For faithful followers of Taylor Sheridan‘s Dutton saga, it’s been two long years since 1923‘s debut season left them hanging with a saddlebag full of cliffhangers. But for the characters in this “Yellowstone Origin Story” — as it’s officially being billed in the wake of Yellowstone‘s probable series’ finale — hardly any time has passed.

Season 2’s opener, “The Killing Season,” begins on the snow-blanketed ranch, where Jacob (Harrison Ford) and Cara (Helen Mirren) are deep in hibernation mode. But the harsh weather is the least of their problems. As the latter pens her latest pleading letter to nephew Spencer (Brandon Sklenar), we learn the family’s fortunes have not improved since the first season’s conclusion. 

They have sold off most of their herd, can barely put food on the table, and are hoping to survive until the spring thaw. If all that wasn’t bad enough, Jacob — reluctantly heading into town for Banner Creighton’s (Jerome Flynn) trial — encounters a lion on his front porch. The Dutton patriarch somewhat sympathizes with the beast, as he knows it’s also trying to survive the winter, before scaring it off. 

Speaking of Banner, we catch up with the former sheep herder as he too is prepping for his day in court. His wife warns him of the trouble he’s inviting by working with Donald Whitfield (Timothy Dalton), the mustache-twirling mining mogul ruthlessly attempting to take Dutton’s land. But Banner reminds his better half of the money and property that will come from his partnership with the baddie. He justifies getting his hands dirty by saying it’ll secure their young son’s future.

And for anyone who’s forgotten just how vile Whitfield is, the next scene serves as a nasty reminder. While the Duttons are just barely scraping by, the smug evil-doer is enjoying a warm bath in his mansion. As servants shovel the snow from his posh estate’s walkway, he indulges in his sick hobby of physically and emotionally abusing prostitutes, who are seemingly being held prisoner in his home. 

When we finally catch up with Spencer Dutton (Brandon Sklenar), we learn the heroic hunter has not yet returned home to Montana, nor has he reunited with his lady love Alex (Julia Schlaepfer) — in fact, he’s back on yet another boat, now working in a dingy engine room to earn enough money to get back to the ranch.

Sign up for Entertainment Weekly‘s free daily newsletter to get breaking news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.

Of course, he’s also still kicking all kinds of ass. He soon comes to the rescue of a feeble friend-coworker who’s being raped in his bunk by a much larger man. The abuser draws a blade on Spencer, who swiftly beats the man with his belt. The ship’s captain soon intervenes, shooting the rapist to death before ordering Spencer to clean up the bloody mess.

Things aren’t going much better for Alex, who’s been forced back to Sussex by her family. Deeply depressed, she’s locked herself in her room. With no money and no one willing to help, she recruits her visiting best friend Jennifer to sell some of her jewelry and secure her passage to America. We also discover she’s pregnant, adding a good deal of urgency to her quest to get back to her husband.

The episode also catches us up with Teonna Rainwater (Aminah Nieves), Along with her dad and love interest Pete, she’s still on the run from Father Renaud (Sebastion Roche), but isn’t sure where they’ve wound up geographically. Believing she’s got some distance between her and the evildoing priest, she begins to focus on her feelings for Pete. With her father’s sort of blessing, she approaches the young man to consummate their relationship. They’re soon interrupted by a man on horseback, but they catch a break; the cowboy turns out to be friendly, informing them that they’re in Texas. 

But it seems Renaud and the U.S. Marshals are more determined than ever to apprehend her. Somewhere in the Oklahoma Territory, they arrive at a Comanche camp. They terrorize and interrogate its inhabitants, killing a man and threatening the life of a child. They leave without any intel, but warn the Comanche more harm will come to them and their families if the girl isn’t turned in. 

The episode returns to Spencer, who once again finds himself playing hero to his new friend. Following the rape, the man’s sobbing and about to plunge to his death. Spencer talks him down, however, and the pair’s bond grows stronger. The shipmate returns the favor, suggesting Spencer could quickly make the money he needs to get home by fighting. Dutton is reluctant at first but soon unleashes his fists on two chumps to the tune of $420. His greatest reward comes later that evening, though, when he spots land in the distance.

Things are looking up for Alex as well. She’s about to board her ship to New York, though Jennifer warns her she’ll be traveling with some unsavory types on the long journey — we’re guessing it won’t be all smooth sailing for the perpetually unlucky Alex. 

As the episode draws to a close, we check in with Jacob one last time. He’s made it to town and joins his friend Sheriff McDowell (Robert Patrick) at a speakeasy. The two throw back some whiskey and commiserate over the coming challenges they’re facing with Whitfield.

But Jacob’s more worried about his wife, who he had to leave back at the ranch in the dead of winter. It seems his concerns aren’t unfounded. While Cara’s making breakfast her attention is drawn outside. It seems the lion that previously fled is back, glaring at Elizabeth, who enthusiastically ran outside to soak in the long-dormant sun. After Cara fires two shotgun blasts into the beast, the familiar, somber narration of 1883‘s Elsa Dutton (Isabel May) begins with, “Winter is the killing season…”

Cara then walks outside to confirm her kill. As she shakily reloads her weapon, the foreboding cries and howls of nearby creatures fill the air.