We’ve reached the finale of the first season of Marshals on CBS. It’s been an action-packed season, and as we entered the finale, all five of our leads were faced with big questions about the future. We get some answers—and some action—in the finale episode, “Wolves at the Door.” Let’s dive in. SPOILERS BELOW.
The future of East Camp
As we left off last week, Kayce (Luke Grimes) was mulling an offer for East Camp from Tom Weaver (Chris Mulkey). It could be the answer to a lot of things for Kayce, who is struggling to meet the demands of a ranch while working as a Marshal. And with Tate (Brecken Merrill) not looking to take over as a rancher, there’s not a need to keep it. But it’s a place full of memories.
As we begin, Kayce visits Monica’s grave. It’s the place where he lived with his wife and where she died. It’s also part of his family legacy—the last piece of the Yellowstone that remains with the Duttons. When Tom arrives with his final offer, it’s a generous one. But it doesn’t sit right with Kayce. He declines and decides to remain.
Tom seems to respect his decision. So, too, does Dolly (Ellyn Jameson), who is less interested in expanding her family holdings than in Kayce himself. Kayce, with the decision made, finally seems at peace. And he brings that peace to work, but it doesn’t last long.
Trouble and a departure
Cruz (Ash Santos) is the first to notice Kayce is as peace. He shares he’s keeping East Camp and even plans to create an equine therapy unit for veterans in honor of Garrett. Cruz is touched. It feels like there is something of a longing for Kayce there, which makes it even more difficult when Marshal Gifford (Brett Cullen) spoils the news that Cruz is leaving. She’s decided to take the promotion to return, but it’s a tough decision.
Still, the news hits the team hard. They have little time to dwell as they’re given a chance to hunt the fugitive that they lost when Cal (Logan Marshall-Green) and Kayce chose to save Tom Weaver instead. But before they can head out, Kayce gets an emergency call from Mo (Mo Brings Plenty), which brings him back to East Camp.
While on the way to speak to the Senate, Chairman Rainwater (Gil Birmingham) is targeted again. With the help of recently suspended Miles (Tatanka Means), he’s able to survive. In the aftermath, Mo brings them to East Camp to hide. There, Kayce takes on the role of protection, with Tate electing to remain and do his part. Kayce is uneasy that his son is again in the crosshairs but allows him to stay and help.
Soon enough, those targeting Rainwater find them at East Camp. A serious firefight begins, and Kayce and Mo are severely outnumbered. He puts in a call to Cal, who abandons his manhunt, rallies the team, and even brings in Miles to help. They arrive just in time to help turn the tide. But one manages to get into the house.
The man makes his way to Rainwater, who tries to defend himself but falls short. Just as it appears the Chairman will be killed, Tate jumps out of the closet with a shotgun and puts the intruder down. Kayce arrives soon after, relieved they are safe but troubled that Tate, once again, had to intervene. But unlike the first time he took a life when Yellowstone was invaded, Tate seems at peace that he did what he had to do to save a friend.
Big revelations
With the immediate threat passed, it appears that the man behind it all was Nathan Irons, who opposed the Chairman’s policies. They find Irons dead, apparently of a self-inflicted wound. But something doesn’t sit right. Though Cruz is set to leave, she keeps digging, finding a possible lead. The following morning, while she heads for the airport, Cal and Belle (Arielle Kebbel) head to question one of Kayce’s ranch hands.
Meanwhile, Tom and Dolly Weaver arrive in the aftermath and take stock of East Camp, now all shot up. Tom offers to take Tate on a fishing trip to Texas while Kayce puts the pieces back together. Kayce agrees, and an excited Tate packs his gear and heads out to the airport.
Meanwhile, Cal and Belle arrive to question the potential witness. When they do, he turns up dead. It appears to be a dead end that raises more questions about who is really responsible for the attacks on Chairman Rainwater. But while the team is in the dark, the audience is soon brought into the light. As we end, while boarding the plan with Tate, Tom Weaver gets an update from his right-hand man. Things have been handled, limiting his exposure. Turns out, Tom Weaver was behind the attacks, and it’s clear he has no plans to stop any time soon.
It was a strong first season for Marshals. I’m glad Kayce is staying at East Camp. I’m hopeful that Cruz will miss her flight and stay in Montana, too. We also got some nice nods to other issues, with Cal taking a step forward with his daughter, Miles earning redemption, and confirmation that Belle didn’t take any of the money last week. It also seems we’re moving toward a potential coupling for Belle and Cal, as she offers to accompany him for his treatments. It still remains to be seen when he’ll let the rest of the group know, but it was a strong end to the first season.
Marshals airs Sundays on CBS and streams the following day on Paramount+.
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