Frontier Season 1, Episode 4 Recap: “Wolves”
In this episode of Frontier, Michael has his heart broken, Benton continues to be evil, and there’s far less violence and blood.
After the interesting choice of Ice Cube as the quotation to open episode three of Frontier, the show returns to someone a little more expected for these sorts of things in Nelson Mandela.
"“Fools multiply when wise men are silent.”"
For once, the pre-credits scene focuses on Chesterfield and Benton. Benton doesn’t actually be evil at Chesterfield, but he just wants to get rid of all the Hudson’s Bay competitors. Unfortunately, all of his evil plans will have to wait: another HBC ship has arrived, very late in the season. Welcome back to Frontier.
Fortunately, we don’t have to wait long to see Team Declan, and Declan hatches the brilliant idea to strike at Benton directly. Dimanche wisely points out that this is a bad idea, and when Declan headbutts him, he quits. Can no one on this show manage their people wisely?
Meanwhile, Henchman Pond makes some casual threats to Douglas Brown, who mostly just looks sad and nervous about it. Douglas’ new job is to go make sure that Carruthers’ widow sells to Samuel Grant of the Many Coats.
Chesterfield goes out to meet Captain Benedict Johnson (no, I did not make this up). “Circumstances” have sent him to meet with Benton directly, he says in his crisp accent.
"Johnson: “I assume there’s a place of worship here in Fort James?”Chesterfield: “Aye, the ale house. We’re headed right for it.”"
At night, Declan wakes Michael up to have a deep conversation about Michael possibly leaving in the spring for Clenna.
Johnson gets his desired meeting with Benton over caribou, which Johnson does not seem pleased to eat. Lord Fisher wants a full report on how well Benton’s been doing. Chesterfield drops an f-bomb in his boss’ defense. Also, Johnson has brought Clenna along! (Surprise!) Benton tells his henchman to bring her to the house.
Still from Frontier episode 4. Image is a screengrab via Netflix.
Declan, Sokanon, and Michael plot to use gunpowder for their attack.
After having to square off with Johnson about HBC ledgers, Chesterfield has to go snag the doctored document from Grace. She tells him what we all kind of figured out already: Benton’s in trouble. Chesterfield says he’ll murder Johnson first, then storms out again. Grace sends Spy Imogen to go get Johnson back in the ale house for her to work her magic. Declan then pays her a visit too.
Sokanon and Michael continue their bonding conversations. He’s clearly starting to like her, but then he spots Clenna and he’s off. Never mind stealing the gunpowder for the plot.
Benton manages to act less evil when he brings Clenna food. She has met his kind of man before, though, and asks what he wants. He tells her chest Michael’s been kidnapped by Declan.
Spy Imogen pays her visit to Johnson, but she scandalizes him with her flirting, which means that Grace will need another plan. Unfortunately, she’s currently plotting with Declan to get gunpowder.
"Declan: “Gracie, I need this.”"
Her price for the gunpowder is the truth. Michael and Sokanon arrive. Unfortunately, any attempts to rescue Clenna won’t happen tonight.
Michael steals into the house anyway. He makes it up to Clenna’s room, and she tells him to undress. Michael does it, and we cut to them undressed in bed. He has to quickly dive under the bed, though, when Benton walks in. Michael settles for a Romeo and Juliet style plan to meet in the forest and heads out the window, but Benton sees him leave.
"Michael: “You’re really quite lovely.”"
Douglas Brown meets the widow Carruthers at the funeral. Unfortunately, she’s happy her husband’s dead and doesn’t want to sell to Grant of the Many Coats.
Frontier episode 4. Image is a screengrab via Netflix.
Spy Imogen tries to pull Mary in for a second round of seduction on Johnson, but Mary goes on her own. Bearing food, she basically plays him like a fiddle in two minutes flat.
Rivard finally delivers Grace’s letter to Henchman Pond for Grant of the Many Coats. Pond sniffs it creepily, then engages Rivard to take the return letter back. So much for his plans for food.
Mary continues playing Johnson like a fiddle when he returns the food plate. He’s strong, but she’s stronger. A drunken Coffin and Grace both walk in, and Grace delivers the masterstroke.
"Grace: “You’re a sinner. A wretch.”"
Chesterfield reminds us all that the Lake Walkers have a new chief, one that burns HBC emissaries. Clenna comes down in a dress and manages to get out of the house, and she doesn’t want to really go, having bought Benton’s lies hook, line, and sinker.
Michael sadly goes back to Team Declan, but he brings a pack of soldiers behind him, and fighting ensues. He gets away, but Declan’s under arrest.
Tune in tomorrow for the episode 5 recap of Frontier, “The Disciple.”