Ep 3. Second Empire

In The Son season 1 episode 3 titled "Second Empire," the show looks back at the early development of Texas during the late 1800s at the height of ranching and oil in the state. The episode takes place in two separate timelines with flashbacks to a young Eli McCullough's (played by Pierce Brosnan) first encounters with oil production alongside his father.

The episode primarily focuses on the economic and political pushback faced by local ranchers and oil men in the face of wealthy easterners moving in to secure large amounts of land and resources. Eli finds himself at odds with banker George Farmer and is forced to confront his father, Col. Eli McCullough, about saving the family business.

The younger Eli battles his own indecision as he becomes increasingly drawn to the allure of wealth and power that comes with the oil business, while his father stays rooted in his determination to maintain the autonomy of his land and the livelihood of his people.

As the tensions between the two generations boil over, viewers are left with a thought-provoking look at the history of Texas and the ways that western expansion and economic progress changed the landscape of the state, for better or for worse.

The episode also delves into the dynamics of loyalty and betrayal as the McCulloughs navigate their dealings with powerful outsiders, and raises questions about the morality of wealth and privilege at the expense of others.

Overall, "Second Empire" is a gripping chapter in The Son that offers a nuanced depiction of the complexities of life on the frontier, and the challenges faced by those who sought success and prosperity in the early days of Texas.