There’s no doubt that the “Yellowstone” prequel series “1923” has been a hit for Paramount+. As the streamer’s biggest debut ever, the Taylor Sheridan-helmed spin-off was the first in the greater “Yellowstone” franchise to earn itself a second season. “Well, it’s really the second half of the season,” Sheridan explained to Deadline after the 2022 announcement that “1923” would continue. “This one is different than “1883” where I had the whole thing blocked out in my head. This one, I had no idea what I was going to do.”
Of course, “1883” was a huge hit with audiences and critics alike, becoming a fast favorite among Sheridan’s impressively expanding filmography. Nevertheless, the first prequel’s shocking ending threw viewers for a loop, cutting any potential threads that could’ve lead into a sophomore season. Given Sheridan’s popularity and complete creative freedom, the fact that he’s taking his time in telling the second “Yellowstone” origin story means that he’s hoping to make “1923” even bigger and better than its predecessor. Not that it’s hard, with Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren in tow.
As viewers anxiously await the second half of the “1923” story, they can only speculate as to what the early 20th century Duttons will do upon the show’s return. The first season certainly left fans with plenty of unanswered questions, and very few answers. Here’s hoping that Season 2 of “1923” can stick the landing, deliver on all the exciting Western action and romance viewers want to see going forward, and that it includes the list of desires catalogued below.
Unlike Lee Dutton (Dave Annable), who was killed off in the very first episode of “Yellowstone,” John Dutton, Sr. (played by James Badge Dale on “1923”) was killed off after a few, but that only made it harder to say goodbye. John had gone through a lot in his few decades on Earth, having survived the journey to Montana in “1883,” the cold winters of 1893 (as seen via flashbacks on “Yellowstone” Season 4), and helping turn his family’s land into something grand in honor of his ancestors, it was sad to see him go. What’s worse, he left his wife and son behind.
In the aftermath, John’s son Jack (Darren Mann) quickly settled down, but John’s wife Emma (Marley Shelton) found no peace, committing suicide soon after. Naturally, John’s demise was hard on everyone involved, and his younger brother Spencer (Brandon Sklenar) has yet to even really grieve his death. Since Banner Creighton (Jerome Flynn) and Donald Whitfield (Timothy Dalton), the men responsible for John’s death, still walk free, it makes the sting run even deeper.On multiple occasions, Jack has hoped to avenge his father’s death, only to be stopped by his aunt Clara (Helen Mirren) at every turn. While nobody wants Jack to do anything foolish, it’s paramount that John’s death be avenged before the series’ end, either by his son or by his long-lost brother upon his return home. It certainly wouldn’t be a Western without a little bit of vigilante justice.
Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren’s Jacob and Clara Dutton quickly became fan-favorites, and for good reason. Their honest portrayal of a longstanding marriage, their differing approaches to business and family, and their genuine chemistry make them joyful to watch, and their love easy to be believed. In a franchise rife with bad romances and tortured marriages, Jacob and Clara are the breath of fresh air that the world of “Yellowstone” desperately needed. Coupled with pairs like Jack and Liz (Michelle Randolph) or Spencer and Alex (Julia Schlaepfer), it’s clear why folks love this series.
Between the years of 1893 and 1923, very little is known about the Dutton family history. Sometime around 1893, both James and Margaret Dutton (played to perfection by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill on “1883”) died, leaving their young sons John and Spencer behind. Soon after, the boys were found by their aunt and uncle, who took them and their family land in as their own. The series doesn’t reveal much about Jacob and James’ relationship either. Prior to “1923,” little is known of James’ sister Claire (Dawn Olivieri), except that she didn’t survive the journey to Montana