Breaking Down the Biggest Twists in Netflix’s Western The Abandons

by

The new series, The Abandons, features several intense conflicts, but the most prominent revolves around a land dispute. Fiona Nolan (Lena Headey) owns the farmland of Jasper Hollow, located just outside the town of Angel’s Ridge, which is controlled by the wealthy and influential Constance Van Ness (Gillian Anderson).

Constance and Fiona have never gotten along, and their conflict escalates dramatically in the first episode when Constance’s son, Willem, assaults Fiona’s daughter, Dahlia. The Nolans then kill Willem in retaliation and conceal his body. The season largely focuses on Fiona’s attempts to keep this horrific event a secret, but ultimately the truth is revealed to Constance.

Just before things seemed to be calming down between the two families, a potential deal emerged. Constance offered to buy a portion of Fiona’s land, which could have benefited everyone. Fiona presented the offer to her family, along with Miles Alderton and his daughter, who also reside on Jasper Hollow. Most of them were in favor of the sale, but Fiona unexpectedly refused to sell any of her land to Constance. The episode promised a dramatic climax, and the finale, titled “This Was Meant to be My Peace,” absolutely delivered. Let’s take a closer look at the major plot twists and turns from the Season 1 finale of The Abandons.

Are Trisha and Elias still together?

Constance’s manipulative plans are starting to backfire. Trisha, after discovering her friend Jenny was murdered for exposing Constance’s connection to the dangerous Red Masks gang, betrays her mother. As punishment, Constance forcibly drugs Trisha and brings her back to the Van Ness house. Once Trisha wakes up, Constance reveals that Trisha’s brother, Willem – whose death sparked the central conflict – was buried by the Nolans, including Trisha’s boyfriend, Elias.

Trisha is consumed with anger and heads into town to confront Elias. Their relationship has always been difficult because of their families’ long-standing feud, but learning that Elias was involved in Willem’s death is a breaking point for her. She can’t believe the man she loves would kill her brother. Elias defends his actions, claiming Willem had raped his sister and that he would do it again. Heartbroken, Trisha walks away, feeling their relationship is over. Despite the pain, their connection is strong, and Trisha is stunned to learn the true circumstances surrounding Willem’s death. With time to understand what really happened and who Willem was, she might be able to forgive Elias and rebuild their relationship.

A rivalry becomes a war

Once Constance learns the Nolans were responsible for her son’s death, she takes revenge by kidnapping Dahlia, with the Red Masks assisting her. This escalates the long-standing feud between the Nolan and Van Ness families into a full-blown war. Driven by the knowledge that Willem was murdered by the Nolans, Constance attacks Dahlia, slashing her cheek with a knife. However, Dahlia doesn’t react with the tears or fear Constance expects. Instead, she sees through Constance’s tough exterior, recognizing it as a mask for her own fear. “You are so scared,” Dahlia says, and she’s right. Constance can only stare back in silence before turning away.

That night, Fiona arrived at the Van Ness estate by herself. She handed over her weapons to the Red Masks and went to Constance’s house. Desperate to save her child, Fiona seemed willing to negotiate. However, the situation quickly escalated into a heated argument between the two women. Fiona stated she was there for her daughter, but Constance responded cruelly, implying her daughter was beyond saving. While Constance’s guards held Fiona down, Dahlia was brought forward, and Fiona was horrified by her daughter’s pain. Constance then deliberately stabbed Dahlia in the leg, twisting the knife and claiming their suffering couldn’t compare to the loss of her own son. Enraged, Fiona spat at Constance and hurled an insult at her.

At first, it seemed like Fiona had come to the Van Ness estate by herself, but it was actually a carefully planned operation to destroy Constance’s business. Miles Alderton, whom Constance’s son had tried to manipulate with threats about his past, joined forces with Fiona’s children to target the Van Nesses. Fiona’s arrival served as a cover for them to get inside. Miles skillfully shot and killed the two men guarding Fiona, creating a distraction that allowed Dahlia to escape and stab one of the Red Mask attackers. Meanwhile, Elias rode up on horseback, driving a wagon loaded with burning barrels straight into the Van Ness home, quickly setting it on fire.

Constance’s carefully built world has collapsed in an instant. Her army is destroyed, and even some of her own children have betrayed her, leaving her beautiful home in ruins. She runs inside, with Fiona close behind, intent on finally killing her and ending their long-standing conflict. They struggle in Constance’s bedroom, hitting and grappling with each other as smoke and flames fill the room, eventually knocking them both unconscious as the fire rages around them.

After the ambush at the Van Ness estate, those who lived watched the house burn, unsure if anyone would make it through the escalating conflict between the two powerful women. Someone does win, but the season ends with a suspenseful question: will it be Constance or Fiona? We see a figure in the flames, but just as they’re about to emerge, the first season of The Abandons abruptly ends. While I suspect Fiona will be the survivor, it would be a mistake to underestimate Constance. It’s also possible both women lived, and honestly, given how entertaining they are together, that seems like the most likely outcome.

Read More

2025-12-05 02:08