replies “Sometimes, when government agents are hunting you down, shopping trips are a NO” Karen then suggests that they eat Pearson since he’s the fatest. Pearson is in no mood for jokes and says he already sent Lenny and Bill hunting, and they found nothing. At this point, Charles speaks up and volunteers to go hunting, and Karen asks if she can join.

Pearson and Charles are surprised, but Karen says she’s not freezing to death here without hunting for the first time. Charles reluctantly decides to take her along and they ride out on horseback. He tells her that he’ll hunt down the animal, and if Karen wants, she can try using the bow and arrow. When asked why not just use a gun, Charles explains that the noise will scare off the prey and it keeps the animal in better condition this way. He agrees to teach her how to use it once they find some game.

Charles is silent for most of the ride, not being very sociable. Karen asks if he wants to talk about anything, but he’s not in the mood. Eventually, they come across come deer, sipping from the river. Charles gives her the bow and arrow says that they’ll take out one deer each, at each time. They approach the deer, and Charles and Karen take aim. Karen says she’s excited, but Charles hushes her as too much noise will scare them away, annoying her slightly.

He instructs her to draw the string back and aim for the head, and they’ll fire when the deer lift their heads. Karen and Charles aim, and Karen gives a nod to Charles, who whistles, causing the deer to lift their heads. Karen and Charles let loose their arrows, and both hit their mark. Karen is surprised she actually hit her deer, saying she’s used a gun, but never an arrow. They stow the deer on their horses and head back to camp. On the way back, Charles says he knew Karen would be good with that bow.

Karen suggests their luck is turning, and the two discuss how the gang is doing. Karen is confident that Dutch and Hosea have a plan, and Charles mentions that Maggie (the new girl) has a “wild look in her eyes” Karen says that if she had a family and someone murdered them, she’d be sticking her gun down the O’Driscoll’s throats. Charles then asks what’s the deal with them, as since he’s only been with the gang six months, he doesn’t know about them. Karen is surprised Charles doesn’t know.

She explains that Dutch and Colm used be partners, although very thin partners. Then, a few years back, Dutch got scammed and robbed by Colm’s brother, and Dutch shot and killed Colm’s brother for this. In retaliation, Colm murdered Dutch’s lover, Annabelle, and then “everything went to shit” as Karen puts it. Karen adds they’ve been scrapped over scores with them for years now, and Colm’s wife, Hermione O’Driscoll, also leads the gang. Charles suggests this rivalry should end soon, as they have more than enough enemies as it is, though Karen thinks they can take ‘em.

They then talk about Dutch, and Charles says he treats him far, as “For a feller whose father was black and mother was native American, that isn’t normally the case” Karen also asks what Charles thinks about Sean, to which Charles replies “You have a crush on him” Karen, embarrassed, says she does not. Charles goes “yeah right” and Karen just scoffs, saying it takes more than Sean Macquire to win Karen Jones over.

Upon returning to camp, Charles and Karen carry the dead deer to Pearson, who is shocked they managed to find game out in the snowy mountains. He gives them a drink, saying they deserve it, and then asks if Charles can help him with the skinning. Karen asks if they get to skin Pearson, to which he just laughs. After skinning the deer, Pearson judges they have enough meat to last them a few days. He then suggests that the pelts are really good, and they could sell these in town. Charles replies that he’s more focused on getting out of the mountain alive.

Meanwhile, Arthur goes over to the cabin where Hosea, Javier, and Abigail are talking. Abigail is concerned that John has not returned and thinks a search part should look for him. Arthur replies that he will be find and says “Your John may be dumb as rocks and dull as rusted iron, but he’s reliable” Abigail sarcastically says that makes her feel better. Hosea, understanding Abigail’s concern, asks Javier if he can ride out with Arthur and search for John.

Arthur asks if now is a good time, and Hosea points out that everyone is tense right now, and having one more gang member back will hopefully ease tensions. Arthur agrees and rides out with Javier (he’s using the horse from Maggie’s ranch and Javier is borrowing Hosea’s) to find John. The blizzard has slowed down and not as bad as before, but still bad. Sometime later, Javier and Arthur go up a river, John’s last known location. Arthur suggests that maybe he rode north and never looked back, saying “It wouldn’t be the first time”

Javier tells Arthur to focus and notices a camp. The two men investigate and deduce that the campfire here was recently extinguished, estimating that someone left about three hours ago. Javier finds some horse tracks, but Arthur says it could be anyone riding a horse. Javier replies it’s their only shot at finding him, and the two follow the trail. As they go on, Arthur asks Javier, who participated in the boat heist, what exactly happened in Sunderland. Javier explains that everything seemed to be going fine.

They were robbing the passengers, getting all the money, and leaving the boat when suddenly, the lawmen were everywhere. He describes the situation as “Damn crazy. Raining bullets. Everywhere” During the exchange, Dutch killed a girl in “a really bad way” Arthur is concerned, saying that isn’t like Dutch, but Javier points out they were in a really bad situation. As the trail leads up a snowy mountain, Javier adds that he’s surprised they even escaped at all.

Heading up the mountain, the horses become tired and the tracks become less noticeable, causing Javier and Arthur to consider leaving. However, they then spot the corpse of John’s horse in the distance, which Javier recognizes he stole from Blackwater while fleeing. To get his attention, Javier fires his gun in the air and faintly hears John crying out for help. Arthur and Javier, on thin ground, are forced to leave the horses and continue on foot to John’s location.

They are freezing, but will not give up on rescuing their comrade. When Arthur starts to have difficulty, he and Javier drink a bottle of Kentucky Bourton, a type of whisky, to gain energy. Eventually, John’s voice gets louder, and Javier and Arthur manage to locate him, sitting on a ledge and with two wolf corpses next to him (the third got tossed off the cliff). John is scratched up and bloodied, with scars across his face. Obviously, he narrowly survived his fight with the wolves.

John says “Never thought I’d say this, but good to see you Arthur Morgan” Arthur picks up John as he’s in no condition to walk and has to carry him back to the horses with Javier. On the way there, Arthur says John is in a sorry state, to which John admits he can’t argue with that. After making it to the horses, three wolves emerge from a ridge and howl at the trio. John is terrified and says they need to get out of here. Arthur and Javier quickly load John and ride away on horseback, pursued by the wolves.

Javier shouts that they need to lose them, and Arthur opens fire on the wolves. Due to being on a moving horse and moving targets, Arthur doesn’t have much luck, but eventually does kill one wolf. A second wolf almost reaches the horses, but Arthur manages to wound him. The wounded wolf does flee though, and the third wolf stops its pursuit. The three men are relieved and head back for camp.

On the way, Arthur suggests John come up with a better story for that scar, and John asks if freezing, starving, and being nearly eaten alive by wolves isn’t good enough. Arthur says that’s a good point, and the trio arrive back at camp, where Abigail and Hosea are eagerly there to greet John. They quickly take him inside in order to help and give him some rest, and Abigail repeatedly thanks Arthur and Javier. Arthur then addresses Hosea, who is with Strauss, and asks what their next move is.

Hosea says they can’t move until it thaws, so they can move the wagons. Also, he and Strauss explain that they plan to move east, but Arthur is against this, pointing out that this leads to more civilization. Strauss points out that they can’t go back west after all the mess the gang caused in Blackwater, and Arthur grudgingly goes along with this. Meanwhile, Karen is having girl talk with Tilly and Mary-Beth about how she went hunting with Charles.

Mary-Beth, who is reading a book, says that Charles creeps her out sometimes. Tilly says Charles isn’t a creep, he’s just one of those “silent but strong” types. She then suggests the one who creeps girls out is Micah. Mary-Beth and Karen immediately agree that Micah is the worst member of the gang, though Strauss can be creepy sometimes. Karen says she never thought she’d say this, but she misses Susan Grimshaw now. Tilly remembers the times Karen talked and joked about killing Grimshaw for making her work harder for being lazy.

Karen replies “You think I was joking?” before laughing and drinking. Mary-Beth says Grimshaw wasn’t all that bad, and remembers a time when Micah tried to flirt with her. In a flashback of about three months, in another camp, we see Grimshaw cleaning her shotgun, with Micah approaching her. She speaks in a creepy tone, saying “Something about you cleaning it gets me all hot and bothered” He leans in uncomfortably close, prompting Grimshaw to point her shotgun at him and say he won’t be charming her. Micah just chuckles and leaves.

In present day, Mary-Beth asks how Abigail and that girl from the ranch is doing. After reminding her that the girl’s name is Maggie Rhee, Tilly says that Maggie cried almost all night, and Abigail stayed with her to prevent her from completely breaking down. She adds that Maggie is calmer now, but she’ll be staying with the gang as long as she needs. Mary-Beth says that whenever the gang does really bad stuff, she reminds herself of the good they do, and this is something she likes to know. Tilly and Karen both silently agree about this, and we cut to black.

Episode 3
We open up at the next morning, when the gang are burying their dead. After they finish burying Bessie, Dutch asks Hosea if he wants to say a few words to her. Hosea explains that he wants to hold himself together until the gang is able to escape, but doesn’t know if he can hold it in. Dutch reminds Hosea that he felt something similar when Annabelle was murdered and says that if Hosea does this, he will feel better eventually. Hosea goes up to Bessie’s grave and thinks of a goodbye speech.

HOSEA: Um…hey, Bessie. I know I’ve buried our dead before but…um…I never imagined this. Me having to stand over you. I always thought it would…you know…(rubs his head) the other way around. Anyway, well, I’m going to be thinking about you. Every day when I wake up. (sniffles) It confuses me every day, why a sinner like me was given someone so beautiful, so loveable, to take care of and love. I just can’t figure out why someone would take you, instead of me. We’ve seen death many times these past few months, but…(sighs) sometimes the unfairness of it all confuses me. And…I…

Hosea can’t say anymore and sinks to his knees, crying. Dutch stands by his best friend’s side as he mourns his loss. A few hours later, Lenny, Arthur, Bill, Javier and Micah are gathered in one cabin, talking. Micah is mocking the others, saying he’s never seen so many long faces. When Lenny points out they just lost three gang members, Micah says there is too much “fuss” and when he falls, he doesn’t want too much of it. Lenny replies that when Micah falls, “there’ll be a party”

The other gang members laugh at this joke, and Bill is loudest, agreeing with Lenny. In response, Micah walks over to Bill and punches him in the face, knocking his hat off and prompting Bill to become enraged. Arthur, Lenny and Javier have to hold Bill back to prevent him from potentially murdering Micah, who says that he doesn’t like “being laughed at by the likes of you” Dutch bursts into the cabin and scolds the gang for their behavior, calling them fools for punching each other when “The O’Driscolls are the ones that need punching”

Dutch then explains to the gang that they are going to mount an assault on Colm and Hermione’s camp. When Arthur objects, saying that they only just got back on their feet, Dutch insists that the last thing they need is to get “bushwacked” by Colm and explains the reason they are going is to steal as many supplies as possible. Dutch calls out, asking who will come join him. Javier, Charles, Lenny, Arthur, Micah and Bill volunteer. When Dutch asks for anyone else, Tilly comes up.

Lenny and Charles are surprised by this, asking if that’s a good idea. Javier reveals that Tilly actually knows how to use a gun, and has actually saved his life once. Tilly corrects him, saying it was twice. She says that she’s no pushover, and she isn’t the typical housewife that needs to be watched over all the time. Javier, Charles, Lenny, Arthur, Micah, Bill, Tilly and Dutch get on their horses and ride to the O’Driscolls' camp.

As they ride, Micah asks Dutch if he’s considering robbing the train Brian mentioned Colm was planning to do (Dutch mentioned that to the gang). He adds that this may be a good way to get money, and Dutch is impressed by this idea, admitting he was initially only intent on stealing Colm’s supplies and killing his men. Bill says that for once, Micah is actually right. Dutch asks everyone else their opinion, and Lenny, being the newest recruit, asks if doing it in a blizzard is a great idea.

Tilly, however, points out that the blizzard is a lot calmer now and may soon go away entirely. Dutch says that he’ll think about it, and right now they should focus on hitting the O’Driscolls. Arthur says to follow the river southwest and they should find their camp. Eventually, Charles notices some horse tracks and they follow them. As they do so, Arthur says that Colm and Dutch’s feud needs to end, one way or another, as they have too much to worry about already, and Hosea agrees.

Dutch says that he can’t forgive or forget what Colm did to Annabelle. When Charles (being a recent member) asks what exactly happened to Annabelle, Dutch reveals that Colm had her eyes gouged out and her body was smuggled into his tent while the gang was sleeping, right beside Dutch. Charles is appalled by the brutality of this. When Arthur points out that Dutch started the rivalry by killing Colm’s brother, he replies “Hopefully, the bastards will be reunited soon enough”

Soon after, the gang finds Colm’s camp, down a hill. Arthur and Dutch go up to the edge and use their binoculars to get a closer look, see the layout of the camp. While checking it out, Arthur spots Colm O’Driscoll himself on a horse, talking to one of his men. Colm gets angry and slaps the man, who runs off. Dutch chuckles at this, before noticing that Colm is leaving with a good amount of his men. Dutch and Arthur go back to the others to tell them to sneak up to the camp.

Bill asks why not take out Colm first, and Dutch explains one of the lessons Hosea had taught him, which is “Revenge is a fool’s game”. Arthur agrees, saying it’s better to assault the camp with the least amount of men there. Dutch adds that their needs are supplies and equipment, saying anything else can wait. He and the gang split into three groups: Group 1 is Tilly, Micah, and Lenny. Group 2 is Bill and Javier and Charles, while Group 3 is Arthur and Dutch. The groups sneak down quietly into the camp.

On the way down, Group 2 finds one of Colm’s lookouts asleep and being lazy, enabling them to sneak in easily. Group 1 gets in smoothly as well, and they and Group 2 meet up below the main structure. Meanwhile, Group 3 has to wait for Colm’s men to walk away so they can advance to meet with the others. Micah says “Don’t make any noise niggers” Tilly is offended by this racist remark and slaps Micah across the face for it. Micah looks like he’s about to yell at her, but is forced to keep his voice to down to avoid detection.

Once able to, Group 3 sneaks their way towards the others. Dutch asks if everyone is ready, and for the first time, we see them put on their GHOSTFACE MASKS. Dutch, telling his gang to “Kill those bastards!”, fires the first shot, killing an O’Driscoll and starting a firefight. The Ghostfaces all spread out, taking strategic positions and cover to avoid gunfire from. The skill of the Ghostface gang is now really shown off here. At one point, Micah kills three O’Driscolls surrounding him in under 5 seconds with his dual revolvers, showing he’s capable.

As for Charles, he takes out an O’Driscoll standing on top of a tower with his bow and arrow. Dutch shouts that some O’Driscolls are firing from the cabins. Lenny and Tilly proceed to burst in one such cabin and gun down one O’Driscoll each, before being tackled by two. They then get into a fistfight with them. Lenny, being the youngest member of the gang, is just about even with his opponent. Tilly is surprising skilled in close combat and getting some good kicks to the face on her attacker.

She eventually knocks him out by punching his nose hard enough to break it and kneeing him in the face. Lenny, meanwhile, brawls with his O’Driscoll, Seamus, and both get good hits on each other. Seamus eventually has enough and pulls out his knife and tries to stab Lenny, who dodges and pulls out his own knife, stabbing Seamus in the throat and killing him. Lenny takes a breather, and Tilly says that was impressive.

Lenny says she’s talking to the wrong person in terms of impressive and asks how Tilly knew to fight like that. Tilly says she was self-trained, though it took her a long time and numerous hardships before she got good at it. They then rejoin the gunfight. The O’Driscolls are completely overwhelmed by the sheer skill off the gang and soon enough, most are killed, though a few run away. Dutch estimates that they killed about 30 of them and that’ll make Colm real pissed off.

Javier looks around and asks if Dutch recognizes any of them. This prompts Dutch to explain that Colm doesn’t care if his men are loyal or experts, but he focuses on the numbers. He adds that Colm “doesn’t give a damn” about his men in general, saying he prefers quantity over quality when it comes to recruitment, so as long as they shoot a gun, ride a horse, and don’t mind killing, they are in. Bill adds that Colm probably doesn’t even know the names of half his men. After confirming the camp is clear, Dutch orders the gang to strip the bodies and search everywhere for supplies.

While searching the main cabin, Lenny and Tilly find a big crate full of dynamite, which Dutch applauds them for and orders them to load the dynamite. Bill, Arthur strip the bodies and obtain various weapons and bullets, restocking the gang, while Charles loots a good amount of money, around $500. Also, Micah reports that he has found a map, detailing the travel of the train and Colm’s plan to rob it. He encourages Dutch to really stick it to Colm by robbing the train. Dutch examines the plans, revealing that train belongs to a Mr. Leviticus Cornwall, whom he doesn’t know.

He officially decides to rob the train when it comes around, which is tomorrow afternoon. Dutch and the gang then head back to camp, with Dutch praising them for easily defeating Colm’s gang, saying this is really going to hurt him. Arthur says that when they have John (who is still recovering), Mac and Sean back, then this gang is really going to be back up and running. On the way back to camp, Dutch and Arthur notice an O’Driscoll, revealed to the man Colm was talking and slapping earlier.

Charles suggests they bring him to camp alive, reasoning that he could be useful. Arthur agrees and rides towards the O’Driscoll, who panics and rides off on his horse. Arthur chases him down and shoots the man’s horse, killing it and causing him to fall off. Arthur then approaches the O’Driscoll, who cries and begs for mercy, but Arthur hogties him with his lasso and loads on his horse. Arthur asks for the man’s name, to which he replies is Kieran Duffy.

As Arthur rides back to camp, he mocks Kieran, who says he’s no use to them. Arthur tells Kieran to shut his mouth and he’ll shut it for him. Kieran instead cries and begs Arthur to have a heart. Arthur then threatens to break Kieran’s bones everytime he says a word. Kieran says “ok! Ok!” and Arthur replies “That’s two bones right there” After returning to the Ghostface gang’s camp, Arthur puts Kieran in front of Dutch, who “welcomes” Kieran to his new home and orders “the maggot” tied up, saying they’ll starve him a bit before interrogating him.

As he is taken away, Kieran says he isn’t an O’Driscoll and he doesn’t even like Colm but is ignored. Arthur says that this was definitely a great accomplishment but is slightly disappointed they missed out on Colm. Dutch replies there will be time enough for that later and decides to spend some time examining plans to rob the train tomorrow. Meanwhile, Lenny hangs out with the ladies and asks if they knew Tilly could fight like how he saw. Mary-Beth and Abigail say that they do, and Tilly really surprises them a lot.

Tilly says that Dutch labels her a “secret weapon” to which Lenny says that’s pretty accurate. He wishes that he could be one too. Tilly says that simply because Lenny is new doesn’t mean he’s bad. Lenny says it’s not really that he’s talking about, he means his skin color. Lenny then asks if he wants to hear a story. Tilly says she might relate and asks the girls sit in a campfire. Mary-Beth, Abigail, Tilly and Karen agree to listen to Lenny tell his story.

Lenny explains that his pa was really educated, after the Civil War ended, and he was the one who taught him how to read and write. He also taught him to judge people for who they are, not how they look. The one thing he couldn’t teach him was how to ignore those type of racist people. Lenny then reveals that one day, some racists drunks picked on his pa walking home. He says that they beat him, and then, he reveals (with some hesitation) that they killed him.

Lenny then says “So…I was fifteen at time. But…I stole a gun…and I shot em” The ladies are silent by Lenny’s tragic story, and he admits these killings caused to become a wanted man, and he ran away until Dutch found him and made him a Ghostface. Lenny adds that his pa actually wanted him to a lawyer and says “He couldn’t be more disappointed in me” Tilly comforts Lenny and says he wouldn’t be disappointed. She tells Lenny that his father would understand that Lenny is only trying to survive.

Tilly kisses Lenny on the cheek, which surprises him. He tells her that he’s grown to like the gang so far and really appreciates the love they’ve given him, which can be more than said for the rest of the world. Mary-Beth speaks up, saying that Lenny may be the youngest, but they learn a thing or two from him. Lenny smiles, now really happy about the love they are showing him. He laughs a bit, and the ladies proceed to laugh with him. Meanwhile, Arthur sits down and writes another entry in his journal, and we cut to black after we hear what he's writing.

ARTHUR'S JOURNAL: We grabbed one of Colm's boys, name's Kieran Duffy. Poor bastard hasn't spoken yet, but he will once we freeze him up a little, and then set Bill on him. Been a bad few weeks, but we're mostly still alive. Dutch being Dutch is making plans on figuring out just how we're going to survive. And, Dutch being Dutch, those plans will inevitably involve robbery and dreams. Micah suggested a train, but I for the life of me cannot remember the last time that bastard had a good idea.

Episode 4
We open up the next morning, with Dutch and Arthur checking up on John, whose head is wrapped with bandages and is resting in bed. John says that he owes Arthur for this, and Arthur says that just this one time, he’ll give him a freebie. Dutch says they’ll be leaving soon for the heist, but John wants to come. Dutch points out John is no condition for this and Arthur adds that Abigail will John if he leaves bed now.

Just then, Abigail and Judith come in. Judith looks concerned for her dad’s well-being, and Abigail asks if they can have some family time. Dutch and Arthur leave, and Abigail calls John an idiot. John asks if Abigail could come up with a new nickname, as whenever he almost dies or goes to jail, she slaps him and calls him an idiot, and it’s getting old. Judith (who is kept mostly a secret of her parents being outlaws) asks why John gets into trouble so often.

John lies, saying “the hunting trip” went wrong, but “Uncle Arthur” saved him. Abigail replies that the hunting trips should go less wrong. John asserts that he won’t leave the gang, and that Dutch, Arthur and everyone else are brothers to him. He then adds “Actually, scrap that, they ARE my brothers” Abigail then calls John “a silly man” to which he says that’s a good new nickname.

Outside, Dutch sends Bill ahead to the railroad tracks to set the charges at a water tower located next the railroad tracks, and the detonator ready. As Bill departs, Hosea asks what’s going on, and Arthur tells him about the heist. Hosea then becomes angry, revealing that Dutch told him that they were NOT doing it, which Arthur is surprised by. Dutch explains that when he told Hosea the idea, he rejected it. Hosea asserts that this was for solid reasons, as he’s heard of Leviticus Cornwall.

He explains that Cornwall is a wealthy railroad magnate, sugar dealer and an oil man. Hosea adds that this means he has tons of wealth and power, and he would be furious at whomever robs his wealth. Dutch just replies “Looks like he has enough to share” Hosea says that they were supposed to be lying low, considering the losses they just took, and now suddenly, Dutch wants to go rob a train. He then points that the weather has finally cleared up, and they should be leaving, not attracting more attention.

Arthur says he’ll support Dutch, whatever he chooses. Dutch defends his actions, explaining they will be funded again after robbing the train. He doesn’t let Hosea protest further, and shouts to the others that they are riding out now. Javier, Arthur, Lenny, Dutch, Micah and Charles ride out, and Dutch goes over the plan: the train will be coming north, by Big Valley, and they will pick it off after it crosses the border into the Grizzles West (a large area), where there is a raised spot that should give them the advantage.

Dutch assigns Charles as the lookout for the train and outriders, and after they stop the train, Dutch will take care of the driver and engineer. Lenny and Javier will take the front cars and deal with any cars, while Arthur and Micah will head to the back and enter Cornwall’s private care, which is where all the wealth is stored. Micah asks Arthur, who groans at being partnered with him, if he has a problem. Arthur says he won’t, if Micah keeps his head for once.

The two argue briefly, but Dutch angrily breaks it up and explains that after Bill blows the tracks, they need to move fast. After riding for a while, the gang exits the mountains, leaving the snowy environment, much to the pleasure of Javier (who was sick of the cold). Lenny expresses excitement for the task, as this is the biggest assignment he’s done with the gang. Dutch advises the young lad to stay calm and keep his sharp, and he’ll be fine.

Micah asks after this is done, they can go back to Blackwater and collect the stash they left behind. Charles groans (as Micah repeated the question before, many times), explaining it would be crazy to back now, as the town went on lockdown after they robbed that boat and there’s no way they can get it back anytime soon. Dutch says they’ll go back when he says so, and that’s the end of it. He then explains that their main goal is railroad bonds, which should be worth tons of money once they work out how to cash them.

The Ghostface gang arrives on a ridge, seeing Bill setting up the charges ahead. Arthur goes up to check on Bill, who says everything’s all set, and he’s waiting on the train. Charles goes up ahead to act as the lookout, and the gang puts their Ghostface masks on, ready to rob the train. Eventually, Charles signals, and the train arrives up ahead. Bill is ready to press the detonator, and when the train gets to him, he pushes it. However, something goes wrong, and dynamite does NOT go off. Therefore, the train passes by.

Dutch screams “Oh, you GOTTA BE FUCKING KIDDING ME!” Arthur sarcastically asks Dutch “Where did you find that moron (Bill)?” Lenny shouts they have to jump on the train, quickly. All of the gang members run to the ledge, and Arthur, Lenny and Javier manage to jump on time. Javier’s landing isn’t soft, and he isn’t able to stay on the train, falling off the side. Meanwhile, Lenny is clinging to the edges, but Arthur manages to pull him back up.

Arthur and Lenny rush to the engine car, as they know they need to stop the train, so the others can catch up and rob it with them. As they rush ahead, the duo is confronted by several guards stationed on the train. Arthur and Lenny open fire, and Arthur is easily able to dispatch five, although Lenny has a harder time. After killing the guards, Arthur is ambushed by the train engineer, who puts him in a headlock. Lenny shoots the engineer in the head, killing him and saving Arthur.

Arthur finally reaches the engine car and stops it, causing the train to come to a halt. As Lenny and Arthur take a breather, more guards come out of the train cars, forcing them to take cover. About 7 guards emerge at once and concentrate fire on the rock Lenny and Arthur are hiding behind. Lenny shouts, asking what they should do. Arthur shouts they need to hold on until the others can catch up. At one point, a shot grazes Lenny’s shoulder when he tries to fire on the guards.

He shouts that he understands now why the O’Driscolls brought so many boys up here for this. Eventually, the guards start to advance on Arthur and Lenny when the Ghostface gang catches up, catching the guards by surprise and gunning down all 7. With the guards dead, Lenny and Arthur emerge from cover and greet their friends. After reuniting with the others, Dutch explains there are some men hold up in the private car and shouts at them to come out, which they refuse.

Micah shouts, threatening to use dynamite to blow up the door if they don’t leave, adding that they just killed at least 12 guards. They don’t open up, so Dutch and his men repeatedly shoot the train car, upon which the men are frightened enough to open up. They come out with their hands up, surrendering. Bill holds them at gunpoint while Javier, Arthur and Micah search the train. Javier and Micah crack a safe, while Arthur loots.

He finds numerous platinum and gold watches, and some stacks of money. Micah and Javier crack the safe and open it, searching for the railroad bonds. They find some sugar imports and other things, but not the bonds. Eventually, Arthur looks in the main desk and finds the bonds himself. He exits and gives them to Dutch, who realizes these are bearer bonds and they can sell them easily. Dutch and his gang leave, except for Arthur, who is instructed by Dutch to decide the fates of the three surrendered men.

Arthur contemplates, as leaving them alive could risk telling folks of who they are. The men beg for mercy, saying they’ll do what he says. Arthur, ultimately not wanting to gun down unarmed and defenseless people (which would go against their ideals), orders them to get in the train car and not to move. After they go in, Arthur goes to the engine car and restarts the train, sending it moving again. He leaves the train, and heads back to camp on horseback.

Sometime later, we cut to the mansion of Leviticus Cornwall, where we see the wealthy magnate himself. Cornwall is an old man with receding gray hair and a beard. True to his status as business magnate, he is finely dressed. He is sorting out some papers on his desk when his secretary, Jansen, comes in. When Cornwall tells him he’s busy, Jansen informs him that the train passing through the Grizzles has been robbed. Cornwall is shocked and furious, demanding to know who did this.

Jansen gives Cornwall a newspaper, which he angrily grabs out of Jansen’s hands and reads an article telling what happened in the train robbery. His voice grows with anger and outrage as he reads the article aloud. He learns that the train was left riding at a high rate of speed, traveling north, until it was eventually stopped by a combined force of lawmen and engineers. Cornwall also sees that all of the guards were killed and the private car was looted of all valuables, including the railroad bonds.

An incensed and vengeful Cornwall tears up the article, shouting that those bonds were worth thousands. Jansen also says that the primary suspects are the Van Der Linde gang, as the survivors reported the outlaws looked like them. Cornwall, who has a personal dislike of outlaws, declares that he is sick and tired of people thinking they can simply overthrow their superiors. Cornwall tells Jansen to hire help to apprehend or kill Dutch Van Der Linde, but before we hear who he hires, we cut to black.

Episode 5
We open up on the next day, when the Ghostface gang is finally ready to leave the mountains. Their destination is Horseshoe Overlook, a plateau in the Heartlands, which was suggested by Hosea (who knows the country fairly well). To one side of their destination is a steep cliff, and to the other is thick forest, making it the perfect location for the gang to camp. As they pack up, Pearson notices that Uncle is asleep again and wakes him up.

Pearson says no wonder Grimshaw was pissed off at Uncle so many times, and recalls at one point when she broke his nose for being too lazy. Uncle groans, saying that accelerated his lumbago. Pearson tells him to just help the others and goes over to Mary-Beth, taking her book away. He tells her she’ll get it back after they move to Horseshoe Overlook, clearly wanting everyone to work as much as possible. Meanwhile, Hosea expresses concern of the attention the Cornwall heist could get them.

Dutch assures him that now that they have some money in their pockets again, the worst is behind them. In about 4 wagons (guided by horses), Dutch divides the group, placing Hosea, Charles and Arthur in the back wagon since “I know you guys love to talk about the good old days and what’s gone wrong with old Dutch” The wagons set off, and it is a VERY long journey. Still, Dutch (who is in the front wagon) knows the trail well and guides them in the right path.

During the ride, Arthur’s wagon goes over a small river and a wheel pops off, forcing him, Charles and Hosea to stop moving in order to fix it. Hosea calls Arthur a “wheelhead driver” for this incident, but Arthur just laughs it off. The trio manage to get the wheel back on and resume traveling, eventually catching up with the others. In another wagon, Pearson is driving while the ladies are inside. Maggie and Abigail are talking.

Maggie, still devastated over her family’s deaths, tells Abigail that she has nothing left and asks what she can do. Abigail says “You’re gonna suffer and life is gonna go on. That’s the truth of it. I won’t lie to you” Abigail then suggests that Maggie, who is crying, stay with them, saying the folk here isn’t so bad and they’ve had lives like Maggie’s. She asks to know what this gang is like. Abigail explains that they aren’t murderers like the O’Driscolls and they most certainly would never hurt children.

She introduces Maggie to Judith, who gives her a bright smile. Maggie gives her a light and forced smile back. Mary-Beth tells Maggie that in order for Abigail and John to stay in the gang, Dutch swore he would protect Judith and he’s kept his promise since. Tilly tells her that Dutch may be a killer, but he’s a man with ideals, unlike Colm or Hemione O’Driscoll. Maggie asks how she would live in the gang. Mary-Beth says there’s always chores to do, especially since they haven’t even started setting up camp.

Pearson, overhearing this conversation, admits that at first, he thought the ladies around here were useless. However, overtime, they became more useful, especially Tilly. Pearson also mentions she’s the first lady he’s ever seen shoot a gun or fight so well. Karen remarks Tilly became an unbelievably tough gunslinger, which Maggie seems interested in. Pearson welcomes Maggie to join, although she will have to earn her keep after she’s finished mourning and he won’t hold back the discipline. Maggie looks at Judith and says she looks so cute.

Judith thanks “auntie Maggie” and Abigail explains that she tends to call everyone at camp “uncle” or “auntie” Maggie says that Judith reminds her so much of Hershel and breaks into sobbing again. Abigail and the others comfort her all the way for the rest of the journey. In another cabin, Kieran is tied up and gagged with Javier riding and Bill taunting Kieran. He tells him that it’s been a while since he’s been able to properly torture sometime, and there’s “something special” in store for O’Driscolls.

Bill then decides to give Kieran a sneak peek and beats up him, punching him repeatedly. Kieran’s screams of pain are muffled as Bill continues to beat him, laughing as he does. Meanwhile, Lenny and Dutch are riding together, and the two talk. Lenny says this feels weird, as he’s never had a one on one conversation with “the big boss” Dutch tells him that only his enemies should feel nervous and asks Lenny what he wants to talk about.

Lenny says he’s always been curious as to how Hosea and Dutch met, and Dutch decides to tell the tale. He explains that they met in Chicago in 1878, laughing at the moment. Dutch reveals they were actually trying to rob each other, sitting in a campfire together. Hosea was trying to con Dutch, lying about being a rich person when suddenly, he found his money and gun gone. Instead of being mad, Dutch was impressed with Hosea’s humor and shared a drink with him. Gradually, two bonded and became best friends.

Dutch then admits that without Hosea, he probably wouldn’t be alive right now, or would the gang be assembled. Eventually, the wagons arrive at Horseshoe Overlook, which looks exactly the way Hosea had described it. Hosea and Dutch talk again, with Dutch content that they are prospering and being excited. Hosea points out that Micah got him all excited about that ferry in Sunderland, and now they are here.

An irritated Dutch replies they have all made mistakes over the years and he’s keeping the rest of them alive. Hosea insists that he’s just worried about Dutch, explaining that they are stuck here and long away from their dream of running away into the West. Dutch agrees that that is time to gather up enough money to leave and escape the law for good, as reluctant as he is. Strauss comes up and tells them he’s going into town to see if he can find some people for his loan shark business, which Arthur says ok to.

Dutch says that he prefers robbing banks, claiming it’s more “dignified” Dutch then orders the gang to put their tools and gathers them up for a speech. He first asks Pearson how they are doing on food, to which they are holding off, but not easily, explaining that they have tons of work to do after the Ghostfaces finish up setting up camp here. Dutch agrees and begins his speech.

DUTCH: I know things have been tough, but we are safe now and we are FAR too poor. So, it is time for EVEYRONE to get work, but stay out of trouble. As Hosea and I agreed, if anyone asks, we are itinerant workers, laid off when they shut down our factory to the north. Now, get out there and see what you can find. But, remember, we are accepting NO more passengers. We have enough mouths to feed as it is. It is time for EVERYONE to earn their keep. There’s a small livestock town, Valentine, all mud and morons if Hosea remembers it right. That’ll be a good place to start.

He then takes out the camp’s money boss, and explains that half of the money earned in every robbery or whatever mission the gang goes out in will be taken for the camp funds. The other half will be split amongst the gang members who accomplished this mission. Dutch then dismisses everyone and sends them off to work, starting by building the camp. By nighttime, the camp is finished, and the gang goes to bed. A few days later, everyone has been getting out on some errands and getting some ideas for major heists.

While wandering around, Arthur is shocked to find that Uncle starting to help now, saying it’s a miracle. Uncle laughs, saying “I’m not lazy, I just don’t like working” He tells Arthur he’s gonna go run some errands in Valentine, taking the wagon with him, when Tilly, Karen and Mary-Beth come up. They say that they are bored out of their minds, and Tilly says that Karen is about ready to murder Pearson. Karen adds “You think I’m joking?” Uncle and Arthur just laugh, saying Pearson would demolish Karen if she tried.

Karen asks Arthur what’s wrong with him saying, “Three young healthy women want you to take ‘em robbing, you’re worried about house chores” Arthur and Uncle then agree to take them to Valentine, much to their excitement. On the ride there, the girls sing a song called “I Got a girl in Berryville” much to Uncle’s delight (see think link to hear them singing” ). Eventually, the five arrive in Valentine and park in front of the horse stables. After leaving the wagon, Uncle welcomes the ladies to “the cultural center of civilization”

Arthur then instructs the ladies to not cause too much trouble and find out any information they can about potential places to rob. Karen says she’ll do it with pleasure, and the ladies go off to the saloon, with Karen telling Tilly and Mary-Beth to “imagine they’re in Paris” Uncle and Arthur to go the general store to buy some things, with Uncle telling Arthur he’s a sad man. Arthur replies that Uncle is his “favorite parasite” He then changes his mind and says ringworm is his favorite parasite. Uncle says very funny. Arthur then says “I lied. Ringworms, rats with the plague, then you”

A groaning Arthur and Uncle then go into the store, buying some coffee and a newspaper. Uncle and Arthur sit and wait outside, reading the newspaper. Eventually, Mary-Beth comes up and explains she snuck into a fancy house and acted like a servant girl, saying “It usually works” She reveals that she found out about a train filled with fancy tourists is heading to Saint Denis (a city west of here) and then heading off to Brazil by boat. When Arthur asks she is telling him this, Mary-Beth reveals the train is loaded with baggage and passing through deserted country at right, perfect time and place to rob.

Mary-Beth says it’s passing through Scarlett Meadows, which is south of here. Uncle recognizes that name and strongly suggests they rob this train, as it’s real quiet there. Additionally, Tilly returns, saying she robbed a drunken fellow of about $20. Arthur asks where Karen is, to which they say she was out robbing a drunken fellow too. Arthur goes to look for her and searches the hotel.

He learns from the clerk that she’s in room 2b and heads upstairs, where she hears a female scream. Arthur bursts into the room, where the man has punched Karen, demanding his money back. Arthur and the man brawl, with Arthur easily knocking him out. He then asks Karen what happened, to which she tried to rob the man and got caught. Karen also reveals “the bastard” was bragging about the bank here in Valentine, and although small-town banks are usually a waste of time, she’s confident this one isn’t.

As they leave, Arthur tells the clerk everything went fine, and Karen admits she doesn’t like to be saved usually, but when it’s necessary. As Arthur brings Karen to the others and prepares to leave, a man, Jimmy Brooks, comes up on a horse and notices Arthur, saying he saw him in Sunderland. Brooks recognizes Arthur as having been in Blackwater, and after Morgan unsuccessfully attempts to convince him otherwise, Brooks rides off away from the wanted outlaw in fear.

Arthur, to keep Brooks from causing trouble, chases him out of Valentine and across the country on his horse until Brooks falls off his own and is left hanging off a cliff. Arthur approaches Brooks, who begins to be saved. Arthur first asks why Brooks is “telling lies” about him, to which Brooks swears he won’t say nothing anymore and was panicking. Arthur isn’t in a good mood considering that he just had to save Karen and considers Brooks a snitch who didn’t mind his own business.

Arthur turns away as his hands slip, and Brooks falls off the cliff to his death. Jimmy Brooks is dead. Arthur then gets back on his horse and leaves. After returning to camp, he finds Uncle, Charles, Tilly and Karen and tells them that the problem has been solved. Karen says that was pretty fun, aside from getting punched that is. Tilly says the man’s lucky that Arthur got to him first, as she would have done worse. Arthur says he’s sure about that, and proceeds to write another journal entry before we cut to black.

ARTHUR’S JOURNAL: So, we finally got a thaw away from that snow. Dutch and Hosea moved us to Horseshoe Overlook, near a town called Valentine. Me, Uncle and the ladies went down there. Dutch told us no trouble, and well, the opposite happened. Mary-Beth and Karen found us some tips, but some feller from Blackwater recognized me. I chased the bastard down and ended up killing him. Sometimes, there’s no point in taking a chance. Also, Dutch is looking better now. He’s got a lot on mind. Still, I think maybe the worst is behind us.

Episode 6: Valentine’s Day
We open on the next day after Arthur’s first trip to Valentine. Arthur has learned that Bill, Charles and Javier gone to Valentine and has decided to go see what they are up to. He goes to there to find Charles and Javier drunk and flirting with some women, in the Smithfield’s Saloon. Javier introduces Arthur to two very pretty looking ladies. The first lady says that Arthur looks like a “Pussycat” The drunken Javier laughs, agreeing. Arthur replies “Oh, I didn’t know I was talking to a lady, Javier”

The two women leave angrily, while a dismayed Charles stumbles a bit on his side while trying to reach out for them. Javier remarks that Arthur has quite the way with the women, and Arthur says he’s “a real dandy and charmer” Charles dreads to think where Bill (the drunken fool of the gang) is right now. At this point, Bill walks into the bar drunk and bumps into a man, quickly becoming enraged. Charles asks “He about to kiss that guy or punch him?” When the man tells Bill to watch where’s going, Bill headbutts him and starts a bar fight.

Javier replies “Oh! And you have your answer amigo” before going over to help Bill. Some of the man’s friends join the fight, and pretty soon, the fight escalates into a mass brawl. The bartender just groans, meaning that this thing clearly has happened frequently in his bar, and tells them to go easy on the furniture. Bill asks if they can just “shoot these bastards” but Javier insists they can handle it. Arthur, Javier, Bill and Charles prove to be very experienced brawlers, easily getting the upper hand in their fistfights.

Javier and Arthur knock out one person each, but Bill gets overpowered by three at once. Also, a man slams a chair against Charles’ back. Charles, however, withstands this blow and slams his attacker’s head against a table twice, knocking him out. Arthur helps Bill break free and overpower his attackers, until he hears someone yell “What the hell is going on down here!?” Arthur then notices a tall muscular man, Tommy, furiously marching down the stairs.

The bartender, freaked out by Tommy entering the brawl, begs him to stay out of the fight, but he immediately begins to fight with Javier. Javier punches Tommy in the face, but he is unfazed by Javier's attack and begins to beat Javier to a pulp. Arthur goes to help, but gets a chair slammed against his back and put in a chokehold. Arthur repeatedly elbows this man in the stomach until he lets go and knocks him out with a devastating left hook.

Bill commands Arthur to save Javier from Tommy, which he does. Arthur punches Tommy, but this only makes him even angrier. Tommy lifts Arthur and throws him out of the window, to then march outside and continue their brawl. At this point, a crowd has gathered to watch the intense fight, including Bill, Charles and Javier, who cheer their friend on. Tommy is very durable and takes tons of fights, but Arthur is also tough and won’t go down no matter what Tommy does to him.

The fight is also out in the rain, and it’s brutal. They punch each other repeatedly and get blood all over each other’s faces. Eventually, Tommy slams Arthur to the ground and almost defeats him, but Arthur is able to recover and beat Tommy to the point where he’s on the ground. Arthur punches Tommy’s face into the dirt, almost killing him, but a bystander intervenes and begs Arthur to stop. Arthur, whose face and clothes are covered in mud and sweat, then relents and gets off of Tommy (check this link to see how the fight would look like, but stop after Arthur defeats Tommy: )

As Tommy crawls away, Charles, Javier and Bill congratulate Arthur on a job well done, although Bill asserts that he could have taken him. Charles laughs, reminding Bill that he got overpowered in the fight. Arthur (the only person who isn’t half-drunk) wonders why the law didn’t come and stop them. The other three men look at each other funny and Bill tells Arthur this was the 2nd most shocking thing that happened day. An interested Arthur asks what was the first.

We then cut to a flashback taking place a couple hours ago, with Maggie talking to Kieran, who has been tied up to a tree since the gang arrived at Horseshoe Overlook, to be interrogated again soon. Maggie suggests that Kieran is hungry, which he is. Maggie holds up a bowl of soup, as if to offer it, much to Kieran’s delight. Maggie then says “I’ll leave it here…in the DIRT” She spills the soup into the dirt and adds “Like where those other O’Driscolls left my husband and my son” Maggie leaves, and Kieran just lowers his head in shame. However, Mary-Beth comes up him.

She decides to give Kieran some cheese, out of generosity. Maggie then goes and talks to Abigail. She tells her that she wants to get out of camp and she can’t just sit around here doing chores. Abigail understands and asks if Pearson needs anything. Pearson then tasks the ladies with heading into town and buying some apples, since they’ve run low on that. Abigail explains to Maggie whenever they leave camp, gang members always keep a knife or gun for safety reasons, though she’s rarely used either.

Maggie says she can use a gun or a knife, as she and Glenn shared the work on the ranch. Abigail lets her handle the weapons but asks her not to get them into trouble. They take John’s horse and ride out towards Valentine to buy the apples there. Maggie says she’s surprised Abigail hasn’t had much experience, considering she’s the wife of an outlaw. Abigail admits the ladies in the gang aren’t fighters, except for Tilly. Maggie asks Abigail about the O’Driscolls and how much she knows about them.

Abigail tells her all about how Dutch and Colm’s rivalry began. When she mentions Hermione, Maggie says she hates that bitch. She reveals that she was hiding out in the cellar, as Glenn had instructed her to when the O’Driscolls first arrived. The O’Driscolls, led by Hermione, stabbed him to death. Hermione found Hershel (who tried, but failed to hide too) and appeared to let him run away. However, she then cruelly used the child as “target practice” and shot Hershel in the back.

Hershel was crying in agony, but Hermione didn’t even bother to finish him off and let him die alone and scared. Maggie was in shock and grief to the point where she fainted (until Micah found her), making her unable to save her child. Abigail feels horrible for Maggie, who admits she wishes she killed herself at the cabin. Abigail tells her not to think like that, saying Glenn and Hershel wouldn’t want her to. Maggie replies the only thing that keeps her alive is the thought of seeing Hermione dead.

Abigail is surprised by Maggie’s aggressiveness, to which Maggie asks what would happen if Colm came in here, and murdered John and Judith. Abigail admits although she and John don’t have the best relationship, and has almost no clue on fighting, she would go after Colm if he killed Judith or John. The two subsequently arrive in Valentine and hitch their horses in front of the train station there. As Abigail and Maggie walk towards the store, Maggie notices two men dressed similar to O’Driscolls, talking in an alleyway (O’Driscolls are random people, so lawmen wouldn’t recognize them).

Maggie lies, saying she’ll wait for Abigail while she buys the apples. Abigail, who doesn’t notice the O’Driscolls, walks to the store to buy the apples. While she’s away, Maggie goes over to the O’Driscolls, who are cousins, Billy and Justin Loomis, and overhears them talking about some kind of operation they have set up at the Valentine’s medicine shop. Maggie marches towards the men and confronts them. Billy tells her to scram, but Maggie instead angrily asks if they are O’Driscolls.

Justin looks slightly surprised, but Billy just laughs at her. Maggie gets closer and says they ruined her life. Justin rudely shoves Maggie calls her a whining bitch Maggie’s eye twitches and her hands shake. Billy challenges Justin to come up with some insults against Maggie. As Maggie reaches for her pocket, Justin says that Maggie is “a drunken harlot” and she’s just made because she never had a man who loved her, or maybe her son hated her so much he killed himself.

As Billy and Justin laugh, Maggie screams “YOU RUINED MY LIFE!” and pulls out her knife. Just as Abigail returns with the apples, Maggie rushes over and stabs Justin in the throat. She hysterically continues to stab the already dead O’Driscoll while screaming “DIE! DIE!”, much to Billy’s anger and Abigail’s shock. Billy then tackles Maggie, knocking the knife out of her hand. Abigail rushes over to the scene, screaming for help. A man hears her pleas and tells her he’ll get the law ASAP.

As the man (the same one Bill bumps into and starts a fight with later) races to the Sheriff’s office, Billy and Maggie are starting to fistfight, but Maggie isn’t very good at close combat. Maggie gets a few hits, but Billy hits her multiple times in the face and knocks her to the ground. Despite being bruised and hurt, Maggie continues trying to fight and gets a good kick to the groin on Billy. She punches him multiple times, but Billy regains the upper hand and begins to strangle her.

At this point, the fight is attracting attention, with some people running or watching. The man makes it to the police officer, shouting to the Sheriff, Thomas Farley, that a woman is being attacked. As the man takes Sheriff Farley to the scene, Abigail sees that Maggie is not going to last much longer. Abigail grumbles “She’s almost as silly as John” before taking off her shoes and throwing them at Billy, who isn’t effected much. Abigail walks over to Billy and kicks her foot into his face, knocking him off of Maggie.

Billy is now totally pissed off and brings out his knife. He goes to stab Abigail, cutting her arm. Maggie grabs her own knife and charges at Billy, and both grab each other’s wrists, struggling. At this point, Sheriff Farley and the man arrive, and Farley demands the scuffle be broken up. Maggie is too filled with hate and energy to stop now, even after Billy (he’s too focused to pay attention to the Sheriff) headbutts her off. He goes to stab her again, but Sheriff Farley shoots him in the chest.

Sheriff Farley approaches Abigail and Maggie, whose shirt is covered with the O’Driscolls’ blood, and asks what happened. Abigail has to lie saying these two men attacked Maggie and she defended herself. Farley is about to question them further when suddenly, Billy pounces to his feet for a final scare. Maggie quickly turns around and stabs Billy in the head, finally killing him. Sheriff Farley admits that was in self-defense though. After Maggie tells him these were O’Driscolls, Farley concedes that they are dressed like them. He then asks the ladies to come with him for some further questioning.

Back in present day, Charles explains that Maggie told the lawmen about the medicine shop business she overheard. They went there to find some O’Driscoll private business going on there and arrested the doctor there for hiding it. Arthur, astonished, says he never imagined Abigail and Maggie to be fighters, though Javier points out Abigail didn’t fight that much. Charles admits he kinda saw this coming, Maggie impulsively lashing out and killing O’Driscolls. Bill says it’s a miracle Tilly became tough, but having “a second killer woman” will really blow his mind. Charles then says there will be one problem with that though.

When Arthur asks what, we cut back to camp, where Dutch is confronting Arthur, Charles, Bill, Javier, Abigail and Maggie of all the trouble they caused in Valentine. Dutch furiously reminds them that he told them to NOT get into any trouble, and they go and start a bar fight, with most of the town watching, and then kill two people (although Dutch is happy that the people killed were O’Driscolls). Maggie says he does not care what Dutch thinks about what she did, and she’d do the same. Dutch is about to yell at her, but Tilly steps in, saying what she did was understandable.

She reminds Dutch of his reaction to Annabelle’s death, which was him storming off on his own to kill Colm and nearly getting himself killed. Tilly asserts that what Maggie did was no different than that. Dutch calms down, but still he’s still disappointed in them for attracting attention. As punishment, he orders Pearson to increase their workload for the next few days and forbids them from entering Valentine unless he permits them to. Arthur sits down and reflects on this, choosing to write another journal entry.

ARTHUR’S JOURANL: I have one word for today: GODDAMN. Got into some god-awful fight at the Valentine’s saloon. Bill started it. He’s wound up so tight about something that I’ll reckon he’ll be drinking himself to death soon enough. I was stopped from beating some big yokel man to death by some local do-gooder, but that local crowd was out for BLOOD. That’s not the craziest part though. That widow we found by the cabins? She killed two O’Driscolls with Abigail AND exposed them for operating in the medicine shop. If she keeps this up, Maggie might become crazier than Micah when he’s drunk.

Meanwhile, Maggie sits in a tent, and is greeted by Tilly, who tells her she understands why she did what she did. Maggie admits she is angry that her workload is increased because of killing O’Driscolls, which the gang does constantly. Tilly says that she could help Maggie be a better fighter, as Abigail told her she got overpowered. Maggie is surprised that Tilly is offering this to her. Tilly says it will take some time, as you don’t magically become a badass, but Maggie is willing to do what it takes. Cut to black.

Episode 7: Ghostface at Work
The next day, we see Hosea, Micah and Mary-Beth at Emerald Ranch, a small settlement located East of Valentine. They are talking to a man named Gregor, who is a foreman at Emerald Ranch and tenders the rackets there. He specializes in selling stolen wagons, but runs a general fence on the side as well. Hosea is trying to convince Gregor to open up business with the Ghostface gang. Gregor says he’s heard about how vicious the Ghostface gang has become recently, to the point they are “making Ghostfaces” out of everyone they rob.

Hosea says that’s not true, and Mary-Beth supports that they do some good. Micah insists that they are not amateurs, and if they were, Micah would left a LONG time ago. Gregor explains that this is a side line business, and he needs to take extra precautions. Hosea convinces Gregor to at least give them a chance. Gregor explains that a man named Bob Crawford just bought a “beautiful” stolen stagecoach from upstate, and it’s in their barn. He proposes if they can get it, then they’ll work together.

When asked who Bob Crawford is, Gregor reveals he is his cousin, by marriage. He then tells them that Crawford is in a farmhouse northwest of here, called Carmody Dell. Gregor then requests that they don’t kill anyone there, as folks know they aren’t intimidate and they’ll suspect it was him. Micah says “No promises” to which Mary-Beth elbows him in the side. Hosea assures him they’ll handle this quietly and easily. Gregor then adds that Crawford keeps a bunch of money stashed away in his house working, but it’s up to them if they want to take that as well. When Mary-Beth asks if Gregor is really fine with them robbing his cousin, Gregor just says “Don’t ask” Micah, Hosea and Mary-Beth then ride off on their horses.

As they ride off, Micah tells Hosea that this guy is pathetic. Hosea says that this why he’s perfect, as he won’t cause them any problems. He adds that a safe spot to fence wagons and coaches means easy money for them. Micah does admit that if they can’t steal a stagecoach and some money from someone’s crooked cousin in marriage, they might as well as hang themselves. The trio journey towards Carmody Bell, eventually arriving and proceeding on foot. Mary-Beth looks ahead with binoculars and sees Crawford and his son, Bob Crawford Jr.

Hosea lays out two options: they rob them now, in which Hosea distracts them while Mary-Beth and Micha loot the house, or they wait until nighttime, at which point Hosea gets the stagecoach while Mary-Beth and Micah loot the house. The trio agree to wait until nighttime, and the trio set up camp some distance away. As they set up a campfire and tend, Hosea and Micah talk about Sunderland, with Hosea asking why Micah got so excited about the ferry.

Micah says that he heard there was money on there, and he was right, pointing out they would have more than enough money to retire if the heist went right. Hosea says that he warned Dutch not to go on the ferry and do something else. Micah replies that is Hosea’s problem: he’s too cautious and won’t take on the big game, while Micah takes risks for old Dutch. Hosea is offended and reminds Micah he is Dutch’s best friend.

Mary-Beth, wanting to defuse the situation, changes the subject and asks if Hosea sold those Cornwall bonds yet. Hosea realizes he forgot to mention that and informs them that he did sell the Cornwall bonds, and got a thousand dollars for them, though he was hoping for a bit more. Still, robbing that train definitely paid off and they are absolutely back in shape now. Micah gloats about coming up with the idea to rob that train, saying he’s more useful than Hosea can see. Hosea, Micah and Mary-Beth continue talking and waiting for nighttime.

At around midnight, the Ghostfaces put on their masks and make their move. Hosea goes to the barn to get the stagecoach while Mary-Beth and Micah loot the house. While Mary-Beth loots upstairs, Micah encounters Crawford Jr., who is asleep. Micah shakes the kid, waking him up, and holds his gun to his face. Micah silences the kid as he realizes what’s happening and becomes terrified. He demands to know where the stash is, and Crawford Jr. asks what he’s talking about.

Micah speaks venomously, asking if Crawford Jr. if he thinks he’s stupid. Crawford Jr. cries, but Micah puts his hand over his mouth. Micah says he’ll make Crawford Jr. a Ghostface if he doesn’t talk, and he doesn’t mean by giving him a mask. Crawford Jr. sobs, saying the money is in the chimney. Micah forces the child at gunpoint to take him there. Crawford Jr. puts his hand above the fireplace and takes $200 out of there, giving it to Micah. Micah thanks the kid before giving him instructs.

He threatens to come back here, shoot his dad in the face, and make Crawford Jr. watch, if he tells anyone he saw him. Micah instructs Crawford Jr. to go back to bed, pretend this didn’t happen, and act like he has no idea who was here. He coldly asks Crawford Jr. if he understands, to which the frightened child nods in terror. Micah sends him back to bed and orders him to stay there, and Crawford Jr. obeys.

Meanwhile, Mary-Beth is quieter and not threatening Crawford Sr., who is asleep. She looks through wardrobes, chests, and some drawers. She finds some jewelry, bill stacks, and valuables (necklaces, bracelets, coins). Eventually, Mary-Beth heads back downstairs to find Micah is stealing the food and some medicine. He whispers this should be enough, and the two thieves quietly leave the house. They find Hosea, who has the stagecoach is ready to drive away, outside.

The trio drive away, with Mary-Beth and Micah saying this went without a problem. Hosea says that’s shocking, considering Micah’s infamous reputation. Micah asks Hosea if he understands now why Dutch likes him. Hosea says he's going to need some more time. The trio rides back to Gregor and gets the stagecoach into his barn. On the way there, Mary-Beth reports that they have stolen around $600 in terms of valuables and money, and Hosea congratulates them.

Gregor shakes Hosea’s hand and announces that he is willing to do business with them, but advises them to be discreet with any other coaches they find and want to sell. Hosea, Mary-Beth and Micah head back to camp and give $300 to the gang’s savings. As a result, the other $300 is split three ways and Hosea, Mary-Beth and Micah are each rewarded $100. As they split the money, a drunken Bill walks up to Javier, who is sitting alone, and asks “Hey, Greaser, Whatchu doing?”

Javier asks what Bill just said, and Bill rudely repeats “I said, Watchu doing, GREASER?” Javier’s response is to pull out his knife, hold it Bill’s throat as he yells “Shit! SHIT!” and force him on his knees, saying “Just playing with my knife…sheep fucker” Javier then pushes Bill away, telling him to “get outta here you drunken fool” Bill angrily leaves, and Arthur, witnessing this event, laughs and says he’s gonna remember this for a long time (see this link to witness this epic event: ). He then notices Dutch is absent from camp.

We then see that Dutch is hanging out in Valentine, reading a newspaper. He’s reading the article to see if Sean Macquire or Mac Callender (the missing gang members) been captured and taken to prison, but finds nothing. Soon, someone comes up and says “Well, look who it is” Dutch looks up to find JOSIAH TRELAWNY, a conman whom Dutch is frequently associated with, although not an official member of the gang, but a frequent helper. Dutch and Trelawny shake hands, saying it’s been a while.

Trelawny is dressed very fancy like, wearing a black hat, tuxedo, white gloves and having a moustache. He’s obviously gotten at least somewhat rich from his conning. Dutch says he thought Trelawny left for New York. Trelawny replies “And miss all this glamour? You must be joking” Dutch and Trelawny laugh and sit together. Trelawny says he’s heard about what happened in Blackwater and figured he’d find Dutch here.

Dutch says that he’s been breaking his back trying to put the gang back together and Trelawny offers help. He reveals that he has found Sean, instantly getting Dutch’s attention. Trelawny says Dutch knows the requirements for his help, but gives him a 50% discount out of generosity. After Dutch pays him $50, Trelawny reveals that Sean is being held by bounty hunters in Blackwater, but there is talking of them moving the tomorrow afternoon.

Dutch thinks and says this is awful risky, considering the town is on lockdown and the law will be patrolling. Trelawny suggests they send someone who didn’t participate in the Blackwater heist, recommending they send a new member of the gang. He tells Dutch he’ll even personally accompany them to rescue Sean, but it will cost him another $50. Dutch says Trelawny always was a conman and gives him the money, though he does warn that he doesn’t take conning lightly.

Trelawny says he’ll never forget the time where a drunken Dutch nearly drowned him and “literally made him a Ghostface” in their first encounter, after Trelawny cheated in poker and scammed him of $200. Dutch and Trelawny shake hands and depart, and Dutch returns to camp on horseback. He goes inside to find that John is recovering, and sitting on a table, alone. Dutch greets him and asks how he’s doing. John says he’s getting better and asks what he’s been missing out on.

Dutch recaps the events of the past few episodes to him, and John is surprised about Maggie killing, but bummed he missed out on the bar fight. Suddenly, Strauss comes up to them and asks John if he’s up for some loan sharking. John groans, saying he gets mauled by wolves and as soon as he gets out bed, he has to go leave. Dutch tells him not to think of it like that. John says he’ll confront one person who owes a debt and tells Strauss to ask for the others.

Strauss tells him the closest guy is a man named Chick Matthews, who works as a ranch hand over at Emerald station. John says Hosea, Mary-Beth and Micah could have done that, but Strauss says he didn’t know they were going there until after they left. He’s rather emotionless when he says this, as if not caring. John grumbles and leaves on horseback to Emerald ranch. By the time arrives there, night has come. John doesn’t make much of a scene and goes asking around for Chick.

He finds a man tending to the horses, who claims Chick is sitting on a log just a few feet away. John goes to confront the log man, asking if he’s Chick Matthews. The Man then reveals the other guy tending to the horses is the real Chick Matthews, who gets on his horse and says “So long, Loan Shark! Hee-ya!” as he rides away. John, furious that he has to go chase him down, curses before getting on his horse and chasing Chick. John shouts that he owes them money, but Chick just taunts him.

After a couple minutes, John begins to catch up and shouts he’ll take more than a debt if Chick keeps this up. Chick just mocks John further. He gets cocky and decides to insult him, calling his wife a whore, only for John to catch up. He points a gun at Chick, threatening to shoot him if he doesn’t stop on the count of five. After John reaches four, Chick shouts he’ll stop and gets off his horse. John tackles him to the ground, threatening to take his teeth with the debt if he doesn’t give it to him right now. Chick explains that he doesn’t have the money, nor did he have much when Strauss lended it to him anyway.

However, he did find some and it’s stashed in a tree. He gives John a map directing towards the money. John replies “A MAP? Why can’t none of you fools just pay?” He tells Chick he’s lucky he’s not taking his teeth as well. John shoves Chick and lets him run away, before getting on his horse and following the map to the location of Chick’s stash. Soon enough, John arrives and finds a hole in the tree. He reaches inside and collects the debt money. John grumbles that these debts are more trouble than they are worth, and we cut to black as he rides back to camp.

Episode 8
We open up on the next morning, with Kieran still tied to the tree at Horseshoe Overlook and being confronted by Arthur, who tells Kieran it’s time to talk. Kieran insists he doesn’t know anything, prompting Arthur to ask Kieran if he would like every bone in his body to be broken. Dutch and Bill also confront Kieran, asking if he’s ready to talk. Kieran is scared shitless, insisting the O’Driscolls aren’t his friends and he doesn’t know a thing.

Dutch says that this is pointless, claiming that whenever an O’Driscoll opens their mouth, it is to lie. He then tells Bill to “geld him” much to Bill’s delight, and he runs off. A frightened Kieran asks what Bill is doing, and Dutch pulls down his pants saying “Oh don’t worry, they’re only balls boy” Bill then returns with some gelding tongs, which he intends to use to cut off Kieran’s balls. A horrified Kieran screams and begs, with the gang laughing at him to terrify him as much as possible.

The plan works, and Kieran finally relents, admitting he knows where Colm and Hermione are. He then shouts they are at Six Point Cabin, which is up the hills behind Valentine, much to Bill’s disappointment (as he was looking forward to castrating Kieran). Kieran offers to take them there, and Dutch orders John, Arthur, Bill to head to the cabin, and, if possible, kill Colm and Hermione. He also tells them to take Tilly and Karen for extra support as Charles and Javier are investigating the lead from Trelawny on Sean’s whereabouts.

Arthur then tells John to take Kieran on his horse, so he can lead them to Six Point cabin. John, Arthur, Bill, Tilly, Karen and Kieran all ride out. John remarks surprise at sharing a saddle with an O’Driscoll, to which Kieran insists he is not an O’Driscoll. Karen replies “Well, you sure as shit smell like one” and laughs. Meanwhile, Tilly asks John how he’s feeling due to his injuries back on the mountains.

John says he’s feeling better, and Arthur says John better damn well be after all that bed rest and being “lazier than Uncle”. Tilly tells Arthur to lay off as John has had a lot on his mind lately. John chuckles, saying Abigail wouldn’t let up on him after getting almost killed, again. Kieran tells the Ghostface gang that he’s been watching them for the past couple weeks and they aren’t all that different from the O’Driscolls.

Bill is offended, asking Kieran if he wants to get those gelding tongs again. Kieran yells “NO!” and John counters he’s been tied to a tree, so Kieran doesn’t know a damn about the gang. Kieran counters that nobody knows what life is like for the O’Driscolls, so they wouldn’t know. Out of curiosity, Tilly asks how they are similar. Kieran replies “You’re outlawed like them, you’re out to survive like them, you live rough, fighting the law, you’re out for yourselves”

John cuts off Kieran there and says the O’Driscolls are out to survive, but they “are out to LIVE…free” Arthur adds that Colm is a sneak and a thief, but Dutch is more like a teacher. He then orders Kieran to remain silent and claims he could be lying, but if what Kieran is saying is true, they can kill Colm and Hermione here and now, and end years of fighting. Karen asks if they could bring in Colm alive, and let Maggie and Dutch have a piece of him, saying they would both love it.

Bill adds he would also love to cut off his balls more than Kieran’s. Arthur asserts that their priorities is to find and kill Colm and Hermione, and not get killed trying to take either of them in alive. Soon, Arthur and the others arrive outside of the camp and lay off their horses. Kieran is threatened by Karen to stay put until they are done, or she’ll let Bill cut off his balls. Before they go, Kieran tells them that Colm is hold up in the cabin.

Arthur lays out their plan: they approach the camp in stealth and quietly take out O’Driscolls outside the camp, then open fire on the others inside the camp. Bill notices an O’Driscoll taking a piss behind a tree and uses a throwing knife on him, killing him. John and Karen encounter two O’Driscolls with their backs turned. Karen says it’s not everyday she works on the field. John instructs her to use her hunting knife, stab the O’Driscoll in the throat and cover their mouth as they die.

John and Karen sneak up behind the two O’Driscolls, stabbing and killing them. John sees an O’Driscoll sitting on a log outside of camp and wishes they had Charles here, as he would be great. Tilly takes the lead on this, sneaking up behind and stabbing the O’Driscoll to death. Arthur, Bill, John, Tilly and Karen get to the perimeter and ask Arthur if it’s time to shoot up the camp. Arthur first looks around for Hermione and Colm, not seeing them, and orders the gang to open fire, which they do.

The O’Driscolls are caught completely off-guard and unprepared, and about 5 of them are killed within the first 20 seconds. The rest catch up, grab weapons and begin to fire back. The Ghostface gang, wearing their masks, take cover behind rocks and trees, shooting back. Using their gun skills, the Ghostfaces kill 8 more O’Driscolls, which apparently clears out the camp, prompting Karen to begin looking for loot. However, 6 more come out from the woods and catch her off-guard.

Karen gets shot in the shoulder and screams out, but Tilly quickly tackles her behind a log before she gets shot again. John, Bill and Arthur are angered by this and fire more rapidly. John’s hat gets shot off his head, but he ignores it and continues opening fire. Arthur shouts for Colm O’Driscoll to come out, saying they’ve got him. Eventually, all 6 O’Driscolls are killed, and this time the camp is actually cleared. Tilly checks Karen’s wound and judges she’ll live, to which she goes “Whoopie” weakly.

As the Ghostface begins to loot the dead O’Driscolls, Arthur heads for the cabin in the rear of the camp, assuming that Colm is hiding there on account of his body not being among those they killed. As Arthur opens the door, he is jumped by an O'Driscoll goon, who shoves him to the ground. Also, Hermione O’Driscoll herself comes out. She looks exactly like Hermione Lodge in Riverdale, wearing elegant, stylish and expensive looking clothes, in a minimalist style which allows her to perfectly embody the look of a chic, well put together business woman.

Hermione says they’ve all a huge mistake, killing her men, and runs for her horse. The goon is about to shoot Arthur, but Kieran manages to get a gun and shoot the goon dead, saving Arthur's life. This distraction, however, allows Hermione to get on her horse and flee, prompting Tilly and John to steal another O’Driscoll horse and chase after her. As they go, Karen shouts at her friends to show her who’s the boss.

Hermione has to guide her horse through the woods carefully as to not crash into a tree. John and Tilly pursue, showing the same precautions. After getting out of the wilds, Hermione notices a moving train and rushes to get in front of it, hoping to lose the Ghostfaces this way. John and Tilly realize what she is doing, and Tilly tries to shoot her while John is driving. Hermione blows a raspberry at the Ghostfaces, only to get her shoulder grazed by a bullet.

Nevertheless, Hermione manages to get in front of the train and crosses the railroad tracks. John and Tilly fail to do so themselves and their pursuit of Hermione is blocked by the train, allowing her to escape. Tilly and John report back to the others and tell them Hermione narrowly escaped, much to their disappointment. Kieran says that his intel was good, although Colm himself wasn’t here. He then asks if they trust him now.

Arthur hesitantly sets him free and tells him to leave. Kieran, however, explains that Colm will most certainly want him dead now for this, and since the O'Driscolls his enemies, he would probably die in the wild on his own. When Arthur asks what he’s trying say, Kieran reveals he wants to join the Ghostface gang, as he has nowhere else to go. Arthur asks the others what they think about this, as Dutch said no more members earlier.

Tilly explains that she feels some pity for Kieran and says he’s earned a spot with them. Bill supports keeping Kieran around, though he still hopes to cut off his balls if he betrays them. Tilly smacks the back of his head, to which Bill goes "What?" John replies that Maggie might beat him to it, but Tilly says she’ll take care of that. Karen says if Kieran’s a good worker, he can stay. Kieran thanks them and says they will not regret this. He then tells them there is some money stashed instead the cabin’s chimney, suggesting they take it.

Arthur goes inside and finds a double-barrel shotgun on the wall, which he takes. He then puts his hand inside chimney and finds the hidden stash, which comes to around $600. Arthur takes the money outside, and Kieran asks for a share. Arthur explains this is how it works with money: half goes to the gang’s funding, and the other half is split evenly amongst everyone. Since there is 6 of them, and $300, each person gets $50. After splitting the money, Arthur and the others leave on their horses towards camp.

After arriving back at camp, Tilly, Arthur, John, Karen and Bill tell Dutch about their decision to bring Kieran into the gang. Dutch isn’t happy about this as he told them already no more people. Tilly explains that Kieran helped them and can be trusted. Dutch says he knows that, but he fears there are too many mouths to feed already. Dutch says that someone is going to have to leave camp to make room for Kieran if he really must come. Arthur asks Dutch where he got that from, and Dutch admits it was Micah who advised him not to recruit anymore people.

Arthur tells Dutch that Micah is not someone he should be listening to for advice, asking Dutch to compare him to Hosea. Dutch yells rather loudly “I know! I KNOW!” He calms himself down, and Hosea comes up, telling Dutch they need to talk. Before walks away, Dutch says Kieran can stay, but he has work to do. Hosea asks what’s happening to Dutch, as he’s acting more stressed. Dutch says “Oh? Really?” before telling him that he needs to have “some goddamn faith”

Hosea replies that he DOES have faith and he’s trying to get Dutch to remain stable. Dutch replies that if Hosea was leader, would he accept some stranger who they held captive for weeks? Hosea says Kieran saved Arthur’s life so they at least owe him that. He asks Dutch if this is about that young girl on the boat. Dutch sighs, being silent for a moment. He tells Hosea “Why do you think I let poor Maggie in?” and lets it sink into Hosea. Hosea then suggests a compromise in exchange for Kieran.

Meanwhile, Strauss approaches Arthur and tells him he has another debt for him to collect. This debt belongs to “a farmer preacher fellow” he met in Valentine, Thomas Downes, who lives in a ranch south of Valentine, close to their location. Arthur says he’ll take a look, and Strauss claims that Thomas is more slippery than he seems, and beating him will be necessary if he lies about not having the money. Arthur understands and heads out to Downes ranch.

A short trip later, Arthur arrives and calls out for Thomas, who is working outside with a pitchfork. Arthur finds Thomas and confronts him, telling him that he owes a debt to Leopold Strauss and he needs to pay up. Upon approaching him, Arthur discovers this is the same man that broke up his fight with Tommy a couple episodes back. Thomas points his pitchfork at Arthur, but Arthur easily disarms him. When Thomas protests he doesn't have the money, Arthur punches Thomas, knocking him to the ground, demanding the money. Thomas shouts that he is ill, and Arthur asks him to elaborate.

Thomas claims that he is very ill, and he needs the money. Arthur believes that Thomas is tricking him (due to Strauss' warning) and continues to brutally kick and beat Thomas, making him cry and beg Arthur to stop. Arthur slams Thomas against a fence and gets close to his face, saying he’s got one more chance. Thomas, badly hurt, coughs and ends up spitting blood in Arthur’s face. He insists he doesn’t have the money, and they already owe more than what his ranch is worth.

Arthur is contemplating whether to believe him when his wife, Edith, intervenes and implores Arthur to stop, saying Thomas has an illness. Arthur, not wanting to risk killing Thomas and wondering if what Strauss told him was a lie, decides to leave and grant them more time, but not before warning they are not a charity. Edith tends to Thomas as Arthur gets on his horse and leaves the ranch. Soon after, Arthur goes back to camp and approaches Strauss, demanding to know what he was thinking lending him money.

Strauss says that Thomas tricked him, but Arthur could clearly see that Thomas was ill. Hosea joins in on the confrontation, saying that this isn’t the first time Strauss has made the mistake of lending their money to people who can’t pay it back. Strauss stands up, saying that he doesn’t like the doubt, but then Hosea says “Get out” Strauss asks him to repeat that, and Hosea says he’s kicking Strauss out of camp, and the gang itself. Strauss protests, saying they can’t do that without Dutch’s permission.

Suddenly, Dutch walks in and reveals Hosea actually talked to him about this already: having agreed to let Kieran stay if someone else goes, Dutch has decided to kick Strauss out for poorly handling their loan sharking business, as well for doing it on poorer people. Strauss is appalled by this and refuses to leave, but then Arthur threatens to beat him until he does. Strauss packs his bags and says this is a big mistake. Hosea says it’s not, and “the boy (Kieran)” has a better understanding of ideals better than Strauss will. Strauss grabs his bags and marches out of camp. He mumbles “ungrateful bastards” in German as he leaves.

After Strauss leaves, Hosea tells Dutch he did the right thing and tells Arthur that there is something else they need to tell him. He and Dutch also reveal that Charles and Trelawny have found Sean, and the former came back to camp for backup while Arthur was gone. Arthur asks if they need his help, but Charles already took Javier and Lenny with him to go rescue Sean. No more people are allowed since Trelawny wants the party to be small to avoid attention. Arthur proceeds to write down another journal entry, cutting to black after hearing it.

ARTHUR’S JOURNAL: Herr Strauss was back lending money and I was back collecting it. The work really revels and shames me. Somehow, robbing people honestly with a gun and fists is less repellent than robbing them fully in accordance with the “law” I had enough. He was giving it to some penniless people, like that farmer I just beat up at his ranch. Hosea, Dutch and I kicked him out. Also, the feller from the mountains, Kieran, saved my life, for some reason. Ended up actually joining us. We tried to go after Hermione, but she escaped. The fact Dutch started this feud and it's STILL going on is getting on my nerves. Sooner or later, it needs to end. Still, found quite a shotgun in the cabin.

Episode 9: The Moment of Truth
We open up on Charles and Lenny, who are riding towards Blackwater for their mission to rescue Sean. They arrive on a cliff overlooking Blackwater, with Trelawny and Javier using binoculars to search for Sean. Lenny asks what’s the situation here. Trelawny explains that Sean is being held by bounty hunters, who plan to move Sean to a nearby camp via boat before handing him over to the government via federal prison. Javier says if that happens, they will have cut him loose.

Charles counters this, saying the gang never leaves a Ghostface behind. Javier replies he knows that, but he’s being realistic about what will happen if he reaches a prison. Lenny asks if he knows the bounty hunters, and they are led by a man named Pike Anderson. Charles appears to recognize that name and reveals that Pike is a former solider. He says it’s a long story to how’s connected to him, recommending he say as they follow him.

Trelawny, Lenny, Charles and Javier follow the boat, which is going through a river below them. As they follow the boat, Charles says he’s never talked much about his past, and everyone acknowledges that. Charles talks about his parents, explaining that his father was a colored man and his mother was native American, living with her tribe. When they were forced to move from their lands (Native Americans lost much territory around this time). A couple years later, a group of drunk soldiers came back, but Charles hesitates with the rest.

Lenny tells Charles they are his friends, and he can say what he wants. Charles explains that his father told him hide, as the soldiers, led by Pike, killed Charles’ father and took his mother, who was never seen again. When asked why by Javier, Charles furiously replies that Pike is a monster, and he’s committed atrocities against Native Americans before, and all he received was a dishonorable discharge with no other punishment. Charles went off on his own afterwards, eventually winding up with Dutch.

Charles then requests that he be allowed to personally confront Pike, but changes it to a “demand” rather than a request. Trelawny advises that they first make sure Sean is in the boat, which soon parks at the bottom of a canyon. They lie down and use their binoculars to find Seven men coming out of the boat, and Javier sees one who looks like Sean. Lenny notes that Sean is kicking up quite the fuss, and the hunters are giving him a good kicking. Javier, seeing this, says “Yep. That’s Sean alright. You can only imagine the shit he’s been giving them”. Charles also recognizes Pike amongst the hunters.

Trelawny then goes over the plan: he distracts the bounty hunters and while Javier, Lenny and Charles sneak up and gun them down from behind. Charles, however, instead wishes to confront Pike personally, not stab him from behind. Javier and Charles begin to argue, as Javier thinks this could result in Sean’s death. The argument heats up until Trelawny offers a counterproposal: Lenny and Javier sneak up behind, ready to shoot the men in case anything goes wrong, while Charles confronts Pike. Trelawny then adds that he is a conman, but not a gunman, so he’ll have to leave from here.

Pike and his men take Sean up a canyon towards their camp, and Charles rides out to intercept him. Meanwhile, Lenny thanks Trelawny for helping them find Sean, and he bids his friends farewell, riding off. As Javier and Lenny climb down the canyon to sneak behind, Charles rids up in the middle of the canyon and stops Pike and his men, and Sean, who recognizes and greets Charles. Pike’s men point their guns at Charles, and Pike confronts Charles, noting that he looks “very VERY slightly familiar”

Charles walks up to Pike and asks him if he recognizes the name Marion Smith (his mother’s name). Pike laughs, realizing what this means. He asks if the boy has come back for his mother, and says “Well let me give you some news, we fucked your mom REAL good!” Pike laughs, and Charles realizes that Pike is trying to say that Pike raped and murdered his mother. Enraged, Charles challenges Pike to a duel. Pike says that it was “that whore’s fault” he got discharged and thinks about it. Pike asks his men what they think.

His men say that this will be an easy duel, as killing a BFI (racist slur standing for Big Fucking Indian) will be easy for Pike. Sean, knowing how strong Charles is, laughs, saying that Pike is screwed, only to get elbowed by one of his men. Pike accepts Charles’ challenge and asks if he’s got any valuables on him. Charles just glares coldly at Pike, and the two prepare to reach for their revolvers. Meanwhile, Javier and Lenny arrive and take cover behind rocks, watching the duel from just behind the bounty hunters.

The standoff between Charles and Pike continues for a few seconds, until the two men pull out their guns. Pike underestimates Charles, who is too quick for Pike and immediately lands a shot directly on his forehead, avenging his parents. Pike Stevenson, former solider and bounty hunter, is dead. The other bounty hunters are shocked that their leader lost to an Indian. Charles tells them to scram, but the hunters are too interested in Sean’s bounty to leave and instead prepare to shoot Charles.

At this point, Javier and Lenny emerge from hiding and open fire on the bounty hunters, killing two and wounding one. The other two turn to Javier and Lenny and shoot at them, but this distraction allows Charles to gun them down too. The last wounded bounty hunter asks to be spared, but Charles instead marches up to the man and stomps hard on his face, killing him. Sean, lying on the ground (he jumped for cover), asks to be untied.

As Lenny unties him, Sean says “You know, you’re a lot less ugly from this angle, Lenny” Javier laughs at this, putting his hand on Sean’s shoulder. He makes a short speech saying “You know Sean, nothing means more to be than this gang. The bond we share. I would kill for it, die for it, but in spite of all that, I would have easily left you here if Dutch didn’t insist on rescuing you” Sean just laughs it off and says Javier is a great man, “a kind of man that a young whippersnapper can really admire” Javier groans, saying “Oh, just shut up!”

Charles, speaking up, tells his friends in a rather dark tone that they should split up, make sure they aren’t seen by the Pinkerton patrols. Javier and Sean ride back on one horse, Lenny rides alone and Charles rides alone. As they leave, Sean imagines that the gang missed him and reassures them saying “the joy is back in your lives now” Javier groans as he, Lenny and Charles ride away and split up.

Later that evening, Lenny is the last person is arrive back and is greeted by Dutch, who congratulates Lenny on a job well done and getting Sean back. Dutch then announces they are having a huge party tonight because of Sean’s return, though Charles and Maggie are sitting out. Lenny and the others watch Sean, who is already drunk, making a speech on the podium. Sean announces that “Uncle Sean” is back and says “Don’t you worry Dutch I’ll keep these girls in line, whip em if I have too” Karen whispers to Tilly “Oh I’d love to see him try” to which she giggles. Sean continues his drunken speech.

SEAN: And don’t you worry Mr. Pearson, you drunk old shit bag! The old Dead Eye Macquire is back. We’ll have this camp running like clockwork. Oh, and don’t you worry, those shitbag bounty (dragged out) huntererereres…only got me by sneaking up like the shitties. Still I knew it, I knew you bastards would come for me. Even old boring Arthur Morgan here. I love you, Arthur Morgan! I love ya bastards, so have fun!

After Sean finishes his speech, Dutch mocks Arthur, saying Sean is a younger version of him. Arthur groans, saying that ain’t true, but Dutch just tells him to cheer up and have fun. Just then, Hosea asks Dutch if he wants to dance with him, just for the fun of it. Dutch just goes “Ah, what the heck?” and dances with Hosea. Also, Abigail comes over and asks Arthur to dance with her. Hosea comments, saying Arthur would be a fool to decline this.

Arthur, even though he isn’t much of a dancer, dances with Mary-Beth. As they have fun, Mary-Beth says “See Arthur? It’s okay to dance, doesn’t mean we stop thinking you’re angry and sad” Arthur chuckles, asking that’s how the ladies see him. Mary-Beth says she means sad in a good way, like a romantic poet. Meanwhile, Karen has already gotten drunk and slouching near John’s tent, and Sean approaches her.

The drunken Sean tells the drunken woman she loves him and asks she admit it. Karen laughs, saying she’d rather love a snake. Sean just pulls her over, and the two kiss, after which Karen slaps Sean, who shouts that he is the happiest man alive. Karen drunkenly says “I hate you, you Irish bastard” and he hates her too, as she can see it in his eyes. Sean just takes ahold of her wrists and says she loves her. Karen stumbles, still saying she hates Sean, but still kisses him again.

Karen suggests Sean only loves her when she’s drunk, to which Sean replies “Well, you’re always awfully superior when you’re sober” Karen and Sean go into John’s tent, and even though Karen says she “hates” Sean, they close the curtains and begin to have sex. John witnesses this and asks them to try not to destroy his tent. Sean and Karen just ignore John and have sex, with John groaning (see this link for this romantic scene: . Bill and John sit on a table and laugh together with Micah, who is also drunk.

Even Micah is happy with the party, to the point that he shares jokes with Bill and John without majorly antagonizing them. Micah says he’s heard John is Dutch’s pet. John replies he’s nobody’s pet, but burps mid-sentence. The drunken Bill says he loves liquor, but sometimes, liquor doesn’t love him back. The drunken John says he knows what Bill means, looking at Abigail, and laughs at her. Abigail calls the trio “silly men” before walking away as they continue to laugh together.

Meanwhile, Karen starts crying and Sean asks if she wants to stop having sex, to which Karen says no, she just wants someone to "see her". Sean exclaims "I see you, Karen!" whilst the pair continue to make love. Also, Kieran walks up to Mary-Beth. He asks if she’s feeling okay and says she doesn’t have to talk to him if she doesn’t want to. Mary-Beth replies it’s fine. Kieran nervously asks if he can ask her something. Mary-Beth guesses he wants to dance with her, and Kieran sputters while trying to reply.

Mary-Beth says she’ll dance with him, much to Kieran’s surprise. They hold hands, and Kieran says this definitely wouldn’t be happening if he was still with the O’Driscolls. Mary-Beth just smiles at Kieran, who is shocked by her kindness. Kieran says as long as he doesn’t get beat up, he’ll be good. Judith watches them dance and is happy, calling Kieran “Uncle Kiery” Kieran laughs, saying it’s Kieran, not “Kiery”. Mary-Beth taunts Kieran, calling him Kiery. Kieran admits that this the first time in a while he’s been this happy and entertained.

Mary-Beth says he’s pretty lucky to be here and warns him that sooner or later, he’s going to have get involved in the more dangerous work. Kieran admits he knows that, but it’s better than being tied up to a tree or staying with the O’Driscolls. He brings up a time when he asked Hermione if she wanted to dance with him, and her response was to kick him in the groin. Mary-Beth assures that nobody, except maybe Maggie, will be doing that to him now.

Kieran says that’s hard to believe considering they just threatened to cut off his balls, but Mary-Beth says it just takes time. Meanwhile, Charles and Maggie talk to each other about not joining the party. Maggie tells Charles that she doesn’t feel like partying, and Charles tells her how she feels about revenge and what happened with Pike. Maggie asks how Charles felt to finally take his revenge. Charles replies “empty” and admits that it didn’t make him feel better.

Maggie replies “I was afraid you would say that” and tells Charles she’s more of a ghost than a person now. Charles says he’s thought of it that way sometimes, and the name "Ghostface" kinda comes from that. He tells her not to think that though, and asks how well she is getting along with the others. Maggie says Abigail is a really sweet woman, though she can’t figure out how Mary-Beth can “dance with an O’Driscoll” despite Kieran joining the gang. Charles says there are good folk in the most unlikely of places, and bad folk in the most unlikely of places.

Maggie asks Charles why he sticks around with the gang, and Charles says it’s the bond they share, and he’d gladly kill and die for it, as would Dutch and others. Maggie asks if Charles is saying her purpose to bond with the gang. Charles replies that everyone has a purpose, but whatever Maggie wants to do, he’ll support her. Both decide to go to bed. Lastly, we see Tilly and Lenny dancing together. Lenny, being the youngest member, is a bit nervous, but Tilly assures him everything is fine.

As romantic music starts to play, Tilly and Lenny get caught up in the moment. They are happy to have Sean back and be so relaxed, to the point where Lenny leans in and kisses Tilly on the lips. They keep kissing for a few seconds before a shocked Lenny backs away. He admits that was his first kiss and he did not expect it to be with a woman 10 years older than here. Tilly says they’re outlaws, and they can romance whomever they want here. Lenny is still embarrassed, but dances with Tilly nevertheless. We cut to black as the gang happily celebrates.

Episode 10: A New Threat
We open up on the night of Sean’s rescue party. We see Leviticus Cornwall again with Jansen, and he’s waiting in his office for someone to show up, and soon, two people come in, revealed to be from the PINKERTON DETECTIVE AGENCY. The first one is Agent ANDREW MILTON, wearing a black business suit and bowler hat, but with distinct red trimmings to help him stand out as a high ranking officer. Milton is clean shaven and slim built. The second Pinkerton is Milton’s partner, ARCHER FORDHAM. He’s wearing an outfit similar to Milton and is younger.

Cornwall asks Milton and Fordham if he knows why he’s called them here and wonders why they haven’t caught Dutch yet. Milton explains to Cornwall that the Pinkerton National Detective Agency is a private security contractor company, and although often hired by the U.S. government, will act when paid. Cornwall tells Milton and Hawke that he will pay them $10,000 up front to hunt the Ghostface gang, and Milton compliments Cornwall on being a reasonable man.

Cornwall angrily replies that he is looking for results, not compliments, but Milton reveals that they actually already caught a member of Dutch’s gang: Mac Callander. The Pinkertons were involved in the shootout in Blackwater, and Hawke reveals that Mac was interrogated, but said nothing and attempted a breakout, resulting in him getting gunned down in the attempt by another agent, Ethan Hawke (who will be seen in later seasons). Mac Callander is dead. Cornwall says at least there’s one less filthy degenerate worry about.

Milton then tells Cornwall that they will work within the confines of the wall. He adds that he expects Cornwall to be doing the same. Jansen, noticing the discussion is getting tense, tells Milton and Fordham that the money will be transferred to the detective agency shortly. Milton shakes hands with Jansen and thanks him and Cornwall for the business before leaving with Fordham. Two days later, Dutch is having a conversation with Arthur, who says he’s noticed that Micah and Lenny aren’t around.

Dutch explains that he went Lenny and Micah towards Strawberry, a town close to Blackwater, concerning Arthur. Arthur explains he doesn’t mind Micah being caught, but Lenny he does greatly. Dutch says that they heard there are high bounties over there and decided to try and take one on. Arthur wishes Lenny good luck in working with Micah, but at that moment, Lenny returns to camp, frantic and shouting “They got Micah!”

Lenny continues shouting, but Dutch tells him to breathe. After calming down, Lenny explains that Micah got into a fight in the bar at Strawberry that resulted him killing a man and the law coming after them. They arrested Micah and nearly lynched Lenny, who managed to escape. Lenny informs Dutch that they have Micah at the Sheriff’s in Strawberry, and there’s talking of hanging him. Arthur replies “Here’s hoping” to which Dutch scolds him. Arthur replies Micah brought this on himself, and he’s not saving that fool.

Dutch explains he cannot go because his face is all over the place due to Blackwater, and someone needs to rescue him. When Arthur reminds Dutch about his feelings about Micah, Dutch claims he can see past “his bluster to the heart inside. He’s a fine man Arthur” Arthur literally laughs at Dutch’s statement, saying Micah wouldn’t do the same for him. After reminding Arthur they don’t leave men behind, Dutch instead asks Bill and Javier to rescue Micah.

Bill and Javier, although they hate Micah, they love Dutch just about as much. They agree, albeit reluctantly, to rescue Micah, and Dutch orders them to ride off to Strawberry immediately, which they do. Lenny sits, exhausted. Bill and Arthur go to Valentine and buy train tickets to take them to Riggs Station, which is just outside Strawberry. After getting on the train, Javier and Bill talk about Micah. Bill asks if they can at least mess with him when they get there, to which Javier says “Duh”

He says that he can’t believe he’s doing this with Javier, who recently held a knife to his throat. Javier chuckles, reminding Bill of the time Hosea pulled a gun on him while the drunken Bill was harassing him. He then asks why Bill was so quick to agree, and Bill asks why he was. Javier says that he owes everything to Dutch and asks if Bill remembers why he joined the Ghostface gang. Bill replies his memory isn’t serving so well, so he asks for a recap while the train rides.

Javier explains that he used to live in Mexico, working on his uncle’s ranch. The government in Mexico was ruled by a brutal Mexican general, and it became a dictatorship. One day, when Javier was a boy, Javier’s uncle led a protest demanding fair wages with four other people, so local soldiers shot them all dead. He admits that this inspired him to become a revolutionary, but he fled after killing a powerful former military man over a woman he was in love with.

Bill asks if that’s when he came to American, which Javier confirms. He admits that he was feeble, starved, and didn’t even know any English, and had nothing left to live for. Just then, the train arrives at Riggs Station, and the two get out and walk towards Strawberry, a short distance away from the station. Javier continues his story, revealing how he met Dutch. He was stealing chickens, and Javier just so happened to be doing so at the same place, and they laughed.

Dutch decided to take Javier in, giving him some clothes and food, offering him a spot in the Ghostface gang (which had a low amount of people at the time). Javier then explains that he loves Dutch’s revolutionary ideas and became loyal for helping him and having common ideals. Bill laughs, saying he would have loved to see him and Dutch steal some chickens together and wondering if they can have a rematch. Javier says maybe someday, before noticing the Sheriff’s office just ahead.

Javier tells Bill the plan: they go in, ask where Micah is, and when he’ll be hanged. When asked why they want to know when, Javier explains he wants to pursue a bounty here before rescuing Micah, as there is no way they can do this quietly (the sheriff’s office is in the middle of town and people will know). Bill says the longer he’s away from Micah, the better. The two go inside and are met by Sheriff Joseph Roosevelt and his two deputies, who asks what they want.

Javier takes the lead, saying they are looking for a bounty on Micah Bell. Sheriff Roosevelt laughs and informs them they have been beaten to it, explaining that Micah has just been arrested for murder and will be hanged in a few days for his crimes. Roosevelt, however, does offer them another bounty, pointing to a poster. Bill picks it up and sees a $150 bounty for a Joshua Brown, wanted alive. Javier asks about Brown, and the Sheriff explains for the most part, Joshua did legal kills.

Roosevelt adds that if “you’re gonna walk that line, you’re bound to overstep it at some point, which he did” When asked by Bill why he wants him alive, Roosevelt says he’s brought them bounties in the past and he’s decent. He tells them if he’s dead, no money will be paid. Bill and Javier ask his last known whereabouts, to which Roosevelt has heard rumors that he’s been spotted in an abandoned mine north of Strawberry. After leaving, Bill and Javier decide to pursue the bounty, then rescue Micah.

Later Bill and Javier have arrived at the abandoned mine and are searching for Brown. They find a camp inside, but nobody in there. Suddenly, Brown emerges, saying “You got nowhere to go, bounty hunters” Bill curses and prepares to pull out his gun, but Javier (knowing they need him alive) stops him and says he isn’t here to kill Brown. Brown, lighting a cigarette, says it wouldn’t matter if he was. Javier tries negotiating, but Bill tells him to just “shoot the nigger” Brown is annoyed by this and tells them the only way out for them is through him, and to get him, they have to draw on him.

Javier and Brown enter a duel, while Bill joins in on Javier’s side, slowly reaching for their guns. Javier and Brown are equally fast, with Brown aiming his gun at Bill’s head and pulling the trigger, but it malfunctions. Javier then shoots Brown in the arm, making him scream in pain and curse his gun and Javier. He runs, but Bill tackles Brown and beats him unconscious. Bill and Javier then get on their horses, and Bill hogties Brown and rides off with him and Javier.

Upon returning to Strawberry, the Sheriff seems surprised that they caught Brown, before telling them to place him in the cell downstairs. Bill and Javier head downstairs and encounter Micah, who’s cell is next to Brown’s. He also has another man with him. Micah asks if they are going to get him out already, but Javier hushes him, as he doesn’t want the officers upstairs to overhear their conversation. They speak in whispers.

After locking up Brown, Bill acts smug and says “I haven’t decided yet, cowpoke. You see, I’ve heard so much bluster out of your mouth for the past six months. And now, I got an opportunity to watch you be silenced” Micah says he has to do something, and Javier, enjoying messing with Micah, asks “Why?” Micah has a VERY hard time saying this, but says “I’ve always….looked up to you, Javier” Javier says he doesn’t believe that for a second, and the only reason he’s getting him out is because Dutch wants him out.

Bill seconds that and asserts that Micah owes them big time for this, as there is no way they can get out of here quietly. Bill and Javier go back upstairs, and Roosevelt gives them the $150 reward. After collecting the money, Javier grabs Roosevelt and takes him hostage, prompting his two deputies to point their guns at Javier. Bill points his own and a standoff ensues. Javier threatens to execute Roosevelt if he is not given the jail keys and the deputies don’t put their guns down. Bill says on the count of ten, Javier will execute Roosevelt.

Bill begins counting, and the deputies, not wanting to see their boss die, lower their weapons and surrender. Bill pistol whips both deputies and knocks them out, while Javier thanks Roosevelt for the money and then knocks him out too. Javier swipes the jail keys from Roosevelt and unlocks Micah’s cell. He says there is a chance they can get out of this quietly. As the other man in Micah’s cell starts to leave, Micah grabs one of Javier’s guns and shoots that man, killing him and blowing their cover. Javier shouts, demanding to know why he did that. Micah replies “He was an O’Driscoll” before fleeing upstairs.

Seeing there are lawmen responding to the noise, Javier says they are in for a fight. In response, Micah aims his gun at the unconscious Roosevelt and shoots him in the head, killing him for arresting him. After putting on their Ghostface masks, he, Javier and Bill then burst outside and open fire at the lawmen, killing three. Javier and Bill manage to reach the horses, but Micah starts to run in the opposite direction. When Javier demands to know why, Micah explains that he started the bar fight because three bastards robbed him, stealing his guns.

He adds that he killed two, and the third’s house is close by. Javier shouts that he and Bill are not dying for Micah’s “stupid fucking guns” and they’ve gone through more than enough trouble because of him. Bill says that if Micah goes back for his guns, he and Javier are going to leave him behind and tell Dutch that he died in the escape and there will be “no skin off my bones” Micah seethes with frustration and sees some lawmen are coming, and their route will block the house to retrieve his guns there.

Mounting his horse, Bill says “Please, go on, make my day. You’ll be remembered as the loathsome piece of shit that you are” His window closing, Micah looks around frantically, knowing if he doesn’t act, he’ll got shot before he can even make a decision. Micah screams “Damn it all to hell!” before stomping over and mounting Javier’s horse, leaving his guns behind. The three ride out of town, pursued by some mounted lawmen. Javier and Bill manage to gun them down too and escape from Strawberry. They ride for a while before Micah determines they are far away enough.

Javier thanks Micah for not making him shoot up half the town to get him out, though he would have left if Micah went back. Micah asks that they talk serious for a second and promises he will make up for the shit Javier just pulled. He admits that he and most of the gang, especially Arthur and Bill, don’t always see eye to eye, and admits he started the trouble. Micah then, VERY reluctantly, says “I’m…s…s…SSSS…sssssoooorrrrrryyyyyyyy” Bill says “I still don’t trust you for shit” Micah says like it or not, they are “brothers, sons of Dutch, Ghostfaces, and sometimes brothers make mistakes”

When Javier begins to ride back to camp, Micah tells them to hold. He explains that he isn’t going back to Dutch without a “peace offering” as he knows Dutch will be furious Micah got himself caught. Javier explains that Micah’s word doesn’t mean to shit to him, and unless he makes some good money out of this, he doesn’t think he’ll ever trust Micah, considering he did two completely unnecessary kills that blew their cover. Micah tells them to just leave him a horse, saying he’ll be back in a day or two. Bill leaves him his horse, but threatens Micah saying nothing better happen to it.

Bill and Javier then ride off, leaving Micah behind. Micah rides off farther way to find a hidden spot to set up camp. The next morning, we see Fordham and Milton on a train riding towards Rigg Station, talking about their investigation. Milton explains that he has practically the whole agency to unleash on the Ghostface gang when he finds them (the money from Cornwall and Milton’s high ranking helped him gain this authority) and justice will be delivered.

Milton expresses his disgust with outlaws like Dutch, not able to understand how they can possibly believe they can decide who to hang and steal all they want. Fordham says they can handle outlaws. Milton states he has been proud to be in this organization for the 20 years he’s been in it, though Fordham has only been in there for 10. Fordham asks that they go over their plans again.

Milton explains that he’s heard that Micah Bell has been captured and they intend to go check it out and hopefully interrogate him, before he hangs in a few days. Soon after, the train arrives at Rigg Station and the two Pinkertons arrive at Strawberry and find the Sheriff’s office closed. They are confronted by one of Roosevelt’s deputies outside, telling them go away, but immediately relents when Milton reveals they are from the Pinkerton National Detective Agency.

When Fordham asks what’s happened, the deputy reveals that the Sheriff and several other lawmen were killed in a breakout, and Micah Bell escaped. Milton immediately realizes that the Ghostface gang were behind this breakout. He asks if the deputy if they got a good look at the people who helped Micah escape, and the Deputy says they were wearing Ghostface masks, but they had just accepted a bounty earlier. He describes one as big and tough, while the other was a Mexican.

Milton and Fordham talk, agreeing that these fit the descriptions of Bill Williamson and Javier Escuella, and this can’t be coincidence. Fordham knows the gang is more than capable of doing a breakout like this, but is angry at the fact they killed a Sheriff, and so is Milton. Meanwhile, a stagecoach comes in, and the man inside pays the driver before heading into town. As Milton and Fordham debate how to find the Ghostfaces, they notice the man from the stagecoach.

Milton asks if that is who he thinks it is. Fordham says he personally knows some civilians who lost money because of this person and gets a closer look, suggesting that the man fits this gang member’s profile. Milton concludes that he has found a lead and yells, ordering the man to stop. The man is quite fearful when he spots Milton, but is given no time to flee. Fordham asks if he is BLEEP (the name is censored out). The man tries to deny it, but Milton isn’t buying it. He informs the man that they are going to have a talk.

In the final scene, which takes place a short time after the events of Episode 8, we see Hermione going over to an O’Driscoll hideout (though it’s unclear if it’s the main base or not). She goes into the main tent, and there we meet Colm O’Driscoll himself. Colm is a slightly old man with long grey hair, wrinkles and gritty stubble on his face. He wears green clothing and short brimmed hat with a snake skin band. Colm asks why Hermione looks like she was just involved in a shootout, and Hermione tells him about the Ghostface gang raiding Six Point Cabin, and she saw Kieran with them.

Colm initially appears calm and paces around. He says “I see” before suddenly kicking over a chair. Colm asks how many men they lost, to which Hermione says she was the only survivor. Colm realizes that they most likely looting their stash there so there’s no point in trying to get it back. Hermione wants to strike back, but Colm tells her to have patience. They sustained heavy losses, due to Dutch stealing their train robbery and his gang shooting up the cabin. So, he’s putting their rivalry on hold temporarily. Colm, however, promises that when they strike back, there will be no mercy, and we cut to black.

Trivia

 * There will be 6 seasons.
 * Pretty much all the characters and story is taken from Red Dead Redemption 2, my new and favorite game, which I have loved to play VERY much.
 * This may be the most outlandish story in all of our fanfactions, for several reasons.
 * The Ghostfaces are portrayed as the good guys, although that has happened before.
 * This takes place in 1899, the earliest a fanfiction has been set in.
 * There are nearly no teenagers or kids at all in this saga, except for Judith.
 * The police are actually the bad guys around this time, and are more competent.
 * The saga will have a pretty slow pacing at first, especially the first couple seasons.
 * This is because we are getting to know the characters and developing them.
 * Even though this isn't exactly a slasher story, here will be MANY deaths throughout the saga and by the end of it, many characters will be dead.
 * There will be 10 episodes or so.
 * Each gang member has a unique backstory that lead to them joining the gang, and they will be gradually revealed throughout the saga.
 * Although the ladies are not usually gunmen, they play various other roles, such as doing chores at camp, buying things, providing entertainment, and even being prostitutes (sometimes to rob drunken fools).
 * After the losses at Sunderland, the ladies start become more involved in dangerous activities to increase their workload.
 * The saga opens after a failed heist in Sunderland resulted in the deaths of three gang members and the disappearances of three.
 * The first casualty was Hosea's longtime wife, Bessie, which devastates him. The second was Susan Grimshaw, the matriarch of the camp (forcing Pearson to take her place). The third is Davey Calendar, one of their best gunmen.
 * The first casualty was Hosea's longtime wife, Bessie, which devastates him. The second was Susan Grimshaw, the matriarch of the camp (forcing Pearson to take her place). The third is Davey Calendar, one of their best gunmen.
 * The first missing member is John, who was separated while fleeing from Sunderland. The other two are Sean Macquire, a cocky Irish member of the gang, and Mac Callander, Davey's brother. Their fates will be revealed by the end of the season.
 * There will be absolutely NO hints on the body count on who dies when, to cause some more suspense.

What Would Have Happened

 * I was going to keep Susan Grimshaw in (she survived a while in the real game), but I had her killed in Sunderland as I had enough characters.
 * The widow found in episode 1 is named Sadie Adler in the game. I, however, replaced her as Maggie because I was disappointed at her limited tole in Walking Dead after Glenn died and Sadie reminded me of her.
 * I considered sparing Brooks and having him do something in season 2, but I decided on someone else to do that.
 * Originally, the gang would have killed random bounty hunters in episode 9 before I came up with the idea of Pike Anderson.
 * In the game, Micah actually shot up half the town and forced Arthur (who rescued him) to help him get the guns back. However, I found it unrealistic the gang would let him do it and had him forced to him.
 * I wanted to make Mac's killer in Ethan Hawke for the irony, and in memory of missing fanfiction writing JMO.
 * Judith was originally younger, but I changed her age and photo for future plot reasons.