The actress, 30, tells PEOPLE how filming the "really brutal" sequence went — and reveals how challenging she found it to separate Alex's story from hers

The road trip from hell has only just begun for Alex. In the latest episode of the Yellowstone origin series, Spencer’s wife (played by Julia Schlaepfer) disembarks her ship after a precarious ocean voyage, only to encounter more horrors while passing through Ellis Island.

[Warning: The following post contains MAJOR spoilers about 1923 Season 2 Episode 3, “Wrap Thee in Terror.”]

Julia Schlaepfer had just one day to tear her 1923 character down to the studs and rebuild her stronger than ever.

Schlaepfer told PEOPLE what her costar and onscreen husband is like off set and reveals how "jarring" it was filming season 2 without him

Season 2, Episode 3, "Wrap Thee In Terror," focused on Alex's (Julia Schlaepfer) attempt to get to Montana to her husband. However, the journey was arduous and as dangerous as any other taken by the other characters.

Schlaepfer's character is sexually assaulted when she reaches Ellis Island, in hopes of reuniting with her American husband (played by Brandon Sklenar): "No one should have to go through what she goes through.

Yellowstone prequel 1923 is back for season two and fans are already obsessed with Alex (played by Julia Schlaepfer) and Spencer Dutton (played by Brandon Sklenar)