Why Does Father Renaud Kill Marshal Kent? Did Jamie McShane Leave 1923?

Jamie McShane’s Marshal Kent is one of the most ruthless characters in Paramount+’s Western drama ‘1923.’ As the officer who leads the expedition to find Teonna Rainwater, he relies on several cunning and vicious methods to capture his target. Even though he loses his partner, Marshal Thomas, midway, he does not get demotivated to continue his search for Teonna. However, things take a turn when he finally confronts Pete Plenty Clouds, the young girl’s boyfriend. The confrontation is followed by his companion, Father Renaud, surprisingly killing him. Since they have been together in their search for Teonna, the murder is understandably ambiguous! SPOILERS AHEAD.

Father Renaud Kills Marshal Kent to End the Officer’s Atrocities

Father Renaud and Marshal Kent join hands together to find Teonna Rainwater after she goes on the run upon killing the nuns who have tortured her. Even though their objective is the same—to capture the Native American girl—their respective approaches toward the mission are different. The priest cares only about bringing her to justice because of the crimes she committed. On the other hand, Kent is ready to rely on any vicious methods to fulfill this objective. While the priest has to adhere to the words of God, the officer is not at all bothered by the same.

As a Christian, Renaud does not condone murder, which is the reason why he wants to capture Teonna. The priest sees the act as a sin regardless of the motive behind it, which means that he cannot tolerate it regardless of who commits it. In his eyes, anybody who commits murders is the same as Teonna. This is why he turns against Kent. Renaud appreciates the lawman’s assistance in finding the fugitive. Still, the latter becomes the same as Teonna in the eyes of the Christian missionary the moment he kills several Comanche boys. This incident makes Kent a sinner as far as the priest is concerned.

Witnessing Kent killing Pete Plenty Clouds turns out to be the last nail in the coffin for Renaud. The priest confronts the lawman about the murders the latter has committed ever since they teamed up together to find Teonna. The missionary becomes convinced that the officer is also a reincarnation of the Devil if Teonna is the same in his eyes. This conviction motivates Renaud to kill Kent. He forgets their companionship and treats the marshal as just another sinner who deserves punishment for the several murders he has committed. By calling him out and punishing him, the priest is also clarifying that he has no part to play in the murders the official has committed.

Marshal Kent’s Death Guarantees Jamie McShane’s Departure From 1923

The death of Marshal Kent undoubtedly marks the completion of the character’s story arc in ‘1923.’ Therefore, it is safe to believe that we have seen the last of Jamie McShane in the Western drama. Since the lawman’s relevance is tied to the expedition to find Teonna, there is no possibility of him appearing in any flashback scenes. Furthermore, character deaths often mark the exit of performers in the show, which applies to McShane’s Kent. Although the marshal’s death may surprise viewers, it is the apt conclusion for the character’s arc.

Teonna’s unignorable connection with Chief Thomas Rainwater (Gil Birmingham) in ‘Yellowstone’ confirms that the Native American girl won’t be sent to the gallows anytime soon. She can only remain alive if the murderous Kent is no longer a threat to her. Therefore, by creating the death of McShane’s character, creator Taylor Sheridan ensures that there is more to happen in Teonna’s storyline. If the third season of the Western drama materializes, we can expect her to embrace her hard-earned freedom from people like Kent and build a life where she won’t be targeted or hunted down.

As far as the ardent admirers of McShane are concerned, the actor will surely be missed if Paramount+ greenlights another season of ‘1923.’ However, we can eagerly wait for his performances in HBO’s procedural series ‘Task,’ starring Mark Ruffalo, and the second season of Netflix’s fantasy series ‘Wednesday,’ in which he will return as Sheriff Donovan Galpin in a guest capacity.