The most disturbing scene in 1923 Season 2 Episode 4 is based on real history

1923 may be one of the darkest spinoffs in Yellowstone history, and one scene in Season 2 Episode 4 actually has connections to history. (Warning: spoilers ahead!)

Episode 4 continues with more of the same. Spencer and Alex are on their respective journeys, with both having less-than-desirable encounters involving trains. Spencer also has problems with the police, getting arrested and forcibly made to finish his bootlegging drop-off at Fort Worth so they can nab the criminals.

When Spencer arrives in Fort Worth, he encounters quite a shocking scene: a young woman, tarred and feathered, is being paraded naked through town while a group of women screams accusations of her being a sex worker.

It’s a small detail in a larger action sequence, but this scene actually references a real life movement that grew during the Prohibition era.

1923 Season 2 references the Temperance movement

The scene is portraying a group referred to as the “Temperance Society”. Temperance, meaning abstinence from alcohol, became a huge social movement during the Prohibition era. Those involved essentially believed alcohol to be the most critical problem in Western civilization.

The movement goes back as early as the 18th century, and even exists today in less political forms.

Paramount

One of the most influential groups from the movement was the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) which began as a non-governmental organization back in 1874.

Religion played a big part in the organization’s ethos, with an aim to create a sober world through abstinence and Christianity.

In 1923 Season 2 Episode 4, Spencer encounters a temperance group as they march a young woman through the streets. The scene is portrayed as being humiliating, and Spencer later protects the woman by cutting her free from the ropes around her wrists and giving her the chance to run.

Paramount

Earlier, he’s told by a police officer, “Temperance Society caught ’em a prostitute.” Since the WCTU isn’t mentioned specifically, it’s likely this is Taylor Sheridan‘s broader reference to the movement as a whole.

The scene disturbed viewers upon watching, with one Redditor writing, “I study the history of sex work primarily between 1900s-1940s. The tarred & feather prostitute scene deeply disturbed me.”

“That was very hard to watch and the victim reminded me Way too much of Beth. Glad Spencer took care of her,” said another.

1923 Season 2 Episode 4 is available to stream on Paramount+ now.

For more, check out our list of the best Westerns of all time. You can also find out when the new 1923 episode is out, and see what other new TV shows are out this week.