Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for the finale of 1923 Season 2, titled “A Dream and a Memory.”It also discusses sensitive topics, including sexual assault.
The storyline of Teonna Rainwater, portrayed by Aminah Nieves, in 1923 is undeniably harrowing, representing one of the bleakest narratives within the Yellowstone series. Her experience unfolds in the confines of a Catholic boarding school run by Father Renaud (Sebastian Roché) and a cadre of priests and nuns.
Desperate to flee the abuse at this assimilation school, Teonna seeks freedom in season 1 of 1923, resorting to violence against her oppressors. This leads her on a perilous journey across North Dakota, where the relentless pursuit by those tasked with capturing her leaves her in constant peril. Notable among her pursuers are Father Renaud and Marshal Nathan Kent (Jamie McShane), who escalate their brutality throughout season 2.
While Teonna manages to evade capture for most of the season, her pursuers wreak havoc, resulting in the deaths of innocent bystanders. These events eventually sway Marshal Mamie Fossett (Jennifer Carpenter) to advocate for Teonna’s safety, culminating in a somewhat hopeful resolution for her arc, albeit at an immense personal cost. The traumas Teonna endures serve as a stark reminder of the harsh realities many faced in similar circumstances.
13 Sister Mary Beats Teonna for Not Knowing Soap Ingredients
1923 Season 1, Episode 1: “1923”
Teonna’s journey begins as she faces punishment during her first encounter with Sister Mary (Jennifer Ehle) at the U.S. School for Native Americans in North Dakota. When asked to identify the ingredients of soap, her innocent response leads to a severe reprimand. Teonna’s flippant reply about any type of oil ignites Sister Mary’s anger, resulting in her being struck with a ruler.
Amidst the abuse, Teonna reaches her breaking point and retaliates, fiercely confronting Sister Mary.
As violence escalates, a nun retaliates with further beating, leading Teonna to mutter in her native Crow language, which only elicits more punitive actions. The clash between Teonna and Sister Mary illustrates the dire consequences of cultural suppression and violence.
12 Father Renaud Punishes Teonna for Defending Herself
1923 Season 1, Episode 1: “1923”
Following the altercation, Father Renaud evaluates the situation and expresses concern regarding Sister Mary’s treatment of Teonna. As he examines the bruises on her hands, he initially appears sympathetic. However, this compassion is short-lived. He invokes physical punishment as he declares his refusal to show mercy to Teonna, further entrenching her in a cycle of violence.
11 Sister Mary Punishes Teonna for Refusing to Eat Maggots
1923 Season 1, Episode 2: “Nature’s Empty Throne”
In a grim depiction of life within Native American boarding schools, Teonna is forced to consume maggots for her meal. While the other girls recite their prayers, she openly expresses her disdain to her cousin Baapuxti (Leenah Robinson), indicating her preference for punishment over suffering through the meal. This act of defiance results in swift retribution from Sister Mary, illustrating the oppressive atmosphere of the school.
10 Teonna is Placed in a Hot Box by the Priests
1923 Season 1, Episode 2: “Nature’s Empty Throne”
Following her verbal insubordination at dinner, Teonna is forcibly taken outside and confined to a “hot box”by Father Renaud. In this wooden enclosure, devoid of food and water, she receives grim threats should she dare to speak her native language again. As Father Renaud coldly suggests, this punishment aims to break her spirit, although it appears to only intensify her resistance.
9 Teonna is Assaulted by a Nun in the Bath
1923 Season 1, Episode 2: “Nature’s Empty Throne”
Teonna’s suffering reaches a new low when Sister Alice (Kerry O’Malley) assaults her during a moment meant for relaxation in the bath. The initial expectation of peace is shattered as the abuse continues, compounded by further violence from Sister Mary, who vocally supports the ethos of erasing Indigenous identity.
8 Sister Mary and the Nuns Coerce Teonna to Beg for Salvation
1923 Season 1, Episode 4: “War and the Turquoise Tide”
As Teonna endures another painful lesson, the nuns instruct the girls in the fields. Sister Mary’s comments about their Indigenous heritage further alienate the children from their culture. Retaliation from Teonna results in brutal punishment, including a traumatic head injury that leaves her unconscious.
Post-confrontation, Teonna’s hair is cut, symbolizing a harsh severing from her cultural identity. Upon regaining consciousness, she finds herself bound to a chair where Sister Mary forces her to plead for redemption. This physical and emotional trauma highlights the invasive tactics employed to erase Indigenous identity.
7 Father Renaud Murders Teonna’s Cousin Following Her Escape
1923 Season 1, Episode 5: “Ghost of Zebrina”
After ultimately fighting back against her rigorous conditions, Teonna escapes, but tragedy follows. Following the murders of Sisters Mary and Alice, Father Renaud demands answers from the girls. He focuses on Baapuxti, interpreting her tears as guilt, which leads to brutal violence against her.
Despite her attempts to corroborate Teonna’s whereabouts, Baapuxti reveals her true identity in Crow, concluding with a fatal confrontation with Renaud, illustrating the extent to which the characters are willing to protect each other amid their suffering.
6 Marshal Kent Kills Teonna Rainwater’s Grandmother
1923 Season 1, Episode 6: “One Ocean Closer to Destiny”
As the hunt for Teonna intensifies, Marshal Kent’s search leads him to her grandmother’s residence, motivated by a warrant for her arrest. An altercation ensues when Teonna’s grandmother, Issaxche, tries to defend her home and tragically loses her life due to an accidental fall instigated by Kent’s aggressive actions.
This loss exemplifies the collateral damage inflicted on Native families during this tumultuous period, reinforcing Teonna’s statement that her fight for freedom came at a staggering cost.
5 A Priest Assaults Teonna and Kills Hank in the Badlands
1923 Season 1, Episode 7: “The Rule of Five Hundred”
Teonna finds a potential ally in Hank Plenty Clouds (Michael Greyeyes), who offers to protect her during her flight. However, their fledgling hope is crushed when the relentless priests discover their hideout. A confrontation ensues, leading to Hank’s tragic death at the hands of a priest while attempting to shield Teonna, marking another devastating blow to her journey.
4 Marshal Kent Distributes Wanted Posters of Teonna
1923 Season 2, Episode 2: “The Rapist is Winter”
Despite forming a tenuous alliance with Pete and her father, the mission to capture Teonna persists as Marshal Kent collaborates with Father Renaud. Their efforts result in wanted posters being circulated to track her down. Even as Teonna inadvertently comes across these posters, they serve as painful reminders of the persistent threats against her safety.
3 A Cowboy Betrays Teonna and Her Group to Marshal Kent
1923 Season 1, Episode 5: “Only Gunshots to Guide Us”
Teonna’s brief glimpse of safety evaporates as a local cowboy colludes with Marshal Kent and Father Renaud. Despite their initial reluctance to disclose her whereabouts, the cowboy eventually reveals the direction Teonna’s group has taken, empowering the marshals in their relentless chase.
2 Marshal Kent Shoots and Kills Pete Plenty Clouds
1923 Season 2, Episode 5: “The Mountain Teeth of Monsters”
As tensions rise, Pete Plenty Clouds embarks on a quest to find sustenance for the weary group. However, his encounter with Kent and Renaud leads to a harrowing confrontation. The ensuing shootout claims Pete’s life, intensifying the tragedy of Teonna’s journey.
1 Father Renaud Murders Runs His Horse and Attempts to Kill Teonna
1923 Season 2, Episode 6: “The Mountain Teeth of Monsters”
As the dramatic culmination of Teonna’s trials unfolds, Father Renaud takes extreme measures, murdering her father, Runs His Horse. This pivotal moment leaves Teonna in an agonizing position—alone and fighting for her survival. Although she ultimately defends herself by killing Renaud, this bitter victory underscores the devastating cost of her struggle for liberation. As she reflects after a court hearing that dismisses her murder case, Teonna recognizes the profound implications of her fight: it has cost her everything.