Mean Spirit

It is now spring, 1923. Although many young people are dismissive of Belle’s traditionalism, they still ask her to bless their fields. There is a noticeable lack of Osage men and women in the streets of Watona because the climate of fear in the wake of so many murders has driven Indigenous people back into the hills. Lettie still grieves Benoit, and thinks of her grandmother’s losses on the forced march from Mississippi that came to be known as the Trail of Tears. One of Hale’s men appears on Belle’s land and erects a fence to make a buffalo enclosure. He explains that because the land is leased, he has the authority to do so despite her protests.

Lionel Tall arrives from South Dakota to investigate the murders and organizes a ceremony. Afterwards, he seeks out Stace Red Hawk to ask him what he’s found out, and Red Hawk responds that there is a wall of silence and that he’s found out very little. Back in DC, Ballard is angry with Stace for spending time on the case. He wants Stace to leave Oklahoma, but Stace decides to remain.

Nola visits the Graycloud house with Will, and Belle can tell instantly that the girl is pregnant.