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01x07 - Desperado

Episode transcripts for the TV show, "Hope Valley: 1874". Aired: March 21, 2026.*
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Follows Rebecca Clarke, who travels from Chicago to the Western Canadian frontier with her 11-year-old daughter but must accept help from local rancher Tom Moore when her wagon breaks down.

01x07 - Desperado

Post by bunniefuu »

Previously on hope valley 1874.

Did you learn anything from the w*r

about setting a leg?

I-I saw my husband do it.

The bone is set. We did it.

Here it is. Four walls
and a ceiling and floor.

I didn't know that the
policeman was going to live here.

Hi, Wanda.

Lucky strike!

If you stay and run my mess tent,

then you can live here
for free. Room and board.

- Thank you, Rebecca. Thank you.
- Yes.

Well, I'm not sure how
much safer it is here.

I mean, we get all sorts.

For my boarders... Pancakes coming up.

You are too good to us, Rebecca.

Hey, spread the word.

We will. Thank you.

- Ooh.
- Ooh.

No, that's the best one.

Mama. Help.

Please. Thank you.

Shhh.

He's just tired.

He didn't sleep much last night.

Me neither.

Does he you have a little fever?

You know, he's a bit
young to be teething,

but I do have some clove
oil you could try on his gums.

How many do you reckon
for lunch at the tent?

About 40.

Although I'm going to be at
the ranch most of the day today,

so I don't know if I'll
stop by the mess tent.

Mr. McCabe is getting his cast off today.

Good, I caught you just in time.

Thanks, Olivia. We'll be needing these.

Of course.

Just as you pictured it.

A table full of good cheer.

I do still have some rooms to let.

They'll go soon.

We're having a party to
celebrate finally being open.

You are? That's wonderful.

I can help with food and decorations.

Can you?

Peggy McCabe is also picking
up a few things in buxton today.

And I'm going with them.

Well, won't that be fun?

All right. Good morning, Mr. Maxwell.

How was your first night?

Very agreeable, thank you.

Late start today?

Well, I didn't realize
that prospecting worked

to a timetable, constable.

See, I understood this
to be the land of the free.

Well, early bird gets the worm

and the best spot at the stream.

Well, in that case, I'd best be off.

Right after a good breakfast.

Be a gent and sling us a banger.

What?

Hold on.

Keep steady.

It's easy for you to say.

You want that thing off, don't you?

You know, I'm starting to get used to it.

I'm trying not to Nick you.

Careful!

Stop your belly achin'.

Well, that wasn't so bad.

I don't know what you're all fussin' about.

Look at this!

You look great!

Okay.

Yeah.

Your muscle's gonna
take a little while to rebuild,

but your bone is mended.

Good job.

Thank you.

How's that feel?

Like a long lost friend.

All right, let's stop our lallygagging.

We got cows out on
the ranch lookin' for help.

It's calving season.

Yeah, it's all hands on deck.

Can't afford to lose a single one.

- Look at that.
- Look at those forceps.

Made 'em special.

It's great work.

All right, you two head
to the north pasture.

I'll take Charlie and jed to the south.

I guess you're a midwife
as well as a cowboy?

You think you're the only
one around here who knows

how to deliver a baby?

You doing okay?

Yeah, but gotta get used to this now.

All right, I'll see you two later.

Jed, meet us out
there when you're done.

Get up, get up!

Kids! Come on.

We gotta get some
new trousers for your pa.

What a relief it is to have that cast off.

How can we thank you, Rebecca?

Picking up party
supplies is thanks enough.

Three cases of sarsaparilla.

Some fabric for bunting. Anything else?

No, not from buxton.

Although I do need
some oats for patches.

- Sam.
- Yes, ma'am.

No, no, I-I can get it myself.
You best be on your way.

- Bye, mama.
- Hi. Bye, sweetie.

- Mwah! I love you.
- I love you.

Be good and have fun, in that order.

Okay.

Thank you, Peggy.

Hi.

Don't move!

How many's out there?

- What?
- How many people?

It's just me.

Where is this?

You're at the Moore ranch.

Where's that?

Stoney creek runs through it.

If you let me go, I won't
tell anyone that you're here.

You expect me to believe that?

You must think I'm a fool!

Let me know if there's
anything I can get for you.

Thank you, Hattie.

School of art.

We are pleased to offer you...

Toronto.

Hattie?

Sorry.

Rebecca's account?

Yes, please.

Aww, poor little fella.

I wish he could just tell me what's wrong.

Well, it's gonna be a
while before he can do that.

Of course, even when they're older,

they don't always share.

You feeling all right, Hattie?

Sure.

Okay.

You just hold your little one close today.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

- Take care.
- 'Kay.

I need food and supplies.

All right, we can get
you some. We'll just...

Pack you some and
you can be on your way.

Where is everybody?

They're out in the fields.

But they might come
back at any moment.

You better hope they don't.

Sure, why not add working here

to your growing list of occupations?

Rebecca had to leave in a
hurry, so I offered to clean up.

And I only have the one occupation.

- Working at the trading post.
- No.

What about your art?

That's, more of a hobby.

A hobby?

I should get one of those.

All work and no play.

You don't get any time off?

You know, I'm supposed
to take one day off a week.

But what would I do?

Well, what do you like to do?

Let's see.

My father used to teach
me boxing in our free time.

Manly sport, helps with the job.

Mine taught me how to fish.

Really?

You seem surprised.

No, I'm just having a
hard time imagining you

in lavender hip waders.

I will have you know that I have caught

my fair share of lunkers.

Big fish.

Can that paperwork wait?

You're not suggesting...

You said yourself you're
supposed to take a day off.

Now, hold it!

Is that a g*nsh*t wound?

What if it is?

Then... you need care. Let me help you.

I don't see how.

I have some medical experience.

Please, let me take a look at it.

Get in there.

There you go, sir.

Well, look at that.

- Thank you.
- You're welcome.

You know, some prospectors
use a pickaxe and a shovel

to get to the stream bed.

Well, that much at least

I had the foresight to bring with me.

You might want some sturdier boots.

I'll bear that in mind.

- There you go.
- Thank you.

I hope that pan brings you luck.

That makes two of us.

So, how much gold do you bring in here?

A fair amount.

Yeah, of course, I keep it locked up tight.

Wise of you.

It's just, some of these
men, they really are

striking it rich, are they?

Some.

Well.

Ta.

Miss Quinn.

There goes an odd duck.

Apparently he moved into
the boardinghouse yesterday.

There's all kinds of new
developments goin' on.

Is it all right if I borrow this?

Why, you got the
sudden urge to go fishing?

I'm taking Alexander.

Really?

You'll manage without me, right?

Do I have a choice?

Will you trust me to look
at that wound, please?

What's your name?

Doesn't matter.

Just... patch me up so I can move on.

Is someone after you?

Have you just been
running on foot all night?

So, why all the questions?

Because you seem a little lost.

When people turn on
you, all you can do is run.

I understand that.

Doesn't mean I'm a bad person.

I didn't say that you are.

Okay. There's no exit wound.
This b*llet is in very deep.

It's getting infected. You
really need medical care.

Rebecca?

Rebecca!

Is that you?

Yes. He's not expecting me here.

Get rid of him. Now!

Go!

All right.

- Open the door.
- All right, all right.

Hi.

What are you doing back?

Decided to come back for rope.
What are you still doing here?

I-I wanted to see if...
If we had any apples.

- Apples?
- Yeah.

I can gather them myself.

You best be on your way.

Apples are real good right now.

I could actually use
your help with the calves.

So, why don't you just come with me?

Inside.

Now.

Okay.

Let's just calm down, all right?

Nobody needs to get hurt.

Is this your ranch?

That's right. Name's Tom Moore.

Whatever it is you want, you got me now,

so just let the lady go.

So she can go run for help?

You do need help, you've been shot.

Okay.

So someone's after you.

Look, whatever trouble you're in...

We don't need to know your business.

You just take what
you need and be gone.

A-All I need's a horse and
some food to take with me.

You're not going to last
a mile with that wound.

Rebecca... That is not our problem.

Quiet!

Look, I... I-I just need
to rest for a bit, okay?

Okay.

- You give her that rope.
- Hey, hey!

Now.

So, take that.

So, what's your secret?

To landing a lunker.

Well, it all starts with using the right bait.

And then it's all about
Patience and the feel of the line.

Am I holding it right?

Here, like this.

Take the line.

How does that feel?

Good.

What do I do now?

Now we cast off.

Like...

You're a quick learner.

Rachel, hey.

What's wrong?

Honey.

Honey, what's the matter?

I'm a terrible mother.

No!

No, no, enough of that talk. Okay?

Would you let me take him?

Yeah. Okay.

My poor little... little man!

It's so hard.

Yeah, but you're okay.

Yeah, your mama loves you.

That's right, you're okay.

You're okay.

There, young ned.

Now, why are you
worrying your ma like this?

Why won't he do that for me?

Sometimes it's just a
matter of when you're calm,

they're calm.

Is Lars helping out?

Yeah, yeah, he tries. He's great, he's...

He's-he's been really
busy at the mess tent, so.

Well, you know, I'd be
happy to take ned sometimes

just so you can get some rest.

Wh-what if he needs me?

Rachel...

It's okay to accept help when it's offered.

Okay.

You're okay.

You're okay, honey.

You're doing great.

It's okay. It's not easy.

It is not easy.

Did he hurt you?

No.

He's just a scared kid.

You should offer to remove the b*llet.

I agree. It's going to fester.

No, no, no, I mean you should
offer to remove the b*llet.

He'll untie you, I'll make a move,

and then you run for it.

No! If you make a move,
he could sh**t you or me.

I've got Sarah to think about.

I am not gonna let that happen.

If whoever's chasing him finds him here,

things are gonna get real ugly.

For him.

For us, too. For helping him.

No. No, I'm going to help him.

Okay, fine.

You remove the b*llet, and gain his trust.

He's grateful and he let's you go.

And-and what about you?

You go get help.

Okay?

- You promise you'll do that?
- Yes, all right.

If you get the chance, you'll go. Okay?

- Okay, good. Good.
- All right, yes.

We have a proposal.

It's been a while.

I told you. It's all about Patience.

Here, you can... You can
trigger the line like this.

- Whoa!
- There you go!

That's a big one.

A lunker.

What do I do?

Well, you, give him some lead.

- Okay.
- And then bring him back in.

The trick is to tire him out.

You're a natural.

I have a confession to make.

About what?

My dad and I used to go fishing.

A lot.

Why didn't you say something until now?

You're a very good teacher.

I was having fun listening to you.

Whoa!

He's a fighter.

No, you got him.

If I untie you so you
can get that b*llet out,

you won't try nothin'?

I promise.

No, but he will.

I won't, you have my word.

Why should I believe you?

Because he's a good
man. He's an honest man.

Feeling feverish?

Yeah.

Chills?

It's from the loss of blood.

And that wound, it's about to putrefy.

You have to let me help you.

How do I know you
won't hurt me worse?

The last thing she would
do is harm you or anyone.

I know you said people turned on you.

I know what that's like.

I know how hard it is to trust.

Would you just tell us your name?

It's Eli.

Eli.

Eli.

Where are you from, Eli?

Up near eagle creek.

Okay. What happened?

I've been trying to...

Make a name for myself
breaking wild horses.

This rancher hired me to
catch and break a mare.

I stated my fee,

but when time came
to pay up, he refused.

He was cheating me.

So I reckoned I was within my rights

to take the horse back.

And now he's accusing you of stealing.

And you expect us to believe
that you're telling the truth?

I am!

All right, if you are...

Where's the horse now?

Yeah. She...

Ran off when they shot me off her.

Must've hit the ground
hard. How'd you get away?

When they went after the mare, I...

I rolled down a gully and
waded through a creek for a bit

so their dog would lose my scent.

I know you want to believe him.

Just because he's
got people chasing him

doesn't mean he did anything wrong.

How many are after you?

There's the rancher.

Some of his hands.

A posse.

Vigilantes?

You know what they do to horse thieves?

I'm getting outta here.

You'll have a much better
chance of getting away

if you let me remove the b*llet.

Eli, if ever there was someone
you should put your faith in,

it's her.

Okay.

But he stays tied up 'cause
he doesn't believe me.

That's fair.

Careful.

I do believe him.

I hope you're right.

Something I can help
you with, Mr. Maxwell?

I'm just trying to learn the ropes.

Is that shale in your pan?

Well, it sure ain't gold.

Don't mind Jeremiah.

His fiancée sent him a letter,

he's been wound up
tight as a clock ever since.

Mind your own business, Wanda.

Well, I'll just... Try my
luck a little further along.

I'm ready.

No tricks.

Would you kindly stop
pointing that thing at me?

All right.

When did you start breaking horses, Eli?

I've been, going six years.

My pa says... I have a
real way with wild horses.

- That's good.
- I get their trust real fast.

Sounds like you have a gift.

Okay.

You're gonna need to take a deep breath.

Hyah.

He came through here. Hyah!

Obviously, you weren't
a complete city boy

when you were young.

No, my grandparents,
father's side, had a farm.

Spent every summer there.

That's where I came
to love the outdoors.

Besides, I've been living
out west for a while now.

I think I qualify as an outdoorsman.

I'd say so.

There's just something about the frontier.

It's so exciting, don't you think?

I'm starting to appreciate it
more and more every day.

But I... I can't help but think there's...

There's so much more
of the world to see.

Well, that's why I came out here.

I-I imagine there's...

There's no end of things to do in Toronto.

I suppose. I mean, there's...

Theater and music, and
I think they're building

an opera house.

And none of that appeals to you?

It's got its place.

Why so interested in Toronto?

I...

I may wanna visit one day.

Done.

- Thank you, ma'am.
- Yeah.

I'll be needing that horse.

Well, that'll make you a
horse thief for certain, Eli.

You know, there's another way.

There is a mountie not far from here.

A what?

Policeman.

His name's Vaughn, he's a fair man,

and he can protect you
from whoever's after you.

Sure he would.

What's your other option?

Forever be on the run?

What choice do you have?
Your shoulder has to heal.

You're not gonna make it very far.

And if what you're telling us is the truth...

Vaughn'll listen and he'll sort it out.

We can take you to him.

You just have to let me untie him.

Why should I trust him?

I would lie to you...

But not to her.

Think about your family, Eli.

How would they feel if
something happened to you?

At least our way, there's
a chance for you, Eli.

When you get a moment, you gotta run.

We'll take him to Alexander together.

No, I'll do it.

Don't you try anything.

What are you playing at, son?

There's no b*ll*ts in this g*n.

I didn't think you'd
listen to me if you knew

I was outta b*ll*ts.

Eli Fletcher!

Come on out!

We know you're here!

Come on out, boy!

Who's askin'?

Name's Cal Fitzgerald.

I'm up by eagle creek.

I don't want no trouble.

Hand him over, we'll be gone.

Don't.

D-Don't let them take me.

We won't.

All right, you stay here.

Where are you going?
What are you gonna do?

I'm gonna end this one way or another.

Be careful.

Go watch the side of the house.

Make sure no one tries to sneak out.

Who am I talking to?

I'm Tom Moore.

You're on my ranch.

And I'm asking you politely...

Get off my land.

I can imagine we got lots in common.

We didn't break our back
building up our ranches

just to let some thief

take what was rightfully ours.

The young man says

that you cheated him out of a payment.

Well, that young man is a liar.

That's not for me to judge.

You got a grievance
with the kid, I get that.

This is what I'm gonna do.

I'm gonna take him down to the local law

and let him deal with it.

See, now, that ain't
gonna work for me, Tom.

We're our own law out here.

You know it, well as I do.

Well, times are changing, Cal.

Not on my side of the
mountain, it ain't, Tom.

Hand him over.

We'll be gone.

Well, that's not gonna happen, Cal.

I don't see what business it is of yours.

Well, it became my business
when you trespassed on my land.

Well, here I was thinking
you were a reasonable man.

Did you check your socks?

Of course I checked my socks.

How 'bout your spare long Johns?

I wish I had spare long Johns.

Well, where do you
usually hide your gold?

Think I'm gonna tell you?

Of all people?

Where'd you hide yours?

In a hollow tree.

Yeah?

Where?

Nice try.

Problem, fellas?

Pete can't remember
where he hid his gold.

It happens to them old timers.

No, I do remember.

Just wasn't there.

I'm telling you, someone took it.

I had three whole nuggets in that pile.

Small ones, but still.

Want a refill?

- Yeah.
- Yeah? Okay.

Hattie, how do women do this?

I'm so tired, all the time,

and I-I don't know if I'm coming or going.

And I just...

I can't keep a single thought in my head.

Well, that sounds about right.

You went through this with Olivia?

Yeah. To be honest...

Those first couple
months are kind of a blur.

I just didn't think it would be this hard.

What if I'm just not fit to be a mother?

No, no, Rachel.

You're a wonderful mother.

It's plain as day how
much you love your son.

Everything you're going
through is perfectly natural.

You and ned are just getting
to know each other is all.

And all this is gonna be over so fast.

The next thing you know,
your baby will be all grown up

and have dreams of his own.

It's so nice you still have Olivia here.

Yeah, I do.

I'm just trying to enjoy our
time together while I can.

What's that old saying?

We're meant to give our
children roots and wings.

I figure you and me do that,
we'll have done our work.

What's the point of having
wings if you're not gonna fly?

Yeah.

My Patience is wearing thin.

Well, this is what's gonna happen.

You and your friends

are gonna ride off my land right now.

Not without that boy.

Come with me.

What are you doing?

Like you said, this needs to end.

Hey.

Gentlemen.

Mr. Moore and I are going
to load Eli into my wagon,

and we're taking him
to constable Vaughn.

I trust you'll give us safe passage.

You're letting that woman
speak for you, Tom?

In my experience, this
woman speaks for herself.

Let's go.

- Come on.
- Go.

We're right behind you, Eli.

No, this ain't over.

No, and you're the... no,
that was entirely your doing,

- you caught it. You caught it.
- I can assure you, it was...

we were hoping you were Rebecca.

She isn't back yet?

We got back from
buxton half an hour ago

and she wasn't here.

Maybe she's at the mess tent?

Is my mama with you?

No, sweetie.

No, we haven't seen her all day.

Who was the last to see her?

Well, that would've been us at the ranch.

This morning.

I'll take a look.

Don't worry, Sarah.

He'll find her.

Miss...

Why are you doing this?

After me holding a g*n on you and all.

And tying us up.

My husband used to say that

people who do bad things
aren't always bad people.

Just desperate sometimes.

Your husband used to say that?

Why don't you say it anymore?

We're not married.

She's just my bull-headed neighbor.

Seems you have an
understanding of each other's minds

the way married folks do.

Look.

Constable, just in time.

Whoa.

Are you all right?

We're fine, but this man is injured.

And these fellas behind are
looking to injure him some more.

He's accused of stealing a horse.

You gonna arrest me?

Should I?

- No.
- Maybe.

Truth is...

I wouldn't mind.

I see. You men!

I'm taking this fellow into official custody.

Be on your way.

I'll stay behind and make
sure they don't try anything.

- You all right?
- We're fine now, thank you.

I'll meet you back at the boardinghouse.

Thanks, constable.

Last I saw of Cal Fitzgerald,

he and his men were
headed back to eagle creek.

- Are you sure?
- Yeah.

But just to be safe, I'm gonna take you

to a lockup in buxton.

Yeah. I think that's wise.

And then what?

Well, Mr. Fitzgerald is
insisting on pressing charges.

No, I-I swear he never
paid me for that horse.

You'll have a chance to tell your side.

They'll have a hearing in eagle creek.

I wish you the best of luck with that, Eli.

We both do.

I'll get my pack and we'll be off.

Can you bring this to your mama?

She could use some fortifying.

Thank you, Rachel.

He's quite the hero.

Well, it seems like there
were a lot of heroes today.

I was talking to your mother earlier.

Got the sense you might
be going somewhere?

Why? What did she say?

It wasn't so much what she said.

She just seemed kind of sad.

I should go...

Mama?

You know about the art school?

I saw the letter.

I wasn't snooping, I was-I
was looking at your sketches.

Why didn't you tell me?

Because I haven't
decided what to do yet.

I applied on a whim,

I didn't actually think I'd get in.

But you did! That's wonderful.

It is.

Congratulations, sweetheart.

Thank you.

But I'm just so torn.

About what?

Toronto would be exciting.

There's... There's art and culture.

Adventure.

And that's a bad thing?

Well, things are changing here.

And that's exciting too.

I-I'd hate to not get to be a part of it.

And I really care about the people.

Which makes it a hard place to leave.

Well...

Whatever you decide
will be the right thing.

You really think so?

I am certain of it.

Olivia, I am so proud of you.

But honestly, if you decide to go,

I am gonna miss you somethin' terrible.

Well.

- Thank you.
- Yes.

- Good night.
- Good night.

I was...

I was impressed with you today.

Taking the side of the
law over those ranchers.

Thank you.

I think I'm...

Starting to understand
the way you see things.

You got no shortage of
courage, Rebecca Clarke.

Same to you, Mr. Moore.

Good night.

Good night.